Worship Helpers: Reader-Jess Wimmer, Lay Assistant– Ron Henzler
FELLOWSHIP: Paul & Suzanne Wills, Jeff & Marti Schleicher
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells a vineyard parable, which serves as an image of Israel, the prophets’ mission, and Christ’s death. For Christians, the vineyard also speaks of God’s love poured out in
the blood of Christ, given to us for the forgiveness of sin. Grafted onto Christ the vine at baptism, we
are nourished with wine and bread so that we may share Christ’s sufferings and know the power of his
resurrection.
(*) 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 Many and Great, O God ELW 837
*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: Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your
Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Isaiah 5:1-7
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 80:7-15 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: Philippians 3:4b-14
(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 21:33-46
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 The Church of Christ, in Every Age ELW 729
*APOSTLES’ CREED ELW p. 105
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
each petition ends with
L God of grace, C hear 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 We Plow the Fields and Scatter ELW 681
*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 15TH – Isaiah 25:1-9, Psalm 23, Philippians 4:1-
9, Matthew 22:1-14.
FELLOWSHIP– OCTOBER 15TH– BRUNCH!, OCTOBER 22ND– Jim & Deanna Darveau,
Cassie Steggall.
CELEBRATION OF OUR FRIENDS OVER 80– October 15th
PRESCHOOL – Cookie Dough Fundraiser! Catch a preschooler or preschool board member
for information. Sales end October 16th. Pick-up will be November 1st from 4-5pm in the
Fellowship Room.
WORSHIP HELPERS – October 15– Reader– Natalie Tyler, Lay Assistant– Melinda Ewing,
October 22– Reader– Kevin Horn, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller .
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– October 16th & 23rd at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
BIBLE WORKSHOP– October 28th from 10am to noon. Any youth interested in receiving a
Bible may attend with a sponsor. Please contact the church office or Pastor Megan.
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!
“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 10/1/2023 $140,390.74 Giving thru 10/1/2023 $103,628.93
Giving under actual expenses ($36,761.81)
39 Weeks of Budgeted Expenses $148,819.71 Giving under Budgeted Expenses ($45,190.78)
