Worship Outline and Sermon

Worship Outline: October 19, 2025 - Time after Pentecost (Holy Baptism and Communion)

Introduction to the day

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.

(* = please stand, as able)

Quiet Time for Reflection and Prayer

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

*Gathering Song Baptized and Set Free (# 453)

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

We are people created,

Chosen by God.

Then we’re washed, ever gently,

In mercy and love.

Sin has power no more.

Jesus opened the door

To a fountain bringing healing,

And wholeness and more.

We are fed and we’re nourished,

Filled and refreshed.

Then our hunger returns

And again we are blessed.

For whatever the need,

God is greater indeed;

Endless ocean, always deeper

Than all of our need.

We are nourished by water,

All living things,

And by life that the Spirit

Abundantly brings.

As we journey toward home,

May your presence be known;

Precious river, ever flowing,

Now carry us home.

Now with praise and thanksgiving,

We join the song.

All are welcome! We gather

To sing loud and strong.

Not enslaved, but set free!

From now on, all will be

One in Jesus, one in water,

Baptized and set free!

*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.

Holy Baptism (p. 227)

*Prayer of the Day

O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for all this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

First Reading: Psalm 121

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 The Lord will not let your foot be moved
nor will the one who watches over you fall asleep.
4 Behold, the keeper of Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep;
5 the Lord watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will preserve you from all evil
and will keep your life.
8 The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth forevermore.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn Thy Holy Wings (# 613)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i988cEYJZ6c

Thy holy wings, O Saviour,

Spread gently over me,

And let me rest securely

Through good and ill in thee.

Oh, be my strength and portion,

My rock and hiding place,

And let my ev’ry moment

Be lived within thy grace.

Oh, let me nestle near thee,

Within thy downy breast

Where I will find sweet comfort

And peace within thy nest.

Oh, close thy wings around me

And keep me safely there,

For I am but a newborn

And need thy tender care.

Oh, wash me in the waters

Of Noah’s cleansing flood.

Give me a willing spirit,

A heart both clean and good.

Oh, take into thy keeping

Thy children great and small,

And while we sweetly slumber,

Enfold us one and all.

(Text: Carolina Sandell Berg; sts. 1-3; Gracia Grindal, st. 2; tr. composite. © 1983, Selah Publishing Co. Music: Swedish folk tune, arr. hymnal version, © 1995, 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Text and arr. reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved.)

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5

The writer of this letter continues his instruction of Timothy, his younger colleague in ministry, by emphasizing the importance of faithful teaching despite opposition.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

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 18:1-8

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

Jesus tells a parable of an unjust judge who is worn down by a widow’s pleas. Jesus is calling God’s people to cry out for justice and deliverance. For if an unethical judge will ultimately grant the plea of a persistent widow, how much more will God respond to those who call.

1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

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

Sermon – Pastor Matthew

*Hymn of the Day We Praise You, O God (# 870)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ipl2Kl9xU

We praise you, O God, our redeemer, creator;

In grateful devotion our tribute we bring.

We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;

We bless your holy name; glad praises we sing.

We worship you, God of our fathers and mothers;

Through trial and tempest our guide you have been.

When perils o’ertake us, you will not forsake us;

And with your help, O Lord, our struggles we win.

With voices united our praises we offer

And gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.

With you, Lord, beside us, your strong arm will guide us.

To you, our great redeemer, forever be praise!

(Text: John C. Cory. Music: A. Valerius, ‘Nederlandtsch Gedenckclank,’ 1626. Text and music: public domain.)

*Prayers of Intercession

Renewed in God’s everlasting grace, let us pray for the church, the world, and all creation.

A brief silence.

We pray for the church universal. Bless all those at Lutheran Theological Seminary, that they may learn to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for creation. O God, who made heaven and earth, draw us to the beauty of the whole creation. Turn us toward a right relationship with the entire cosmos. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray, remembering World Food Day last week, for the many in our own country and around the world who live with not enough or no food, in areas of disaster, touched by war, displacement and violence. Move us to respond with generous hearts, feeding the hungry, sheltering the unhoused, and welcoming the stranger, even as we work to eliminate food insecurity, advocate for solutions to end poverty, and live in harmony with the earth, until your peace and justice reign, and until all are fed. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. O God, who heals and strengthens, our help comes from you in times of need. Support, comfort, and heal those who suffer. Those we remember include ... God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for Raiden, newly baptized. O God, who guides us throughout our lives, encourage us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with him as he grows. Nurture our relationship with him in this community of faith. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray silently our own prayers, trusting that you hear the words of our hearts … God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We offer thanksgiving for the faithful departed. O God, whose promises never end, we thank you for those who have shown us the way of your Son, Jesus Christ … God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We offer our prayers, O God, trusting in your everlasting grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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 For the Beauty of the Earth (# 879, st. 1 and 5)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaWsad7OwQY

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

Refrain:

Christ, our God, to thee we raise

This our sacrifice of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,

Peace on earth and joy in heav’n;

For thyself, best gift divine,

To our world so freely giv’n:

Refrain:

(Text: Folliott S. Pierpoint, alt. Music: Conrad Kocher. 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,

In Christ Called to Baptize (# 575, st. 1,2, and 4)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMupA7wI1l8

In Christ called to baptize, we witness to grace

And gather a people from each land and race.

In deep, flowing waters, we share in Christ’s death;

Then, rising to new life, give thanks with each breath.

In Christ called to banquet, one table we share,

A haven of welcome, a circle of care.

