Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Confession and Forgiveness:
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

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 squandered your bountiful gifts.  We have considered the blessings of the harvest our due.  We have been indifferent in planning and planting for the future needs of your church.  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, cause gratitude to ripen our hearts, and wisdom to mature in our minds, 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.

Opening Hymn: ELW 514 “O Word of God Incarnate”
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:
we praise you for the radiance that from the hallowed page,
a lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.

The church from you, dear Master, received the gift divine;
and still that light is lifted o’er all the earth to shine.
It is the chart and compass that, all life’s voyage through,
mid mists and rocks and quicksands still guides, O Christ, to you.

Oh, make your church, dear Savior, a lamp of burnished gold
to bear before the nations your true light, as of old;
oh, teach your wand’ring pilgrims by this their path to trace,
till, clouds and darkness ended, they see you face to face.

Apostolic 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.

Hymn of Praise:

Prayer of the Day:
Let us pray.
O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for all this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

First Reading: Genesis 32:22-31
²²The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. ²⁴Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. ²⁶Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” ²⁷So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” ²⁸Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” ²⁹Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. ³⁰So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” ³¹The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation:

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
This is the Holy Gospel according to Luke, the 18th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

¹Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ²He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ ⁴For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” ⁶And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: ELW 769 “If You But Trust in God to Guide You”
If you but trust in God to guide you with gentle hand through all your ways,
you’ll find that God is there beside you when crosses come, in trying days.
Trust then in God’s unchanging love; build on the rock that will not move.

What gain is there in anxious weeping in helpless anger and distress?
If you are in your Savior’s keeping, in sorrow will he love you less?
For Christ who took for you a cross will bring you safe through every loss.

The Lord our restless hearts is holding, in peace and quietness content.
We rest in God’s good will unfolding, what wisdom from on high has sent.
God, who has chosen us by grace, knows very well the fears we face.

Sing, pray, and keep God’s ways unswerving, offer your service faithfully.
Trust heaven’s word; though undeserving, you’ll find God’s promise true to be.
This is our confidence indeed: God never fails in time of need.

Apostle’s Creed:
Let us confess our faith using the 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:
In gratitude and humility, let us join together in prayer on behalf of all of God’s creation.

Prayers continue with each petition ending:

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

With grateful hearts, we commend our spoken and silent prayers to you, O God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Sharing of the Peace:
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

The minister and congregation greet one another in the name of the Lord. Please share the peace at whatever level of physical contact with which you are comfortable.

Offering:
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/468062

Offertory Hymn:

Offering Prayer:
Let us pray.
Gracious God, in your great love you richly provide for our needs. Make of these gifts a banquet of blessing, and make us ready to share with all in need; through Jesus Christ, who sets a table for all.
Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving:
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.

Lord’s Prayer:
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us saying:
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 those who 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.

Lamb of God:

Communion

Table Blessing:
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle:

Post-Communion Prayer:
Let us pray.
God of the abundant table, you have refreshed our hearts in this meal with bread for the journey. Give us your grace on the road that we might serve our neighbors with joy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Benediction:
God, who gives life to all things and frees us from despair, bless you with truth and peace. And may the holy Trinity, + One God, guide you always in faith, hope, and love.
Amen.

Sending Hymn: ELW 790 “Day by Day”
Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me,
bringing comfort to my anxious soul.
Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me
draw me nearer to my heav’nly goal.
Love divine, beyond all mortal measure,
brings to naught the burdens of my quest;
Savior, lead me to the home I treasure,
where at last I’ll find eternal rest.

Day by day, I know you will provide me
strength to serve and wisdom to obey;
I will seek your loving will to guide me
o’er the paths I struggle day by day.
I will fear no evil of the morrow,
I will trust in your enduring grace.
Savior, help me bear life’s pain and sorrow
till in glory I behold your face.

Oh, what joy to know that you are near me
when my burdens grow too great to bear;
oh, what joy to know that you will hear me
when I come, O Lord, to you in prayer.
Day by day, no matter what betide me,
you will hold me ever in your hand.
Savior, with your presence here to guide me,
I will reach at last the promised land.

Dismissal:
Go in peace with Christ beside you!
Thanks be to God!

Postlude

Prayer Requests:
Rusty, Marilee, Jean Pfirman, Melissa Baumer-Spear, Dennis Rearick, Baby Ellie, Melody Erb, Larry Erb, family and friends of Colin, family and friends of Grace Yost, Kim Pham, Walt Bingaman, Mark Rabuck, Shirley Russell, Russ Wynn, Viv Marsh, Gladys Fawcett,  Alice Snyder, Marie Tanner, Peg Swinehart, Martha Ketchem, Bob Keifer.

Portions reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006.  Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress, license #SBL09796L.  Music reprinted from the ELW, by permission of OneLicense, license #A712349.  Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.   Used by permission.