Worship Helpers: Reader-Jody Mischnick, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller
In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were
hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s
word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up
the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.
(*) 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
*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
L: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who greets us in this and every season,
whose word never fails, whose promise is sure.
C: Amen.
L: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of our neighbors.
Silence for reflection.
L: Merciful God,
C: we confess that we have sinned. We have hurt our community. We have squandered
your blessings. We have hoarded your bounty. In the name of Jesus, forgive us and
grant us your mercy.
Silence is kept for reflection.
L: God is a cup of cold water when we thirst. God offers boundless grace when we fail. Claim
the gift of God’s mercy: you are freed and forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
*GATHERING SONG Praise to the Lord, the Almighty ELW 858
*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.
*KYRIE ELW p. 184
*CANTICLE OF PRAISE Glory to God ELW p. 213
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock of our life. Be
our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son, that we may gladly minister to
all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Isaiah 51:1-6
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 138 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: Romans 12:1-8
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME (Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW p. 188
*GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-20
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 16th 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 The Church Song
Refrain: We are the church, the body of our Lord; we are all God’s children. We have been restored.
1 The church is not a building where people go to pray; it’s not made out of sticks and stones, it’s not made out of clay. Refrain
2 You can go to worship but you cannot go to church; you can’t find a building that’s alive no matter how you search. Refrain
3 The church is not a business, a committee or a board; it’s not a corporation for the business of the Lord. Refrain
4 The church, it is the people living out their lives, called, enlightened, sanctified for the work of Jesus Christ. Refrain
*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 Christ 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.)
THANKSGIVING
-PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
The Offering is presented at the altar as the Offertory is sung.
-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.
*THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD ELW p. 220
*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.
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’ – Website: Alliancestjohns.org or Facebook: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 3RD – Jeremiah 15:15-21, Psalm 26:1-8,
Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28.
FELLOWSHIP– Starting SEPTEMBER 3RD-assigned Fellowship time– Scott & Leah Taylor,
Mark & Shardel Nelson. SEPTEMBER 10TH– Violet Yuill, Elaine Leisy.
PRESCHOOL – Taking registrations now! Please spread the word. Thank you for all your
support of the Preschool!
WORSHIP HELPERS – September 3– Reader– Jim Bonsall, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber, September 10– Reader– Kevin Horn, Lay Assistant– Jess Wimmer .
MINI-REVOLUTION SUNDAY SCHOOL– Starting September 10th. We are excited to get
started!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY– Starts September 6th. Join Jody Mischnick and the gang for
prayer and Bible study!
CHURCH DIRECTORY– In honor of St. John’s 75th anniversary, (2025). Please let the church
office know ASAP if you are interested in being in the directory. Pictures would be taken after
all the county fairs are done, with publication later in 2024. If you responded to the email that
was sent out, you don’t need to contact the office. Thanks!
GOD’S WORK OUR HANDS– September 10th. Please sign-up to help in the Fellowship Room.
Lunch will be provided, so we need a head count. Are there folks in our community who could
use help with yard work, or painting, or cleaning, etc.? Let us know what you see.
ADDITIONAL SERVING AVAILABLE– Please be sure and check the oak table for sign-up
sheets for additional ways to serve- “Welcome to Worship Bags”, “Mini-Revolution” and the.
“Hospitality Crew”. Please check it out. Also, be considering what dates you can sign-up in
October for “Meals On Wheels”! Thank you for your service.
COMMUNITY TABLE– August 28th at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
“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 8/20/2023 $116,659.32 Giving thru 8/20/2023 $86,194.23
Giving under actual expenses ($30,465.09)
33 Weeks of Budgeted Expenses $125,924.37 Giving under Budgeted Expenses ($39,730.14)
