22 Oct BULLETIN – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS Page 56
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage 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 not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God #229
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
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.
KYRIE Pages 57-59
🎶In peace let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For this holy house, and for all who offer here and online their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord.
🎶Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 58-59
🎶Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
🎶Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father: we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 45:1-7
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed: I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god.
I arm you, though you do not know me, so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.
PSALM 96:1-9 [10-13]
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the Lord; proclaim God’s salvation from day to day.
Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods.
As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O Lord, have made the heavens.
Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the Lord.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the Lord, all the earth.
Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O Lord, for you come to judge the earth.
You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth.
SECOND READING 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
🎶Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the 22nd chapter.
🎶Glory to you, oh Lord.
GOSPEL MATTHEW 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [Jesus] in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said,“Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
The Gospel of the Lord.
🎶Praise to you, o Christ.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
God of Grace and God of Glory #415
PROFESSION of FAITH Apostles’ Creed Page 65
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He decended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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
Trusting in the transformative power of God’s loving Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
In your sanctuary, God, may offerings of praise and honor that are due your holy name be proclaimed with joy. May your truth be spoken and your righteousness be on display as we enter and depart your house of worship. Bind believers near and far into one body of Christ, equipped for the work of faith with hearts enlarged for the labor of love. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Creating God, majesty, magnificence, power and splendor describe attributes of your holy presence. In wonder of all you have made, we ask that you bless the work of ecologists, conservationists and those who aim to safeguard the balance of nature. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, your rule and authority will judge the cosmos. As you once worked through King Cyrus for the good of your people, accomplish great purpose through the work of elected and appointed leaders/public servants. Guide them with your wisdom and compassion. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Caring God, your arms enfold all who are lonely, oppressed, despairing, sick, and suffering (especially those on our prayer list). Pour out abundant mercy on all whom this world has neglected, abandoned, abused or forgotten, that they may know your presence as a clear constant. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, all our life belongs to you. When earthly idols threaten to lead people astray, remind everyone that you alone are the source of eternal hope. Direct the work of treasurers, councils, and those who contribute and/or manage the church’s financial well-being. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Everlasting God, the saints of every age have sung your praise, declared your glory and shared the essence of your word. We give thanks for their witness and your provision for us all to become citizens of your unending kingdom. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, in reverent awe and with a humble attitude, we deliver into your hands all for whom we pray, trusting in your unending love and amazing grace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING & OFFERTORY Page 75
🎶Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit.
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 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.
BENEDICTION Page 74
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
Lift High the Cross #377
DISMISSAL Page 74
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE