September 21, 2014 Joseph in Prison Genesis 39:1-23

Transcription

1 September 21, 2014 Joseph in Prison Genesis 39:1-23

2 Grace Lutheran Church September 21, :30 a.m. Welcome to worship at Grace! May this time of gathering in Christian community bless you and enable you to be a blessing to others. Special welcome to Newcomers in the name of Christ! We pray that our time of worship would give you the chance to offer your prayer and praise, hear anew the Word of God, and receive our Lord s presence in Holy Communion. Enlarged print bulletins and personal assist hearing devices are available. Please see an usher for assistance. Children s bulletins and activity bags are also available. The order of worship, and many of the prayers, can be found in the worship bulletin. Hymns and worship music can be found in the red worship books. Hymns are in the back of the worship book, with the large numbers at the top of the page. Service music is in the front of the worship book, with the small numbers on the bottom of the page. Every Sunday we share Holy Communion. All are welcome to the Lord s Table. When invited by the ushers, please come forward using the center aisle. To receive the bread, hold out your hand, palm up. The minister will place the bread in your hand along with the words "The Body of Christ, given for you." You may respond, "Amen," or "Thanks be to God." Standing at the cup, dip the bread into the wine or juice. The Communion Server will say, "The blood of Christ, shed for you." You may respond "Amen," or "Thanks be to God," before consuming the wine/juice-soaked bread. Then, return to your seat by way of the side aisles. Note: Grape juice (lighter in color) is available as well as wine (darker in color). Gluten-free wafers are available on the table between the servers---after receiving the words of promise, simply take a wafer, dip it into the wine/juice also provided on the table, eat both and return to your seat by way of the side aisles." *Please stand as you are able. 2

3 Prelude * Gathering Hymn #314 Arise, Your Light Has Come * Greeting P: 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. *Confession and Forgiveness P: In hope of the mercy of a loving God, we confess our sins before God and one another (Pause for silence and reflection) P: God of promises made, C: Too often we have been quick to corrupt your good creation. We have failed to be blessings for others. We have not trusted in your promises. Our thoughts, words, and deeds have been selfish. Re-create us in your image, and heal us of our sin. P: Our faithful God loves and forgives all who seek God s face. Today receive the entire forgiveness of all your sins, freely given by a God whose promises are everlasting. Amen. *Hymn #167 Now the Feast and Celebration (The congregation will sing the refrains, and the liturgist and/or choir will sing the verses) *Prayer of the Day L: God of presence, C: you remained faithful to Joseph, even in his darkest hours. Remind us daily that you are with us in every circumstance of our lives. Help us live with gratitude for your presence, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Welcome and Announcements 3

4 Children s Message Anthem Meditation on Beautiful Savior Cathy Moklebust Scripture Genesis 39:1-23 When Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, Potiphar, Pharaoh s chief officer, the commander of the royal guard and an Egyptian, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man and served in his Egyptian master s household. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he did successful. Potiphar thought highly of Joseph, and Joseph became his assistant; he appointed Joseph head of his household and put everything he had under Joseph s supervision. From the time he appointed Joseph head of his household and of everything he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian s household because of Joseph. The Lord blessed everything he had, both in the household and in the field. So he handed over everything he had to Joseph and didn t pay attention to anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome. Some time later, his master s wife became attracted to Joseph and said, Sleep with me. He refused and said to his master s wife, With me here, my master doesn t pay attention to anything in his household; he s put everything he has under my supervision. No one is greater than I am in this household, and he hasn t denied me anything except you, since you are his wife. How could I do this terrible thing and sin against God? Every single day she tried to convince him, but he wouldn t agree to sleep with her or even to be with her. One day when Joseph arrived at the house to do his work, none of the household s men were there. She grabbed his garment, saying, Lie down with me. But he left his garment in her hands and ran outside. When she realized that he had left his garment in her hands and run outside, she summoned the men of her house and said to them, Look, my husband brought us a Hebrew to ridicule us. He came to me to lie down with me, but I screamed. When he heard me raise my voice and scream, he left his garment with me and ran outside. She kept his garment with her until Joseph s master came home, and she told him the same thing: The Hebrew slave whom you brought to us, to ridicule me, came to me; but when I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment with me and ran outside. 4

