22nd Week of Ordinary Time THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

September 2nd, 2018 PRELUDE Prelude in F from The Well-Tempered Clavier J. S. Bach
Holy Communion (ELW IV) WELCOME

INTRODUCTION INVOCATION

Jesus protests against human customs being given the weight of divine law,
while the essence of God’s law is ignored. True uncleanness comes not
from external things, but from the intentions of the human heart. Last week
Jesus told us “the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Now
James says God has given us birth by the word of truth. We, having been
washed in the word when we were born in the font, return to it every
Sunday to ask God to create in us clean hearts.
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and
a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An
usher will gladly provide you with assistance.
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all
cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.
We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so
that we may record your presence with us.
PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW
In the name of the Father, and of the (+)Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
GATHERING SONG: Shall We Gather at the River (ELW 423)
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!
PENITENTIAL RITE
Beloved in the Lord, let us acknowledge that we have turned away from
God and one another, let us hear God’s promise to forgive us, and let us
again hear God’s call to serve the world God loves so much:
In response to each petition, the congregation sings as indicated
either“Kyrie eleison” (which is Greek for “Lord, have mercy”) or “Christe
eleison” (“Christ, have mercy,”).

Gracious God, as I prepare once again to receive the bread of life, Jesus
Christ, in word and sacrament, I thank you for daily bread, everything
included in the necessities and nourishment for our bodies, such as food,
drink, clothing, shoes, house, work, money, property, an upright family,
upright and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health,
decency, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like. Help me to
receive all of this with thanksgiving, and to return thanks by dedicating my
life to the care of all people and all of creation. This I pray through the one
who loves us all, always: Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen!
Lord Jesus Christ, you came to reveal God’s eternal and unfailing love for
all people.
We pray:
The congregation sings “Kyrie eleison.”

You came to heal the contrite of heart, to save sinners, and to show us the
way of abundant life.
We pray:
The congregation sings “Christe eleison.”

You are seated at the right hand of the Father and send the Holy Spirit.
Help, heal, comfort, and defend us, gracious God.
We pray:
The congregation sings “Kyrie eleison.”

Almighty God has given Christ Jesus to live and to die for us, and in his
name God forgives us all our sins. God the Father strengthen you with the
Holy Spirit, that + Christ Jesus may live in your hearts by faith and show
forth in your loving service to all.
Amen.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.
O God our strength, without you we are weak and wayward creatures.
Protect us from all dangers that attack us from the outside, and cleanse us
from all evil that arises from within ourselves, that we may be preserved
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Please be seated.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

FIRST READING: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 PSALM 45:1-2, 6-9

