Sunday, September 27, 2015 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Welcome & Announcements
Opening Prayer
L:Wejoin together and one in prayer
C:Lord of joy and mercy, be with us this day as we seek your voice and your guidance. Remove the obstacles that block our commitment and help us to truly be your disciples; for we ask this in Christ’s Name. Amen.
Confession based on Mark 9:38-50
L:Let us reflect on our lives and prepare for confession
Silence for reflection
L:Whatstumbling block do we put in our lives?
C:We forget that we are not alone, we forget that you made us, we forget that we have had help along the way, we forget to ask for what we need.
L:What stumbling blocks do we put in our faith?
C:We are surrounded by the people you have created, and by the many gifts you have given them to share.Remind us of our own gifts, and the ways we may use them in community.
L:What stumbling block do we put in our mission?
C:We confess that in our own struggle to survive, we have ignored other communities. We have forgotten that they too have the right to survive. Make us mindful. Make us compassionate.Help us to see you in one another. In your name we pray, Amen.
Words of Assurance
L:You have stumbled but you are ready to get up and go out again in the name of Jesus. Your spirit of love and confidence gives hope to others. Remember that you are forgiven and the Lord is always with you.
C:Amen.
Opening Song ------Amazing Love
Verse
I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Repeat Verse
Chorus
Amazing love how can it be
That You my King would die for me
Amazing loveI know that it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do to honor You
Verse
Chorus
Bridge
You are my King (X 4)
Chorus 2
Amazing love how can it be
That You my King would die for me
Amazing loveI know that it's true
It's my joy to honor You
Amazing love how can it be
That You my King would die for me
Amazing loveI know that it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do to honor You
In all I do to honor You
Responsive Psalm 124 – “The Lord is by your side”
L:Today we are using the Psalm for the Scripture to remind us that God never leaves us, no matter what we do, and protects us even when we are unaware of his presence.
L:What if the Lord had not been on our side?
C:Let all Israel repeat:
L:What if the Lord had not been on our side
C:when people attacked us?
L:They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger.
C:The waters would have engulfed us;a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
L:Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.
C:Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
L:We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!
C:Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord has been on our side.
Gospel Lesson – Mark 9:38-50
John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Sermon------Thomas Horrocks
Message Song ------I Love You
Verse 1
We can be together, now and forever
I love you, I love you
Jesus made me feel it, and I can’t conceal it
I love you, I love you.
Chorus
Jesus came into the world to set us all free
And show us the way
And he was saying
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
Verse 2
Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers
I love you, I love you.
Jesus made me feel it, and I can’t conceal it
I love you, I love you.
Chorus
Verse 3
Once when I was praying, I could hear him saying
I love you, I love you.
And when He was dying, I could hear Him crying
I love you, I love you.
Chorus
Offering
Apostles’ Creed
P: Let us confess our faith in the ancient words of the Apostles Creed which has been the foundation of our faith for generations.
C: 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 into hell. 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.
The Prayers
Prayer Music------Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying, ELW 752
Sing through 2 times
The prayers are read. After each petition, congregation answers “Hear our prayer.”
Sing one more time
Benediction
L:You are the light of the world!Let your light shine for all to see!You are the salt of the earth!Let your salt flavor this earth with God’s love!Go forth as salt and light.Be at peace with God’s amazing world.
C:Amen!
Closing Song ------Lord I Lift Your Name on High
Verse
Lord I Lift Your Name on High
Lord I love to sing your praises
I’m so glad you’re in my life
I’m so glad you came to save us.
Chorus
You came from heaven to earth to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay.
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift your name on high.
Repeat all
L:Go in peace and serve the Lord!
C:Thanks be to God!