We are worshiping at 9 am.

September 14, 2025

Introduction & Welcome

Pastor -SHARING OF THE PEACE

The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you today and always.

And also with you.

Congregation members greet each other by saying:

Peace be with you.

Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

our maker, our helper, and our keeper.

Amen.

Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin

in the presence of God and of one another.

Merciful and loving God,

we are your stiff-necked people.

We trample on the needy.

We grumble about your grace to others.

We turn away from the poor.

Have mercy on us and forgive our sins.

Rejoice over us as ones who were lost

and have been found.

Amen.

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful.

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

You who were lost have been found.

In the name of ☩ Jesus, your sins are forgiven!

Amen.

HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise!

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;

thy justice like mountains high soaring above

thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;

in all life thou livest, the true life of all;

we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,

and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4 Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;

thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;

all laud we would render; oh, help us to see

'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

Text: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908, alt.

Pastor - 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.

Canticle of Praise

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches and wisdom and strength,

and honor and blessing and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor and glory and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God,

for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Pastor - Prayer of the Day

O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion, you lead back to yourself all those who go astray. Preserve your people in your loving care, that we may reject whatever is contrary to you and may follow all things that sustain our life in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Congregation is seated

Assistant-First Reading Exodus 32:7-14

A reading from Exodus beginning with the 32nd chapter.

7 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8 they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ” 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10 Now let me alone so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, and of you I will make a great nation.”
11 But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ” 14 And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 51:1-10 Read responsively

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are justified when you speak and right in your judgment.
5 Indeed, I was born steeped in wickedness, a sinner from my mother’s womb.
6 Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me, and would have me know wisdom deep within.
7 Remove my sins with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be purer than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; that the body you have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my wickedness.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Assistant-2nd Reading 1 Timothy 1:12-17

A reading from 1 Timothy beginning with chapter 1

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

Pastor - Gospel Luke 15:1-10

The holy gospel according to Luke, the 15th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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

Congregation is seated

Sermon

Congregation stands for Hymn of the Day

Hymn of the Day “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

1 Come, thou Fount of ev'ry blessing,

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

While the hope of endless glory

fills my heart with joy and love,

teach me ever to adore thee;

may I still thy goodness prove.

2 Here I raise my Ebenezer:

"Hither by thy help I've come";

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wand'ring from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

3 Oh, to grace how great a debtor

daily I'm constrained to be;

let that grace now like a fetter

bind my wand'ring heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;

prone to leave the God I love.

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it;

seal it for thy courts above.

Text: Robert Robinson, 1735-1790, alt.

Apostles’ Creed

The presiding minister may introduce the Creed.

With the whole church, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

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.

Prayers of Intercession

Gracious God, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.

A brief silence.

Mericiful God, keep us together as a community of love and forgiveness. Give us the humility to acknowledge our mistakes, and speak our apologies and the generosity to forgive one another.God of grace,

receive our prayer.

God, sometimes we don’t even realize how lost we are or how far we’ve wandered from you. Come find us in our wandering. Turn us around, open our hearts, and let us share in the joy of all who are found by you. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

“Merciful God, your presence in the world brings hope. Soften the hearts of leaders who have lost their way, and raise up those who will lead with mercy, justice, and a desire for peace. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

Merciful God, we lift up all who suffer and are lost. Bring healing, comfort, and peace to those who are sick, grieving, or in pain especially Ed, Richard, Pastor Hadley, Candy, John, Steve, Lynne, Margaret, Jay, Cork & Cheryl, Rillys, Sharon, Carol, Mary Lou, Tyler, Jessie and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). Give us compassionate hearts for those who are hurting and courage to walk alongside them. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

Merciful God, we remember in love those who have departed this life. Console those who mourn, and give them the hope of resurrection. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We entrust these prayers to you, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend. Amen.

Offering “Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken”

1 Loaves were broken, words were spoken

by the Galilean shore.

Jesus, Bread of life from heaven,

was their food forevermore.

Refrain

By your body broken for us,

by your wine of life outpoured,

Jesus, feed again your people.

Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

2 Loaves were broken, words were spoken

in a quiet room one night.

In the bread and wine you gave them,

Christ, you came as Light from Light. Refrain

3 Loaves are broken, words are spoken,

as in faith we gather here.

Jesus speaks across the ages:

"I am with you; do not fear!" Refrain

4 By the loaves you break and give us,

send us in your name to share

bread for which the millions hunger,

words that tell your love and care. Refrain

Text: Herman G. Stuempfle Jr., 1923–2007

Duplication in any form prohibited without securing permission from copyright administrator or reporting usage under valid license.

Offertory Prayer

Together we pray.

Lord of the harvest,

we return to you a portion of what you have given to us.

Turn us to set our hope not on the uncertainty of riches,

but on you, who richly provides for us.

Multiply what we have gathered

to bless all who are suffering and in need,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

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.

Eucharistic Prayer

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.

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 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 and glory, now and forever.

Amen.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. (Spoken)

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 debts,

as we forgive our debtors;

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

Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them.

Come to this meal of mercy.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

grant us peace, grant us peace.

Communion

The Body of Christ, given for you. Amen

The Blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen

Post Communion Blessing

The Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and forever keep you in his grace. Amen.

Prayer after Communion

O God,

through this meal you have strengthened us

and appointed us to be your servants.

Send us to do good and to share our possessions

with all in need.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Benediction

The God of righteousness,

who gives justice to the oppressed,

who gives food to the hungry,

who sets the prisoners free,

☩ bless you now and forever.

Amen.

HYMN “Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us”

1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us;

much we need your tender care.

In your pleasant pastures feed us,

for our use your fold prepare.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

you have bought us; we are yours.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

you have bought us; we are yours.

2 We are yours; in love befriend us,

be the guardian of our way;

keep your flock, from sin defend us,

seek us when we go astray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

hear us children when we pray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

hear us children when we pray.

3 You have promised to receive us,

poor and sinful though we be;

you have mercy to relieve us,

grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

early let us turn to you.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

early let us turn to you.

4 Early let us seek your favor,

early let us do your will;

blessed Lord and only Savior,

with your love our spirits fill.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

you have loved us, love us still.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

you have loved us, love us still.

Text: attr. Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847

Dismissal

Go in peace. Do not lose heart.

Thanks be to God.

Permission for liturgies by Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS004206

Sundays and Seasons 2025