WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader – Jim Bonsall Lay Assistant – Luayne Weisgerber
FELLOWSHIP: Scott & Leah Taylor, Mark & Shardel Nelson
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they
will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer
ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.
(*) 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 God, the one who forms us, ☩ Jesus who bears the cross, the Spirit who makes
our joy complete.
C: Amen.
L: Let us bow before God in humility, confessing our sin.
Silence for reflection.
L: Steadfast and faithful God,
C: you have revealed the ways of justice, yet we fail to follow you. We are overwhelmed
by the world’s violence and suffering. We are afraid to risk what we have for the sake
of others. For the harm we have caused, known and unknown, forgive us. For the
unjust demands we place on others and your creation, forgive us. For the ways we turn
away from you and our neighbor, forgive us. Lead us back to you and set us on the
right path; in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
L: Beloved in Christ, God’s justice stretches beyond all understanding. God’s compassion is
beyond compare. In Jesus, God is always making a new way for us. In ☩ Christ, you are
already and always forgiven.
C: Amen.
*GATHERING SONG For the Beauty of the Earth ELW 879
*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 O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world.
Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow
your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Jeremiah 15:15-21
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Romans 12:9-21
(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 16:21-28
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the16th 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 Will You Come and Follow Me ELW 798
*APOSTLES’ CREED ELW p. 105
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(Each petition ends with) L Merciful God. C receive our prayer.
*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 power, God of plenty, all things belong to you. We bring your gifts to the table, that
all might be fed. Form us into the body of your Beloved, Jesus Christ, our Savior.
C: Amen
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
*GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE & PREFACE
P: The Lord be with you. 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
As the Grains of Wheat ELW 465
-POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
A Sending Prayer on Labor Day Weekend
P: O God, the heavens declare your glory and tell of your work in creation. From you come the gifts of
our bodies and minds, our skills and abilities, and the opportunities to use these gifts in sustaining our
lives and in helping our neighbors. We pray for those whose livelihood is insecure; for those who are
bearing heavy burdens and stressful times at work; for those whose work is tedious or dangerous; for
those who have experienced failures at work; for those who have lost a job; and for all who face any
difficulty in their lives of labor. Surround them with your never-failing love; free them from restlessness and anxiety; keep them in every perplexity and distress; and renew them in facing the opportunities and
challenges of daily life and work; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran
Worship Occasional Services for the Assembly, p. 407)
*BLESSING
L: The God of glory, ☩ Jesus Christ, name above all names, and the Spirit who lives in you,
bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
*SENDING HYMN Take My Life, That I May Be ELW 583
*DISMISSAL
L: Go in peace. God is at work in you.
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
SEPTEMBER 10TH– Mini Revolution Sunday School Starts! “God’s Work. Our Hands”
after worship! Happy Grandparent’s Day!
PRESCHOOL-Taking registrations now!! Please help spread the word. Thank you for all your support
of the Preschool!
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10th– Ezekiel 33:7-11, Psalm 119:33-40,
Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20.
COMMUNITY TABLE – September 18th & 25th at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
WORSHIP HELPERS – September 10– Reader– Kevin Horn, Lay Assistant– Jess Wimmer,
September 17– Reader– Patricia Jones, Lay Assistant– Earl Jones.
“GO AND…” –
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 8/27/2023 $119,321.33
Giving thru 8/27/2023 $88,131.31
Giving under actual expenses ($31,190.02)
34 Weeks of Budget Expenses $129,740.26
Giving under Budget Expenses ($41,608.95)
