Sunday October 16, 2016 Time after Pentecost Worship at 9:30 AM GATHERING Prelude Kyrie Cathy Moklebust Welcome to worship at Vinje Lutheran Church. We want you to know that you are very welcome here. We want this to be a safe place, where we can bring our best and our worst, our peace and our pain. This is a place of healing and reconciliation. And now let us stand as we are able, to confess our brokenness and to hear God s word of forgiveness. Confession and Forgiveness All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the only Sovereign, who dwells in light; Christ Jesus, who came to save sinners; the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. God of overflowing grace, we come to you with repentant hearts. Forgive us for shallow thankfulness. Forgive us for passing by the ones in need. Forgive us for setting our hopes on fleeting treasures. Forgive us our neglect and thoughtlessness. Bring us home from the wilderness of sin, and strengthen us to serve you in all that we do and say; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 1
There is joy in heaven over every sinner who repents. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus, who gave himself up for us all, your sins are forgiven and you are made free. Rejoice with the angels and with one another! We are home in God s mercy, now and forever. Amen. Gathering Song What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine Hymnal #774 1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,) safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,) leaning on the everlasting arms. 2 Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain 3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain Text: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839-1929 Greeting The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. 2
Prayer of the Day O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for all this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Welcome and Announcements WORD Scripture Reading Genesis 32:22-31 Bible, pg. 26 Returning to the home he had fled many years before after stealing his brother s birthright and his father s blessing, Jacob wrestles all night long with a divine adversary who ultimately blesses him and changes his name to Israel, a name that means he wrestles with God. 22 The same night [Jacob] got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, Let me go, for the day is breaking. But Jacob said, I will not let you go, unless you bless me. 27 So he said to him, What is your name? And he said, Jacob. 28 Then the man said, You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed. 29 Then Jacob asked him, Please tell me your name. But he said, Why is it that you ask my name? And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved. 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Word of God, Word of Life Thanks be to God Presentation of Bibles to 3 year olds Please stand, as you are able 3
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia Hymnal #170 Holy Gospel Luke 18:1-8 Bible, pg. 853 Jesus tells a parable of a hateful judge who is worn down by a widow s pleas. Jesus is calling God s people to cry out for justice and deliverance. For if an unethical judge will ultimately grant the plea of a persistent widow, how much more will God respond to those who call. The Holy Gospel, according to Luke, the 18 th Chapter: Glory to you, O Lord Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, Grant me justice against my opponent. 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming. 6 And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? The Gospel of our Lord: Message Praise to you, O Christ The assembly stands to proclaim the word of God in song Hymn of the Day What a Friend We Have in Jesus Hymnal #742 1 What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 4
What a privilege to carry ev'rything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear-- all because we do not carry ev'rything to God in prayer! 2 Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged-- take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness-- take it to the Lord in prayer. 3 Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. Text: Joseph Scriven, 1820-1886 Apostles Creed Hymnal pg. 105 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, 5
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers Hymnal #752 At the conclusion of each petition, the assembly sings: Text and music 1973 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission OneLicense.Net A-704219 Peace MEAL Offering An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. Anthem during the offering In the Shadow of Your Wings Psalm 63, arr. Ken Medema 6
Offertory For Such a Time as This Could it be that we are called for such a time as this? Could it be that we are called for such a time as this? Other verses: that you are called that I am called Jonathan Rundman 2015 Reproduced with Permission CCLI #303098 Offering Prayer Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen. Words of Institution 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 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, 7
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Music during Communion Lamb of God Hymnal pg. 154 Anthem Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior Cathy Moklebust Hymn Day By Day Hymnal #790 1 Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me, bringing comfort to my anxious soul. Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me draw me nearer to my heav'nly goal. Love divine, beyond all mortal measure, brings to naught the burdens of my quest; Savior, lead me to the home I treasure, where at last I'll find eternal rest. 2 Day by day, I know you will provide me strength to serve and wisdom to obey; I will seek your loving will to guide me o'er the paths I struggle day by day. I will fear no evil of the morrow, I will trust in your enduring grace. Savior, help me bear life's pain and sorrow till in glory I behold your face. 8
3 Oh, what joy to know that you are near me when my burdens grow too great to bear; oh, what joy to know that you will hear me when I come, O Lord, to you in prayer. Day by day, no matter what betide me, you will hold me ever in your hand. Savior, with your presence here to guide me, I will reach at last the promised land. Text: Carolina Sandell Berg, 1832-1903; tr. Robert Leaf, 1936-2005 Text 1992 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission OneLicense.Net A-704219 Hymn Give Me Jesus Hymnal #770 1 In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. Refrain Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You may have all the rest, give me Jesus. 2 Dark midnight was my cry, dark midnight was my cry, dark midnight was my cry, give me Jesus. Refrain 3 Just about the break of day, just about the break of day, just about the break of day, give me Jesus. Refrain 4 Oh, when I come to die, oh, when I come to die, oh, when I come to die, give me Jesus. Refrain 5 And when I want to sing, and when I want to sing, and when I want to sing, give me Jesus. Refrain Text: African American spiritual 9
Table Blessing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God s grace. Prayer after Communion O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us. Amen Benediction SENDING God Almighty send you light and truth to keep you all the days of your life. The hand of God protect you; the holy angels accompany you; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever. Amen. Sending Song Lead Me, Guide Me Hymnal #768 Refrain: Lead me, guide me, along the way; For if you lead me, I cannot stray Lord, let me walk each day with thee Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Stanza 1 I am weak and I need thy strength and pow r To help me over my weakest hour. Help me through the darkness thy face to see Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain Stanza 2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress I am putting all my trust in thee 10
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain Stanza 3 I am lost if you take your hand from me. I am blind without thy light to see Lord, just always let me thy servant be. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain Dismissal God calls us to be... Reaching Out! Reaching In! Reaching Deeper! Thanks be to God! Postlude 11