Sunday, August 28, th Sunday after Pentecost

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1 Sunday, August 28, th Sunday after Pentecost Introduction Invited and inviting that is the nature of the church. By God s grace in holy baptism we have a place at the banquet table of the Lord. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still. PRELUDE Prelude on a Shaker Hymn Tune Gilbert Martin *GATHERING SONG Gather Us In vv. 1,2,3 ELW Here in this place the new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away; see in this space our fears and our dreamings brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in, the lost and forsaken, gather us in, the blind and the lame; call to us now, and we shall awaken, we shall arise at the sound of our name. 2 We are the young, our lives are a myst'ry, we are the old who yearn for your face; we have been sung throughout all of hist'ry, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in, the rich and the haughty, gather us in, the proud and the strong; give us a heart, so meek and so lowly, give us the courage to enter the song. 3 Here we will take the wine and the water, here we will take the bread of new birth, here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth. Give us to drink the wine of compassion, give us to eat the bread that is you; nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. *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 1

2 *PRAYER OF THE DAY P O God, C you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen! FIRST READING Proverbs 25:6- The book of Proverbs is part of a collection of writings known as wisdom literature. Wisdom literature gave directions to Israel s leaders and people for the conduct of daily life. Today s reading is about humility. 6 Do not put yourself forward in the king s presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, Come up here, than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. Reflection What is the advice in this proverb? Is this a faith text, or is it etiquette advice? If you had to apply this advice to a real life experience, what would it be? PSALM Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the LORD and have great delight in God s commandments! 2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, and their righteousness will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; the righteous are merciful and full of compassion. 5 It is good for them to be gener- ous in lending and to manage their af- fairs with justice. 6 For they will nev- er be shaken; the righteous will be kept in everlast- ing remembrance. They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; their heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, until they see their desire up- on their enemies. 9 They have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever; they will hold up their head with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away; the desires of the wick- ed will perish. Reflection Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. (verse 1) What does it mean to fear the Lord? This psalm is a meditation on what happens to those who fear the Lord. What 2

3 are the rewards they will receive? (verses 2-3, 6-8) How does the psalmist describe the actions of those who fear the Lord? (verses 4-5, 9) Who benefits when we keep God s commandments? How do those who keep the commandments benefit? Is that the point of keeping the commandments, or are we to keep them in order to love our neighbors? When have you been blessed by someone else keeping God s commandments? Verse 10 turns the psalm around. Who does not want to see God s commandments being kept? Why might that make the wicked angry? Have you ever seen this happen? How does keeping God s commandments nurture our faith? SECOND READING Hebrews 13:1-8, The conclusion of the letter to the Hebrews contains suggestions for the conduct of a holy life, all of which are shaped by God s love toward us in Jesus Christ. 1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. 6 So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Reflection This text continues the meditation on what it means to keep God s commandments. How are we to express mutual love? (verses 1-) How is it possible for us to live in mutual love? (verses 5-6, 8) This is practical advice for how to live in mutual love. What is the hardest to keep? What is the sacrifice (an important concept in Hebrews) that is most pleasing to God? ( verses 15-16) How does this reflect the mutual love that we are called to? *GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia VS 1 Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia; Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia. *GOSPEL Luke 14:1, -14 Jesus observes guests jockeying for position at the table. He uses the opportunity to teach his hearers to choose humility rather than self-exaltation. Jesus also makes an appeal for hosts to mimic God s gracious hospitality to the poor and the broken. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case 3

