Worship Bulletin
Sunday, September 14, 2025
14th Sunday after Pentecost
Introduction
The grumbling of the religious leaders in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God seeks and saves the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As the writer of 1 Timothy reminds us, “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Thanks be to God.
GOD WELCOMES ALL
God welcomes all, strangers and friends; God's love is strong and it never ends.
Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949
Text © 2008 WGRG, Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc., giamusic.com. All rights reserved.
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen
L: Loving God, it is another Sunday and we come to worship you.
People: Hear us, Loving God
L: Wonderful God, we give you thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
People: Thank you Lord.
L: Forgive us when we do not love our neighbors and you as we should.
People: Forgive us Lord.
L: Forgive us when we do not trust you in all things, but rely on ourselves and our own understanding.
People: Forgive us Lord.
L: Forgive us when we do not take time in our busy day to spend with you.
People: Forgive us Lord.
L: We have a loving, gracious, living God! As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority, I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are forgiven. We have a new chance each day to show our love of God and other people. And that, my friends, is Good News!
or
L: We have a loving, gracious, living God! Because Jesus came to die for us and God wants a relationship with us, we are forgiven. We have a new chance each day to show our love of God and other people. And that, my friends, is Good News!
People: Amen, thanks be to God.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Refrain
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain
Text: Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960
Text © 1923, ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.
For Such a Time as This
Could it be (could it be) that we were born
for such a time as this?
Could it be (could it be) that we were born
for such a time as this?
Text: Jonathan Rundman, b. 1971
Text © 2015 Jonathan Rundman and Salt Lady Music (ASCAP), admin. Augsburg Fortress
First Reading: Exodus 32:7-14
While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the people grow restless and make a golden calf to worship. Today’s reading shows Moses as the mediator between an angry God and a sinful people. Moses reminds God that the Israelites are God’s own people, and boldly asks for mercy for them.
At the same time, the Lord said to Moses, “Go down from this mountain. Your people, the people you brought out of the land of Egypt, have committed a terrible sin. They have very quickly turned away from what I commanded them to do. They made a calf from melted gold for themselves. They are worshiping that calf and making sacrifices to it. The people have said, ‘Israel, these are the gods that led you out of Egypt.’”
The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen these people, and I know that they are very stubborn. They will always turn against me. So now let me destroy them in anger. Then I will make a great nation from you.”
But Moses begged the Lord his God, “Lord, don’t let your anger destroy your people. You brought them out of Egypt with your great power and strength. But if you destroy your people, the Egyptians will say, ‘God planned to do bad things to his people. That is why he led them out of Egypt. He wanted to kill them in the mountains. He wanted to wipe them off the earth.’ So don’t be angry with your people. Please change your mind! Don’t destroy them. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. These men served you, and you used your name to make a promise to them. You said, ‘I will make your people as many as the stars in the sky. I will give your people all this land as I promised. This land will be theirs forever.’”
So the Lord felt sorry for the people. He did not do what he said he might do—he did not destroy them.
Word of God, Word of Life!
Thanks Be to God!
Thy Word is a Lamp
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
(Repeat)
Psalm: Psalm 51:1-10
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. (Ps. 51:1)
God, be merciful to me
because of your faithful love.
Because of your great compassion,
erase all the wrongs I have done.
Scrub away my guilt.
Wash me clean from my sin.
I know I have done wrong.
I remember that sin all the time.
I did what you said is wrong.
You are the one I have sinned against.
I say this so that people will know
that I am wrong and you are right.
What you decided is fair.
I was born to do wrong,
a sinner before I left my mother’s womb.
You want me to be completely loyal,
so put true wisdom deep inside of me.
Remove my sin and make me pure.
Wash me until I am whiter than snow!
Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again.
Let the bones you crushed be happy again.
Don’t look at my sins.
Erase them all.
God, create a pure heart in me,
and make my spirit strong again.
Thy Word is a Lamp
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
(Repeat)
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
The letters to Timothy and Titus are called the pastoral epistles because they contain advice especially intended for leaders in the church. Here the mercy shown to Paul, who once persecuted the church, is cited as evidence that even the most unworthy may become witnesses to the grace of God.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord because he trusted me and gave me this work of serving him. He gives me strength. In the past I insulted Christ. As a proud and violent man, I persecuted his people. But God gave me mercy because I did not know what I was doing. I did that before I became a believer. But our Lord gave me a full measure of his grace. And with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them. But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life. Honor and glory to the King who rules forever. He cannot be destroyed and cannot be seen. Honor and glory forever and ever to the only God. Amen.
Word of God, Word of Life!
Thanks Be to God!
Together in One Spirit
One church, One body
One faith, One Lord
Together in one Spirit
Rejoicing in His word.
One church, One body
One faith, One Lord
Together in one Spirit
Rejoicing in His word.
All created equal,
Together we belong.
United in one body,
Rejoicing in one song.
One church, One body
One faith, One Lord
Together in one Spirit
Rejoicing in His word.
All created equal,
Together we belong.
United in one body,
Rejoicing in one song.
United in one body,
Rejoicing in one song.
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
Jesus tells two stories that suggest a curious connection between the lost being found and sinners repenting. God takes the initiative to find sinners, each of whom is so precious to God that their recovery brings joy in heaven.
Many tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus. Then the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to complain, “Look, this man welcomes sinners and even eats with them!”
