ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 18, 2022

  + GATHERING +

WELCOME

PRELUDE

Adagio in d minor
Jack Upton, Jr.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

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

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid:  cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Gracious God,
have mercy on us.  We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin.  We are truly sorry and humbly repent.  In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do.  Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  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.

GATHERING HYMN        

Son of God, Eternal Savior     
ELW 655

Son of God, eternal Savior,
source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
hallows all our human race,
you our head, who, throned in glory,
for your own will ever plead:
fill us with your love and pity,
heal our wrong, and help our need.

As you, Lord, have lived for others,
so may we for others live.
Freely have your gifts been granted;
freely may your servants give.
Yours the gold and yours the silver,
yours the wealth of land and sea;
we but stewards of your bounty
held in solemn trust will be.

Come, O Christ, and reign among us,
King of love and Prince of peace;
hush the storm of strife and passion,
bid its cruel discords cease.
By your patient years of toiling,
by your silent hours of pain,
quench our fevered thirst of pleasure,
stem our selfish greed of gain.

Son of God, eternal Savior,
source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
hallows all our human race:
by your praying, by your willing
that your people should be one,
grant, oh, grant our hope's fruition:
here on earth your will be done.

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  

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee 
ELW 836

Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.

All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird, and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine!

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. 
God among us, we gather in the name of your Son to learn love for one another. Keep our feet from evil paths. Turn our minds to your wisdom and our hearts to the grace revealed in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

 + WORD +  

FIRST READING:    Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Jeremiah’s primary task as God’s prophet was to announce the terrible destruction that awaited the people of Judah and Jerusalem because of their sin. In this passage, a grief-stricken Jeremiah anguishes over the sadness of that message and weeps for his people.

 ¹⁸My joy is gone, grief is upon me,
 my heart is sick.
 ¹⁹Hark, the cry of my poor people
 from far and wide in the land:
 "Is the LORD not in Zion?
 Is her King not in her?"
 ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images,
 with their foreign idols?")
 ²⁰"The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
 and we are not saved."
 ²¹For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt,
 I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.
 ²²Is there no balm in Gilead?
 Is there no physician there?
 Why then has the health of my poor people
 not been restored?
^9-1 O that my head were a spring of water,
 and my eyes a fountain of tears,
 so that I might weep day and night
 for the slain of my poor people!

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 79:1-9     (spoken responsively by full verse)

 ¹O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
 they have defiled your holy temple;
 they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
 ²They have given the bodies of your servants
 to the birds of the air for food,
 the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth.
 ³They have poured out their blood like water
 all around Jerusalem,
 and there was no one to bury them.
 ⁴We have become a taunt to our neighbors,
 mocked and derided by those around us.
 ⁵How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever?
 Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?
 ⁶Pour out your anger on the nations
 that do not know you,
 and on the kingdoms
 that do not call on your name.
 ⁷For they have devoured Jacob
 and laid waste his habitation.
 ⁸Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors;
 let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
 for we are brought very low.
 ⁹Help us, O God of our salvation,
 for the glory of your name;
 deliver us, and forgive our sins,
 for your name's sake.

SECOND READING:  1 Timothy 2:1-7
The pastoral epistles offer insight into how early Christians understood many practical matters, such as church administration and worship. The church’s focused prayer for others is an expression of the single-minded passion God has toward us in Jesus.

¹First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ³This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵For
 there is one God;
 there is also one mediator between God and humankind,
 Christ Jesus, himself human,
 ⁶who gave himself a ransom for all —
this was attested at the right time. ⁷For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION    

Celtic Alleluia
ELW 174

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.

Cantor:
     Speak, Lord, your servant is list'ning.
     Speak your words of wisdom,
     for the words you speak are everlasting life.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL:      Luke 16:1-13
Jesus tells the curious story of a dishonest manager who cheats his employer and then is commended by him for having acted so shrewdly. Jesus wonders why his own followers are less creative and diligent in their stewardship given that they are managers of a far more valuable household.

The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.

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. ²So 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.' ³Then 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. ⁴I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' ⁵So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' ⁶He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' ⁷Then 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.' ⁸And 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. ⁹And 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.
¹⁰Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. ¹¹If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? ¹²And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? ¹³No 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 gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY    

Let Justice Flow like Streams
ELW 717

Let justice flow like streams
of sparkling water, pure,
enabling growth, refreshing life,
abundant, cleansing, sure.

Let righteousness roll on
as others' cares we heed,
an ever-flowing stream of faith
translated into deed.

So may God's plumb line, straight,
define our measure true,
and justice, right, and peace pervade
this world our whole life through.

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
    God from God, Light from Light,
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father;
    through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven,
        was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
        and became truly human.
        For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
        he suffered death and was buried.
        On the third day he rose again
        in accordance with the scriptures;
        he ascended into heaven
        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
        He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
        and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
    who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
    who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
    who has spoken through the prophets.
    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
    We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
    We look for the resurrection of the dead,
    and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

     A brief silence.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE
We safely share the peace of Christ with each other.

  + MEAL +  

OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service.  Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option.  Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.

