ORDER OF WORSHIP
                                                    15th Sunday after Pentecost
                                                           September 10, 2023
 
PRELUDE   Prelude on “Trentham”, arr. Robert Jackson
 
WELCOME
 
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Jesus says wherever any two or more are gathered in his name
     There he is with us
Today we gather in Jesus name
     And Jesus is here with us
Thanks be to God
     Allelujah, Amen
 
*HYMN # 403  (Red) ‘Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty’
     Open now thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there,
     where my soul in joyful duty waits for God who answers prayer.
     Oh, how blessed is this place, filled with solace, light, and grace.
 
     Gracious God, I come before thee, come thou also unto me;
     where we find thee and adore thee, there a heaven on earth must be;
     to my heart, O enter thou, let it be thy temple now.
 
     Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee, let thy will be done indeed;
     may I undisturbed draw near thee while thou dost thy people feed.
     Here of life the fountain flows, here is balm for all our woes.
 
  
CALL TO CONFESSION 
As we come humbly before God confessing our sins, think about these words written by Martin Luther:
“Whoso can earnestly humble himself from his heart before God, he hath gained.  For God can do nothing but to be merciful towards them that humble themselves.  For if God should always be stern and angry, so should I be afraid of him as of the executioner.  And seeing that I must stand in fear of the Pope, of the Emperor, … and of other tyrants, which are God’s enemies, to whom then should I fly and take my refuge, if I should also be afraid of God?”
Trusting in God’s mercy, let us pray together.
 
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
God of mercy, we confess that though we want to be like Jesus, we don’t always act like it.  Sometimes we lose patience with those who need us most, wishing they would just go away, even if just for a little while, so that we can live our life in peace.  In your mercy, forgive us and remind us of the deep love and grace you have shown to us when we were in need. Show us how to love others, as you have loved us and to offer grace to others as you have offered grace to us.  In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.
                          (Silence for reflection and self-examination)
 
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, declare with me the good news. 
     Through Jesus Christ and our merciful God, we are forgiven and free. 
Knowing this, may we find peace.
     Amen!
 
*GLORIA PATRI
          Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
          As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
         World without end. Amen, Amen.
 
CHILDREN’S SERMON
 
 PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION                                 
Let us pray:  Dear Lord, enlighten us today as we seek to know You through Your word. Open our hearts and our eyes to see Your wonderful truths. Be our teacher, so we can live in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
 
SCRIPTURE READING                                         
Today our Psalm reading is from Psalm 138.  As we read, I hope you can feel the sense of confidence in the voice of the Psalmist.  What a beautiful way to express how confident WE are that God is always in our corner, no matter who we are or where we are in our lives.  Please join me in our responsive reading.
                                               
Psalm 138: 1-3, 6-8  (responsive reading)
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
         before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
          that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
          you greatly emboldened me.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
          though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
          you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
    with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever--
    do not abandon the works of your hands.
 
Gospel Reading  Matthew 15: 21-28                  
21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
22Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting,
“Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
23But he did not answer her at all.
And his disciples came and urged him, saying,
“Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
 
This is the Word of God for the people of God.
     Thanks be to God.
 
SERMON – ‘This Calls For Persistent Faith’            Donna Flint, CRE 

*HYMN #301 (Red)  ‘All are Welcome’
     Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
     a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
     Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
     here the love of Christ shall end divisions: 
     all are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
 
     Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
     where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
     Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
     here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: 
     all are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
 
     Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat;
     a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
     Here the love of  God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
     as we share in Christ the feast that frees us;
     are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
 
     Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
     to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
     Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
     let us bring an end to fear and danger:  
     all are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
 
     Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
     and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
     Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
     let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
     all are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
 
 
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  (from the Brief Confession of Faith):
In life and in death we belong to God.Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God.Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father.In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.  In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, and to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and SaviorIn gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.  
 
INVITATION TO OFFERING                                                  
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.                                                                                                            Romans 12:1
 
SPECIAL MUSIC
  
*DOXOLOGY 
     Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
     Praise Him, all creatures here below;
     Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
     Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.   Amen
 
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Merciful and gracious God, you abound in steadfast love and faithfulness. With gratitude, we bring our gifts to you. Bless these gifts and bless our lives that together we may share your mercy and grace for the world you dearly love. Amen
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 
-Carol G
-Robert (Robby’s father)
-Susan H (MK’s daughter)
-Sharon H
-Maxine D
-Andrew N (friend of Ella)
-Barb (Bob O’s sister)
-Anthony B (Teri’s son)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim (Dianne L’s husband)
-Paige F
-Nelda H
-Betty G
-Richard C and Dolores as caregiver
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Darwin L and Jeanne as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele and Brookings)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
 
Our homebound or in care members: Richard C, Bob J, Delores K,  Rose P, Cliff R, Dee W  (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: John P, Rose P, Lynn & Diane R
Those who mourn: We pray for the Riedesel, Eich, Ohnstad, VanderWaal, Broksieck, Canaday, Barnett, Fee, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
  
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
 
 *HYMN #295 (Red)   ‘Go to the World!’ 
     Go to the world! Go into all the earth.
     Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth
     baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
     Alleluia. Alleluia.
 
     Go to the world! Go into every place.
     Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace.
     Go seek God presence in each time and space.
     Alleluia. Alleluia.
 
     Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
     the nights of tears give way to joyous day.
     As servant church, you follow Christ’s own way.
     Alleluia. Alleluia.
 
     Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
     for I am with you till the age shall end,
     when all the hosts of glory cry “Amen!”
     Alleluia. Alleluia.
 
  
                                                                               ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.                                   
 
-CHOIR PRACTICE will be held on Wednesdays, starting Wednesday September 6th at 5:15 to 6:00 or 6:15 PM. Please meet in the north meeting room. Let’s make a joyful noise to the Lord!
 
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER TIME will begin studying I & II Thessalonians on September 7th, 2023, 9:30-11:30. Come visit and see what we are about!
 
-SESSION MEETING will be on Thursday, September 14 at 7:00  PM at the north meeting room.
 
-THE PC(USA) PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS SPECIAL OFFERING is from Sept. 3 until Oct. 1. Please put donations in the offering plate and write ‘Peace Special Offering’ on the memo line or use the envelopes by the offering plates.  Thank you for your generosity!
 
 
BLESSING AND CHARGE
                             
 
POSTLUDE  ‘We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight,’ arr. Samuel McFarland
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Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2022-2023 Year A Vo.56.1 PCUSA;