16^th Sunday after Pentecost

“God’s Work. Our Hands” Season

September 8, 2024, 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Classic Communion Service

We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.

Holy Communion will be part of this service. 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 or group, 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 gathered uses 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 on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. 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.

In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.

GATHERING

WELCOME

“Healer of Our Every Ill”              ELW #612, vss 1, 2, 4

 

Refrain

      Healer of our ev’ry ill,

      light of each tomorrow,

      give us peace beyond our fear,

      and hope beyond our sorrow.

1    You who know our fears and sadness,

      grace us with your peace and gladness;

      Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.  Refrain

2    In the pain and joy beholding

      how your grace is still unfolding,

      give us all your vision, God of love.  Refrain

4    You who know each thought and feeling,

      teach us all your way of healing;

      Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.  Refrain

Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950

Text © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who forgives all our sin,

whose mercy endures forever.

Amen.

God promises to forgive our iniquity

and to remember our sin no more.

By grace we have been saved.

In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ,

the source of eternal healing,

our sins are forgiven.

Therefore, we dare to confess our sin and come to God for healing.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Gracious God, have mercy on us.

We confess that we have honored you with our lips,

but have harmed our neighbors with both words and deeds.

The cravings at war within us cause conflicts and disputes.

In our desire to be first we make distinctions to use against others.

We place the needs of the poor and the suffering behind our own.

In your great mercy, forgive us.

Draw near to us with grace in our time of need,

and turn us to follow in the way of Jesus, the Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

Recognizing that we are a loved and forgiven people, by your grace, oh God, we worship you.

 

GREETING

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

And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord. Amen.

CHOIR ANTHEM

 

WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

“Earth Is Full of Wit and Wisdom” ACS #1064

1    Earth is full of wit and wisdom,

      sounding God’s delighted laugh,

      from the tiny roly-poly

      to the treetop-tall giraffe.

      All creation sings in wonder;

      even rocks and trees rejoice

      as they join the ringing chorus:

      echoes of our Maker’s voice.

2    Earth is full of wit and wisdom,

      woven into harmony.

      Ev’ry creature has a purpose,

      ev’ry flow’r and bumblebee.

      Spider, human, redwood, gecko,

      monkey, chicken, mouse, and snake

      live within a single fabric:

      cloth that only God could make.

3    Earth is full of wit and wisdom:

      penguin, platypus, and snail,

      cactus, sea slug, oak, and algae,

      from the microbe to the whale.

      In this great and strange creation,

      with a breath God gives us birth:

      born of soil to live as stewards,

      called to love and serve the earth.

Text: Adam M. L. Tice, b. 1979

Text © 2009 GIA Publications, Inc., giamusic.com. All rights reserved.

 

Mark 7:24-37

In Mark’s gospel, encounters with women usually signify turning points in Jesus’ ministry. Here, a conversation with a Syrophoenician woman marks the beginning of his mission to the Gentiles.

 

James 2:1-10

Faithful Christians do not show partiality to the rich and powerful of the world, especially at the expense of the poor and weak. Likewise, faith does not pay mere lip service to God’s will. Instead, a living Christian faith expresses itself in acts of compassion and mercy for those in need.

 

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9

The sayings in the book of Proverbs impart the collective wisdom of centuries. Speaking of wealth and poverty, these particular verses teach that those who are blessed by God should honor the poor, for they are within God’s special care.

SERMON                                                                                                       Pastor Karla

 

“Borning Cry”                     ELW #732

1    “I was there to hear your borning cry,

      I’ll be there when you are old.

      I rejoiced the day you were baptized

      to see your life unfold.

      I was there when you were but a child,

      with a faith to suit you well;

      in a blaze of light you wandered off

      to find where demons dwell.”

2    “When you heard the wonder of the Word

      I was there to cheer you on;

      you were raised to praise the living Lord,

      to whom you now belong.

      If you find someone to share your time

      and you join your hearts as one,

      I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme

      from dusk till rising sun.”

3    “In the middle ages of your life,

      not too old, no longer young,

      I’ll be there to guide you through the night,

      complete what I’ve begun.

      When the evening gently closes in

      and you shut your weary eyes,

      I’ll be there as I have always been,

      with just one more surprise.”

4    “I was there to hear your borning cry,

      I’ll be there when you are old.

      I rejoiced the day you were baptized

      to see your life unfold.”

Text: John C. Ylvisaker, b. 1937

Text © 1985 John C. Ylvisaker

 

PRAYER QUILT DEDICATION

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Those who trust in the Lord stand fast forever.

Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are true of heart. (Ps. 125:1, 4)

 

MEAL

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 are invited to offer ourselves; our 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. Thank you.

 

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION

LORD’S PRAYER

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

 

SENDING

 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

BLESSING

 

“Praise and Thanksgiving”                     ELW #689

 

1    Praise and thanksgiving, God, we would offer

      for all things living, you have made good:

      harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard,

      hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.

2    God, bless the labor we bring to serve you,

      that with our neighbor we may be fed.

      Sowing or tilling, we would work with you,

      harvesting, milling for daily bread.

3    Father, providing food for your children,

      by Wisdom’s guiding teach us to share

      one with another, so that, rejoicing

      with us, all others may know your care.

4    Then will your blessing reach ev’ry people,

      freely confessing your gracious hand.

      Where you are reigning, no one will hunger;

      your love sustaining showers the land.

Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984, alt.

Text © Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION

You are the body of Christ.                        We are the body of Christ, indeed!

So go in peace                                             To explore the Faith

Live in peace                                                To express our faith to others

Share the peace                                          By inviting others to join us on this journey.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, SO LET’S GO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS!

THANKS BE TO GOD. 

 

 

Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day (altered), and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965