Jerusalem

The 17th

Sunday after pentecost

A Service of Word and Meal

September 27, 2020

Christ Lutheran church

Hilton head island, sc

We are Disciples of Jesus. Growing in Faith, Serving our Community and Connecting Others to Christ.

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☩ This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here. ☩

Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy world.

☩ gathering ☩

Gathering Music Sing Gently

Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InULYfJHKI0 Welcome + Announcements

We Prepare our Hearts for Worship Awake, My Soul John Tilton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwfmIoD_9yw

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

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.

Amen.

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☩ Word ☩

The First Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Ezekiel challenges those who think they cannot change because of what their

parents were and did, or who think they cannot reverse their own previous

behavior. God insistently invites people to turn and live.

1The word of the LORD came to me: 2What do you mean by repeating this

proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes,

and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3As I live, says the Lord GOD, this

proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Know that all lives are mine;

the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person

who sins that shall die.

25Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is

my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26When the righteous turn

away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for

the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27Again, when the wicked

turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful

and right, they shall save their life. 28Because they considered and turned away

from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live;

they shall not die. 29Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.”

O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your

ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions;

otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the

transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new

heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no

pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia

Words are provided for you to sing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBZqV_aGfeA

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

23When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the

people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you

doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus said to them, “I

will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell

you by what authority I do these things. 25Did the baptism of John come from

heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we

say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But

if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a

prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them,

“Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

28“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said,

‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not’; but later

he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the

same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the

will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you,

the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead

of you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not

believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even

after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon

Hymn of the Day Build Your Kingdom Here The Rend Collective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbdJXKqVgtg

Build Your kingdom here Let the darkness fear Show Your mighty hand Heal our streets and land

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Set Your church on fire Win this nation back Change the atmosphere Build Your kingdom here We pray Come set Your rule and reign In our hearts again Increase in us we pray Unveil why we're made Come set our hearts ablaze with hope Like wildfire in our very souls Holy Spirit come invade us now We are Your Church And we need Your power In us We seek Your kingdom first We hunger and we thirst Refuse to waste our lives For You're our joy and prize To see the captive hearts released The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace We lay down our lives for Heaven's cause We are Your church And we pray revive This earth (We're prayin' for revival) Build Your kingdom here Let the darkness fear… Welcome of New Members Water is poured into the font. The paschal candle is lit in remembrance of our baptism into Christ. Presentation of New Members Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for Eric and Karen Momberger, one with us in the body of Christ, whom we welcome as new members into the life and ministry of Christ Lutheran Church.

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The Council President introduces the new members. Karen and Eric have transferred their membership from Bethesda Lutheran Church in Lower Burrell, PA. After prayer and discernment about where God was calling them to worship and serve, they expressed a desire to join this congregation and the Council has joyfully extended a vote of welcome to them. Apostles’ Creed With the whole church, let us confess our faith. 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. Address and Questions The pastor addresses those being welcomed. In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God. We are called to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

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Siblings in Christ, do you intend to continue in the covenant of your baptism among God’s people in this place? Eric and Karen respond: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. People of God, do you promise to support and pray for Karen and Eric in their life in Christ? We do, and we ask God to help and guide us. The sign of the cross given at baptism is marked on the foreheads of each. Welcome Let us welcome the Mombergers to this community of faith saying together: We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world. Symbols of welcome are given to them.

Farewell and Godspeed

Kathy and Gary, as you leave Christ Lutheran Church to a new home and a new congregation in Florida, we wish to bid you farewell.

A reading from John: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Words of Appreciation – Joe Etter, Council Vice-President

The pastor continues:

In holy baptism our Lord Jesus Christ received you and made you members of

his church. When you came to Christ Lutheran we rejoiced to welcome you

into the mission we share as the people of God. In this congregation you have

come to know and to share in God’s loving purpose for you and for all

creation. God has blessed you in this place and God has blessed us through

you.

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Let us pray.

Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servants, Kathy

and Gary, who have enriched this community and shared their gifts with

Christ Lutheran and with the whole Hilton Head community Now bless and

preserve them at this time of transition. Day by day, guide them and give them

what is needed, friends to cheer their way, and a clear vision of that to which

you are now calling them. By your Holy Spirit be present in their pilgrimage,

that they may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus

Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Water from the font is traced on their foreheads in remembrance of their

baptism.

May God go with you to protect and uphold you. Amen.

The Prayers of Intercession

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.

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. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Our lives are yours, O God. Relieve the suffering of those who are ill in body,

mind, or spirit, especially Nan Stafford, those lonely or depressed in isolation,

those grieving the loss of those they love, and all we name now before you, . . .

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Defend the lives and welfare of children who are abused or neglected, hungry

or exploited, bullied or lonely. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the abundant gifts received and given in this congregation.

With joy we celebrate our partnership in ministry with Karen and Eric, Gary

and Kathy. Continue to bind our baptismal family together in love and mercy

for the sake of the world you so love. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of life, we lift up all celebrating birthdays this week: Anna Eddy, Jane

Williamson, Anne Davis, Alan Coyne, and Elise Anderson, . We give thanks for

all those celebrating wedding anniversaries. May all the milestones of our

living fill us with gratitude for all good gifts and remind us that you go with us

every step of the way. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

With grateful hearts, we bid farewell to this sanctuary where we have

gathered to worship, celebrate, grieve, and pray for the past 44 years. As we

renovate this holy space for future generations and as we look forward to

returning to this place to hear your Word and share your Supper, keep us

focused on all the places where you are found in the world and where you are

working. You invite us to join you there every day and we joyfully go. Bless

and keep safe all who will be working to renew this sanctuary for us. Lord, in

your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Thank you for those who have gone into the kingdom ahead of us, especially

Rita. By their witness, teach us to 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.

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While we are in these Zoom meetings, we will provide a time for worshipers to

prepare an offering to be mailed in, to go to our website to make a contribution, or

take time to pray and consider how God is calling each of us to share our

resources with the church and the world.

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Relief may be made on our website using the GIVE

button and selecting it under the “options” feature. These gifts will go to aid in

wildfire and hurricane relief.

Visitors in our worship today are encouraged to go to our website

https://clchhi.org/ and send us an email letting us know you were worshiping with us today. If we can support you in any way, please share your need with us.

If you have not already done so, use this time to finish setting your home table for

communion.

Offering Anthem: Here is Bread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0UFCECriLo

Offering Prayer

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. Amen.

Dialog

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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Eucharistic Prayer

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. 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. Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

The 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.

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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 the Table

Come to the banquet table where Christ gives himself as food and drink. Thanks be to God!

Distribution of Communion

After the pastor says: “The body of Christ given for you, all at home may commune

those in their household. Then the pastor will say, “The blood of Christ shed for

you” and all may share the wine at home.

☩ Sending ☩

Prayer after Communion

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. Amen.

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Blessing

The God of compassion, hope and joy, Our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, Bless your feet to carry you into places of need. Bless your lips to proclaim love and mercy. Bless your heart to love and listen to those you encounter. Bless your hands to care for the needs of your neighbors. Bless you to be a blessing to others. Now and always. Amen.

Dismissal

Go in peace. Remember the poor.

Thanks be to God.

Sending Song He Reigns Newsboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKTqwBetI1I

Pastor Mary Anderson – Presiding Assisting Minister – Silke Pyrlik, Director of Christian Life Janet Sullivan, Zoom Producer Tami Kuhlmann and Pastor Mary – Curators of our Zoom Music Offerings Baker of the Communion Bread – Paulette Stefanik