Then Jesus told them this story: “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, I tell you, heaven is a happy place when one sinner decides to change. There is more joy for that one sinner than for 99 good people who don’t need to change.
“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins, but she loses one of them. She will take a light and clean the house. She will look carefully for the coin until she finds it. And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost!’ In the same way, it’s a happy time for the angels of God when one sinner decides to change.”
Many tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus. Then the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to complain, “Look, this man welcomes sinners and even eats with them!”
Then Jesus told them this story: “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, I tell you, heaven is a happy place when one sinner decides to change. There is more joy for that one sinner than for 99 good people who don’t need to change.
“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins, but she loses one of them. She will take a light and clean the house. She will look carefully for the coin until she finds it. And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost!’ In the same way, it’s a happy time for the angels of God when one sinner decides to change.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You O Christ
Thy Word is a Lamp
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
(Repeat)
We Are Marching
in the Light
Siyahamba
ENGLISH
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, (marching, we are marching, marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, (marching, we are marching, marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
Additional stanzas ad lib:
We are dancing . . .
We are praying . . .
We are singing . . .
ORIGINAL
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamba, (hamba, siyahamba, hamba,)
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamba, (hamba, siyahamba, hamba,)
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Text: South African traditional; tr. Freedom Is Coming, 1984
Tr. © 1984 Utryck, admin. Walton Music Corp.
Prayers of the People
Gracious God, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Merciful God, pour out your grace upon your church. Forgive us for the times when we have been unfaithful, and renew our commitment to your gospel of love. Empower us to live as a community of mercy. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Merciful God, we ask forgiveness for the ways we have neglected and harmed this earth and its creatures. Confirm our commitment to care for all you have made, and grant us wisdom and strength to take action toward restoring your creation to its fullness. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Merciful God, govern all who hold positions of power and authority. Instruct them to make just decisions that serve the common good. Make them instruments of your mercy in the world, working to heal divisions and promote peace. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Merciful God, we lift up all who suffer. Bring healing, comfort, and peace to those who are sick, grieving, or in pain. Come alongside all who are ill or struggling. By your grace, make your presence known among all who call to you for healing. We remember any who are sick or suffering those named in our prayer bowl, those on our prayer list, and those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts. (PAUSE). Give us compassionate hearts to accompany those who are hurting and courage to work for justice and mercy. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Merciful God, bind us together as a community of forgiveness and love. Supply us with humility to seek forgiveness when we have wronged one another and generosity to extend mercy when we have been wronged. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Please feel free to offer other petitions at this time. (PAUSE)
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,
hear our prayer.
We entrust these prayers to you, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.
Amen.
God Extends an Invitation
Nuestro Padre nos invita
God extends an invitation
to the table of creation,
where there's wine and light and bread.
Here we gather in thanksgiving
and we offer all our living.
Here the feast of life is spread;
here the feast of life is spread.
Nuestro Padre nos invita
a la mesa de la vida,
donde hay vino, luz y pan;
y nosotros nos reunimos,
y lo nuestro compartimos,
pues así es la comunión;
pues así es la comunión.
Text: Miria T. Kolling; Spanish and English tr. Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923
Spanish and English text © 1998 Augsburg Fortress.
Sharing of Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord
be with you always.
People: And also with you.
Offering Prayer
Jesus, Bread of life,
you have set this table with your very self,
and called us to the feast of plenty.
Gather what has been sown among us,
and strengthen us in this meal.
Make us to be what we receive here,
your body for the life of the world.
—Amen
The Preface
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 him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed…
P: …unending hymn.
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Words of Institution
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.
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 this bread and cup,
we remember Christ’s life among us;
his association with outcasts,
his eating with sinners,
his healing of the sick,
his care for the poor.
Send, we pray, your Holy Spirit
upon us and upon this bread and wine,
that we who share this meal
may become a holy communion,
the body of Christ in the world.
The 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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Shepherding God, you have prepared a table before us and nourished us with your love. Send us forth from this banquet to proclaim your goodness and share the abundant mercy of Jesus, our redeemer and friend.
C: Amen.
The Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you with favor and grant you his peace.
Amen
The Sending
P: Go in peace and serve the Lord!
C: Gonna walk in peace and serve the Lord!
P: And let your light shine throughout the word!
C: Gonna shine my light all over this world!
P: Go in peace and serve the Lord!
C: Gonna walk in peace and serve the Lord!
P: And let your light shine throughout the word!
C: Gonna shine my light all over this world!
P: Christ is calling , “Follow me!”
C: Gonna let his shine for all to see!
P: As you work, live, play and trod!
C: He walks with me! Thanks be to God!
Amen
The Lord Now Sends
Us Forth
Enviado soy de Dios
The Lord now sends us forth
with hands to serve and give,
to make of all the earth
a better place to live. Repeat
The angels are not sent
into our world of pain
to do what we were meant
to do in Jesus' name;
that falls to you and me
and all who are made free.
Help us, O Lord, we pray,
to do your will today.
Enviado soy de Dios,
mi mano lista está
para construir con él
un mundo fraternal. Repitalo
Los ángeles no son
enviados a cambiar
un mundo de dolor
por un mundo mejor;
me ha tocado a mí
hacerlo realidad.
Ayúdame, Señor,
a hacer tu voluntad.
The Lord now sends us forth
with hands to serve and give,
to make of all the earth
a better place to live. Repeat
And all God’s people said,
Amen