Though using language and images of a love story, the Song of Solomon Refrain:
has long been interpreted allegorically. Jewish lore sees it as a description
of the love between the Lord and Israel. Christians have often interpreted
the Song as a description of the love between Christ and his church.
8
The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes, Tone:
leaping upon the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9
My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Look, there he stands
behind our wall, 1
gazing in at the windows, My heart is stirring with a noble song; let me recite what I have
looking through the lattice. fashioned | for the king;
10
My beloved speaks and says to me: my tongue shall be the pen of a | skillful writer.
2
“Arise, my love, my fair one, You are the noblest a- | mong the people;
and come away; grace flows from your lips, because God has blessed | you
11
for now the winter is past, forever. R
the rain is over and gone. 6
12
The flowers appear on the earth; Your throne, O God, endures forev- | er and ever,
the time of singing has come, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter | of your kingdom.
7
and the voice of the turtledove You love righteousness and | hate iniquity;
is heard in our land. therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of
13
The fig tree puts forth its figs, gladness above | your companions.
8
and the vines are in blossom; All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, al- | oes, and cassia,
they give forth fragrance. and the music of strings from ivory palaces | makes you glad.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
9
Kings’ daughters stand among the ladies | of the court;
and come away.” on your right hand is the queen, adorned with the | gold of
Ophir. R
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. SECOND READING: James 1:17-27
The letter of James was intended to provide first-century Christians with
instruction in godly behavior. Here, Christians are encouraged to listen
carefully and to act on what they hear, especially by caring for those least
able to care for themselves.
17
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow due to change. 18In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth
by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his
creatures.
 19
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen,
slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for your anger does not produce God’s
righteousness. 21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth
of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has
the power to save your souls.
22
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive
themselves. 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like
those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24for they look at themselves and,
on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25But those who
look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not
hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
26
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but
deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and
undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in
their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand for the reading of the gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
my lips, and in my heart.”
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Mark’s gospel depicts Jesus as challenging traditional ways in which
religious people determine what is pure or impure. For Jesus, the
observance of religious practices cannot become a substitute for godly
words or deeds that spring from a faithful heart.
1
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from
Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], 2they noticed that some of his disciples
were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3(For the
Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their
hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4and they do not eat
anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other
traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze
kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your
disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with
defiled hands?” 6He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you
hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
7
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’
8
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
14
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of
you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can
defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
21
For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come:
fornication, theft, murder, 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23All these evil things come from
within, and they defile a person.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
Please stand for the hymn.
HYMN OF THE DAY
You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore (ELW 817)
CREED
As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
words “born of the virgin Mary,” until the words “he descended to the
dead.”
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.
BLESSING OF OUR LABOR
Beloved in Christ: Today we give thanks to God as we ask God’s blessing
upon the labor of our hands, hearts, and minds to the praise and glory of the
Father, (+)Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe, in all of your
works.
In your incomprehensible love and power you continue to make all of
creation; all of creation praises and glorifies you.
We lift our voices to join the songs of heaven and earth, of things seen
and unseen:
Spirits, forces, stars and planets, all the elements, all living things;
Plants and animals, people of all times and places, of every kind, folk,
and nation.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent; you divide the day from the night.
You appoint times and seasons for work and rest, for tearing down and
building up.
We give you thanks, O God, as we ask your blessing upon our labor and
our sundry vocations.
Bless our work at home, church, and school.
Bless our work in business, commerce, and industry.
Bless our work in nature, on farms, and in food service.
Bless our work in government, society, and places of healing.
Grant us faith to know and to work for your gracious purpose in all
things.
Give us joy in the good fruits of our labor.
Help those who seek it to find better or more meaningful employment.
Give us wisdom, courage, and endurance to stand up for what is right and
just in our places of work and to stand against what fails to respect the
dignity of other persons.
Bless those unable to work, the underemployed, and the unemployed
with what they need in order to thrive.
Bless those who are retired and all who gladly donate labor to good causes.
Move us as citizens and residents of this land to do all in our power
that all may receive a just and living wage for their labor.
In all we do, lead us to the building up of your kingdom.
All this we ask in the name of the Father, and of the (+)Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Freed by God in Christ to live and love and serve, we pray for the church,
those in need, and all of God’s beloved creation.
Please sit or kneel as you are able.
Each petition ends with:
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your wide embrace, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray,
trusting in your boundless mercy through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Amen.
Please rise and greet one another in the peace of Christ.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERTORY
Meditation on You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore Wells

OFFERTORY HYMN: Create in Me a Clean Heart (ELW 186)

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray.
O God, all that we have and all that we are come through you. We offer
back in thanksgiving a portion of what you have given us: our time, our
work, and our wealth. With them we dedicate our whole lives to the care
and redemption of all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, who gave
himself for us and for the salvation of the whole world. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Amen. Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s body
and blood, each time the words “Do this for the remembrance of me,” are
DIALOGUE spoken.

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In
great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick
and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross,
opened his arms to all.

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.
Lutherans believe, teach and confess that we receive the true Body and
Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If you desire to pick up the cross and
live in Christ, we hope you will receive with us. Even if you do not feel
prepared to receive the sacrament today we hope you will join us at the
table. Simply hold your hands over your heart and the pastor will give you
a blessing. Pastor will be glad to discuss Holy Communion and Holy
Baptism with you!

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await

his coming in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and COMMUNION
unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of
Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor The body of Christ, given for you.
and glory, now and forever. The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Amen. Amen.

LAMB OF GOD (ELW 196)

LORD'S PRAYER

Risen and ascended Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to

pray:
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 COMMUNION

This is the table of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love Jesus, and
for those who want to love him more. So come, you who have much faith
and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have
not been here long, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed.
Come, because it is the Lord who invites you. It is his will that those who
want him should meet him here.
SONG DURING DISTRIBUTION: SENDING OF HOLY COMMUNION
The King of Love My Shepherd Is (ELW 502)
O God of tender compassion, as you healed the sick and welcomed the
stranger, bless those who leave this assembly to share the gifts of this table
with our sisters and brothers who are sick/homebound/imprisoned. May
they be sustained by the love and prayers of this community, and by the
Bread of Life that satisfies all hunger, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

BLESSING

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, and of the (+)Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

SENDING HYMN: We Are Marching in the Light (ELW 866)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace! Share the good news!

Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE Prelude in C John Bull

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION honor of my secret sister Georgianna Mickles.

O God, our life, our strength, our food, we give you thanks for sustaining Presented by secret sister
us with the body and blood of your Son. By your Holy Spirit, enliven us to
be his body in the world, that more and more we will give you praise and
serve your earth and its many peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Upcoming Commemorations
Lord.
Amen. Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, bishop, renewer of the church,
died 1872
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Grundtvig was, with Søren Kierkegaard, one of the two great Danish
theologians of the nineteenth century. As a pastor, he battled the prevalent
idea that Christianity was more a philosophy than divine revelation. He
wrote over a thousand hymns.