WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader – Patricia Jones Lay Assistant – Earl Jones
In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven
times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the 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 We Praise You, O God ELW 870
*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 Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness. Replace our hearts of
stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may delight in doing your will, through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord. C Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Genesis 50:15-21
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Romans 14:1-12
(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 18:21-35
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the18th 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 Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace ELW 716
*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
Here is Bread ELW 483
-POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
*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 God’s Work. Our Hands
God’s Work, Our Hands (sung to the tune of “Earth and All Starts”)
1 God’s work, our hands: working together,
building a future, repairing the world,
raising up homes, planting new gardens,
feeding the hungry and shelt’ring the cold.
Bless, God, our hands as we work in your name,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
2 God’s work, our feet: trav’ling together,
following Jesus to places unknown,
walking as friends, marching for freedom,
running the race with God’s future the goal.
Bless, God, our feet as we follow your way,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
3God’s work, our voice: singing together,
praising, proclaiming to all who will hear,
praying for peace, shouting for justice,
claiming God’s love for the lost and the least.
Bless, God, our voice as we speak in your name,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
4God is at work in and around us:
seedlings are sprouting and bread’s on the rise!
Washed and set free, humbled and honored,
gifted by grace, we respond in God’s love.
Bless, God, our lives as we answer your call,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
*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
PRESCHOOL-Taking registrations now!! Please help spread the word. Thank you for all your support
of the Preschool!
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 24th– Jonah 3:10- -4:11, Psalm 145:1-8,
Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16.
COMMUNITY TABLE – September 18th & 25th at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
WORSHIP HELPERS – September 24– Reader– Melinda Ewing, Lay Assistant– Maurine
Roller, October 1– Reader– Jane McConkey, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber.
FELLOWSHIP – SEPTEMBER 24TH– Troy & Michelle Hoxworth, Bev Stravopolous.
OCTOBER 1– Wally & Jody Mischnick, Chris & Rhonda Mischnick.
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.
MEALS ON WHEELS- Please sign-up in the Fellowship Room for St. John’s commitment to
deliver meals for the month of October. Please include your phone number on the sign-up sheet.
Thank you!
PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER- Preschool will have a cookie dough fundraiser starting October
2 nd. This is a great opportunity to get some early Christmas shopping done. You will need some
for yourself as well!
GROCERY KART RECEIPTS- We are collecting Grocery Kart receipts for the Preschool.
Please place them in the grocery kart in the Fellowship Room.
HEAD START BACKPACKS- We are still collecting individually wrapped food items for the
Head Start Backpack Program. Your donations are greatly appreciated!
1st-6th GRADE BIBLE WORKSHOP– Postponed until October. Please let Pastor Megan or the
church office know if you are interested in attending!
GREENHOUSE HELP NEEDED– On Tuesday, September 19th beginning at 8am, we will be
installing the Lexan (plastic) on the Greenhouse. We would appreciate your help with labor for
this big endeavor! No experience necessary. Thank you for your support of the Greenhouse!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 9/10/2023 $124,297.32 Giving thru 9/10/2023 $95,056.56
Giving under actual expenses ($29,240.76)
36 Weeks of Budget Expenses $137,372.04 Giving under Budget Expenses ($42,315.48)
