Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member of the household use a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.

Gospel Sunday

Welcome

Prayer for Illumination

P: God of the stars and God of our hearts— our days will pass but your words will last.
C: The earth might fade but your words will last.

P: Our memories might blur but your words will last.

C: The grass will wither but your words will last.

P: The sky could go dark and your words would last.

C: So as we listen today, help us to hold onto what will last.
Help us hold onto you. Gratefully we pray, amen.

“My Lord, What a Morning” ELW #438

 

Refrain

My Lord, what a morning;

my Lord, what a morning;

oh, my Lord, what a morning,

when the stars begin to fall.

1    You will hear the trumpet sound,

to wake the nations underground,

looking to my God’s right hand,

when the stars begin to fall.  Refrain

2    You will hear the sinner cry,

to wake the nations underground,

looking to my God’s right hand,

when the stars begin to fall.  Refrain

3    You will hear the Christian shout,

to wake the nations underground,

looking to my God’s right hand,

when the stars begin to fall.  Refrain

Text: African American spiritual

“It’s Me, O Lord (Standing in the Need of Prayer) TFF  #240, vss 1, 3, 4

 

Refrain

It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer;

it’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.

1. Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,

standin’ in the need of prayer; not my brother, not my sister,

but it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.  Refrain

3. Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,

standin’ in the need of prayer; not my father, not my mother,

but it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.  Refrain

4. Not the stranger, not my neighbor, but it’s me, O Lord,

standin’ in the need of prayer; not the stranger, not my neighbor,

but it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.  Refrain

Text: African American spiritual

Music: Standing in the Need, African American spiritual

 

Candle Lighting Liturgy 

Call to Confession 

Prayer of Confession 

All: Gracious God,
We find ourselves with two options every day—
to stay homesick for the world we used to know, allowing cynicism to win, or be homesick for the home you have designed for us. 

Do we hope against hope, or do we throw in the towel? 

Do we insist on a better world, or do we assume it’s impossible?
Forgive us for the days when cynicism wins.
Forgive us for numbing our homesick hurt instead of using it to fuel a vision of a new home in a better world. Kindle in us a hope that won’t let go.
Gratefully we pray, amen. 

Words of Forgiveness

Family of faith, even when we throw in the towel, even when we give up on hope, God does not give up on us. We are loved. We are claimed. We are invited to be God’s home. So declare and trust this good news:

All: There is room for me in God’s house, and nothing can separate me from that love. I am claimed. I am forgiven. I am welcomed home. Thanks be to God! Amen. 

All: Trusting in the power of the presence of God, which gives us a renewed confidence of being the gospel we believe in, we worship together.

“Day by Day” ELW #790

 

1    Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me,

bringing comfort to my anxious soul.

Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me

draw me nearer to my heav’nly goal.

Love divine, beyond all mortal measure,

brings to naught the burdens of my quest;

Savior, lead me to the home I treasure,

where at last I’ll find eternal rest.

2    Day by day, I know you will provide me

strength to serve and wisdom to obey;

I will seek your loving will to guide me

o’er the paths I struggle day by day.

I will fear no evil of the morrow,

I will trust in your enduring grace.

Savior, help me bear life’s pain and sorrow

till in glory I behold your face.

3    Oh, what joy to know that you are near me

when my burdens grow too great to bear;

oh, what joy to know that you will hear me

when I come, O Lord, to you in prayer.

Day by day, no matter what betide me,

you will hold me ever in your hand.

Savior, with your presence here to guide me,

I will reach at last the promised land.

Text: Carolina Sandell Berg, 1832-1903; tr. Robert Leaf, 1936-2005

Text © 1992 Augsburg Fortress.

Theme Prayer

 

“Come by Here” TFF 43, vss 1, 2, 4, 5

1. Come by here, my Lord, come by here; come by here, my Lord, come by here;

come by here, my Lord, come by here; O Lord, come by here.

2. Someone’s crying, Lord, come by here; someone’s crying Lord, come by here;

someone’s crying, Lord, come by here; O Lord, come by here.

4     Someone’s praying, Lord, come by here; someone’s praying, Lord, come by

here;

someone’s praying, Lord, come by here; O Lord, come by here.

5. Someone needs you, Lord, come by here; someone needs you, Lord, come by here;

someone needs you, Lord, come by here; O Lord, come by here.

Text: Traditional

Music: Kum Ba Yah, traditional

Children’s Message

Message

“Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound” ELW #779 vss 1, 2, 4

1    Amazing grace! how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

was blind, but now I see.

2    ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved;

how precious did that grace appear

the hour I first believed!

4    The Lord has promised good to me;

his word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be

as long as life endures.

Text: John Newton, 1725-1807, alt., sts. 1-4; anonymous, st. 5

Prayer of the People

Offering our Gifts for the Mission and Ministry of God’s Church

The Word has been spoken.  Now, may it stir in our hearts.

Communion

One: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:

Blessed are you for the birth of creation.

Blessed are you in the chaos and in the light.

Blessed are you for your promise to your people.

Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.

Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.

Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,

the Word made flesh.

(Please join with me as we say the Words of Institution)

All: In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

One: We proclaim the mystery of faith:

All: Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

One: With this bread and cup

we remember your Word dwelling among us,

full of grace and truth.

We remember our new birth in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We look with hope for his coming.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit.

