Season after Pentecost September 27, 2020 9:30 am

HAVEN LUTHERAN CHURCH 1035 Haven Road Hagerstown, MD 21742 (301) 733-5056

Spoken Worship: Friday 5pm, Drive-Up & Outdoor Worship: Sunday 9:30 am

Tune your radio to FM 106.5

Worship Online: www. Havenlc.org (premieres Sunday 9:30 am)

Ministers: All God’s People at Haven Pastor: Linda M. Alessandri

A warm welcome to each of you as we gather for worship today, and a special welcome to our guests. As we

offer God our praise, may you be richly blessed by God's gracious

Word, Meal, and Community.

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GATHERING

GATHERING HYMN “Come, All You People” (vs. 3, repeated) WOV #717

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A: I was glad when they said to me,

C: “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122: 1) (after announcements) A: Bless the Lord, O my soul

C: and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. (Psalm 103: 1)

PRELUDE “Immortal, Invisible” arr. Joseph Martin

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CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross,

the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

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.

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OPENING HYMN “Dearest Jesus, At Your World” #520

GREETING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13: 13

C: And also with you.

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HYMN OF PRAISE “Glory to God” (cont. p. 6) p. 185-186

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THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace

to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way

of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C: Amen.

WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

READING Philippians 2:1-13

(after the reading) A: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION p. 188

GOSPEL Matthew 21:23-32

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 21st chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord. (after the reading)

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

THE SERMON Pastor Linda Alessandri

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THE HYMN OF THE DAY “Change My Heart, O God” #801

THE PRAYERS

Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all

those in need. (A brief silence.)

In all the world, give your church unity. Inspire all the baptized with the mind of Christ.

Where the church is powerful and where it struggles, shape us with humility and

obedience so that your love may be at work in us. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Your Son took on all of bodily life in our world, even to death. Preserve and keep your

creation, O God. Mend and redeem places that are polluted and damaged, so that all of

creation confesses you as Lord. Bring relief and help to those suffering from the

damages of wildfires and hurricanes. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Turn the nations toward life. Where our ways are unfair, give us new hearts and new

spirits. Where sin permeates our cultures and institutions, change our minds and teach us

to trust your authority. Protect those sent in harm’s way for the sake of peace, especially

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Gavin Anderson, Ben Asbury, Richard Collins, Cole Conrad, Matthew Donald,

William Dorsky, Nick Graham, Jacob Kercheval, Michael McKenzie III, Nathan

Snell, Hunter Wiles and Ben Zinkand. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Our lives are yours, O God. Defend the lives and welfare of children who are abused or

neglected, hungry or exploited, bullied or lonely. Relieve the suffering of those who are

ill in body, mind, or spirit, especially

Carol Shull

*Jack Latimer

*Virginia White

*Sandy Brandon

*Raven Lucas

*Edward Staley

*Helen

VanderHamm

Bob Dean

*Nasrin Sotoudeh

*Courtney Belmont

*Caitlyn Battoe

*Debora Daniels

*Diane Pile

Sharon Hartsock

*Mike Barnhart

Danny Kiblinger

*Teresa Hoover

*Lindsey Hoover

*Johnny Wright

*Tally Uchima

*Jayne Layman

*Carolyn B.

*Courtney

Irene Giffin

*Cheryl Nathan

*David Whitecraft

*Rob Johnson

*Duane Yeakle

*Sarah Duckwall

*Pat Gebhart

*Toni Smith

*Dennis Voglesong

Abby Byers

Ann Lochbaum

Britton Family

*Chip Moser

Charlotte Loveless

*William Burkley

*Kline Family

*Monica McDonald

*Paula Viscusi

Marissa and Family *Gwen & Larry Bergy

*Dawn Alamong

Hayzlett

*Ron Wyrick & Family

*Ed Lulie

*Lori Ann Rhodes-

Shillingburg & Family

*Carolyn Luger

*Doris Pittenger

*Megan Primmer and

Family

*Frank Davis

*Jeremy Strobl Family

*Mary & Family

*John Libo

*Fehle Family

all who mourn the loss of John Bennett and Barbara Tyler and for those we name aloud or

silently in our hearts at this time. (Pause) Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Turn this congregation away from our own interests toward the interests of others. Fill us

with your compassion and sympathy. Bless ministries of care in our community. Make us

into signs of your mercy and justice for our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Thank you for those who have gone into the kingdom ahead of us—tax collectors and

prostitutes, likely and unlikely, obedient and slow to learn. By their witness, teach us to

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confess Jesus Christ as Lord in life and in death. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

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

Christ our Lord.