4 someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, Give this person your place, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, Friend, move up higher ; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 12 He said also to the one who had invited him, When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Reflection Where does the story in this text take place? (verse 1) What is the significance of this setting, do you think? Jesus was evidently watching people come in. Where did they choose to sit? (verse ) What is Jesus advice to them? (verses 8-10) Do you think Jesus is concerned with who is honored by others? I have sometimes had a different problem: not wanting to choose a seat at all for fear that I m not wanted there. Do you ever have that problem? How does Jesus advice concern this issue? Might it be the pews we sit in? Or perhaps there are other times and places when we by our attitudes choose the place of honor? What does it mean to humble yourself? (verse 11) Who exalts us? CHILDREN'S MESSAGE SERMON Kris Langdon I Have Much to Say to You Tom Gear, Pastoral Intern HYMN OF THE DAY We Are Called ELW 20 1 Come! Live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord! We are called to be light for the kingdom, to live in the freedom of the city of God. Refrain We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly; we are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God. 2 Come! Open your heart! Show your mercy to all those in fear! We are called to be hope for the hopeless so hatred and blindness will be no more. Refrain 3 Sing! Sing a new song! Sing of that great day when all will be one! God will reign, and we'll walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in love. Refrain 4

5 *APOSTLES CREED C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen! *PRAYER SONG Let my Prayer be a Fragrant Offering Let my prayer be a fragrant offering, As incense to you arise. Let my prayer be a fragrant offering, My hands lifted up in praise. *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Rooted in Christ and rising to serve, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence. O God, guide leaders who speak your word to your people. Use your church s powerful witness and genuine invitation to welcome all to your banquet table. Hear us, O God. We thank you for tables of abundant food. Bless crops, farms, and industries, that as co-creators with you, we may provide responsibly from the earth for the sake of all. Hear us, O God. Break the bonds of captivity and injustice. Work in leaders and nations to bring peace and to advocate for the least of these. Hear us, O God Heal and comfort those we hold in our hearts and those who have asked for our prayers Verna, John, Scott, Alva, Isabel, and Kathy. We also pray for those we 5

6 name before you aloud or silently in our hearts. (pause for 10 seconds). Bring hope to prisoners, refugees, and outsiders. Hear us, O God. Strengthen marriages, families, and friendships with mutual love and respect. Bless our congregation to be a place of support and care for healthy relationships. Hear us, O God. For all the men and women of our armed forces, at home and abroad. We especially lift up to you, Caleb Taylor. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be. Hear us, O God. Rejoicing in the promise of the heavenly banquet, we give thanks for all those who have died in faith. Join us, with them, at the resurrection of the righteous. Hear us, O God. We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting your promise to hear us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! *SHARING OF THE PEACE P The peace of Christ be with you always. C And also with you! *OFFERING P What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? C I will offer to him the sacrifice of thanksgiving: and will call upon the Name of the Lord. OFFERTORY The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing vv. 1 & 3 ELW 531 Verse 1 The trumpets sound, the angels sing, the feast is ready to begin. The gates of heav'n are open wide, and Jesus welcomes you inside. Refrain Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight. Come and revel in heaven's love and light. 6

7 Take your place at the table of the King. The feast is ready to begin; the feast is ready to begin. Verse 3 The hungry heart he satisfies, offers the poor his paradise. Now hear all heav n and earth applaud the amazing goodness of the Lord *OFFERTORY RESPONSE Thank the Lord and Sing His Praise Thank the Lord and sing his praise; Tell ev ryone what he has done. Let ev ryone who seeks the Lord Rejoice and proudly bear his name. He recalls his promises And leads his people forth in joy With shouts of thanksgiving, Alleluia. Alleluia. *OFFERING PRAYER P God of mercy and grace, C the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord. Amen! *DIALOGUE 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. *PREFACE P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

8 *HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heav n and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. *THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE P In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. *LORD'S PRAYER C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen! *INVITATION TO COMMUNION P Christ invites you to a place of honor at this banquet. Welcome to the feast. COMMUNION *BLESSING P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C Amen! 8

9 *PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION P O God, as a mother comforts her child, C so you comfort your people, carrying us in your arms and satisfying us with this food and drink, the body and blood of Christ. Send us now as your disciples, announcing peace and proclaiming that the reign of God has come near; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen! *BENEDICTION P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord s face shine upon you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. C Amen! *SENDING SONG Shout to the Lord ELW 821 My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like you. All of my days I want to praise the wonders of your mighty love. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength; let ev'ry breath, all that I am never cease to worship you. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hands; forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in you. *DISMISSAL L Go in peace. Proclaim the good news! C Thanks be to God! 9