Although we are many, we share in one bread.

One cup of thanksgiving proclaims, Christ, our head.

Unite us, anoint us, O Spirit of love,

For you are within us, around us, above.

Equip us for service with gifts you bestow.

In Christ is our calling. In Christ may we grow.

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 Go, My Children, with My Blessing (# 543)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5an1z69GWmY

“Go, my children, with my blessing,

Never alone.

Waking, sleeping, I am with you,

You are my own.

In my love’s baptismal river

I have made you mine forever.

Go, my children, with my blessing,

You are my own.”

“Go, my children, sins forgiven,

At peace and pure.

Here you learned how much I love you,

What I can cure.

Here you heard my dear Son’s story,

Here you touched him, saw his glory.

Go, my children, sins forgiven,

At peace and pure.”

“Go, my children, fed and nourished,

Closer to me.

Grow in love and love by serving,

Joyful and free.

Here my Spirit’s power filled you,

Here my tender comfort stilled you.

Go, my children, fed and nourished,

Joyful and free.”

(Text: Jaroslav L. Vajda, alt. © 1983, Concordia Publishing House. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams. © Oxford University Press. Text and music reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #714392. All rights reserved.)

*Dismissal

Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon: October 19, 2025 - Time after Pentecost

Text: Luke 18:3

Often getting another perspective on an issue can help us see the fuller picture, generate empathy for other points of view, or even reinforce our original thinking. This search can involve listening, observing, reading and so on. For our reading from Luke this morning such discovery is well worth the effort.

At first glance, in the parable of the widow and the unjust judge the Gospel writer seems to be suggesting a simple interpretation, with no need of seeking another perspective. They inform us ‘Jesus told this about “our need to pray always and not to lose heart.” As one writer remarked last week, this ‘is a powerful message. Hang in there. Keep at it. Keep chipping away, and eventually, you’ll get an answer.’ (UMC)

Yet that commentator also asserts that such a hearing creates more questions: “It isn’t a stretch to say that in every congregation, there are those who have worn out … knees and shed many tears in persistent prayer and are unable to see an answer that comes close to answering [our] pleas. From both Jesus, and from the writer of our 2nd reading, we can] hear the suggestion to keep at it more as a burden than a blessing … Eventually, we’ll break through the walls of heaven, and God will grudgingly grant us the justice we desire.’

The complication with this often-heard interpretation is that elsewhere ‘Jesus himself says that isn’t how God functions … God isn’t an unjust judge who has to be badgered into answering prayers for justice. Rather, God is a God of justice, who lays it out clearly, weighs it toward the most vulnerable, demands it … from the prophets and preachers, from the scholars and the priests’. So in the Psalm for today, the writer announces that Creator promises such justice now and forever.

It appears then that we are caught in the dilemma that while all Scripture, as our second reading tells us, is inspired by God, sometimes different parts seem at odds with each other, don’t make sense. Now, we could simply leave as unfinished business what this all means for our lives of faith, until we meet God face to face. Yet the writer I quoted earlier invites us to seek to find a fresh perspective on this parable. Specifically they ask us to ponder, ‘What if we come to understand “the parable backward”?’ That is, ‘What if the woman who begs and pleads and makes a noisy nuisance of herself is not us, but God? And what if the unjust one, the one who has no fear of God and no respect for anyone, is not God but us? What if justice has been declared, but because of selfishness and greed, because of prejudice and fear, it isn’t given to those who need it and is only offered to those who can afford it?’

Seeing the woman in the story as God calls us to look at who we are, and to see how we do not always respond, or grudgingly respond, to Creator’s call for justice. It widens our view of a God who doesn’t only dispense justice to get rid of us, or to quiet us down. Instead, that divine justice, that love, that compassion, that reconciliation, is at the heart of who God is. The world is in a mess. As our second reading laments, many voices compete to be heard, to entice us to follow, to discredit God and God’s ways. Yet, like this widow, God will not give up. Creator keeps calling and calling, seeking to turn our hearts and our voices and actions to living out the vision of justice and peace, community, that God in Christ came to this earth to proclaim.

This fresh perspective further reveals to us that the widow, God, is not only thinking of prayer as being a personal matter. Rather, from the perspective of justice it is also communal in nature. This view informs us about how to shape our own prayers. That same writer I mentioned earlier comments that seen in this light ‘persistent prayer’ ‘means moving our feet. It means knocking on doors. It means advocating for justice … We care for the ones God cares for. We advocate for the ones Creator advocates for. Justice comes quickly, but not universally until we pound on the doors holding it back. … Thoughts and prayers, according to this parable, are … active and frontline. And we keep at it. We don’t lose heart.’

That commentator acknowledges that in the midst of this ‘we still need the quiet conversations with God, where we pour out our hearts and weep our laments. We still need a place to withdraw’. As our psalmist notes, in these times our personal prayers seek God’s presence as we cry out for help. Similar to the image of the widow, we receive the promise here that God will not stop working for justice, will not stop bending down to care for us and the world God has made. In the midst of our struggles, in a world with fleeting images of justice, Creator assures us of the continuing vision of peace. Amid wondering whether we can continue in prayer and action, God, the widow, invites us to receive the gift of persistence and to prayerfully continue in faith where God’s Spirit leads the way.

We sang last Sunday, ‘We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly; we are called to serve one another; to walk humbly with God.’ (720) Refreshed today through the gifts of the Word and sacraments, we receive the call, and the promise, to continue in active prayer, living as God’s servants. Amen.

Google Sites

Report abuse