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FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

WEBSITE: firstlutherantopeka.org

1234 Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS 66604

Church office: (785) 272-5302 CDO office: (785) 272-5999

Ministers All Members of First

Senior Pastor Pastor Jenny Jackson

Coordinator of Stewardship and Outreach Pastor Bob Dealey

Children’s Day Out (CDO) Director Julie Lamott

Caring for Kids 1st Director Julie Bradley

Organist Jerry Anderson

Director of Music Mark Fuller

Director of Handbell Choirs Linda Anderson

Secretary LaDonna J. Little

Assistant Secretary Jill Loomans

Bookkeeper Cindy Crawford

Nursery Attendant Tahira Schmidt

Missionaries in Russia Rev. Bradn & Natasha Buerkle

Missionaries for Ripe For Harvest World Outreach Jim & Dawn Anderson

A BRIEF WORD ABOUT WORSHIP PRECAUTIONS.

MASKS: A mask must be worn during the entire time in church, covering the mouth and

nose. This is done to provide protection for others and for your own safety.

MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING IS A HIGH PRIORITY AT ALL TIMES

DURING IN-PERSON WORSHIP: All members are to maintain a 6-foot distance

from other people/households at all times. This includes gathering in the parking lot,

arriving or exiting through church doors, or standing in the fellowship areas. Ushers and

greeters will be present to help with arrival, seating, communion, and departing church.

Called by the Spirit, we serve Christ, sharing God’s love with all.

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THE CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

5:00 P.M. & 8:15 A.M. & 10:00 A.M. SEPTEMBER 19 & 20, 2020

Before worship, talk to God. During worship, let God talk to you. After worship, talk to your fellow worshipper.

GATHERING The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

PRELUDE “Aria” (P. Manz)

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregation shall stand or sit, as able.

CHIMES

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, † one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation.

C: Amen.

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 you through 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.

733 GATHERING SONG “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

GREETING

P: The grace of God eternal, the holy and living One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you all.

C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual loving kindness to us your servants. Because we cannot

rely on our own abilities, grant us your merciful judgment, and train us to embody the generosity of

your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C: Amen.

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Congregation shall sit. WORD

God speaks to us in scriptures read, sung, and preached.

FIRST READING: Jonah 3:10-4:11 After Jonah's short sermon in 3:4, the Ninevites all repented and God decided to spare the city. Jonah objected to this

and became even more angry when God ordered a worm to destroy a plant that was providing shade. The book ends

with a question that challenges any who are not ready to forgive: You, Jonah, are all worked up about a bush, but

shouldn't I be concerned about a hundred and twenty thousand Ninevites? 10When God saw what [the people of Nineveh] did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his

mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. 4:1But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. 2He prayed to the LORD and said, "O

LORD! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the

beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast

love, and ready to relent from punishing. 3And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better

for me to die than to live." 4And the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" 5Then Jonah went out of

the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade,

waiting to see what would become of the city. 6The Lord GOD appointed a bush, and made it come up over

Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the

bush. 7But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it

withered. 8When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah

so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, "It is better for me to die than to live." 9But God

said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?" And he said, "Yes, angry enough to die." 10Then the LORD said, "You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did

not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should I not be concerned about

Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not

know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?"

L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 145:1-8 (Spoken Responsively) 1I will exalt you, my God and king, and bless your name forever and ever. 2Every day will I bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 3Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised! There is no end to your greatness. 4One generation shall praise your works to another and shall declare your power. 5I will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and all your marvelous works. 6They shall tell of the might of your wondrous acts, and I will recount your greatness. 7They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; they shall sing joyfully of your righteousness. 8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

SECOND READING: Philippians 1:21-30 Paul writes to the Philippians from prison. Though he is uncertain about the outcome of his imprisonment, he is

committed to the ministry of the gospel and calls on the Philippians to live lives that reflect and enhance the gospel

mission.

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21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me;

and I do not know which I prefer. 23I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with

Christ, for that is far better; 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25Since I am convinced

of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26so that I

may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. 27Only, live your life in a

manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about

you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of

the gospel, 28and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their

destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. 29For he has graciously granted you the

privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—30since you are having the same

struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

Congregation shall stand or sit, as able.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

P: Alleluia.

C: Alleluia! Lord and Savior: Open now your saving word. Let it burn like fire within us; speak

until our hearts our stirred. Alleluia, Lord, we sing, for the good news that you bring.

P: The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew the 20th chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells a parable about God's generosity, challenging the common assumption that God rewards people according

to what they have earned or deserve.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the

morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent

them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the

marketplace; 4and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So

they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6And about five

o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle

all day?' 7They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and give them their

pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' 9When those hired about five o'clock came, each of

them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but

each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the

landowner, 12saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne

the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no

wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to

give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Congregation shall sit.

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SERMON

Congregation shall stand or sit, as able.

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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

A: Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

A brief silence.

A: Generous God, you make the last first, and the first last. Where this gospel challenges the church,

equip it for its works of service. Strengthen those who suffer for Christ. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

A: Sun and wind, bushes and worms, cattle and great cities—nothing in creation is outside your concern,

mighty God. Lord, in your mercy, tend to it all. Give us a spirit of generosity toward all you have

made. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

A: Where we find envy and create enemies, you provide enough for all. Bring peace to places of conflict

and violence. Inspire leaders with creativity and wisdom. Bless the work of negotiators, peacekeepers,

and development workers. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

A: Reveal yourself to all in need as you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast

love, ready to relent from punishing. Accompany judges and lawyers, victims of crime and those

serving sentences. Give fruitful labor and a livelihood to those seeking work. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

A: Even beyond our expectations, you choose to give generously. Grant life, health, and courage to all

who are in need, especially Don, Richard, Sue, Sylvia, Blake, Lois, Lu, Phil, Rob, and Breck, as well as

our homebound members, all unable to be in worship this weekend, and all family, friends and even

enemies we name now, either out loud or in the silence of our hearts (pause). Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

A: We praise you for the generations that have declared your power to us. Give us faithfulness to follow

them, living for Christ, until you call us to join them in the joyful song around his throne. Lord, in your

mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

P: All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our

Lord.

C: Amen.

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PEACE

P: Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will

have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). God’s presence in

this world is the source of all peace that banishes darkness with eternal light and heavenly hope.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And also with you.

Brief word about peace: As we practice Social Distancing, the sharing of the peace will take place as we

remain in our pews: waving, bowing, blessing, or sharing the peace sign with our fellow worshipers.

MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

CHOIR ANTHEM “Abide With Me” (arr. G. Martin)

Brief word about offering: Offering plates will be available at the back of the worship space at the end of

worship. If you would prefer to give online, please go to FirstLutheranTopeka.org and click on

‘contribute’.

OFFERING PRAYER

A: Merciful God,

C: receive the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving and the offering of our lives, that following in

the way of the cross, we may know the joy of the resurrection; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING page 206

P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy….…..we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

C: 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!

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.

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LORD’S PRAYER

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.

P: This is God’s table and we are God’s people, let us be fed.

Congregation shall sit.

COMMUNION PRAYER “Lamb of God”

C: O Lamb of God, you bear the sin of all the world away; eternal peace with God you made:

Give us your peace, we pray.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

Brief word about communion: The process for receiving communion will be explained by the Pastor. For

these services, wine or grape juice will not be distributed. Pastor will bring you communion in your pew.

A wafer will be placed in the hands of the communicant to avoid touching hands. If the communion

distributor does accidentally touch hands, they will stop and sanitize their hands before moving on to the

next communicant.

COMMUNION VOLUNTARY “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” (arr. J. Wayne Kerr)

Congregation shall stand or sit, as able.

POST-COMMUNION BLESSING C: Amen.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

A: God of the welcome table, in this meal we have feasted on your goodness and have been united by your

presence among us. Empower us to go forth sustained by these gifts so that we may share your

neighborly love with all, through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life.

C: Amen.

SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING

P: May the God who protects and defends keep you in safety, mercy and love.

In the name of the Father, † the Son, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

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537 SENDING SONG “On Our Way Rejoicing”

Brief word about dismissal: During the postlude, wait in your pew for an usher to guide you from the

worship space and back to the parking lot. Since our fellowship space is small and social distancing

nearly impossible in it, we encourage you to enjoy conversation in the parking lot while maintaining social

distancing. May God go with you, sustain you, and renew your spirit.

DISMISSAL

A: Go in peace. Live in love as Christ loved us.

C: Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE “Darwall’s 148th” (arr. J. D. Payne)

PERMISSIONS: Liturgy and Hymns and Livestreaming reproduced under CCLI License 2223794

and/or Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, OneLicense.net A-710318; ELW Text and Music copyrighted

© 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers,

reproduced under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB1216798; New Revised

Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council

of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Trudi Myers in memory of her mother and sister.

ETERNAL CANDLE FOR SEPTEMBER given by Pat Wild in memory of her mother, Lillian Radtke

and her mother-in-law, Helen Wild, whose birthdays were both in September.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH ARE REQUESTED FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE:

Don Johnson (home), Richard Price (home), Sue Wild (home), Sylvia Levings (home), Blake Hopper (home),

Lois Metzenthin (home), Lu Heisler (home), Martha Donohoe (home), Phil Engelhardt (home), Rob Peterson

(home), Breck Edds (home), Martin Godlove (Sylvia Levings’ son), Miriam Lemp (friend of Mary Fobes),

Lewis Sanders (Rachelle Witherspoon’s father), Syndee Haake (daughter of friend of Nancy Vaughn), Blanche

Stephansen (Ron Bessler’s sister), Nicole Klein (Patti’s God-daughter), Georgi Peterson (Rhonda Dealey’s

mother), Todd VanSchaick (friend of the Roark’s), Linda Boleski (Penny & Marvin Boleski’s sister-in-law),

Lawrence & Lenette Kottas (Eileen Caspers’ parents), John Carney (Jennifer’s husband), John Browne (Penny &

Marvin Boleski’s brother-in-law), Ann Dorton (extended family member of LaDonna Little), Camille Baehni

Engler (former member), Brennan Soukup (Julie Bender’s cousin), Carlotta Ullman (Trudi Myers’ great niece),

Jerry Manning (friend of Nancy Sherbert), C.A. & Mary Lou Brunkhorst (Ann Sanders’ parents), Dan Lykins

(cousin of Nancy Sherbert), Heather Roesch (Tracy’s sister-in-law), Katelynn Herring (Jeanie Schuler’s great

niece), Linda Myers (Trudi’s daughter-in-law), David Metzenthin (Bud & Lois’ son).

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LAY MINISTERS SEPTEMBER 19th & 20th

LESSONS SEPTEMBER 26 & 27 Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Psalm 25:1-9

Philippians 2:1-13

Matthew 21:23-32

IN THE FIRST PLACE THIS WEEK Children’s Day Out Preschool (CDO) schedule: M, T, W & F 9am-3pm Thursday 9-11:30 am

TODAY - September 20

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST

8:15 a.m. - Outdoor Worship

10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion

Monday, September 21

12:30 p.m. – Staff Meeting

7:00 p.m. – Boy Scout Troop 175 (PH)

Tuesday, September 22

7:00 p.m. – Topeka Lutheran Home Association

Wednesday, September 23

9:00 a.m. – What-Sew-Ever

Thursday, September 24

Friday, September 25

Pastor Jenny’s Day Off

Saturday, September 26

12:30-2:00 p.m. – School Kit Assembly (PH)

5:00 p.m. – Holy Communion

Sunday, September 27

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST

WELCA SUNDAY

BLESSING OF QUILTS & SCHOOL KITS

8:15 a.m. - Outdoor Worship

10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion

We are committed to supporting and developing the faith formation of your children, youth, and family.

Dear Friends in Faith, Thought you would like to know that the OLSBURG LUTHERAN SWEDISH SUPPER will not be held this year because of the pandemic. Hopefully, next year it will be on again! Carolyn Olson

September 19th & 20th Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:15 a.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m.

Assisting Minister x x John Hanna

Lector Roarks Kathy Koch Robert Hanna

Ushers/Greeter Roarks Bill & Joyce Mark Drakes / Carolyn Olson

Council Member x x Bob Wollin

Altar Guild Karen Wollin /

Nancy Sherbert

Mo Krumins Jeanie Schuler

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Thank you to everyone who donated so generously for the LWR SCHOOL KITS.

TODAY, September 20th will be the last day to receive donations. We especially need 70-page spiral notebooks and pencil sharpeners. Monetary donations are welcomed, also. For more information, contact Rhonda Dealey, 815-999-2727 or dealeyhome@sbclgobal.net.

We will stop taking all clothing and household donations for two weeks. We have been overly blessed the past couple of months, and need time to get on top of it. During this time the volunteers will also switch over to fall/winter clothing.

September 14th–September 25th we will NOT ACCEPT any clothing or household donations. Food donations are still accepted Monday – Friday from 9am – 2pm.

FOOD ITEMS WE CURRENTLY NEED ARE: Hamburger Helper, Spaghetti Sauce, Spaghetti, Rice, Dry Beans, Ramen Noodles, Oatmeal, Egg Noodles, Can Fruits – any kind, Cold Cereal, Powdered Milk

DOORSTEP’S NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR WALK/5K RUN!

Sunday, October 4th is the date for this year’s fundraiser! For more information our website is: www.DoorstepTopeka.org.

MUMS will be available for PICKUP on Saturday, October 3rd between 8:00 and 11:30 AM in the

Parish Hall at FLC. Any questions contact Cindy Lear at cwlear@prodigy.net or call 271-0140. Thank

you for your continued support of the BETHANY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

30 DAYS OF MISSION If you are interested in participating in a self-directed devotional program to discover more about God’s

mission and your role in God’s mission, please contact the church office and ask for a copy of 30 Days of

Mission: A Self-Discovery Process for Disciples of Jesus. Hardcopy or electronic copies are available.

Each day you do the following: Read, Reflect, Pray, Develop, Share, Invite and Encourage. At the end

of 30 days, you will be changed—you will deepen your understanding of God’s mission; you will discover

new opportunities to participate in God’s mission, as well as new partners to accompany you. Please

contact Pastor Bob Dealey at Rtdealey@sbcglobal.net for additional details.

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