04 Sep BULLETIN – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES

 

The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor

Greta Wright, Music Director

Sunday, September 4, 2022 

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who is eager to forgive and who loves us beyond our days. Amen. 

Dear friends, together let us acknowledge our failure to love this world as Jesus does. 

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of mercy and forgiveness, we confess that sin still has a hold on us. We have harmed your good creation. We have failed to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Turn us in a new direction. Show us the path that leads to life. Be our refuge and strength on the journey, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend. Amen. 

Beloved of God: your sins are forgiven ☩ and you are made whole. God points the way to new life in Christ, who meets us on the road. Journey now in God’s abiding love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN     Blest Be the Tie that Binds     #370

1   Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the unity of heart and mind
is like to that above.

2   Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

 3   We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

4   From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.

KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE     Pages 57-58

This Is the Feast…     Page 60

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

FIRST READING     DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

PSALM 1

Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful! 

Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and they meditate on God’s teaching day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water. 

They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper. 

It is not so with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind blows away. 

Therefore, the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council of the righteous. 

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall be destroyed. They are like trees planted by streams of water.  

SECOND READING     PHILEMON 1-21

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION     Page 62

GOSPEL     LUKE 14:25-33

Now large crowds were traveling with [Jesus;] and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?  If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”

SERMON 

HYMN of the DAY     Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing     #499

1   Come, thou Fount of ev’ry blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
While the hope of endless glory
fills my heart with joy and love,
teach me ever to adore thee;
may I still thy goodness prove.

2   Here I raise my Ebenezer:
“Hither by thy help I’ve come”;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wand’ring from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.

3   Oh, to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be;
let that grace now like a fetter
bind my wand’ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.

PROFESSION of FAITH/APOSTLE’S CREED     Page 65

PRAYERS of INTERCESSION

Let us gather our prayers for the church, those in need, and all God’s creation. A brief silence.

We pray for the church around the world and for the mission of the gospel. Refresh our hearts, deepen our understanding and strengthen our partnerships in faith. God of grace, hear our prayer.

For the well-being of the earth, for all things that provide food or shelter and all the creatures that need them. Restore clean water to dry or damaged land. Recreate glaciers and other landscapes missing from the world. God of grace, hear our prayer.

For nations and those in authority: for elected leaders of towns, states, and country, and for international organizations. Grant wisdom to those who govern and raise up citizens who make decisions in the best interest of their neighbors. God of grace, hear our prayer.

For all in need: for those who suffer from disease, who struggle with homelessness or food insecurity, for those whose family life is difficult, and for all in this community who need your care (especially those on our prayer list). God of grace, hear our prayer.

For the labors of this community of faith. Inspire and sustain work that glorifies your holy name. Help us live out our many vocations for the sake of the world. God of grace, hear our prayer.

We give thanks for saints who now rest from their labors. Give us faith like them, to love you with all our hearts. By your mercy, bring us to everlasting life. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Gathered together in the sweet communion of your Holy Spirit, we offer our spoken and unspoken prayers to you through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

PEACE

OFFERING

OFFERTORY     Page 66

“Let the vineyards…”

PRAYER     Page 68

“Blessed are You…”

LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION     Page 68-72

THE LORD’S PRAYER     Page 71

POST COMMUNION CANTICLE     Pages 72-73

POST COMMUNION PRAYER     Page 74

CLOSING HYMN     For the Bread Which You Have Broken     #200

1   For the bread which you have broken,
for the wine which you have poured,
for the words which you have spoken,
now we give you thanks, O Lord.

2   By this promise that you love us,
by your gift of peace restored,
by your call to heav’n above us,
hallow all our lives, O Lord.

3   With the saints who now adore you,
seated at the heav’nly board,
may the church still waiting for you
keep love’s tie unbroken, Lord.

4   In your service, Lord, defend us;
in our hearts keep watch and ward;
in the world to which you send us
let your kingdom come, O Lord.

DISMISSAL          

Go in peace. Love your neighbor.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

 

Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Bruce and Diane Keister in memory of George & Catherine Geise.

Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Casara Kieffer.

 

ANNUAL PICNIC~SUNDAY, SEPT 11

On Sunday, September 11, the congregations of Messiah and St. Peter will gather at 10 A.M. at Pavilion D at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park for a shared worship service.  Following the service, a picnic-style covered-dish meal will be enjoyed in the pavilion.  During the rest of the afternoon, participants can enjoy the park as well as good fellowship.  Safari rides are available at a cost of $8.00.

Pulled pork, fried chicken and macaroni and cheese will be provided as well as drinks and ice cream.  Utensils, plates, cups and napkins will also be provided.  Covered dish favorites and summer desserts to share are, as always, much appreciated.  

Enter the park at LOWER ENTRANCE (not the main gate) and advise the attendant that you are attending the Church Service in Pavilion D.  Please mark this special day on your calendar and invite a friend or neighbor to come and join you!

