WELCOME TO WORSHIP

It is our deepest hope that you feel welcome here. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available in the lobby area. We welcome all baptized Christians to Christ’s table for Holy Communion. Instructions for distribution are shown before the Dialogue. This worship guide is designed to provide you the information you need to join us in worship, but should you have any questions, please feel free to ask an usher, the pastor, or someone near you. Let us join in praising God as we are nourished by the

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.

 

Worship presider (P) speaks normal print texts; congregation (C) joins for bold print texts.

*Indicates to stand as you are comfortable.

 

Prelude and bells

 

Announcements & PRAYER REQUESTS

 

*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P       Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who pours love

    into our hearts and healing upon the earth.

C       Amen.

 

P       Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith,

let us confess our sin.

 

Silence is kept for reflection.

 

P                 Compassionate God,

C     we confess that we struggle to embody your goodness in the world and in our own hearts. Creation groans from overuse. Jealousy and bitterness strain our relationships. Indifference keeps us from seeking justice. Divisions disrupt your call to show genuine love to others. Turn our hearts back to you. Restore our world and reconcile us to one another. Renew us to live as your holy people, following the way of Jesus Christ. Amen.

P     Hear this good news: We have peace with God through ☩ Jesus Christ, in whom there is no condemnation, but only forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. Receive freely this healing gift of grace.

C                 Amen.

 

*Opening Hymn  Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death                                                                                               ELW 452 st. 1, 2, 4, & 5

 

1        Awake, O sleeper, rise from death,

          and Christ shall give you light;                

so learn his love, its length and breadth,

its fullness, depth, and height.

 

2        To us on earth he came to bring

from sin and fear release,

          to give the Spirit's unity,

the very bond of peace.

 

4        Then walk in love as Christ has loved,

who died that he might save;

          with kind and gentle hearts forgive

as God in Christ forgave.

 

5        For us Christ lived, for us he died,

and conquered in the strife.

          Awake, arise, go forth in faith,

and Christ shall give you life.

 

Text: F. Bland Tucker, 1895-1984

Text © 1980 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

 

P  The grace of Jesus Christ our Savior, the reconciling

 love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be

 with you all.

C  And also with you.

 

HYMN OF PRAISe                                                 elw pg. 140-141

P         This is the feast of victory for our God. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

C         Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

            whose blood set us free to be people of God. 

            This is the feast of victory for our God. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

            Power and riches, wisdom and strength,

            and honor, blessing, and glory are his.

            This is the feast of victory for our God. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

            Sing with all the people of God,

            and join in the hymn of all creation: 

            Blessing, honor, glory, and might       

            be to God and the Lamb forever.  Amen.

            This is the feast of victory for our God. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

            For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. 

            Alleluia. 

            This is the feast of victory for our God. 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

*Prayer of the Day

P       The Lord be with you.                       C       And also with you.

P       Let us pray together,

C  O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the

inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness. Replace our

hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore

you, that we may delight in doing your will,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

First Reading: Genesis 50:15-21

After Jacob’s death the brothers of Joseph begged for forgiveness for the crime they had done against him. You intended to do me harm, Joseph said, but God used this as an opportunity to do good and save many lives.

 

¹⁵ Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” ¹⁶ So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ¹⁷ ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ¹⁸ Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. ²¹ So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

 

L  The Word of the Lord.           C  Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13 (read responsively)

[ ¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul,
  and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
 ² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
  and forget not all God’s benefits—
 ³ who forgives all your sins
  and heals all your diseases;
 ⁴ who redeems your life from the grave
  and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy; 
 ⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
  so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
 ⁶ O Lord, you provide vindication
  and justice for all who are oppressed.

 ⁷ You made known your ways to Moses
  and your works to the children of Israel.
]  ⁸ Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love; 
 ⁹ you will not always accuse us,
  nor will you keep your anger forever.
 ¹⁰ You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
  nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
 ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
  so great is your steadfast love for those who fear you.
 ¹² As far as the east is from the west,
  so far have you removed our transgressions from us.
 ¹³ As a father has compassion for his children,
  so you have compassion for those who fear you, O Lord. 

 

Second Reading: Romans 14:1-12

This Christian community has significant struggles with diversity. Here Paul helps us understand that despite different practices in worship and personal piety, we do not judge one another. All Christians belong to the Lord Jesus Christ who died for all of us and will judge each of us.

¹ Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. ² Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. ³ Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat, for God has welcomed them. ⁴ Who are you to pass judgment on slaves of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
  ⁵ Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. ⁶ Those who observe the day, observe it for the Lord. Also those who eat, eat for the Lord, since they give thanks to God, while those who abstain, abstain for the Lord and give thanks to God.
  ⁷ For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
  ¹⁰ Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹ For it is written,

 “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
  and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
¹² So then, each one of us will be held accountable.

 

L  The Word of the Lord.           C  Thanks be to God.

 

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION                                  ELW pg. 142

C       Alleluia! Lord, to whom shall we go? 

You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

P       The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 18^th chapter

C       Glory to you, O Lord

 

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

When Peter asks about the limits of forgiveness, Jesus responds with a parable that suggests human forgiveness should mirror the unlimited mercy of God.

 

²¹ Peter came and said to [Jesus,] “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

  ²³ “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. ²⁴ When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, ²⁵ and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. ³¹ When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. ³² Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. ³⁵ So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

 

P  The gospel of the Lord.   C  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

SERMON

 

*Hymn of the day

Before the Waters Nourished Earth                   ACS 1049   

(Tune: The King of Love My Shepherd Is)

 

1        Before the waters nourished earth  

or night imagined morning,

          a Love conceived the universe

and reveled in its forming.

