WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader – Natalie Tyler Lay Assistant – Ron Henzler
In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the
outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching
in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church
extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive
strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
-PRELUDE
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Calling all children of the Living God: the gospel is good news for every age and every stage.
ALL: Let us worship together, the young and the old.
L: The good news is proclaimed through God’s Word in worship, and we can also tell the story
with crayons, songs, while sharing snacks, and while we learn and play.
ALL: Let us worship together, every generation.
L: We come together with different abilities and disabilities, learning in a rainbow of ways and styles.
ALL: Let us worship together, with our family of faith, and share the good news with everyone.
L: All are welcome in the arms of Christ who proclaimed, “Let the children come!”
ALL: Let us worship together, united in our eternal hope.
*GATHERING SONG All Are Welcome ELW 641
*GREETING
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
C: And also with you.
*CANTICLE OF PRAISE This is the Feast ELW p. 187
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
L God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as
disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may
be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME BLESSING OF BACKSPACKS/BAGS/CASES (Insert)
(Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
BLESSING OF BACKPACKS/BAGS/MUSIC CASES
P: Dear God, as we get ready to start another year in school,
ALL: we ask your blessing on these backpacks, bags, music cases, lunch boxes, and especially on these children who will carry them.
A: As they do the very important work of being students, bless them with:
Piano Side: Eagerness to learn, that their world may grow large;
Sound Booth Side: Respect for teachers and students, that they may form healthy relationships;
Piano Side: Love for nature, that they may become caretakers of your creation;
Sound Booth Side: Happiness when learning is easy and stick-to- it-iveness when it is hard;
ALL: Faith in Jesus as their best teacher and closest friend.
P: We ask that you would protect these, your own children. Watch over them and keep them safe as they travel to and from school.
A: As they learn, help them also to discover the different gifts that you have given each one of them to be used in your work in the world.
ALL: As they hear the many voices that will fill their days,
Piano Side: Help them to listen most carefully for your voice,
Sound Booth Side: The one that tells them you will love them always, no matter what.
ALL: We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW p. 188
*GOSPEL: Matthew 15:10-28
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the15th chapter.
C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ
-MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow
*HYMN OF THE DAY Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (vs 1-4) ELW 886
*APOSTLES’ CREED ELW p. 105
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(Each petition ends with) L Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
*SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C And also with you.
(Please share a sign of God’s peace with one another, such as Peace be with you.)
-PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
The Offering is presented at the altar as the Offertory is sung and the Lord’s table is prepared.
*OFFERTORY We Are an Offering ELW 692
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
L God of field and forest, sea and sky, you are the giver of all good things. Sustain us with these gifts
of your creation, and multiply your graciousness in us, that the world may be fed with your love,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
*GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE & PREFACE
P: The Lord be with you. 3
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
*HOLY, HOLY, HOLY ELW p. 190
*THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
*LORD’S PRAYER
L Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
C 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.
*INVITATION TO COMMUNION
*HOLY COMMUNION
(We invite you to come forward down the center aisle starting with the back pews. When you reach the
front, hold out your hands if you would like to receive communion, or hold your arms across your chest
to receive a blessing. If children receive communion in their home congregation, they are welcome to
receive communion at St. John’s. Just say, “Gluten free” if you would like gluten free wafers. There are
cups with red wine and white grape juice in the trays. Let us know if you’d like communion brought to
you in the pew. All are welcome at Christ’s table!)
*COMMUNION HYMNS Lamb of God ELW p. 191
One Bread, One Body ELW 496
*POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
*BLESSING
L: The God who calls across the cosmos and speaks in the smallest seed ☩ bless, keep, and sustain you now and to the end of the age.
C: Amen.
*SENDING HYMN I Love to Tell the Story ELW 661
*DISMISSAL
L: Go in peace. Share the harvest.
C: Thanks be to God.
-POSTLUDE
ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULES
ONLINE WORSHIP – VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: Alliancestjohns.org
OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AT: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CARRY-IN BRUNCH– TODAY! Please join us after worship!
CONFIRMATION MEETING– TODAY after worship. A brief informational meeting for 7th &
8th graders & their parents or representatives.
BLESSING OF ALL SCHOOL BAGS & CASES– Wednesday, August 23rd at the 6:30pm worship! Let’s show our youth that God & St. John’s Lutheran Church has their backs!
PRESCHOOL-Taking registrations now!! Please help spread the word. Thank you for all your
support of the Preschool!
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 27th– Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12:1-8,
Matthew 16:13-20.
COMMUNITY TABLE – August 21st & 28th at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
HEAD START BACKPACKS– We are collecting individually wrapped items for backpacks.
Thank you for your support!
WORSHIP HELPERS – August 27– Reader– Jody Mischnick, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller,
September 3– Reader– Jim Bonsall, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber.
FELLOWSHIP– Starting SEPTEMBER 3RD-assigned Fellowship time– Scott & Leah Taylor,
Mark & Shardel Nelson.
“GO AND…” – Ready, Set, Go! In the Great Commission, Jesus calls us to GO. We are taking
those words to heart. The Nebraska Synod Assembly launched a year-long focus to “Go And…”
We invite you to be part of this call to GO!
SEPTEMBER– SERVE WITH NEIGHBORS
As Mr. Rogers asked us – “Who is your neighbor?” Love grounds us as we engage with our
neighbors living next door, the people in surrounding communities, and those living beyond our
own horizons. Accompaniment calls us to use our God-given gifts and talents as we collaborate,
learn from each other, and together walk in agape love.
Questions to consider:
Who is your neighbor? How do you know? What did you discover in walking with your neighbor?
As you GO with your neighbors, how do you describe your vocation?
Prayer: God of Accompaniment, you meet us where we are. Help us meet our neighbors wherever they might be and walk with them. Amen.
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 8/13/2023 $109,955.67 Giving thru 8/13/2023 $85,131.85
Giving under actual expenses ($24,823.82)
32 Weeks of Budget Expenses $122,108.48 Giving under Budget Expenses ($36,976.63)
