This Week's Bulletin

 Announcements 

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who pours love into our hearts
and healing upon the earth.
Amen.

Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith,
let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.

Compassionate God,
we confess that we struggle to embody your goodness
in the world and in our own hearts.
Creation groans from overuse.
Jealousy and bitterness strain our relationships.
Indifference keeps us from seeking justice.
Divisions disrupt your call to show genuine love
to others.
Turn our hearts back to you.
Restore our world and reconcile us to one another.
Renew us to live as your holy people,
following the way of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Hear this good news:
We have peace with God through ☩ Jesus Christ,
in whom there is no condemnation,
but only forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.
Receive freely this healing gift of grace.
Amen.

 

Opening Hymn
ELW 521 - O Day of Rest and Gladness (vs. 1 & 4)

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.

Prayer of the Day
God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Hymn of Praise

ELW 525 - You Are Holy

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3 As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins who shall die.
  25 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed, they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
  30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 25

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6)
 1 To | you, O Lord,
  I lift | up my soul.
 2 My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put to shame,
  nor let my enemies triumph | over me.
 3 Let none who look to you be | put to shame;
  rather let those be put to shame | who are treacherous.
 4 Show me your | ways, O Lord,
  and teach | me your paths. R
 5 Lead me in your | truth and teach me,
  for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all | the day long.
 6 Remember, O Lord, your compas- | sion and love,
  for they are from | everlasting.
 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and | my transgressions;
  remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your good- | ness, O Lord.
 8 You are gracious and up- | right, O Lord;
  therefore you teach sinners | in your way.
 9 You lead the low- | ly in justice
  and teach the low- | ly your way. R

Second Reading:    Philippians 2:1-13

1 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
 6 who, though he existed in the form of God,
  did not regard equality with God
  as something to be grasped,
 7 but emptied himself,
  taking the form of a slave,
  assuming human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a human,
  8 he humbled himself
  and became obedient to the point of death—
  even death on a cross.

 9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly
  and gave him the name
  that is above every other name,
 10 so that at the name given to Jesus
  every knee should bend,
  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 11 and every tongue should confess
  that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory of God the Father.

  12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation
ELW Setting 8

Gospel:    Matthew 21:23-32
This is the holy gospel according to Matthew the 21st chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

23 When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why, then, did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

  28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him, and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him.”

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

Sermon 

Hymn of the Day
ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (all)

The Apostle's Creed

Prayers of Intercession

Reminded of God’s gracious and abundant love, we offer our prayers, confident that God hears us.

A brief silence.

 

Center your church in humility as we strive to follow in your way. Help us listen to the cries of those who have been unfairly hurt by the church and dare to name difficult truths. Show all your love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

You call us to care for your creation. Lead us into your promise of a better world through sustainable practices and respect for your handiwork. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Inspire all in positions of authority to act honorably. Remind them of their call to use their authority for the sake of the common good. Give them the gift of humility. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Comfort those who come before you in fear and trembling. Calm troubled hearts with your forgiveness. Help all those in need (especially). Grant us your salvation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Change this congregation’s heart when we say no to your call. Open us to courageous learning and service in our community, especially in new or challenging places. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.

Your steadfast love holds all the saints who have finished their work and are at rest. As we grieve, remind us of your mercy so we may also give thanks. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Grant the prayers we have offered, what we have forgotten to ask, and whatever else you see that we need. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

The Passing of Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

Anthem

Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love (Chereponi)

Offertory Hymn 
ELW 181 - Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful

Offertory Prayer 

God of creation,
you send rain and the earth springs forth abundantly.
All blessings are from you;
make us generous with what we have.
Use our gifts, our abilities, and our hearts
in service to you and in love to our neighbors,
today and always.
Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving
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, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus
Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our
sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought
us to eternal life.

And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of
the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and
with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise
your name and join their unending hymn:

ELW Setting 8
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Thanksgiving at the Table

Holy, living, and loving God, we praise you for creating the
heavens and the earth.
We bless you for bringing Noah and his family through the waters
of the flood, for freeing your people Israel from the bonds of
slavery, and for sending your Son to be our Redeemer.
We give you thanks for Jesus who, living among us, healed the
sick, fed the hungry, and with a love stronger than death, gave
his life for others.
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 life-giving death and glorious
resurrection, we await your promised life for all this dying world.
Breathe your Spirit on us and on this bread and cup: carry us in
your arms from death to life, that we may live as your chosen
ones, clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father,
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer 
Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hollowed by 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.

Heaven has come near.
Come, share in the feast!

Lamb of God
ELW Setting 8

Communion Hymns

ELW 468 - Around You, O Lord Jesus
ELW 464 - Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal
ELW 814 - Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am

The Table Blessing
Christ invites you to this table.
All who are thirsty, all who are hungry, come!

Post Communion
ELW 801 - Change My Heart, O God

Prayer After Communion 
Sustaining God,
with this bread and cup,
you nourish us with mercy and abundant life.
By your Spirit, send us from this table to serve a needy world.
Make us living signs of your liberation, healing, and love,
following the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray.
Amen.

Blessing

The God of love
draw you into full accord and one mind,
in the body of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
The God of hope
grant you strength and joy in all circumstances
through the interceding of the Spirit.
Amen.
The God of grace
☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.

Sending Hymn
  ELW 776 - What God Ordains is Good Indeed (vs. 1 & 4)

Dismissal

Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.
Thanks be to God.