Come among us.

Bless this meal.

May your Word take flesh in us.

Awaken your people.

Fill us with your light.

Bring the gift of peace on earth.

Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours,

Holy One of Israel,

Word of God incarnate,

Power of the Most High,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Amen.

Distribution

Post Communion Blessing

Community Announcements

Blessing

“Ten Thousand Reasons” ACS #1097

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Refrain

Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul;
worship his holy name.  Sing like never before,
O my soul;  I’ll worship your Holy name

1  The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
it’s time to sing your song again.  Whatever may

pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be

singing when the evening comes.

2  You’re rich in love, and you’re slow to anger. Your

name is great, and your heart is kind.  For all your

goodness, I will keep on singing  – ten thousand

reasons for my heart to find.

3. And on that day when my strength is failing, the
   end draws near, and my time has come; still, my

soul will sing your praise unending – ten thousand

years and then forevermore!

Send Off

One: Go in peace

All: To explore the Faith

One: Live in peace

All: To express our faith to others

One: Share the peace

All: By inviting others to join us on this journey toward home.

All: THANKS BE TO GOD. CHRIST IS NEAR!

Scriptural Synopses from Sundays & Seasons, © 2020 Augsburg. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.

Gospel Reading:                                                                                       Luke 21:25-36

God will fulfill God’s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God’s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God’s promised redemption.

First Reading:                                                                                    Jeremiah 33:14-16

In the Old Testament, “righteousness” often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today’s reading, Jerusalem’s future name—“The Lord is our righteousness”—proclaims that God is even now working salvation for Israel.

 

Second Reading:                                                                              1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Upon Timothy’s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the people of this growing church.

One: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

One: We join in prayer…

All: Almighty and ever-living God, you anointed your beloved Son to be priest and sovereign forever. Grant that all the people of the earth, now divided by the power of sin, may be united by the glorious and gentle rule of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

Hymn of Dedication                “Lift High the Cross”                    ELW #660 vss 1, 3, 4

 

Refrain

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim

till all the world adore his sacred name.

1    Come, Christians, follow where our captain trod,

our king victorious, Christ, the Son of God.  Refrain

3    O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,

as thou hast promised, draw us all to thee.  Refrain

4    So shall our song of triumph ever be:

praise to the Crucified for victory!  Refrain

Text: George W. Kitchin, 1827-1912; rev. Michael R. Newbolt, 1874-1956

Text © 1974 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Children’s Message

First Reading                                                                                          2 Samuel 23:1-7

This song attributed to David speaks of a promise: God will establish David’s house (dynasty) forever. Indeed, David’s dynasty endured more than four hundred years until the exile in 587 BCE. When there was no longer a Davidic king on the throne, this promise was understood to refer to the Messiah.

 

Second Reading                                                                                  Revelation 1:4b-8

The book of Revelation begins by celebrating the Almighty God, who spans all of time. Similarly, Jesus is celebrated as the firstborn from the dead who rules over the world’s rulers. He is the one whose return we eagerly await.

 

Gospel                                                                                                        John 18:33-37

In John’s gospel, the story of Jesus and Pilate presents two different ways of exercising power: through force or with love.

 

Sermon                                                                                                           Pastor Karla

 

Hymn of the Day        “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant”          ELW #659 vss 1, 2, 5

1    Will you let me be your servant,

let me be as Christ to you?

Pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant, too.

2    We are pilgrims on a journey,

we are trav’lers on the road;

we are here to help each other

walk the mile and bear the load.

5    Will you let me be your servant,

let me be as Christ to you?

Pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant, too.

Text: Richard Gillard, b. 1953

Text © 1977 Scripture In Song (c/o Integrity’s Hosanna Music) /ASCAP, c/o Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695.

 

Prayers of the People 

… May your spirit speak through us.

May a holy word be on our tongues. (2 Samuel 23:2)

Offering our Gifts for the Mission and Ministry of God’s Church

We have prayed. We have sung.  We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we invite you to offer yourself; your time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran.  

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion

One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…

All: Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against

us;

and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

Communion Blessing

Community Announcements

Blessing

Sending Song                            “Soon and Very Soon”                                ELW #439

1. Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King,
   soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King,
   soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King.
   Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re goin’ to see the King!
   Hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah,

2. No more cryin’ there, we are goin’ to see the King,
   no more cryin’ there, we are goin’ to see the King,
   no more cryin’ there, we are goin’ to see the King.
   Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re goin’ to see the King!
   Hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah,

3. No more dyin’ there, we are goin’ to see the King,
   no more dyin’ there, we are goin’ to see the King,
   no more dyin’ there, we are goin’ to see the King.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re goin’ to see the King!
Hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah,

4. Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King,
   soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King,
   soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King.
   Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re goin’ to see the King!
   Hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah, hallelujah,

Text: Andrae Crouch, b. 1945

Music: Andrae Crouch

Text and music © 1976 Bud John Songs, Inc./Crouch Music, admin. EMI Christian Music Publishing

 

Sending

One: Go in peace

All: To explore the Faith

One: Live in peace

All: To express our faith to others

One: Share the peace

All: By inviting others to join us on this journey.

All: THANKS BE TO GOD. 

Confession and Forgiveness, Prayer of the Day, and Scriptural Synopses from Sundays & Seasons,  © 2020 Augsburg. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.