Worship Outline and Sermon

Worship Outline: September 7, 2025 - Time after Pentecost (Holy Communion)

Introduction to the day

Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to “choose life”—to choose life in God as our own.

(* = please stand, as able)

Quiet Time for Reflection and Prayer

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

*Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, our maker, our helper, and our keeper.

Amen.

Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Merciful and loving God,

Have mercy on us and forgive our sins. Rejoice over us as ones who were lost and have been found. Amen.

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. In the name of ☩ Jesus, your sins are forgiven! Amen.

*Gathering Song Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (# 859)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wnSShvj8YA

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the God of creation!

My heart is longing to offer up sweet adoration.

Melody make: dulcimer, harp, now awake.

Sound forth your praise, ev’ry nation.

Praise the Almighty, o’er all life so wondrously reigning,

And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.

Have you not seen? All that is needful has been

Sent by God’s gracious ordaining.

Praise the Almighty, who prospers your work and defends you;

See from the heavens the showers of mercy God sends you.

Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do;

Infinite Love here befriends you.

Praise the Almighty! In wonder my spirit is soaring!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises outpouring.

Let the amen sound from God’s people again,

Gladly forever adoring!

(Text: Joachim Neander; tr. composite. © 2001, Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved. Music: ‘Ernewerten Gesangbuch,’ Part II, Stralsund, 1665, public domain.)

*Greeting (p. 98)

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.

*Canticle of Praise (p. 101)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMZrlPTt4aI

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches, wisdom and strength,

and honor and blessing and glory are his.

Refrain:

Sing with all the people of God,

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor, glory and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia.

Refrain:

*Prayer of the Day

Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses speaks to the Israelites, who are about to enter the land promised to their ancestors. In this passage, he lays out the stark choice before them: choose life by loving and obeying the Lord; or choose death by following other gods.

15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you do not hear but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall certainly perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him, for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways (# 772)

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

Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways

To keep his statutes still!

Oh, that my God would grant me grace

To know and do his will!

Order my footsteps by your word

And make my heart sincere;

Let sin have no dominion, Lord,

But keep my conscience clear.

Assist my soul, too apt to stray,

A stricter watch to keep;

And should I e’er forget your way,

Restore your wand’ring sheep.

Make me to walk in your commands,

‘tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head or heart or hands

Offend against my God.

(Text: Isaac Watts, alt. Music: William H. Havergal. Text and music: public domain.)

Second Reading: Philemon 1-21

Onesimus, a new Christian and a man enslaved by Philemon, has helped Paul, who is in prison. Paul writes this letter to his friend Philemon to encourage him to receive Onesimus, upon his return, as a sibling in Christ.

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To our beloved coworker Philemon, 2 to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

8 For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation (p. 102, sung)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO3nbnAe3Do

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

*Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

The Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus speaks frankly about the costs of discipleship. Those who follow him should know from the outset that completing the course of discipleship will finally mean renouncing all other allegiances.

25 Now large crowds were traveling with [Jesus], and he turned and said to them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot, then while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon – Pastor Matthew

*Hymn of the Day Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am

(# 814, sung twice)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kF7qwdN7FY

Take, oh, take me as I am;

Summon out what I shall be;

Set your seal upon my heart

And live in me.

*Apostles’ Creed (p. 105)

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

Gracious God, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.

A brief silence.

We pray for the church to follow in your ways, that we may be united in love and faith. Refresh our hearts in Christ, and deepen our support of one another. We pray that our sharing of faith may transform lives. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for creation, that it may be cherished and nurtured. Renew in us and all people a commitment to a healthy relationship with the earth. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for those in authority. Grant them wisdom to govern justly and compassion to care for the marginalized. Equip them for actions that further the common good. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for those who are sick, hungry, unhoused, or lonely. May they find healing through your love and the care of those around them. Lead us to be your hands and feet in the world. Those we remember include … God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for ourselves, in the silence of our hearts … God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We thank you for those who have died and now dwell with the saints … Surround them with your divine mercy, that they find peace and rest in your loving embrace. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We entrust these prayers to you, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.

Amen.

*Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Offering (please be seated)

As our offerings are being collected by passing plates down the pews, please join in singing:

Offertory Take My Life, That I May Be (# 685, st. 1 and 6)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EarhrOSU7SA

Take my life, that I may be

Consecrated, Lord, to thee;

Take my moments and my days;

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour

At thy feet its treasure store;

Take myself and I will be

Ever only, all for thee.

(Text: Frances R. Havergal, alt. Music: William H. Havergal. Text and music: public domain.)

Offering Prayer

Lord of the harvest, we return to you a portion of what you have given to us. Multiply what we have gathered to bless all who are suffering and in need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Great Thanksgiving (p.107, sung)

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.

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. 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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG49pxojgjk

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.

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.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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.

Invitation to Communion

Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. Come to this meal of mercy. The body and blood of Christ given and shed for you.

If watching online, when the presiding minister says, ‘The body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you,’ we welcome all to take and eat a piece of bread, remembering and giving thanks for the promises given us in Christ Jesus. Please also do so, taking a glass of wine or another beverage.

During Communion, please join in singing,

For the Bread which You Have Broken

(# 494, st.1, 2, and 4):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRUeArT1cVY

For the bread which you have broken,

For the wine which you have poured,

For the words which you have spoken,

Now we give you thanks, O Lord.

By this promise that you love us,

By your gift of peace restored,

By your call to heav’n above us,

Hallow all our lives, O Lord.

