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21st Sunday after Pentecost

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, October 13, 2024

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TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

October 13, 2024

10:00 a.m

PRELUDE Hyfrydol

God Whose Giving Knows No Ending arr. James Kasen

Hyfrydol (Welsh pronunciation: [həvˈrədɔl], meaning "delightful, agreeable, pleasing, pleasant, beautiful, fair, fine; sweet, melodious") is a Welsh hymn tune that appears in a number of hymnals in various arrangements. Composed by Rowland Prichard, it was originally

published in the composer's handbook to the children's songbook

Cyfaill y Cantorion ("The Singers' Friend") in 1844.

Prichard composed the tune before he was twenty years old.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GATHERING HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory

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

Let us pray: Almighty and ever-living God, increase in us your gift of faith, that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to what lies ahead, we may follow the way of your commandments and receive the crown of everlasting joy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL TO CHILDREN’S CHURCH

LESSON FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Amos 5:6-7, 10-15

Amos was a herdsman by profession and a prophet by God’s call. During a time of great prosperity in the northern kingdom of Israel, the prophet speaks to the wealthy upper class. He warns his listeners that fulfilling God’s demand for justice brings blessing, while corruption and oppression incur God’s wrath.

6Seek the Lord and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire,

and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it.

7Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!

10They hate the one who reproves in the gate,

and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.

11Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain,

you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them;

you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.

12For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins—

you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate.

13Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time.

14Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be

with you, just as you have said.

15Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALMODY: Psalm 90:12-17 repeat refrain after the Cantor

12So teach us to num- | ber our days

that we may apply our | hearts to wisdom.

13Return, O Lord; how long | will you tarry?

Be gracious | to your servants. / R

14Satisfy us by your steadfast love | in the morning;

so shall we rejoice and be glad | all our days.

15Make us glad as many days as you af- | flicted us

and as many years as we suf- | fered adversity.

16Show your ser- | vants your works,

and your splendor | to their children.

17May the graciousness of the Lord our God | be upon us;

prosper the work of our hands; pros- | per our handiwork. / R

LESSON FROM THE EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL Hebrews 4:12-16

We cannot hide our thoughts, desires, and actions from God, to whom we are completely accountable. Nevertheless, Jesus understands our human weakness and temptations, because he also experienced them. Therefore we can approach the throne of grace to receive divine mercy from Christ.

12Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Hallelujah Heleluyan

GOSPEL READING Mark 10:17-31 Glory to you, O God

Jesus has been teaching his disciples about what is most valued in God’s eyes. Now, a conversation with a rich man brings his message home to the disciples in a way that is surprising but unforgettable.

17As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

23Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

28Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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

SERMON Rev. Kurt Christenson

HYMN OF THE DAY Seek Ye First

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*after each petition:

God of Grace, hear our prayer.

APOSTLE’S 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.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

OFFERING

Give online using the button at the top right.

Offering Music Improv on Seek Ye First from the Hymn of the Day

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray….Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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.

PROPER PREFACE

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; who on this day overcame death and the grave,

and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.

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:

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.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In the night in which he was betrayed, …

Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup,

giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you as your priestly people.

Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church; gather into one all who share this bread and wine; fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith in truth,

that we may praise and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

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

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. 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.

AGNUS DEI Lamb of God

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is fully present in the bread and wine, however rich in mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you reach Pastor.

COMMUNION MUSIC Precious Lord

Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall:

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears And the night draws near,

And the day is past and gone,

At the river I stand, Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Thomas A. Dorsey 1932

COMMUNION BLESSING AND PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray.

Amen.

SENDING SONG God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

Sung to the tune of Hyfrydol “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”

Setting of last verse arranged by Gerre Hancock 1934-2012

1 God, whose giving knows no ending, from your rich and endless store:

nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom, costly cross, grave's shattered door,

gifted by you, we turn to you, off'ring up ourselves in praise;

thankful song shall rise forever, gracious donor of our days.

2 Skills and time are ours for pressing toward the goals of Christ, your Son:

all at peace in health and freedom, races joined, the church made one.

Now direct our daily labor, lest we strive for self alone;

born with talents, make us servants fit to answer at your throne.

3 Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through pow'rs your grace conferred;

ours to use for home and kindred, and to spread the gospel word.

Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ's ageless call,

healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving you by loving all.