5 When Joseph s master heard the thing that his wife told him, This is what your servant did to me, he was incensed. Joseph s master took him and threw him in jail, the place where the king s prisoners were held. While he was in jail, the Lord was with Joseph and remained loyal to him. He caused the jail s commander to think highly of Joseph. The jail s commander put all of the prisoners in the jail under Joseph s supervision, and he was the one who determined everything that happened there. The jail s commander paid no attention to anything under Joseph s supervision, because the Lord was with him and made everything he did successful. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Message *Hymn of the Day #709 Andrew Griesman When Our Song Says Peace *Prayers of Intercession The liturgist leads the congregation. Each petition concludes: L: Lord in your mercy, C: Hear our prayer. The prayers conclude: P: With full confidence of your mercy, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Offering & Offertory *Offering Hymn #829 Refrain Only Have You Thanked the Lord? *Offering Prayer L: Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. *Offering Hymn #829 Refrain Only Have You Thanked the Lord Holy Communion 5

6 *Great Thanksgiving 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. *Words of Institution *Lord s Prayer 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 our Lord s Table Words of invitation to the table will include: P: The feast is ready. The gifts of God for the people of God! C: Thanks be to God! Lamb of God (Inside of Back Cover of Hymnal) Distribution of Communion Please see inside front cover of this bulletin for a note on receiving Holy Communion. Distribution Hymn #740 God of the Sparrow * Post Communion Prayer P: God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. 6

7 *Blessing P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord's face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. *Sending Hymn #723 Canticle of the Turning *Dismissal L: Go in peace! Share the Good News! C: Thanks be to God! Postlude ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today s Worship Leaders Presiding Minister: Preaching Liturgist: Lay Reader: Acolyte: Communion Servers: Special Music: Greeters: Ushers: Offering Counters: Grace Geek Squad: Pastor Karen Williams Andrew Griesman, Seminarian Andrew Griesman, Seminarian Monique McClure-Hegge Brianna Parsons Ed & Barb Holtan Bells of Grace-Pete Zitzewitz, Director Rich & Irma Raschke Team A: Paul Gorgos, Captain & Head Usher, Larry Redeker, Captain, Larry Carlson, Ron House, Floyd Nelson, Ron Swenson Team E: Maxine Keller-Captain, Brad & Monigue McClure-Hegge, Pray Family We lift our prayers to God in times of thanksgiving and times of need, in times of joy and times of sorrow. In case of an emergency after church office hours and weekends, please contact Pastor Karen Williams at

8 Mission of the month for September is ELCA Disaster Relief ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response brings hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, Lutheran Disaster Relief stays to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. Lutheran Disaster Response collaborates with other organizations and religious entities in the US and around the world. This enables the greatest stewardship of resources and maximum impact of response. We are a welcome partner because we respect the perspectives and strengths of others. Lutheran Disaster Response is most often the first to arrive and the last to leave disaster areas. Some of the areas that ELCA Disaster Relief is currently working in include Gaza Humanitarian Assistance, Ebola Outbreak Response, unaccompanied and migrant children as well as US tornadoes, flooding and the list goes on and on. Please use your blue multi-purpose envelope and mark mission of the month and support the extraordinary efforts that are being made to reach out to God s people in need here in the US and around the world. COMMITTEE-OF-THE-MONTH Business Management handles all the financial business of the church. The duties are divided individually among each member so they do not meet monthly but stay in contact via /phone. They would appreciate another member to annually review the church's insurance to make sure it is adequate. Our thanks to those who serve on this committee! Please join us on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 as we say goodbye to Pastor William Siong and Good Samaritan Lutheran Church. Good Samaritan will be moving to their new location at Hope Lutheran Church on October 1st. There will be a joint worship service at 9:30 followed by a joint potluck. Hope you can attend! Save the date-fall clean-up day will be held on Saturday October 25, 2014 from 8a-12p. Please bring your cleaning supplies. Coffee and treats will be provided. Good News! 52% of the 2014 budget has come in! Bad News! We have 3 months to receive the remaining 48%. Please do your share of your commitment to your Grace Membership in Time, Talents and Treasures. God knows your finances and will be honored by your giving to Him through Grace. 8

