Worship Service
Sunday, September 3, 2023, at 10 a.m.
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Pastor: 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.
People: Amen.
Pastor: 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.
(Silence for reflection and self-examination)
Pastor: Most merciful God,
People: 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.
Pastor: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
GREETING
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
OPENING HYMN I Love to Tell the Story vs1,3
KYRIE
HYMN OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Lay Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Lay Leader: Let us pray. . .O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
People: Amen.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH DISMISSAL
FIRST LESSON Romans 12:9-21
9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Lay Leader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
VERSE
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 16:21-28
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fourteenth chapter.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
THE MESSAGE Pastor Abera Hellemo
THE HYMN OF THE DAY My Hope is Built on Nothing Less vs 1,2,4
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
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 descended 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.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Each prayer petition will end with –
Lay Leader: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
PEACE
Lay Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And also with you.
SONG OF REFLECTION, RECEIVING THE OFFERING
God So Loved the World
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lay Leader: Let us pray. Merciful Father,
People: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DIALOGUE
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
PREFACE
Pastor: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everliving God. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of our Lord; for he is the true Passover Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin, who by his death has destroyed death, and by his rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
THANKSGIVING
Pastor: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. We give thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ. Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.
People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Pastor: 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.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
People: 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.
COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION:
At All Saints, we practice open communion. If you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and have been baptized, you are invited to commune. Those not receiving the bread and wine are invited to come forward for a blessing. Grape juice is also available.
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
Pastor: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
People: Amen.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Lay Leader: We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us, through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
BLESSING
Pastor: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN Before You, Lord We Bow vs 1,3,4
SENDING
Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Requests
You may email prayer requests and updates to prayers@allsaintsarlington.org.
Prayers for Andrea who has brain tumors that are cancerous and she is young
Prayers for Patty’s mom Lora, her Dad Chuck and her sister Rachel please pray for peace and guidance and help and healing.
Prayers for Lorene who has cancer
Prayers for Marla’s back surgery
Prayers for Sue, Curtis, and Betty
Prayers for Angela to walk again and take care of herself and healing
Prayers for Collin and the #14 rings he needs.
Prayers that Basilia will follow the doctor’s orders as she convalesces at home for the next 4-6 weeks.
Prayers for Robin who is diagnosed with breast cancer, for the right procedure and full recovery.
Prayers for Leonard’s continued recovery from a stroke
Prayers for Kristy who is battling Stage 4 colon cancer
Thank God for listening to our prayers and helping in our times of need.
Prayers for the Livingston family who mourn the passing of Sherry’s mom Betty
Prayers for Karla for her mood, patience and perseverance as she fights to come back from a difficult diagnosis and surgery
Prayers for Tran, Barb, Lydia, Steve, James, Colin, Cleo, Faye
Prayers for Glen’s knee replacement as he continues with outpatient therapy
Prayers for Verda who is diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and continuing chemotherapy after a heart attack.
Prayers for continued healing & recovery, mental & emotional uplifting for Laurie Becker-Kirk who is battling leukemia.
Praise and thanksgiving for Wayne’s cancer remission
Our Weekly Bulletin is available online at All Saints Connection.