WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader – Brian Johnson Lay Assistant – Luayne Weisgerber
Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the
reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and
new life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our
own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy 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 All Creatures, Worship God Most High! ELW 835
*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 love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Philippians 21:1-13
(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 21:23-32
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 21st 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 God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me INSERT
(O Christ, Surround Me)
*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.
*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 Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing ELW 545
*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
MILLIE KUNCL BIRTHDAY– The family of Millie Kuncl will be having a 90th birthday party
for her on October 13th. Her son Eric is requesting cards from the congregation for this celebration. He would like them mailed to him at Millie Kuncl, c/o Eric Kuncl, 655 Antelope Cir,
Papillion, NE 68046. He will pass them on to her.
PET BLESSING – October 4th at 6:30 worship
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF OCTOER 8th– Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:7-15, Philippians 3:4b14, Matthew 21:33-46.
COMMUNITY TABLE – October 16th & 23rd at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
WORSHIP HELPERS – October 8– Reader– Jess Wimmer, Lay Assistant– Ron Henzler,
FELLOWSHIP – OCTOBER 8TH– Paul & Suzanne Wills, Jeff & Marti Schleicher,
OCTOBER 15TH– BRUNCH!!
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! Numbers have increased
to 53 children!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 9/24/2023 $136,054.84 Giving thru 9/24/2023 $101,579.93
Giving under actual expenses ($34,474.91)
38 Weeks of Budget Expenses $145,003.82 Giving under Budget Expenses ($43,423.89)