MUSICAL OFFERING

OFFERING SONG  

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
ELW 885    

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

DIALOGUE
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.

PREFACE
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:

SANCTUS      

Holy, Holy, Holy
ELW 192

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 
God of power and might, 
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.  
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,  
Hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE 

O God most mighty, O God most merciful, O God our rock and our salvation, hear us as we praise, call us to your table, grant us your life.

When the world was a formless void, you formed order and beauty.   When Abraham and Sarah were barren, you sent them a child.  When the Israelites were enslaved, you led them to freedom.  Ruth faced starvation, David fought Goliath, and the psalmists cried out for healing, and full of compassion, you granted the people your life.

You entered our sorrows in Jesus our brother.  He was born among the poor, he lived under oppression, he wept over the city.  With infinite love, he granted the people your 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.

Remembering his death, we cry out Amen. Amen.
Celebrating his resurrection, we shout Amen. Amen.
Trusting his presence in every time and place, we plead Amen. Amen.

O God, you are Breath: send your Spirit on this meal.  O God, you are Bread: feed us with yourself.  O God, you are Wine: warm our hearts and make us one.  O God, you are Fire: transform us with hope.

O God most majestic, O God most motherly, O God our strength and our song, you show us a vision of a tree of life with fruits for all and leaves that heal the nations.  Grant us such life, the life of the Father to the Son, the life of the Spirit of our risen Savior, life in you, now and forever.
Amen.

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 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.

DISTRIBUTION 
This holy meal is for all the baptized children of God.  We commune at the altar rail.  The ushers will direct you down the center aisle.  Please go to an open spot at the altar rail.  After you have received the host, the first chalice is for intinction and the second chalice is for drinking.  A third chalice of grape juice is also offered.  Please let the Pastor know if you wish to receive gluten-free wafers.  You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle. 

LAMB OF GOD    

O Christ, Lamb of God
ELW 196

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us. 
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us. 
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.  Amen.

HYMNS DURING COMMUNION

By Your Hand You Feed Your People 
ELW 469

By your hand you feed your people,
food of angels, heaven's bread.
For these gifts we did not labor, 
by your grace have we been fed:

Refrain
    Christ's own body, blessed and broken,
    cup o'er flowing, life outpoured,
    given as a living token 
    of your world redeemed, restored.

In this meal we taste your sweetness,
bread for hunger, wine of peace.
Holy word and holy wisdom
satisfy our deepest needs.    Refrain

Send us now with faith and courage
to the hungry, lost, bereaved.
In our living and our dying,
we become what we receive:    Refrain

Let Us Break Bread Together  
ELW 471

Let us break bread together on our knees;
Let us break bread together on our knees.

Refrain
     When I fall on my knees,
     with my face to the rising sun,
     O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees;
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
     Refrain

Let us praise God together on our knees;
Let us praise God together on our knees.
     Refrain

BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.  
Amen.

SONG AFTER COMMUNION 

Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise
ELW 204

Thankful hearts and voices raise: tell ev'ryone what God has done.  
Let ev'ryone who seeks the Lord rejoice and bear the name of Christ.  
Send us with your promises and lead your people forth in joy 
with shouts of thanksgiving.  Alleluia, alleluia.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O God, our life, our strength, our food, we give you thanks for sustaining us with the body and blood of your Son.  By your Holy Spirit, enliven us to be his body in the world, that more and more we will give you praise and serve your earth and its many peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
 

+ SENDING +  

SENDING HYMN      

Christ, Be Our Light
ELW 715  (v. 1,2,5)

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain
    Christ, be our light!
    Shine in our hearts.
    Shine through the darkness.
    Christ, be our light!
    Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow'r to save us.
Make us your living voice.    Refrain

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
signs of your kingdom come.    Refrain

BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL
Go in peace.  Remember the poor!
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Commemoration   

Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

Son of God, Eternal Savior, Text: Somerset C. Lowry, 1855-1932.  Music: Oude en Nieuwe Hallantse Boerenlities en Countradansen, 1710, arr. Julius Röentgen, 1855-1932.  Public domain.

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,  Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1922.  Music: Ludwig van Beethover, 1770-1827, adapt.  Public domain.

Celtic Alleluia, Music: Finian O'Carroll and Christopher Walker,  Music © 1985 Finian O'Carroll and Christopher Walker, admin. OCP Publications, Inc. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved..

Let Justice Flow like Streams, Text: Jane Parker Huber, b. 1926, Text © 1984 Jane Parker Huber, admin. Westminster John Knox Press. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. Music: Aaron Williams, 1731-1776. Public domain.

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow. Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.. Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1510-1561, attr., Genevan Psalter, 1551. Public domain.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: A Community Mass, Richard Proulx, b. 1937.  Music © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc.. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved..

O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528. Public domain.

By Your Hand You Feed Your People, Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952.  Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and music © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved..

Let Us Break Bread Together.  Text: African American spiritual.  Music: African American spiritual. Public domain.

Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise, Text: John W. Arthur, 1922-1980, Music: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923.Text © 1978, 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved..

Christ, Be Our Light, Text and music: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957, Text and music © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP Publications. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved..