Pastor Wesley Menke
Accompanist: Tatiana Thibodeaux
Producer: Christopher Geach
Technical Engineer: Brian Vianzon
Editor: Teruni Evans
Flowers:
Prelude –
Gathering
Welcome
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
The assembly kneels or stands. Silence is kept for reflection.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.
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.
Kyrie
In peace, in peace,
Let us pray to the…Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy
For the reign of God, and for peace throughout the world, for the unity of all,
Let us pray to the…Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy
For your people here who have come to give you praise for the strength to live your Word,
Let us pray to the …Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy
Help, save, and defend us O God Amen.
Hymn of Praise
♫ Refrain: Now the feast and celebration, all of creation sings for joy to the God of life and love and freedom: praise and glory for evermore!
Now is the feast of the Lamb once slain, whose blood has freed and united us to be one great people of God. To refrain
Power and riches, wisdom and might, all honor and glory to Christ forever. To refrain
For God has come to dwell with us, to make us people of God; to make all things new. To refrain
♫ The Lord be with you.
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.
Children Sermon
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
25Yet 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? 26When 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. 27Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29Yet 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?
1The word of the Lord came to me: 2What 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”? 3As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Know 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 that shall die.
30Therefore 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. 31Cast 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? 32For 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.
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-13
1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6who, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
7but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for 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
Alleluia, alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life: Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life: Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32
23When [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?” 24Jesus 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. 25Did 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?’ 26But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27So 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.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31Which 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. 32For 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.”
Sermon – Wesley Menke
Hymn of the Day: Lord Whose Love in Humble Service ELW 712
**You may make your offering or donation through our website HERE.
Offertory:
Offering Prayer
Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. Feed us again by your word for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. Amen.
Apostle’s 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
With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
In all the world, give your church unity. Inspire all the baptized with the mind of Christ. Where the church is powerful and where it struggles, shape us with humility and obedience so that your love may be at work in us. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son took on all of bodily life in our world, even to death. Preserve and keep your creation, O God. Mend and redeem places that are polluted and damaged, so that all of creation confesses you as Lord. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Turn the nations toward life. Where our ways are unfair, give us new hearts and new spirits. Where sin permeates our cultures and institutions, change our minds and teach us to trust your authority. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
John Hendon, Guadelupe Porta, Penny Dapello, Terry Dearth, Annie Prest
For healing, strength, and successful cancer treatment: Karen Diffenbacher Carol Hutton, Andrew Collard, Allen Hoke Jackie DeVogler, Rene Paulson, Henry Ramirez, Rosie and Sally Carlson
For continued strength & healing: Pauline Stewart, Ron Martinez, Alicia Roberts,
For those who have passed: Yoga Hamm
For continued strength & healing: Pauline Stewart, Ron Martinez, Alicia Roberts,
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
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 thosewho 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.
Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Announcements
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- Comments please leave them
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. Amen.
Sending Song:
Praise to you, O God of mercy, Thanks be to you forever! Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever!
From of old you loved and sought us, thanks be to you forever! Truth and justice you have taught us: Thanks be to you forever!
Strong is your faithfulness, strong is your love, remembering your covenant of life with us.
Praise to you, O God of mercy, Thanks be to you forever! Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever, Thanks be to you forever!
Dismissal
Alleluia. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Go in peace to serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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