Brad Crum will enhance our Sunday morning outdoor worship experience at LTWP by singing several hymns, paying homage to God and Elvis simultaneously. Please come and stay for the picnic! PNB

 

FREEWILL OFFERING TODAY

Please consider donating to Tawney Miller’s upcoming missionary trip to Mexico through a freewill offering TODAY, Sunday September 4th. If you aren’t able to place a donation in the special offering plate today, please let PB know. 

Tawney hopes to return to Mexico City for 2 more years. Thank you in advance for giving God’s work your consideration. 

Please check out the school’s webpage at https://imemexico.weebly.com/ or the sponsoring missionary agency at https://uwm.org/missionaries/31656/ to learn more.

 

GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS

By Sunday, September 11th, the Councils of Messiah and St. Peter are asking that you take part a church-wide annual outreach. Please bring socks and reusable water bottles to church and place in containers located at Messiah and St. Peter. Donated items will be given to residents of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Lebanon, PA. Let us continue to find new opportunities to do good works – in Jesus’ name!

 

NEEDED ASAP: Three-person Couch or 3 Bean Bag Chairs

Pastor Brody is looking for someone to donate either a sofa that seats three or 3 bean bag chairs for use during confirmation classes. Please contact her if you have something to offer at (443)-974-5558. Comfortable seating is the primary objective, portability would be a plus. Thank you! 

 

FALL RETREAT for WELCA

Camp Hebron Fall Retreat for WELCA is Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30. The Theme for this year is “Jesus is the Vine. What does it mean to be a Branch?” The deadline for the registration forms is postmarked Monday, September 12, 2022. Registration forms are available in the Narthex at Messiah & at St. Peter. Any questions, please contact Sandy Dreibelbis. 

 

2022 SCHOOL KITS: WE REACHED OUR NOTEBOOK GOAL!

This year Messiah and St. Peter were asked to provide 700 notebooks for the Upper Dauphin Conference School Kit project.  We have met our goal! To everyone who so generously donated notebooks for this project, “Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you!” 

 

MESSIAH SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

On the second and fourth Sundays of each month, with the exception of  9/11 adults and youth will gather for Sunday School starting at 9:00am. Children’s Sunday School  will be offered during the 10am worship service at Messiah. On the second and fourth Sundays of each month, right after the children’s sermon, potty trained children ages 2 up to 5th grade will be escorted from the sanctuary by their teacher. 

 

PERSONAL CARE KITS

Messiah ladies are again collecting personal care kits to be shipped to and distributed by Lutheran World Relief.   These kits provide the basic needs for personal hygiene. 

Each kit includes the following items:

• One light weight bath-size towel (52” X 27”), dark colors are recommended
• 2 bars of bath-size soap (4-5oz each)
• 1 adult toothbrush in the original packaging, or sealed in a business envelope—no plastic wrap
• 1 study comb
• 1 metal nail clipper

Please have your kit items to the church by September 18th.  We will be assembling the kits September 25th during the adult Sunday School hour. Thank you for your participation

 

TEEPEE TROT

The 2nd annual TeePee Trot 5K run/walk will be held on October 1st at 8:00 a.m. at Lake Tobias.  Registration is $30 and includes a race T-shirt, designed by Pastor Brody’s husband Steve, as well as an admission pass to Lake Tobias!  Anyone interested in participating or making a $30 donation to receive this year’s T-shirt can pick up a registration form at either church or visit the race website at sites.google.com/view/teepee-trot-5K/home.

Half of the race proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of J. R. Tobias. Last year the race made a little over $2,700!  We are looking for donations and volunteers to help run the event.  If interested please contact Katie Jury at KAJ1211@comcast.net. 

Volunteers will be needed on the day of the race. 

   

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER

 7– 6:30 PM Messiah Council Meeting

 8 – 1 PM St. Peter Council Meeting

11 – 10:00 AM Worship Service followed by a picnic at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Pavilion D (reservations requested)

 

LET US PRAY 

Prayer knits the waiting, expectant community together. It isn’t just for those being prayed for. It’s an act of faith where others are lifted up and entrusted to God.

New prayer requests

Please fill out prayer request cards from now on and provide your name, the person for whom you are requesting prayer, their contact information and a few details.

Continuing to add names verbally will lead to persons being left off the prayer list. And without written notes, the pastor cannot remember/connect names with specific needs for prayer. 

Filling out a card will allow the pastor to make contact, initiate pastoral care, and request permission to place a person’s name on the prayer list. Alternatively, you may email or text as long as you provide the same details. Following this plan will assure consistency, improve communication and help those for whom we pray. Please email concerns and/or requests including your name and theirs, contact information, and a few specifics to: elsiebbrody@gmail.com or text (443) 974-5558.