Worship Helpers: Reader-Melinda Ewing, Lay Assistant– Mary Crawford
FELLOWSHIP: Troy & Michelle Hoxworth, Bev Stravopolous
Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like
that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to
work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet
God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that
is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars.
(*) 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 un
just 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 Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading ELW 401
*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 (spoken)
(Response to the leader) C: Lord, have mercy. (Final response) C: Amen, amen.
*CANTICLE OF PRAISE Glory to God ELW p. 213
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual lovingkindness to us your servants. Because
we cannot rely on our own abilities, grant us your merciful judgment, and train us to embody
the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Jonah 3:10- -4:11
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 145:1-8 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: Philippians 1:21-30
(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 20:1-16
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 20th 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 Hopefulness ELW 765
*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 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 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.
*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 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 INSERT
*DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. God is at work in you.
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 OCTOBER 1ST – Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 25:1-9,
Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32.
FELLOWSHIP– OCTOBER 1ST– Wally & Jody Mischnick, Chris & Rhonda Mischnick,
OCTOBER 8TH– Earl & Patricia Jones, Jeff & Marti Schleicher.
PRESCHOOL – October 2nd– Cookie Dough Fundraiser!
PET BLESSING – October 4th at 6:30 worship
WORSHIP HELPERS – October 1– Reader– Jane McConkey, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber, October 8– Reader– Jess Wimmer, Lay Assistant– Ron Henzler .
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– September 25th at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
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!
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! Numbers have increased
to 53 children!
“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!
OCTOBER– Ask
In a world that is shifting and changing, we have come to recognize the importance of asking
good questions. Good questions come from intentional listening and a willingness to engage
with the unknown. God, Jesus, prophets, disciples, crowds, and Martin Luther all asked questions. As followers of Jesus, we are called to wrestle with questions, which do not always result
in clear answers.
Questions to consider:
What big questions are on your heart and mind? What is a question you are afraid to ask?
What would you add to Martin Luther’s 95 Theses? What is a ‘GO to’ question as you engage
in conversation?
Prayer: Knowing God, what are you asking of me? Amen.
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 9/17/2023 $133,335.47 Giving thru 9/17/2023 $100,616.56
Giving under actual expenses ($32,718.91)
37 Weeks of Budgeted Expenses $141,187.93 Giving under Budgeted Expenses ($40,571.37)