In your service, Lord, defend us;

In our hearts keep watch and ward;

In the world to which you send us,

Let your kingdom come, O Lord.

(Text: Louis F. Benson, alt. © 1925 Robert Jefferys Jr., admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved. Music: ‘Gross Catholisch Gesangbuch,’ Nürnberg, 1631; arr. William Smith Rockstro, public domain.)

Prayer after Communion

O God, through this meal you have strengthened us and appointed us to be your servants. Send us to do good and to share our possessions with all in need. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Blessing

The God of righteousness, who gives justice to the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry, who sets the prisoners free, ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.

*Sending Song Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (# 547)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvW9yGEunOE

Sent forth by God’s blessing,

Our true faith confessing,

The people of God from this dwelling take leave.

The supper is ended.

Oh, now be extended

The fruits of this service in all who believe.

The seed of Christ’s teaching,

Receptive souls reaching,

Shall blossom in action for God and for all.

Your grace shall incite us,

Your love shall unite us

To work for your kingdom

And answer your call.

With praise and thanksgiving,

To God ever-living,

The tasks of our ev’ry-day life we will face –

Our faith ever sharing,

In love ever caring,

Embracing God’s children,

The whole human race.

With your feast you feed us,

With your light now lead us;

Unite us as one in this life that we share.

Then may all the living

With praise and thanksgiving

Give honour to Christ and his name that we bear.

*Dismissal

Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon: September 7, 2025 - Time after Pentecost

Text: Luke 14:25-33 (adapted from Bishop Jason Zinko, MNO Synod, ELCIC Summer Sermon Series)

In his sermon for today, Bishop Jason comments that ‘communication can be all kinds of things. It can mean how we get our ideas across to another person. It can mean how effectively we share information. It can also be how we try to attract people to something that we find meaningful – like advertising and social media.’

That being the case, when we hear today’s gospel reading from Luke we can wonder if ‘Jesus really needs to work on his communication.’ His choice of words makes him ‘sound a bit like he’s trying to scare people away. There are no nice, comforting images here. He’s about as far away from that as you can get. It’s almost as though he ‘couldn’t have made being a disciple sound much harder.’

So we receive the command to ‘Hate your father and mother’. Bishop Jason points out that while that may sound harsh to our modern ears, it’s difficult to ‘even imagine how absurd, or even offensive, this would have been to the crowd following Jesus. In that day, family was everything. Families needed to band together so that they could survive. Inheritances of land and cattle were essential for people to have a good start. Extended families often lived together so that they could produce more than what a single family could on their own. Sure, families had squabbles and disagreements, and some were dysfunctional, but hate seems to be going a bit far.’

As though this isn’t enough, Jesus next demands of those desiring to follow him that they literally carry their ‘own instrument of death through the streets. The cross was a public reminder to everyone that the Romans were in control, so you better behave yourself. Who would still want to follow Jesus when he says to get ready to die?’

Bishop Jason imagines that by this time more than a few in the crowd have already decided to stop going with this teacher and have begun walking away. Next, however, ‘just in case there was anyone left following, Jesus adds the part about giving up all your possessions. ‘In order to follow Jesus, we have to turn our backs on our families, prepare ourselves to die AND give up any sort of security that would ensure we had food, clothes, and a place to stay.’

These are strong words. Yet, Bishop Jason cautions us that ‘before we also start making our way to the door, it’s important to know that Jesus often uses strong language to make a point. He doesn’t think that ‘Jesus actually meant for people to hate their relatives and literally get ready to walk in a procession to die. Nor does he think Jesus meant us to give up absolutely everything and risk starving to death. Jesus, he argues, wouldn’t teach people to hate or ask everyone to be beggars on the street. In fact, throughout Luke’s gospel he teaches the opposite. He says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). He tells people to love their enemies and pray for people who hate you (Luke 6:27). He constantly shows grace and heals those who are looked down on by society. He weeps over Jerusalem and the destruction he sees coming (Luke 19:41-44).

So then, it could that the language of hate, death, and complete poverty in this story is an exaggeration so people don’t miss that Jesus is saying something really, really important. He is talking about how vital it is to keep our faith central in all that we do, in all areas of life. Following Jesus is an invitation to learn each day at his feet – to hear his teaching, to connect with God in prayer, to witness the work of the Holy Spirit in us and through others. Being a disciple means to be a student – a learner – for our whole lives, trusting that God can form us in our faith as we continue to see Jesus’ actions and hear Jesus’ words.

This is the heart, proclaims Bishop Jason, of being the church. ‘The church is not programs or traditions or buildings or style of worship or anything else. The church is about inviting people to see and hear the grace of God and then inviting them to be disciples. While God does the heavy lifting, this is our work. Bishop Jason argues ‘that for too long, and in too many places, we have forgotten that being disciples is the central work of the church. Everything else we do flows from being disciples. All of our plans, ideas, dreams, and ministries will come to nothing if they are not built first on following Jesus’.

‘Jesus’, he continues, ‘calls us to something more than the same old story. Jesus calls us into learning who we are, who God is, where God calls us, and how God walks with us. Jesus asks us to follow even if we don’t know the way or what we may find at the end of the road. Jesus calls us into a faith that matters, and he challenges us to be a community of believers who are constantly looking to grow in faith.

In the midst of Nazi Germany, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, “And if we answer the call to discipleship, where will it lead us? What decisions and partings will it demand? To answer this question, we shall have to go to him, for only he knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows the journey’s end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy. Discipleship means joy.”

Amen.

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