Prelude
Announcements
Call to Worship based on Matthew 5 and Confession and Forgiveness
If the human body, body of blood and muscle, is to live, it needs salt.
People of God: If the body of Christ, body of peace and justice, is to live, it needs us!
If the earthly creation is to flourish, it needs the sun’s light.
People of God: If the new creation we are in Christ is to flourish, it needs the Spirit’s light!
Jesus says we are salt of the earth, light of the world.
People of God: Our faith, our love, our hope: essential as salt and light.
But if salt isn’t salty?
People of God: It isn’t what it’s meant to be.
And if a light doesn’t shine?
People of God: It isn’t what it’s meant to be.
Jesus says we are salt of the earth, light of the world. Briny and bright, we are God’s faithful people.
People of God: We shall be who we are meant to be in Christ: a welcoming oasis, a compassionate community, a justice-making people, giving glory to God! Amen.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who makes all things new, whose mercy endures forever.
People of God: Amen.
Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy One, source of our renewal,
People of God: we confess that we are wrapped up in sin, and cannot free ourselves. We have not practiced your righteousness. Our hearts have turned away from you. For the sake of the world you so love, forgive us, that we may be reconciled to one another for the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Thus says our God: “The former things have come to pass and new things I now declare.” God’s mercy makes us new. We are forgiven in the name of ☩ Christ our Savior.
People of God: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Loving God, your son Jesus taught many things that helped people know how deeply you love humanity. Help us to live in your love, so that we might be beacons of light for others. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Reading Matthew 5:1-20
Assisting Minister: 1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The word of the Lord. People of God: Thanks be to God
Sermon Rev. Sarah Wilson
Prayers of the People
Assisting Minister: Sisters and brothers, let us lift our hearts in faith to the one who hears all prayers and holds close all those in need.
A brief silence.
Assisting Minister: Bless the church, O God, with eyes to see your face in all people and ears to hear your call to love and service. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bless the resting fields, O God, with renewal and regeneration that the coming year be a fruitful one. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bless the leaders of the nations, O God, with a deep sense of justice and an earnest desire for peace. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bless the mourning, O God, with the knowledge of your loving presence and hope-filled future. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bless the suffering, O God, with health and healing, endurance and peace, for Jessica, Alicia, the Knaack Family, the McDonough family, Jeanne, Barb, Cecil (See-sil), Stan, Marlene, Ryleigh, Dylan, Sandy, Hopie (Hope-y), the Lang family, the Mauger (maw-ger) family, Susan, the Bredemus (bread-a-mus) family, Allen, Bunny, the Vogt (vote) family, Richard, Pat, Pete, Dick, Karen, Patricia, Michael, Nicholas and his family, Beth, Jim, Kara (car-a), Betty, Tom, Lorie and her family, Pastor Kara (car-a) and those we name silently or aloud <pause>. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bless this congregation, O God, with deep and authentic community built on care and sacrifice. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Please offer your own prayers of joy or concern, ending with “Lord, in your mercy,”
We respond with “hear our prayer.”
Assisting Minister: Bless the faithful dead, O God, with rest in you and in resurrection light. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Holy God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior. Bring healing to all wounds, make whole all that is broken, speak truth to all illusion, and shed light in every darkness, that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. People of God: Amen.
Hymn ELW #532 Gather Us In Played by Gloria Peetz
Children’s Sermon Rev. Sarah Wilson
The Peace (Please share peace by waving or showing the peace sign.)
The peace of Christ be with you always. People of God: And also with you.
Offering
Let us pray. Liberating God, you break the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Receive these offerings in thanksgiving for all your works of merciful power, and shape us as people of your justice and freedom. You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior, People of God: Amen.
Communion
The Lord be with you.
People of God: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
People of God: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People of God: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; he 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.
And now let us pray with confidence in the words that Jesus taught us:
People of God: 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
Assisting Minister: Come and taste the joy of God!
For our at-home worshippers, you may take communion using these words:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Table Blessing
And now may the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. People of God: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Holy One, we thank you for the healing that springs forth abundantly from this table. Renew our strength to do justice, love kindness, and journey humbly with you. People of God: Amen.
Blessing
The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod ☩ bless, strengthen, and uphold you, today and always. People of God: Amen.
Sending Hymn ELW #677 This Little Light of Mine Played by Gloria Peetz
Dismissal
Assisting Minister: Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus.
People of God: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Thank you to those serving us today
Pastor: Rev. Sarah Wilson
Worship Assistant: Hannah Brescia
Acolyte: Kyle Drews
Music: Gloria Peetz ~ Song Leader:
Altar Guild: Sally Skalany
Usher/Greeter: Danielle Proebsting
Sound Board: Jason Brescia
AV Tech: Mark Gates
Counter: Marianne Barstow
Altar Flowers: Jerry and Jenny Bebber
In Celebration of their 52nd Anniversary
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved
Call to Worship based on work found on https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/call-to-worship-opening-prayer-matthew.html
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram