Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Confession & Forgiveness:
Blessed be the + Holy Trinity, the one who fashions us, the one who heals us, the one who reforms us again and again.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin, calling for God’s transforming power.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Source of all life,
we confess that we have not allowed your grace to set us free. We fear that we are not good enough. We hear your word of love freely given to us, yet we expect others to earn it. We turn the church inward, rather than moving it outward. Forgive us. Stir us. Reform us to be a church powered by love, willing to speak for what is right, act for what is just, and seek the healing of your whole creation. Amen.

God hears our cry and sends the Spirit to change us and to empower our lives in the world. Our sins are forgiven, + God’s love is unconditional, and we are raised up as God’s people who will always be made new, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Opening Hymn: ELW 504 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious;
he breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod and wins salvation glorious.
The old evil foe, sworn to work us woe, with dread craft and might
he arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal.

No strength of ours can match his might! We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight, whom God himself elected.
Ask who this may be: Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus our Lord,
God’s only Son, adored. He holds the field victorious.

Though hordes of devils fill the land all threat’ning to devour us,
we tremble not, unmoved we stand; they cannot overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may rage, in fierce war engage. He is doomed to fail
God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him.

God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it;
for God himself fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit.
If they take our house, goods, fame, child, or spouse, wrench our life away,
they cannot win the day. The kingdom’s ours forever!

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.
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Gospel Acclamation:

Gospel: John 8:31-36
This is the Holy Gospel according to John, the 8th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

³¹Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ³³They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”

³⁴Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. ³⁶So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

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

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: ELW 517 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
Lord, keep us steadfast in your word; curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son and bring to naught all he has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, your pow’r make known, for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your holy church, that we may sing your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth, send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife and lead us out of death to life.

Welcome of New Members:
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for these people, one with us in the body of Christ, whom we welcome as new members into the life and ministry of United In Christ.

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.

In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God. We are called to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

Siblings in Christ, do you intend to continue in covenant of your baptism among God’s people in this place?
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

People of God, do you promise to support and pray for these new members in their life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

Let us welcome these siblings in Christ to this community of faith.
We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.

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.

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 God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign. You have filled all creation with light and life; heaven and earth are full of your glory.

We praise you for the grace shown to your people in every age: the promise to Israel, the rescue from Egypt, the gift of the promised land, the words of the prophets; and, at this end of all the ages, the gift of your Son, who proclaimed the good news in word and deed and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.

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.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And, believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, 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 652 “Built On A Rock”
Built on a rock the church shall stand, even when steeples are falling; crumbled have
spires in ev’ry land, bells still are chiming and calling–calling the young and old to rest,
calling the souls of those distressed, longing for life everlasting.

Surely, in temples made with hands God the Most High is not dwelling–high in the
heav’ns his temple stands, all earthly temples excelling. Yet he who dwells in heav’n
above deigns to abide with us in love, making our bodies his temple.

Christ builds a house of living stones: we are his own habitation; he fills our hearts, his
humble thrones, granting us life and salvation. Where two or three will seek his face, he
in their midst will show his grace, blessings upon them bestowing.

Yet in this house, an earthly frame, Jesus the children is blessing; hither we come to
praise his name, faith in our Savior confessing. Jesus to us his Spirit sent, making with
us his covenant, granting his children the kingdom.

Through all the passing years, O Lord, grant that, when church bells are ringing,
many may come to hear your Word, who here this promise is bringing: “I know my
own, my own know me; you, not the world, my face shall see; my peace I leave with
you. Amen.”

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

Postlude

Prayer Requests: Liz Smith and Baby Grace, family and friends of Matt Rosamilia, family and friends of Michael McCollum, Mark Rabuck, Ryan Hunter, Rusty, Marilee, Jean Pfirman, Melissa Baumer-Spear, Dennis Rearick, Walt Bingaman, 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.