9 Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the ELCA synod. Our growth and existence comes from God s call into membership. We will be welcoming new members to Grace on New Member Sunday, October 19,2014, at the 9:30am worship service. New members will meet Saturday, October 11, 10:00am at church to meet each other and some church members, socialize and receive new member information. If you are interested in becoming a member of Grace or have a question about membership contact Carol Golder, , Pastor Karen or the church office. It s All About the Vine If you were one of the 91 attending last year s A Night to Remember dinner put on by the decorating committee or if you missed it, here is your opportunity for On Sunday, October 12, an Italian dinner will be served promptly at 5 p.m. Plan to arrive early to view and bid on a variety of themed baskets as well as make a donation and receive an entry to win larger items. Dinner will again be catered by The Little Oven restaurant and will consist of your choice of lasagna or chicken parmesan with pasta. Both choices will be served with salad, baguette and dipping oil, beverage and dessert. The price will be $20.00 but remember this includes normal add-ons like tax and gratuity and this is a fundraiser. Watch for tickets going on sale soon. Don t miss out on a great meal, wonderful fellowship, exciting and interesting baskets, an opportunity to win a large gift and most of all a chance to support the efforts of the decorating committee to continue their quest to beautify and update Grace s appearance as we prepare for our 100th anniversary. Wanted - Help to bring and serve treats and coffee for Sunday morning Fellowship in the South Tower Room. Please consider volunteering for this as a family, group, committee or any other way you can devise. Take a look at the information and sign up clipboard in the South Tower room on the table by the door to see if this is something you can commit to. If you have any questions, please see or call Linda Sackreiter at This would include any help with the kitchen (tour, coffee instruction, etc.) 9

10 HUGE THANK YOU to all who helped with the Blood Drive last Monday September 8th. We received 46 units of blood! That included 5 (our most ever!) double red blood cell units which counts double. Thanks to all! Shirley Walby & Carolyn Hesterberg, Co-chairs. Project Home Week Plan ahead! Lutheran Church of Peace on Century Ave has again asked Grace for help in providing volunteer hosts for a week, November 2-8, when LCP shelters homeless families for Project Home. When it was Grace s turn this April, volunteers from LCP graciously provided a week of help for us. So the Church Council voted unanimously to support our neighbor parish s request. Ten times in past years, Grace has provided a safe and welcoming place for homeless families to spend the night, so you might remember that churches are asked to provide space for the families and volunteer hosts every night when the Ramsey County shelter is full. Food, bedding, laundry, oversight and transportation are provided through the St. Paul Council of Churches. The routine will be the same as always. A signup for the 28 shifts will be posted in October. --Evening shift 5:30 8:30 p.m. --Overnight shift 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. --Preparing evening snacks are also needed. 10

11 Stewardship Notes Christian Stewardship has come to mean what we do with what we have all the time. Stewardship is a philosophy of life and a theological form of self management. Stewarship is God s grace working God s purpose out in the world, in, with and through faith in Jesus Christ, enter into a covenant relationship with the empowering Spirit of God that blesses all of creation. Musical Notes Some of the songs we have heard over the years were composed in a very short period of time. For example, Sondheim wrote Send in the Clowns within 3 hours, Mike Post came up with the opening of Law and Order as he was going home from a meeting with the producer, and in this case, our hymn of the day was composed within 23 hours. Thomas Pavlechko got a call that a tune was needed for this text ASAP. He wrote the tune overnight. Sumner Jenkins (for which the tune is named) copied it using notational software, immediately sending it by to Augsburg Fortress. Week ending 9/14/2014 General Offering $2, Mortgage Offering $ Attendance:

12 Sunday September 21-September 28, 2014 Sunday (21) 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:45 a.m. Sunday School/Talk Points 12:00 p.m. Good Samaritan Worship Wednesday (24) 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 10:00 a.m. Sew Group 5:30 p.m. Bells of Grace 6:30 p.m. Joyous Jrs. 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Friday (26) 6:00 p.m. Good Samaritan Events Saturday (27) 8:00 a.m. Men s Bible Study Sunday (28) 9:30 a.m. Jt. Worship with Good Samaritan 10:30 a.m. Jt. Potluck with Good Samaritan 10:45 a.m. Sunday School/Talk Points 12 Rev. Karen Williams, Pastor Rhynda Landt, Administrative Associate 1730 Old Hudson Road Saint Paul, Minnesota office@gracelutheranstpaul.org.