PRELUDE
GATHERING
GREETING & WELCOME
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.
OPENING MUSIC--“We Have Seen the Lord,” ELW #869
We Have Seen the Lord / Nimemwona Bwana
(Nimemwona Bwana.)
Nimemwona Bwana. (Nimemwona)
Nimemwona Bwana. (Nimemwona Bwana.)
Nimemwona Bwana, anapendeza.
(We have seen the Lord.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is mighty.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is powerful.)
We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.
(We have seen the Lord.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is lowly.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is merciful.)
We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.
(We have seen the Lord.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is gracious.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is wonderful.)
We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.
Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Jeff Sartain, b. 1962
English text © 2003 Concordia Publishing House
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
CALL TO WORSHIP & MEDITATION
A 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.
“In You Alone”--Visual Liturgy (based on reading—The Work of the People)
GATHERING
GREETING & WELCOME
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.
OPENING MUSIC--“We Have Seen the Lord,” ELW #869
We Have Seen the Lord / Nimemwona Bwana
(Nimemwona Bwana.)
Nimemwona Bwana. (Nimemwona)
Nimemwona Bwana. (Nimemwona Bwana.)
Nimemwona Bwana, anapendeza.
(We have seen the Lord.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is mighty.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is powerful.)
We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.
(We have seen the Lord.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is lowly.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is merciful.)
We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.
(We have seen the Lord.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is gracious.)
We have seen the Lord. (God is wonderful.)
We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.
Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Jeff Sartain, b. 1962
English text © 2003 Concordia Publishing House
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
CALL TO WORSHIP & MEDITATION
A 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.
“In You Alone”--Visual Liturgy (based on reading—The Work of the People)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: Let us pray.
All: 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.
Release students for Sunday School
WORD
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him 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.
MESSAGE--Pastor Megan Morrow, Assistant to the Bishop
CONFESSION/HYMN OF THE DAY “For the Fruit of All Creation,” ELW #679
Vs. 1-2 (then Confession before continuing w/ vs. 3)
L: Let us pray.
All: 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.
Release students for Sunday School
WORD
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him 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.
MESSAGE--Pastor Megan Morrow, Assistant to the Bishop
CONFESSION/HYMN OF THE DAY “For the Fruit of All Creation,” ELW #679
Vs. 1-2 (then Confession before continuing w/ vs. 3)
L: Lord, we confess that think of all that we have and all that we earn as ours.
All: We think of our talents and our abilities as our own.
L: We do not share what is ours with others because we do not trust that you will provide as you have always done.
All: Forgive us, Lord. Turn our hearts to recognize that all we have is yours—that all things have their being in and through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Vs. 3
L: Siblings in Christ, God knows our failings and our troubles, and God continues to provide all that we need. In the name of Christ, your sins are forgiven so that you might live a new life to the glory of God.
All: Amen.
APOSTLES’ 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.
MEAL
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
With confidence in God’s grace and mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
Gracious God, you call us by name and invite us to share your good news. Send your Holy Spirit among preachers, missionaries, and evangelists. We give thanks for the witness of your people in the Kimangaro Parish in Tanzania. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of praise, the heavens and all creation declare your salvation. From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the whole universe show forth your goodness. Raise up devoted stewards of all that you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of all, may your word of justice sound forth in every place. Restore divided nations and communities with reconciling truth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of light, we pray for those living with pain, illness, isolation, grief, anger, or doubt (especially Diana, Addie, Rod, Michele, Victoria, Nancy, Dennis, Jordan, Darla, Marvin, Nicky, Rachel, Nancy, Toni, Hal, Bruce, Charlotte, Mary Jo, Daniel, Cathy, Branden, Dahvis, Bobby, Joann, Audrey, Julie, Betty, and those we lift up out loud and silently…). Join their voices in a new song, assuring them that you call them each by name. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of truth, you show no partiality. May your spirit guide the work of justices, magistrates, court officials, and all vocations of the law, that your promise of restoration may be known. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Living God, as you raised Jesus from the dead, so raise up those who have died in you. We give thanks for their witness, confident of your rescuing welcome for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Listen as we call on you, O God, and enfold in your loving arms all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
L: The peace of Christ be with you always.
All: And also with you.
No offering taken DURING worship. Can invite usher to bring the basket forward to be blessed.
OFFERING | OFFERTORY PRAYER
L: Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich food and drink, and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world, through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
All: Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION—(SPOKEN)
L: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L: 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:
All: 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.
L: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
All: Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.
L: You have filled all creation with light and life;
All: heaven and earth are full of your glory.
L: We praise you for the grace shown to your people in every age:
All: the promise to Israel,
L: the rescue from Egypt,
All: the gift of the promised land,
L: the words of the prophets;
All: and, at this end of all the ages, the gift of your Son,
L: who proclaimed the good news in word and deed
All: and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
L: In the night in which he was betrayed,
All: our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
L: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
All: Do this for the remembrance of me.
L: Again, after supper, he took the cup,
All: gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
L: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
All: Do this for the remembrance of me.
L: For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
L: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place,
All: and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
L: Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: 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.
PARTAKING OF COMMUNION
L: Take and eat. This is the body of Christ given for you. (All eat their wafers.)
Take and drink. This is the blood of Christ shed for you. (All drink from their cups.)
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER
L: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
All: Amen.
L: We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen.
BENEDICTION
L: Mothering God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.
All: Amen.
SENDING
ANNOUNCEMENTS & MILESTONES
SENDING MUSIC “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises”, ELW #535 (No repeats)
All: We think of our talents and our abilities as our own.
L: We do not share what is ours with others because we do not trust that you will provide as you have always done.
All: Forgive us, Lord. Turn our hearts to recognize that all we have is yours—that all things have their being in and through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Vs. 3
L: Siblings in Christ, God knows our failings and our troubles, and God continues to provide all that we need. In the name of Christ, your sins are forgiven so that you might live a new life to the glory of God.
All: Amen.
APOSTLES’ 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.
MEAL
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
With confidence in God’s grace and mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
Gracious God, you call us by name and invite us to share your good news. Send your Holy Spirit among preachers, missionaries, and evangelists. We give thanks for the witness of your people in the Kimangaro Parish in Tanzania. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of praise, the heavens and all creation declare your salvation. From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the whole universe show forth your goodness. Raise up devoted stewards of all that you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of all, may your word of justice sound forth in every place. Restore divided nations and communities with reconciling truth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of light, we pray for those living with pain, illness, isolation, grief, anger, or doubt (especially Diana, Addie, Rod, Michele, Victoria, Nancy, Dennis, Jordan, Darla, Marvin, Nicky, Rachel, Nancy, Toni, Hal, Bruce, Charlotte, Mary Jo, Daniel, Cathy, Branden, Dahvis, Bobby, Joann, Audrey, Julie, Betty, and those we lift up out loud and silently…). Join their voices in a new song, assuring them that you call them each by name. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of truth, you show no partiality. May your spirit guide the work of justices, magistrates, court officials, and all vocations of the law, that your promise of restoration may be known. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Living God, as you raised Jesus from the dead, so raise up those who have died in you. We give thanks for their witness, confident of your rescuing welcome for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Listen as we call on you, O God, and enfold in your loving arms all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
L: The peace of Christ be with you always.
All: And also with you.
No offering taken DURING worship. Can invite usher to bring the basket forward to be blessed.
OFFERING | OFFERTORY PRAYER
L: Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich food and drink, and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world, through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
All: Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION—(SPOKEN)
L: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L: 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:
All: 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.
L: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
All: Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.
L: You have filled all creation with light and life;
All: heaven and earth are full of your glory.
L: We praise you for the grace shown to your people in every age:
All: the promise to Israel,
L: the rescue from Egypt,
All: the gift of the promised land,
L: the words of the prophets;
All: and, at this end of all the ages, the gift of your Son,
L: who proclaimed the good news in word and deed
All: and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
L: In the night in which he was betrayed,
All: our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
L: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
All: Do this for the remembrance of me.
L: Again, after supper, he took the cup,
All: gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
L: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
All: Do this for the remembrance of me.
L: For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
L: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place,
All: and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
L: Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: 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.
PARTAKING OF COMMUNION
L: Take and eat. This is the body of Christ given for you. (All eat their wafers.)
Take and drink. This is the blood of Christ shed for you. (All drink from their cups.)
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER
L: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
All: Amen.
L: We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen.
BENEDICTION
L: Mothering God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.
All: Amen.
SENDING
ANNOUNCEMENTS & MILESTONES
SENDING MUSIC “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises”, ELW #535 (No repeats)
DISMISSAL
L: Go in peace. Proclaim justice to the world.
All: Thanks be to God.
L: Go in peace. Proclaim justice to the world.
All: Thanks be to God.