CHRIST’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

100 South Third Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837570.524.0745 / christchurch@dejazzd.com

www.christlutheranlewisburg.org

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION18 PENTECOST

October 4, 2020 10:30 AMMinisters: ALL People of Christ’s Church

Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my Son.'

Pastor: The Rev. William S. Henderson

Organist/Coordinator of Music: Joanne Vasey

Coordinator of Faith Formation: Charlene Rineer

WELCOME TO ALL who join us today to worship the Lord!

If you are new to us the following information might be helpful:

Rest room facilities, including an individual restroom, are located in the hallway south of the Atrium. Large print bulletins are available during our services. Please ask an Usher for assistance.

All visitors and guests are welcome! We gather for worship each Sunday at 10:30 AM. We hope that you might experience the joy and peace that Jesus Christ can bring into your life! If you are interested in learning more about membership in our congregation please speak to the Pastor or call the Church Office (570.524.0745).

If you are new to Lutheran worship, most everything you need is printed in this bulletin. Hymns are for congregational humming. Please take your bulletin home with you; they will not be reused.

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Please exit the Nave directly in a distanced way from others. Do not linger to talk in the Atrium, but go directly outside the building and beyond the portico.

Introduction to our worship today: In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable of the vineyard, an image of Israel, the prophets' mission, and Christ's death. For Christians, the vineyard also speaks of God's love poured out in the blood of Christ, given to us for the forgiveness of sin. Grafted onto Christ the vine at baptism, we are nourished with wine and bread, that we may share Christ's sufferings and know the power of his resurrection.

Please silence your cell phone or switch it to vibrate.

* The congregation please stand as you are able.

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PRELUDE Morning Song & The Bells of Berghall Church

Jerry McCrory & Jean Sibelius Joanne Vasey, organWELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESSP Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation.C Amen.

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P Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.Silence is kept for reflection.

P Faithful God,C have mercy on us.

We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.

We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways.

We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves.

We place our own needs before those of our neighbors.

We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves.Make us humble, cast away our transgressions,and turn us again to life in youthrough Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

P God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God's work in the world.C Amen.

* GATHERING HYMN The Church’s One Foundation

– Stanzas 1 & 5

The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;she is his new creation by water and the Word.From heav’n he came and sought her to be his holy bride;

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with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died. Yet she on earth has union with God, the Three in One,and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.O blessed heav’nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace,that we, like saints before us, may see you face to face.

* GREETING P Grace and peace be with you all from God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.C And also with you.

* PRAYER OF THE DAYP Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.C Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 5:1-7The prophet sings a sad, parable-like love song about the relationship between God and Israel. In this song Israel is compared to a promising vineyard. Despite God's loving care, the vineyard that is Israel has brought forth "wild grapes" of injustice and distress, when fine grapes of justice and righteousness were expected.L The Word of the Lord.C Thanks be to God.

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NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Philippians 3:4b-14Paul reviews some of his supposed credentials, which no longer have any bearing in comparison to the right relationship he has been given through the death of Christ. The power of Christ's resurrection motivates him to press on toward the ultimate goal, eternal life with Christ.L The Word of the Lord.C Thanks be to God.

* GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ELW p. 151

* THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 21:33-46P The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the twenty-first chapter:C Glory to you, O Lord.P The Gospel of our Lord.C Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON The Rev. William S. Henderson

* CONGREGATIONAL VISIONA In the Great Commission to His Church Jesus sent the disciples forth into the world to baptize and to make His

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name and teachings known. We are His disciples in this time and this place; and so we go into the world; C Making Christ known as we worship, serve and grow in faith.

* THE APOSTLES’ CREEDP Living together in trust and hope with believers around the world, we confess our common faith:C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell.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.

* PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Leader: Lord, in your mercy. Congregational Response: hear our prayer.

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* SHARING OF THE PEACEP The peace of the Lord be with you always.C And also with you.

* PRAYER BEFORE EUCHARISTA 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.C Amen.

* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING ELW p. 129

P 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, 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:

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* SANCTUS ELW p. 130

* WORDS OF INSTITUTION

P 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

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C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin

against us.Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from

evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are

yours, now and forever. Amen.

* INVITATION TO COMMUNIONP Come to the banquet table where Christ gives himself as food and drink.C Thanks be to God.

AGNUS DEI ELW p. 135

The Communion of God’s Baptized PeopleBelieving in the real presence of Christ, we practice Eucharistic hospitality: all

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baptized Christians are invited to come forward as ushered to receive this life-giving Sacrament. As a sign of the unity the Sacrament gives, we all share the same elements. If you are unable to receive the bread or wine, be assured that in a single element you do receive the Presence of Christ and all the gifts this Sacrament offers. Non-communing children are invited to receive a blessing.