Text: Robert L. Edwards, 1915-2006

BENEDICTION & DISMISSAL

Go now in the confidence of people who have found mercy. Follow Jesus,

keeping the commandments, letting go of all that binds you to the ways of this world,

and investing everything in God’s realm. And may God come close to you and keep you safe; May Christ Jesus reward your faithfulness a hundredfold; and may the Holy Spirit be your help in time of need.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Fugue In C Major Johann Pachelbel

A native of Nuremberg, Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) was one of the great organ masters of the generation before J. S. Bach. Since the 17th century, interest in his music has remained constant and today he is widely considered one of the greatest and most productive composers of his time. Remarkably prolific, Pachelbel composed in a variety of musical genres in a lucid, uncomplicated style. This fugue was selected from a collection of the composer's organ work that included 72 chorale settings composed for the Lutheran ritual, and 48 non liturgical works, among them toccatas, fugues, preludes, ricercares, and fantasias.

Sanctuary Flowers are given by Wane Gutterud in memory of Kelly Gutterud.

Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director and Organist

Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone

Trevor Patricia Watkin, Flute

Paul Engel, Cantor

Joann Masters, Lector

Chuck Leib, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Paul Engel, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Joann Masters, and Randy & Joyce Sensmeier, Singers

Brian Jensen, Jaime Quezada Moysen, Genette McGowan, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Tech team

Ruth Clayton, Dan Kjonegaard, Melinda Person, Ushers

Paula Gutterud, Fellowship Snacks

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Happy 1st Birthday, Luna!

TODAY after worship: Voting Faithfully

We’ll join together after worship to review and discuss the 2024 Ballot Measure Voter Guide. The Lutheran Office of Public Policy has made recommendations on California's statewide ballot measures, drawing on ELCA Social Statements and Messages to advise us as we prepare for the November 5 election. We will be using material shared on a zoom meeting with the Bishop and a LOPP Board member earlier in the week. This conversation will be non-partisan, and will cover only statewide ballot measures, not individual candidates for elected office or local measures. If anyone wishes to also discuss the three local ballot measures just for San Diego please let Pastor know so that you, or he, can prepare.

Pastor Kurt Retreat: Oct.14th-17th

Pastor Kurt will be out until Friday attending the Annual Theoasis retreat in Palm Desert. Every year the pastors, deacons, and other lay professionals from our Pacifica and the Southwest California Synod’s (they begin in LA County and go as far north as San Luis Obispo) meet with our Bishops for a time of worship, learning, collegiality and a little play. This year Colleen has been asked to lead up the child care for pastors with young children so she gets to attend as well. She and Pastor are blessed with former parishioners who share their vacation home in Palm Springs for a place to stay. Do not hesitate to reach out if there are any emergencies.

Lobby Art

During the Season of Creation we have enjoyed a spectacular art exhibit. First Lutheran enjoys the remarkable talents of so many artists. To date we have enjoyed the works of Suzanne Pew, Melodie Baker, Brian Jensen, Francie Montgomery, the father and brother and Frank DeLouise, Chuck Leib, Bill Radatz, Dorothy Annette and Donna Goethe. Thank you all for your contributions.

October Book Group

In September 1969, the cranky old deacon of Five Ends Baptist Church, known as Sportcoat, shuffles into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project in south Brooklyn, pulls a .38 from his pocket, and, in front of everybody, shoots the project's drug dealer at point-blank range. The reasons for this desperate burst of violence and the consequences that spring from it lie at the heart of Deacon King Kong, James McBride’s funny, moving novel that is this month's book selection. As the story deepens, we learn how the lives of the characters affected by this shooting overlap in unexpected ways, and that the seeds of love and faith lie in all of us. Please join us for lively discussion and warm fellowship in the church library at 4:00PM this Thursday, October 17. Erin Pfaff and Paula Gutterud will host. All are welcome!

Children, Youth, and Families Corner

Grab a bag! Children’s worship bags will be available to grab on your way into the sanctuary, filled with quiet activities to do during worship. Those marked with a heart are for children under 5. Those marked with a star are for older children.

Children’s Church: We invite children up to age 12 to a special time in the library during worship, from the scripture readings until the sharing of the peace.

TACO Bites

Showers are returning! Thanks to a generous donation of a shower trailer, TACO will be offering showers on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month in the near future. The trailer will be stored offsite. The search for a new Executive Director is in the works.

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal and free clinics
Tuesday	6:00 Church Council in the library
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks
Thursday	9:00 Chinese Church in the lobby 12:00 Al Anon in the library 4:00 Book Group in the library 6:30 TACO Board Meeting in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship