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October 25, 2020
Sunday of the Reformation
Serving Today
First Reading: Martha Stephens
Second Reading: Clato Barnes
Assisting Minister: Merlean Locke
WELCOME! We live confined and separated from one another. As the people of God, we gather via electronic means to receive strength and find hope through the word and sacraments.
Scripture theme: God is continually reforming the Church through sinful people who trust the promise of a life lived not under the law, but under God’s grace. All three readings make this message perfectly clear!
In the Name of Jesus
Gathering
Welcome
A time of silence.
Confession and Forgiveness
P: In the name of the Father, and of the ✝ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: We come to worship, and yet, at times, we are fully aware that we are less than we as the baptized people of God want to be. Luther says, “Although we have God’s Word and believe, although we obey and submit to his will and are nourished by God’s gift and blessing, nevertheless we are not without sin. We still stumble daily and transgress because we live in the world among people who sorely vex us and give us occasion for impatience, anger, vengeance, etc.” So, we confess:
C: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
P: What does this mean?
C: We ask in this prayer that our heavenly Father would not regard our sins nor deny these petitions on their account, for we are worthy of nothing for which we ask, nor have we earned it. Instead we ask that God would give us all things by grace, for we daily sin much and indeed deserve only punishment. So, on the other hand, we, too, truly want to forgive heartily and to do good gladly to those who sin against us.
P: Luther reminds us: “God does not wish to regard our sins and punish us as we daily deserve but to deal graciously with us, to forgive as he has promised, and thus to grant us a joyful, cheerful conscience so that we may stand before him in prayer.”
C: “. . .such a confident and joyful heart can never come except when one knows that his or her sins are forgiven.” Now we are ready to worship!
Hymn: God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage
Words: Nikolai F.S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872
Music: ein feste burg, Martin Luther, 1483-1546
God’s word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever;
to spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way; in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while time shall last your church may hold it fast
throughout all generations.
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.
Prayer of the Day
P: Let us pray. Gracious Father,
C: we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Word
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
R: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Pause to contemplate the Word.
Psalm of Response: Psalm 46
P: God is our refuge and strength,
C: a very present help in trouble.
P: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
C: though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Words: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Frederick H. Hedge, 1805-1890, alt.
Music: ein Feste burg, Martin Luther
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper frees us from the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe, forsworn to work us woe,
with guile and dreadful might is armed to wage the fight:
on earth there is no equal.
P: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
C: the holy habitation of the Most High.
P: God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
C: God will help it when the morning dawns.
P: The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
C: he utters his voice, the earth melts.
All: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Sung
If we in our own strength confide, our striving turns to losing;
the righteous one fights by our side,
the one of God’s own choosing.
You ask who this may be: Christ Jesus, it is he,
the Lord of hosts by name. No other God we claim!
None else can win the battle.
P: Come, behold the works of the Lord;
C: see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
P: He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
C: he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
Sung
Though all the world with devils fill and threaten to devour us,
we tremble not, we trust God’s will: they cannot overpow’r us.
Though Satan rant and rage, in fiercest war engage,
this tyrant’s doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word shall triumph.
P: "Be still, and know that I am God!
C: I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
All: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Sung
God’s Word shall stand above the pow’rs,
shall end all their thanksgiving.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, for God with us is living.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
though all of these be gone, they yet have nothing won.
The kingdom’s ours forever!
Second Reading: Romans 3:19-28
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it− 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
R: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Pause to contemplate the Word.
Gospel: (Introduced as follows:)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 8th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
John 8:31-36
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
P: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ!
Sermon
Hymn of the Day: Listen, God Is Calling TFF 130
Words: Tanzanian traditional, tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922
Music: Neno lake Mungu,Tanzanian
Refrain:
Listen, listen, God is calling, through the word inviting,
offering forgiveness, comfort and joy. Repeat
Jesus gave his mandate: share the good news
that he came to save us and set us free.
Refrain
Let none be forgotten throughout the world.
In the triune name of God go and baptize.
Refrain
Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast,
walking in your precepts, led by your Word.
Refrain
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He 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.
Prayer
Prayers of the Congregation
P: Re-creating, re-forming God, we come before you with our prayers for renewing our world and the church.
Silence
Where there are economic policies that are forged on the backs of the poor and people of color, environmental policies that come at the expense of our atmosphere, and social policies that advocate for selfishness rather than the welfare of all,
C: re-form us as citizens of this country.
P: In a country vastly divided, where some decide not to vote because it doesn’t matter, there are no good candidates, the ballots won’t be counted, or, “I don’t care anymore,”
C: re-form and re-shape our understanding of citizenship.
P: When foreign policy focuses on weapons more than the alleviation of hunger, and on being number one rather than part of a community of nations,
C: re-form us as citizens of this world.
P: When the members of our own family become sources of irritation or even of deep anguish, and when differences result in petty arguments and strained relationships,
C: re-form us as family.
P: Where walls and fences, real or imagined, put barriers between ourselves and those who live next door or those who live across borders,
C: re-form us as neighbors.
P: When we ignore the law which you place on our hearts and practice theology that is not in accord with the Gospel,
C: re-form us as your church.
P: For those in our own congregational family who are on our shut-in list Wanda, Bill, Joy, Alcine, Ella, Ruby, Sharee, Orelia, Jerelene and Sullivan, give them the care they need, and in your mercy restore them to health.
C: Bless them with patience and courage, and give family members and caregivers strength for each day.
P: For what else do the people of God pray?
After the petitions:
Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: Re-form our hearts, our spirits, and our minds. Make us willing to take on the challenges and risks of new ways of thinking about and acting on your vision for your world.
C: Amen.
Meal
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.
P: We should always offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, because of what you did in recreating us through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. So, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Hymn: Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
Words: attr. Wilhelm II, 1598-1662
Music: herr jesu christ, dich zu uns wend, Gochsheim, 1628
Unseal our lips to sing your praise
in endless hymns through all our days;
increase our faith and light our minds;
and set us free from doubt that blinds.
Then shall we join the hosts that cry,
“O holy, holy Lord Most High!”
And in the light of that blest place
we then shall see you face to face.
P: From the beginning you called your people into a covenant with you.
C: They and we have not always responded to your call, yet you have continued to pour out your grace.
P: Your Son came into the world but we did not continue in his truth, and we were not free.
C: Yet, knowing our slavery to sin, he chose to give his life for us to be the Son who sets us free.
P: So, we give thanks that 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.
With joy we take the cup of salvation and celebrate:
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: Feed us, O God, with the body and blood of your Son, that we might be free.
C: And, may the Spirit lead us to be life-giving, re-forming bread for the world.
P: To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Communion
We share the bread and wine, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
After all have communed:
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer
P: Let us pray. We give you thanks, gracious God,
C: that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this service, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same
Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Sending
Blessing
P: Go out into the world in peace. Do good to all whom you meet, showing them the new life within you. And may the Spirit strengthen you on your journey.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
Words: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Catherine Winkworth
Music: erhalt uns, herr, J. Klug, Geistliche Lieder, 1543
Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son
and bring to naught all he has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, your pow'r make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your holy church, that we
may sing your praise triumphantly.
O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife
and lead us out of death to life.
Announcements of our life together
Dismissal
P: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
C: Thanks be to God!
To God Alone Be Glory
Acknowledgments: The order of service was adapted from one composed by Marian Christjaener. All Scripture passages are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
To assist you with preparation for worship the Scripture readings for next Sunday are:
Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12.
This week at Good Shepherd
Bible Study Wednesday 10:30 call in 712-770-4995 participant code 287179
Upcoming:
November 26th 10:00 am Thanksgiving Day Service
Happy Birthday to our October and November babies – Candace Allen 21st and Orelia Jarrow 24th. November: Rosa Saulter-Edwards 1st, Kay Cohrs 2nd, Maurnitta Slaughter 7th, Gartiez Darden 9th, Quiana Montgomery 12th,
Jay’lene Bolar 16th, Lynnisha Bolar 19th, and Maria Roy 30th. God’s abundant blessings to you all on your special day and always.
Stewardship: Last Week’s Attendance 28 Offering $3050
We welcome David Wissing to our congregation membership! David was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church and has been participating in our Sunday worship since the pandemic. We are blessed to have you with us David.
VOTE: Elections Day is November 3rd.
In Washington State you can register to vote,
By mail: must be received eight days before Election Day
Online: 8 days before Election Day
In Person: Election Day.
Don’t put it off. Plan your vote and get your ballot counted!
Need help getting your ballot to ballot box, call Pastor or Merlean.
Local Organization in need of financial support:
Operation Nightwatch – PO Box 21181, SEA 98111-9741
Compass Housing Alliance – 77 S. Washington St. SEA 98104
Northwest Harvest – PO Box 12272, SEA 98102
Lutheran Ministry Services – 7040 36th Ave. NE SEA 98115-5998
Sick and shut-in members:
Please remember in your prayers,
Wanda Allen 222 25th Ave., Sea 98122
Bill Johnson, 2717 Dexter Ave. N., Sea 98109
Joy Bauer, 1061 Shelton Ave. NE Renton 98056
Alcine Wyatt, 811 27th Ave., Sea 98122
Ella Smith, 4832 35th Ave. SW Sea 98126
Ruby Buxton 315 31st Ave., Sea 98122
Sharee Daniels, 6731 N 17th Street, Tacoma 98406
Orelia Jarrow 3621 33rd Ave. S. #335 Sea 98144
Jerelene Armstead 5145 S. Fountain Sea 98178
Sullivan Montgomery 5118 S. Fountain Sea 98178
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Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
is to give glory to God for the building of His Kingdom, by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.