COMMUNION ANTHEM Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Sebastian Temple Brandy Aguirre, vocalist Joanne Vasey, organ

COMMUNION SONG If You But Trust in God to Guide You

Stanzas 1 & 4

If you but trust in God to guide youwith gentle hand through all your ways,you’ll find that God is there beside youwhen crosses come in trying days.Trust then in God’s unchanging love;build on the rock that will not move.

Sing, pray, and keep God’s ways unswerving, offer your service faithfully.Trust heaven’s word; though undeserving, you’ll find God’s promise true to be. This is our confidence indeed:God never fails in time of need.

* POST COMMUNION BLESSING

P May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen 11

you and keep you in His grace. C Amen.

* POST COMMUNION PRAYER

A 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.C Amen.

* BENEDICTION

P Mothering God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.C Amen.

* SENDING SONG How Firm a Foundation – Stanzas 1 & 4

How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in Christ Jesus, the Word!What more can he say than to you he has saidwho unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

“Throughout all their lifetime my people shall prove my sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love;and then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,

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like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.”

* DISMISSALP Go in peace. Remember the poor.C Thanks be to God.

* POSTLUDE Grand Choeur – George Blake Joanne Vasey, organ

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by the Sanders Family, in loving memory of Merrill & Elizabeth Sanders.THE CROSS FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by the Adams Family in celebration of Laura’s birthday.THANKS to Brandy Aguirre for providing today’s communion anthem. Joe Keller will provide anthems next Sunday.Musicians Invited to Provide Special Music for In-Person Worship Musicians of CELC are invited to provide special music now that in-person worship will resume Oct. 4 at 10:30 am. Due to the pandemic, special music will need to be modified. All musicians must be masked. Musicians may provide the following:

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1) Vocal solo - mask required while singing; vocalists are asked to limit projection of voice2) Piano solo3) Handbell solo4) String instrument solo - no wind instruments permitted 5) Orff instrument or other percussion instrument soloWe’ll begin with the basics. Hopefully, we can move to organizing some small ensembles of no more than four musicians to play handbells, Orff instruments, string instruments, etc.IMPORTANT - Anyone interested in providing special music is asked to contact Joanne Vasey (vasey@windstream.net or (570) 523-1415). Interested musicians are encouraged to please take initiative and not wait to be asked. Please contact Joanne in a timely manner so that bulletin info can be compiled by the proceeding Tuesday.

October 418 Pentecost

October 1119 Pentecost

Worship Asst. Sarah Patte Heather MillerLector Ethel Snook Carole Bollinger

Acolytes Lenya SullivanOliver Patte

Ella & Olivia Koontz

Communion Ushers Betty & Wayne Hook Sharon BoothCharlotte Winter

Communion Assistants Patti Faux Bill Bollinger Sound Tech Bill Borys Tom StahlneckerUsher Team Rick & Laura Faux Beckie Stahlnecker

Kevin BakerAltar Guild Jackie Goff

CPIC Diane Miller

Call to Confession14

Throughout his ministry in Matthew's gospel, Jesus draws in people at the margins of society. As the leader of a reform movement, Jesus spoke as a Jew to fellow Jews. When we read these stories centuries later, we must remember that his intent was to condemn exclusion and abuses of power—not to reject Judaism. His critiques still ring true for the power structures of the religious institutions of our time.Jesus' parables stirred people up, provoking questions, doubts, even hostility. When his listeners recognized themselves in the parables, it was rarely comforting or affirming. Do we have the honesty and vulnerability to see ourselves critically in the stories as the chief priests and Pharisees did?There aren't any clear heroes in this story, as in any story of class warfare. Perhaps the tenants turned to violence out of frustration with the economic injustice of their situation. The Pharisees were quick to side with the powerful landowner, asserting his right to kill the tenants and crush their revolt, yet Jesus does not affirm this escalation either.We begin worship with a prayer of confession, recalling the image of God's goodness in each of us and yet honestly admitting our shame and guilt. Today's parable also issues a call to confession, alluding to the vineyard of Isaiah 5, which yielded wild grapes instead of sweet. God has created a world that can provide abundant life for all. What are the fruits of our congregations? God's heart longs for justice for all people. How might we unintentionally and unknowingly cultivate the sour wine of exclusion, discrimination, and injustice?In the prayer of the day, we ask: "Beloved God, . . . lead us . . . to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them." Empowered by God's grace and forgiveness, we set to work removing the blinders that keep us from recognizing ourselves in parables' antagonists and repenting of the injustices that we perpetuate.Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2019 Augsburg

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Fortress.Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

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