September 20, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Opening Ourselves to Worship
Prelude & Welcome
Call to Worship (People’s response in bold.)
Leader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
People: In you, we come home - to rest, to wrestle, to love, to be loved. We dwell in you.
Leader: Before the mountains were born, before you delivered the whole world, from everlasting past to everlasting future, you are God.
People: In you, we are home - we dream, we flourish, we fade, we rejoice. We dwell in you.
Invitation to Confession
Prayer of Confession
What a debt we owe to you, O God. You have given us all things in Christ and yet we withhold from you the honor and glory that are yours. Instead, we pay tribute to empire, plot to entrap the innocent, mock your truth with empty praise, and put your patience to the test. Forgive us, O God, and by your grace restore in us the image of your face; through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let the sea roar with laughter, the fields shout in celebration, and the forests sing with joy: in the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God! Amen.
Hearing God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination
Holy One, true and living God, through the message of the gospel and the power of your Spirit make us imitators of the Lord: Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson: Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Music for Reflection
The Children’s Time to Lead Us
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:15-22
Leader: This is the Word of God for the People of God. People: Thanks be to God.
Music for Reflection
Sermon: Rev. Lorrin Radzik
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.
Transforming Our Lives & the World
Prayers of the People
Lord God, with gratitude for all your goodness, we come to you in prayer—
Holy God, you have provided all we have needed. You have walked alongside us as we have journeyed through wilderness and valley and climbed to the heights of the mountain.
We have glimpsed the promised land, here, but not yet.
We lift up those who live in the shadow of disappointment, having seen the promise but not the realization.
We lift up those who live in the no-longer-but-not-yet, having left an arduous past for a future yet unknown.
We lift up those who live with the weight of responsibility, having carried the burden of another person’s pain.
We lift up those who live in the obscurity of loneliness, having survived a torment that cannot be explained.
Lay your holy hands upon us, empowering God, that we may be the church for them, through Christ who sustains us.
We pray for our family and friends, for our siblings in faith, and for the world of nations you have made. Remember those who are dear to us.
Wrap your steadfast love around them, sustain them in times of trouble, and keep them always in your care.
We remember in prayer the church of Jesus Christ.
Empower us to proclaim the gospel, strengthen us in our conviction, and make us imitators of the Lord.
We pray for our world and the family of nations.
Send out your Spirit to renew the earth, welcome all people into your house, and let your love be known in all the world.
To you, O God, Maker of heaven and earth, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the grace and peace of Christ we pray. Amen.
Time of Silent Prayer
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 and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Invitation to Generosity
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication
We trust you, Lord God, to multiply the blessings these gifts represent, as we pour out your love and grace on those who long to hear your word to them, to see your power at work within them, to feel your comfort beside them, through the generous gifts of your Spirit. Amen.
Proclamation of Thanksgiving – Psalm 150 – Book of Common Prayer
Leader: Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy temple; praise him in the firmament of his power.
People: Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him for his excellent greatness.
Leader: Praise him with the blast of the ram's-horn; praise him with lyre and harp.
People: Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe.
Leader: Praise him with resounding cymbals; praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.
People: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
Benediction
Permission to print and podcast/stream the music (not in public domain) is obtained from CCLI with license #20417540
Today’s liturgy was adapted from: “Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Year A, Volume 2, Proper 24 & 25