WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader – Natalie Tyler Lay Assistant – Melinda Ewing
FELLOWSHIP: BRUNCH!!
In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In
Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others.
In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of
God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth
to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.
(*) 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
-CHOIR ANTHEM
*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 How Great Thou Art ELW 856
*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 Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with
abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure,
and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and
Lord. C Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Isaiah 25:1-9
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Philippians 4:1-9
(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 22:1-14
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 22nd 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 Amazing Grace ELW 779
*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 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…
*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
What a Friend We Have in Jesus ELW 742
Rock of Ages ELW 623
-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 Beautiful Savior ELW 838
*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
CARRY-IN BRUNCH & CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS OVER 80– TODAY!
OCTOBER 22– The Piecemakers will have their quilts on display in the Sanctuary! This is in
preparation for disbursement to local serving agencies and Lutheran World Relief.
BIBLE WORKSHOP– October 28th from 10am to noon. Any 1st-6th grade youth interested in
receiving a Bible may attend with a sponsor. Contact the church office or Pastor Megan.
OCTOBER 29– Reformation Sunday (color of red), Bible Sunday.
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF OCTOER 22nd– Isaiah 45:1-7, Psalm 96:1-13, 1 Thessalonians
1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22.
COMMUNITY TABLE – October 16th & 23rd at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
WORSHIP HELPERS – October 22– Reader– Kevin Horn, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller,
October 29– Reader– Jim Bonsall, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber.
FELLOWSHIP – OCTOBER 22ND– Jim & Deanna Darveau, Cassie Steggall, OCTOBER
29TH– Earl & Patricia Jones, Kim Alschewede.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS!- November 5th
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY– November 5th
VETERANS RECOGNITION– November 12th. Please have information to the office of a veteran you would like acknowledged by November 4th! Name, branch of service, places served,
dates of service.
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!
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 10/8/2023 $140,475.74 Giving thru 10/8/2023 $108,264.57
Giving under actual expenses ($32,211.17)
40 Weeks of Budget Expenses $152,635.60 Giving under Budget Expenses ($44,371.03)
