SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
15th Sunday after Pentecost
September 18, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Beloved children of God, in supplication and prayer, with intercessions and with thanksgiving,
we come to worship God.
In hope and in humility, with joy and with concerns,
we come to worship God.
In faith and in uncertainty, with questions and with conviction,
let us worship God.
*HYMN #340 (Red) ‘This is My Song’
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
So hear my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.
This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms;
thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,
and hearts united learn to live as one.
So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations;
myself I give thee; let thy will be done.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Jesus Christ gave himself as a ransom for all who fall short of the goodness of God. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us turn to God and make our confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, we confess that we are too concerned with our own peace. We seek the comfort of silence, and ignore the cries of the oppressed. We are inwardly focused, missing your call to serve the world in justice and love. Forgive us, O God. Equip us to fulfill your will for a world in which all know dignity and all are treated with equity, as your beloved children. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God our Judge is also our Savior. The good news is sure:
in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
*GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
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.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Eternal Wisdom, from generation to generation you teach your people the way to live. Through words that are ancient, you speak your Living Word. Speak to us now with all that we need to honor you and walk in your way with honesty and humbleness of heart. Amen.
Sacred writings, these are our instruction in salvation, through our faith in Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 113 (read responsively)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Luke 16:1-13
1Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.
10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
The words of scripture, inspired by God, written through human hands, Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.
Thanks be to God.
REFLECTION: ‘Resist Greed’ Rev. Norlita Kaul
*HYMN ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.54–55
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘Give Me Jesus’ music by Paul & Donna Williams, arr. by John F. Wilson Dick Smith, soloist and Judy Smith, pianist
INVITATION TO OFFERING
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Romans 12:1
*DOXOLOGY (please stand)
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
Faithful One, you have entrusted us with so many gifts that are more important than worldly possessions. You have called us to be stewards of all that you have created. We strive to fulfill your call to be generous stewards by openly sharing the bounty you have placed under our care. We know that we visibly demonstrate our commitment to your work in this world by giving these tithes and offerings. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
(Luke 16:1-13 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Rich and wife Susan (Ginny’s sister and brother-in-law)
-Betty G
-Roger J (recovery)
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew-for continued strength)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V,H, Nelda H, Dennis H & Carolyn C
This Week’s Prayer Families: Rev. Norlita K, Dan & Michele K, Don K & Carol G
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
Prayers for Second Presbyterian in Flandreau and Wentworth Presbyterian in Wentworth and their pastor, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; Robby & Donna, and Elizabeth (CREs), our Presbytery of South Dakota , PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends. We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings.
Be with our troops and their families as they serve us with dignity, honor, bravery, and valor.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. For those in our world that must deal with the pain, sadness, and loss.
THE 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 #716 (Red) ‘God Whose Giving Knows No Ending’
God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store:
nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,
costly cross, grave's shattered door:
gifted by You, we turn to You,
offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall rise forever,
gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for pressing
toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
all at peace in health and freedom,
races joined, the Church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
lest we strive for self alone;
born with talents, make us servants
fit to answer at your throne.
Treasure, too, you have entrusted,
gain through powers your grace conferred;
ours to use for home and kindred,
and to spread the gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing,
as we heed Christ's ageless call,
healing, teaching, and reclaiming,
serving you by loving all.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVEREND DUANE MULLIN will be installed as pastor at the Bemis-Holland Church on September 18 at 3:00 PM. As the Presbytery of South Dakota, we invite your congregation and session to send their best wishes.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church. We are studying the book of Matthew.
SEPTEMBER 25TH WORSHIP SERVICE will be held at the Hillcrest Park, Shelter B, at 10:30 AM. A potluck picnic will follow. Please plan on staying to eat with us after worship. Fellowship/Outreach Committee will provide water, juice, coffee, cups, napkins, plates, and utensils for those who don’t bring their own. If you can, please bring a dish to share. There are plug-ins for hot pots and coolers will be provided for cold dishes.
PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS SPECIAL OFFERING DONATIONS will be accepted from September 4 through October 2. Please use the envelopes provided on the lectern at the sanctuary door or write ‘Special Offering’ on the memo line on your check. Thank you for your generosity!
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS: At this time, due to lack of demand and lack of children, we are suspending Sunday School. Hopefully we can reestablish Sunday School again in the future.
BENEDICTION
I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
Ephesians 4:1
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
Thanks to everyone who helped with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week!
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993;
15th Sunday after Pentecost
September 18, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Beloved children of God, in supplication and prayer, with intercessions and with thanksgiving,
we come to worship God.
In hope and in humility, with joy and with concerns,
we come to worship God.
In faith and in uncertainty, with questions and with conviction,
let us worship God.
*HYMN #340 (Red) ‘This is My Song’
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
So hear my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.
This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms;
thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,
and hearts united learn to live as one.
So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations;
myself I give thee; let thy will be done.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Jesus Christ gave himself as a ransom for all who fall short of the goodness of God. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us turn to God and make our confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, we confess that we are too concerned with our own peace. We seek the comfort of silence, and ignore the cries of the oppressed. We are inwardly focused, missing your call to serve the world in justice and love. Forgive us, O God. Equip us to fulfill your will for a world in which all know dignity and all are treated with equity, as your beloved children. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God our Judge is also our Savior. The good news is sure:
in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
*GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
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.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Eternal Wisdom, from generation to generation you teach your people the way to live. Through words that are ancient, you speak your Living Word. Speak to us now with all that we need to honor you and walk in your way with honesty and humbleness of heart. Amen.
Sacred writings, these are our instruction in salvation, through our faith in Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 113 (read responsively)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Luke 16:1-13
1Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.
10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
The words of scripture, inspired by God, written through human hands, Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.
Thanks be to God.
REFLECTION: ‘Resist Greed’ Rev. Norlita Kaul
*HYMN ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.54–55
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘Give Me Jesus’ music by Paul & Donna Williams, arr. by John F. Wilson Dick Smith, soloist and Judy Smith, pianist
INVITATION TO OFFERING
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Romans 12:1
*DOXOLOGY (please stand)
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
Faithful One, you have entrusted us with so many gifts that are more important than worldly possessions. You have called us to be stewards of all that you have created. We strive to fulfill your call to be generous stewards by openly sharing the bounty you have placed under our care. We know that we visibly demonstrate our commitment to your work in this world by giving these tithes and offerings. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
(Luke 16:1-13 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Rich and wife Susan (Ginny’s sister and brother-in-law)
-Betty G
-Roger J (recovery)
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew-for continued strength)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V,H, Nelda H, Dennis H & Carolyn C
This Week’s Prayer Families: Rev. Norlita K, Dan & Michele K, Don K & Carol G
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
Prayers for Second Presbyterian in Flandreau and Wentworth Presbyterian in Wentworth and their pastor, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; Robby & Donna, and Elizabeth (CREs), our Presbytery of South Dakota , PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends. We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings.
Be with our troops and their families as they serve us with dignity, honor, bravery, and valor.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. For those in our world that must deal with the pain, sadness, and loss.
THE 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 #716 (Red) ‘God Whose Giving Knows No Ending’
God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store:
nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,
costly cross, grave's shattered door:
gifted by You, we turn to You,
offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall rise forever,
gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for pressing
toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
all at peace in health and freedom,
races joined, the Church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
lest we strive for self alone;
born with talents, make us servants
fit to answer at your throne.
Treasure, too, you have entrusted,
gain through powers your grace conferred;
ours to use for home and kindred,
and to spread the gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing,
as we heed Christ's ageless call,
healing, teaching, and reclaiming,
serving you by loving all.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVEREND DUANE MULLIN will be installed as pastor at the Bemis-Holland Church on September 18 at 3:00 PM. As the Presbytery of South Dakota, we invite your congregation and session to send their best wishes.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church. We are studying the book of Matthew.
SEPTEMBER 25TH WORSHIP SERVICE will be held at the Hillcrest Park, Shelter B, at 10:30 AM. A potluck picnic will follow. Please plan on staying to eat with us after worship. Fellowship/Outreach Committee will provide water, juice, coffee, cups, napkins, plates, and utensils for those who don’t bring their own. If you can, please bring a dish to share. There are plug-ins for hot pots and coolers will be provided for cold dishes.
PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS SPECIAL OFFERING DONATIONS will be accepted from September 4 through October 2. Please use the envelopes provided on the lectern at the sanctuary door or write ‘Special Offering’ on the memo line on your check. Thank you for your generosity!
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS: At this time, due to lack of demand and lack of children, we are suspending Sunday School. Hopefully we can reestablish Sunday School again in the future.
BENEDICTION
I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
Ephesians 4:1
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
Thanks to everyone who helped with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week!
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993;