• Skip to main content

Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

People of Grace in the Inland Empire

  • About
    • What We Believe
    • Staff
    • Connect
      • Events and News
      • Sunday School
        • Children Sunday School
      • Blog
  • Worship
    • Worship Videos
    • Listen
      • Youth Sunday School
  • Give
  • Preschool
  • VBS 2025

September 13, 2020 8:30am 15th Sunday after Pentecost

September 9, 2020 by Teruni Evans 2 Comments

FacebookTweetPinEmail

Pastor Wesley Menke

Accompanist: Tatiana Thibodeaux

Producer: Christopher Geach

Technical Engineer: Brian Vianzon

Editor: Teruni Evans

Flowers:

Prelude – S. Bernstein, from Birds: The Hummingbird; The Woodpecker; The Chikadee; The Eagle. 

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

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

You are God; we praise you. You are Lord; we acclaim you. You are God eternal; all creation worships you.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

All the angels in the heavens chant your praise in endless song: Holy, holy, holy God of power and might.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

The apostles all praise you. All the prophets acclaim you. All the martyrs and your faithful people worship you.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

God, Creator, we praise you. Jesus the Christ, we adore you. Spirit of the Loving God, we worship you. 

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Children Sermon

First Reading: Genesis 50:15-21

15Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” 16So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

   The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Second Reading: Romans 14:1-12

1Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

  5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

  7We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

  10Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11For it is written,

 “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

  and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

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 18:21-35

21Peter came and said to [Jesus], “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

  23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Sermon –  Wesley Menke

Hymn of the Day:  Forgive our sins as we forgive ELW 605

Offering Mountain Top

**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.

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

John Hendon, Guadelupe Porta, Geno Forman, Penny Dapello, Terry Dearth, Nick Carlson, and Sally Carlson

For healing, strength, and successful cancer treatment: Karen Diffenbacher Carol Hutton, Dennis Herman, Cheryl Bradley,Allen Hoke Jackie DeVogler, Rene Paulson, Henry Ramirez and Rosie

For continued strength & healing: Pauline Stewart, Ron Martinez, Alicia Roberts, Irwin and Ivan Chen,

For those who have passed: Ken Galbreth, William Clinton,and  Rev. Larry C Jackson

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

  • Church Meeting: Worship, Stewardship, & Ice Cream Social – Saturday September 12 at 6:00pm, front lawn
  • September 27, 11:30am Drive In Fellowship with: Communion, Prayer, Water, Mask, and Grocery Store Gift Card Distribution
  • Please Check Friday Email
  • 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.

Postlude: Debussy, Arabesque no. 1



FacebookTweetPinEmail

Filed Under: Worship

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. June Anderson says

    September 13, 2020 at 9:23 am

    Excellent service and Sermon. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Wesley Menke says

      September 30, 2020 at 10:11 am

      Thank you June!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2025 · Grace Lutheran Church · Digital Ministry Coaching by Faith Growth

  • About
  • Worship
  • Give
  • Preschool
  • VBS 2025