Amen.

THE PEACE

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And also with you.

P: Let us offer one another a sign of God's peace.

THE OFFERING

P: It's Offering Time!

C: Praise God!

Thank you for your faithful generosity. May God bless what we give and use it to bring

wholeness, healing and hope to God's world. Amen.

THE OFFERTORY PRAYER

A: Loving God, we are gathered together to listen to your Word and

to witness to its’ truths.

C: We give joyously today and dedicate this offering to your work.

As these monetary gifts are transformed into active ministries,

help us to be stewards of your mercy and grace

In the name of your loving Son, we pray. Amen.

PRAYER WHEN WE ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

A: My Jesus, on the day of my baptism you poured your love into my heart

through the Holy Spirit who unites me eternally to you and your creation.

C: Though I cannot at this moment receive you in holy communion,

let me be consumed by your complete desire for me so that my longing

for you may be filled by your love alone and your mercy overflow through me

into this world so in need. Amen.

THE LORDS PRAYER

P: Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

C: Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

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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.

SENDING

BLESSING

P: Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.

C: Amen.

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ENDING HYMN “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” ELW #535

DISMISSAL

A: Go in peace. Be compassionate and merciful. Serve the Lord.

C: We will! Thanks be to God!

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Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #31903.

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. Text and Music used with permission of Augsburg Fortress Copyright License

#SAS011903 & CCLI #1322444 Devotional taken from: New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian

Education of the National Copyright © 2018 Clergy Stuff used with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com. Council of the churches of

Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-736233. All rights reserved. Offertory Prayer adapted from prayers written by David S. Bell

Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org.

SERVING IN TODAY’S WORSHIP:

Presiding Minister Pastor Linda M. Alessandri

Assisting Minister Pastor Dave Kaplan

Organist & Video Tech Stephen Pastena

Music Leader Grant Wills

(We practiced proper social distancing throughout this recording. We pray you are

blessed by this effort to provide worship.)

We also Remember in Prayer:

All who mourn the loss of John Bennett (Beth Johns’ brother) and Haven member,

Barbara Tyler

Our homebound members: Francis Gift, Sari Kilheffer, Phyllis Meyers, Inez Winebrenner

and Dorothy Zinkand.

Military personnel serving in harm’s way: Gavin Anderson, Ben Asbury, Richard Collins,

Cole Conrad, Matthew Donald, William Dorsky, Nick Graham, Jacob Kercheval, Michael

McKenzie III, Nathan Snell, Hunter Wiles and Ben Zinkand.

Hospital Admissions: If you or a loved one has a planned or emergency admission to the

hospital, please have someone let the church office know. Though pastoral visits are not

yet permitted at hospitals, we want to hold you or your loved one in prayer.

The Readings for next week: October 4: Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:7-15,

Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46

You can access the DE-MD Synod worship bulletin and service at https://demdsynod.org

(click on "Digital Worship" and it will take you to the printed and video materials). You can

also watch on the Delaware Maryland Facebook page or YouTube (search under Delaware

Maryland Synod)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING UP THIS WEEK: For the most accurate information about church events and

worship at Haven, please check the Haven website at www.havenlc.org or the Haven

Facebook page for updates.

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UPDATE: HAVEN'S INDOOR WORSHIP STARTS OCTOBER 4

After much discussion and consideration of logistics, the Re-Opening Team and Council

has decided we will be able to accommodate sufficient seating safely in the sanctuary and

narthex. Thus, we will have only ONE service in the sanctuary each Sunday at 9:30 am

STARTING October 4.

We will need everyone to wear masks. We will need everyone to be mindful of social

distancing before, during and after worship. We will all need to be patient and alert as we

work out the patterns for safely receiving communion. We will need to rely on one another

to help us keep the Lord at the center of our worship and community. And, as Haven is

known to do, we will work together to keep our gathering safe, healthy and holy.

NOTE: We WILL continue to tape and post a weekly service on-line. We will NOT be

offering an 11 am service on Sundays at this time.

GOD SQUAD EXPLORERS GOT MAIL This week our elementary school Explorers

will be going with young David to meet the Philistine giant Goliath. What chance does a

little boy with a sling shot have against a giant? What will happen? Please keep our

children and parents in your prayers as they venture into God's Word.

HAVEN BOWLERS HIT THE ALLEY FOR KIDS TODAY– Thanks for your support

of your Haven Bowling for Kids team. No matter how they score on the alley, we are

proud of Haven’s support of the mentoring ministry of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Thanks,

Marge Cunningham, Susan Strobl and Pastor Alessandri. P.S. You can still make a

donation in the envelope on the Harvest for Hunger cart. Please make checks out to Big

Brothers Big Sisters.

MAIL IN OR BRING YOUR OFFERING AS A PROFESSION OF FAITH AND

TRUST IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD: We may not know the direction or duration of

this COVID pandemic. We DO know that God IS with us and God still has ministry and

mission for Haven. Thank you for your faithful giving to God's church so that we can stay

ready to be the HANDS for GOD’S WORK. To God be the glory!

MICAH’S BACKPACKS – At this time, Haven is not participating in the current

Micah’s backpack plans. As soon as we can be assured that our weekend provisions will

get into the hands of our kids in need at Fountaindale, we will gladly resume our

participation. Please keep the program and the students in your prayers.

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HAVEN HAS A SEMINARY STUDENT AGAIN! I am glad to announce that Mia

Hoover will be our seminarian this year. Here is some information Mia has shared about

herself:

“I was born and raised in Washington County, Md. I live in Ringgold. My

home/sponsoring church is St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran, Greensburg, where Pastor

Julie Brigham ministers.

I'm a part-time *DL MDiv student at ULS. At the end of this semester I will have

completed my first year of seminary. I have had introductory to preaching, although I

haven't preached in a congregation yet.

I'm still employed full-time at The Herald-Mail Co. and up until they discontinued the

section I was church page editor, the person on the other end of the

former churchnews@herald-mail.com I have worked at the Herald-Mail for 33 years.

I grew up in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran in Hagerstown, before leaving the church for

several years and returning to St. Paul's

I'm 60 years old, so I'm at the very end of the Boomer generation

I'm looking forward to our two semesters together.”

Mia will be with us beginning this Sunday, September 27 at our final Drive-in/Outdoor

Worship service. Though COVID will make it trickier, Haven will continue its long

tradition of extending hospitality, support and encouragement to our seminarian.

*DL MDiv = Master of Divinity Distributed Learning pathway enables students to complete a Master

of Divinity degree without having to relocate to campus. One third of the student’s coursework is

completed through on-campus, week-long intensives, offered at various times of the year. The student’s

remaining coursework may be completed on-line. Contextual Formation requirements, arranged in

consultation with the Contextual Formation office, can generally be fulfilled near the student’s home

location.

Lord, Your Servant Is Listening

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES Moving Forward Together with The Holy Sprit

BECOMING A 21ST-CENTURY CHURCH – There are still copies of this brief book

available through Haven. ($12) The author, Rev. Dr. Fred Lehr, will speak and lead

discussions on the ideas and suggestions contained in the book at 6 p.m. on September 30,

October 7, 14. The presentations will take place in Trinity’s large sanctuary where social

distancing will easily be accommodated and masks will be required. These sessions will

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also be simulcast live on YouTube on the Trinity Lutheran station --- “Trinity Loving

Community” --- and posted for viewing later at the same YouTube station.

What might the Holy Spirit be leading us to learn about church during this pandemic?

Here’s one way to engage that question.

(Many thanks to Pastor David Eisenhuth and Trinity Lutheran Church for extending this

invitation and underwriting the cost of bringing the author to Hagerstown.)

THANKS FOR CONTINUING TO REMEMBER OUR BROTHERS AND

SISTERS AT HOLLY PLACE– Again, in September, we were able to send $100 to

Holly Place which we aim to do each month. Thank you to all who have sent in donations

for Holly Place. When we begin to gather again for worship, we will resume collecting

items needed for the ministry of Holly Place. Until that time, continue to send your

donations, designating them for Holly Place on the check’s memo line or on an envelope.

Haven Mission Statement:

“To honor God, to reach out with love to our members and the community and to share

the gospel of Jesus Christ.”