 

2        This Love remained as time revealed

the loss of Eden's glory

          and, grieving, holds in memory

each tragic human story.

 

3        Despair, so deep it bears no name,

or sorrows paralyzing

          cannot revoke Love's faithful claim

to dwell within our dying.

 

4        The Love that called creation good

all goodness still is bringing.

          This Love turns death again to life

and silence into singing.

 

Text: Jeannette M. Lindholm, b. 1961

Text © 1996 Jeannette M. Lindholm, admin. Augsburg Fortress

 

 

*APOSTLES’ CREED                                                    ELW pg. 105

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 into hell.

                   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 again 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

 

*Prayers of Intercession

P  Reminded of God’s gracious and abundant love, we

 offer our prayers, confident that God hears us.

 

A brief silence.

 

After each petition, the congregation responds:

P       Hear us, O God.                        C     Your mercy is great.

 

The prayers conclude:

P  Grant the prayers we have offered, what we have

           forgotten to ask, and whatever else you see that we

need. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

C  Amen

Peace

P   The peace of the Lord be with you always.                                  

C   And also with you.

 

OFFERING

An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. You are welcome to mail your offering to the church or access our on-line giving option: https;//tinyurl.com/bp6yzvs4

 

*OFFERTORY HYMN                                

We Give Thee but Thine Own          ELW 686 st. 1 & 2

 

1        We give thee but thine own,

whate'er the gift may be;

          all that we have is thine alone,

a trust, O Lord, from thee.

 

2        May we thy bounties thus

as stewards true receive,

          and gladly, as thou blessest us,

to thee our firstfruits give.

 

Text: William W. How, 1823-1897, alt.

 

*OFFERING PRAYER   

P  God of creation,

C  you send rain and the earth springs forth

 abundantly. All blessings are from you; make us

 generous with what we have. Use our gifts, our

 abilities, and our hearts in service to you and in

 love to our neighbors, today and always. Amen.

 

*INVITATION TO COMMUNION  

Here Is Bread                                    ELW 483 st. 1 & 2 then refrain

 

1        Here is bread, here is wine,

Christ is with us, he is with us.

          Break the bread, taste the wine,

Christ is with us here.

 

2        Here is grace, here is peace,

Christ is with us, he is with us.

          Know his grace, find his peace,

feast on Jesus here. 

 

Refrain

In this bread there is healing, in this cup is life forever.

In this moment, by the spirit, Christ is with us here.

 

Text: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950

Music: Graham Kendrick

Text and music © 1991 Make Way Music, admin. By Music Services in the Western Hemisphere

 

Communion

We welcome all whom God has claimed in baptism to the Lord’s Table. Those who desire receiving communion in their seat, please notify the usher.

 

*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.

 

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:

C         HOLY, HOLY, HOLY                                                          ELW SM 193

 Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r 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.

P          Christ has died.  Christ has risen.  Christ will come again.

C         Amen, amen, amen (sung)

 

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.

 

 As you take the wafer, hear these words.

 “The body of Christ given for you.” Partake of the bread.

 

 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.

 

             As you take the cup of wine or juice, hear these words.

 “The blood of Christ shed for you.” Partake of the

 wine/juice.

 

* The Lord's Prayer

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

 

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

P       Heaven has come near. Come, share in the feast!

*POST COMMUNION HYMN            

Doxology                                                                                 ELW 884

 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heav'nly host;

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711

 

*POST COMMUNION PRAYER        

P  Sustaining God,

C  with this bread and cup, you nourish us with

 mercy and abundant life. By your Spirit, send us

 from this table to serve a needy world. Make us  

 living signs of your liberation, healing, and love,

 following the way of Jesus, in whose name we

 pray. Amen.

 

BLESSING

P  The God of love draw you into full accord and one

 mind, in the body of Christ Jesus.

C  Amen.

P  The God of hope grant you strength and joy in all

    circumstances through the interceding of the Spirit.

C       Amen.

P       The God of grace ☩ bless you now and forever.

C  Amen.

 

SENDING HYMN                    

God's Work, Our Hands                       ACS 1000 st. 1, 3, & 4

 

1        God's work, our hands: working together,

          building a future, repairing the world,

          raising up homes, planting new gardens,

          feeding the hungry and shelt'ring the cold.

          Bless, God, our hands as we work in your name,

          sharing the good news of your gospel.

3        God's work, our voice: singing together,

          praising, proclaiming to all who will hear,

          praying for peace, shouting for justice,

          claiming God's love for the lost and the least.

          Bless, God, our voice as we speak in your name,

          sharing the good news of your gospel.

 

4        God is at work in and around us:

          seedlings are sprouting and bread's on the rise!

          Washed and set free, humbled and honored,

          gifted by grace, we respond in God's love.

          Bless, God, our lives as we answer your call,

          sharing the good news of your gospel.

 

Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954

Text © 2019 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress                                                                                                                                                                                

P  Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.

C  Thanks be to God.

 

 

The worship has ended: the service begins

 

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42052. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-731018 New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

A note of generosity

 

“It is said that you can’t take it with you;

 I say there are two things you can take with you:

the things you do for others

and the things you do to others”

– Harold H. Cornett, Jr.