SUNDAYS IN THE SEASON OF CREATION
Wonder, Despair, Hope, Resolve, Replant, St. Francis
September 22, 2024
10:00 a.m
PRELUDE Sounds of the Earth
Resolve What must we do? The path ahead is very uncertain and it’s easy to give up.
What feeds our determination to keep working, to keep striving toward a
healthier planet and safer environment for all of God’s creatures?
GATHERING
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
We shall mount up with wings like eagles;
We shall run and not be weary;
We shall walk and not faint. From Isaiah 40
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE GATHER AT THE FONT FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. God of power, God of people, you are the life of all that lives, the energy that fills the earth, the vitality that brings to birth, the impetus in making whole whatever is broken. In you we grow to know the truth that sets all creation free. You are the song the whole earth sings, the promise liberation brings, now and forever. Amen. Miriam Therese Winter
In the name of all that is we come together.
In the name of the stars and galaxies;
In the name of the planets, moons and the sun:
In the name of all that is we come.
In the name of all that is we come together.
In the name of the oceans and the sea;
In the name of the mountain, desert and plain;
In the name of all that is we come.
In the name of all that is we come together.
In the name of the buffalo and bear;
In the name of the turtle, eagle and whale
In the name of all that is we come.
In the name of all that is we come together.
In the name of the cactus and the fern;
In the name of the flower, tree and herb;
In the name of all that is we come.
In the name of all that is we come together.
In the name of the elements of life;
In the name of the soil, water and air;
In the name of all that is we come.
In the name of all that is we come together.
In the name of the children of the earth;
In the name of the spirit breathing in all things;
In the name of all that is we come.
Jan Novotka
GATHERING HYMN God We Gather as Your People
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: God of all creation, of all that lives in soil, in seas and air, you weave with great variation the web of life, so fragile, still so fair. Give us knowledge, that we may mend it. Give us wisdom, that we may tend it. Give us love, true compassion, and faith filled resolve that we may care for all your life in all its forms. Amen.
Per Harling
DISMISSAL TO CHILDREN’S CHURCH
LESSON FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Isaiah 45: 8, 12, 18
8 Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation may spring up,
and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the Lord have created it.
12 I made the earth and created humankind upon it;
it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.
18 For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos,
he formed it to be inhabited!):
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
God We Gather as Your People
A CONTEMPORARY VOICE Love Is a Practice Roy Howard
Love is a practice, not a belief and certainly not just a feeling. Love is a set of habits learned over a lifetime. I'm reminded of the story of two rabbis in conversation over drinks. The one says, "Do you love me?" The other answers, "Yes, of course." "Do you know what hurts me?" "No, how could I know that?" And his friend responds, "You can't love me if you don't know what hurts me." When I heard that story it occurred to me that this is how it is when we love God and love neighbor. God says to us, "How can you love me if you don't know what hurts me?" What hurts God? A polluted creation, hungry children, broken families and lost people, wandering fearful and without hope. When we connect our lives with the things that hurt God, we actually grow in our love for God. It's this essential connection that we desire in our common life together. This is stewardship with love at the center. To borrow a phrase, all you need is love. Love God, love neighbor. Love yourself.
PSALMODY: Psalm 85 repeat refrain after Cantor
Let us hear what our God proclaims:
Peace to the people of God,
salvation is near to the ones who fear him.
Kindness and truth, justice and peace;
truth shall spring up as the water from the earth,
justice shall rain from the heavens.
The Lord will come and you shall know his love,
justice shall walk in his pathways,
salvation the gift that he brings.
Text: Psalm 85 paraphrased by Marty Haugen, b.1959
tune : Haugen, 1983, GIA Pub.,Inc.
LESSON FROM THE EPISTLES: 1 John 3:16-18
16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Holy, Holy, Holy, Santo, Santo, Santo
Congregation will sing one verse before and one after the reading of the Gospel.
You may either sing in English or Spanish as you feel called
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 6:19-21 Glory to you, O God
Jesus is preaching the “Sermon on the Mount”. Here he invites his followers to know the true nature of earthly treasure.
19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Rev. Jim Friedrich
HYMN OF THE DAY Touch the Earth Lightly
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
*after each petition: Hear us, O God. Your Mercy Is Great.
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 by clicking the GIVE link at the top right of your screen.
Offering Music Bambalela/Oh Never Give Up
Traditional South African
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 somehow present in the bread and wine, however full of 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 For the Beauty of the Earth
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 Bambalela
Sung twice, first in Swahili and twice in English
BENEDICTION & DISMISSAL
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We shall go out in joy and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before us shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. From Isaiah 55
POSTLUDE It is Well With My Soul Horatio G. Spafford
Improv FLC Musicians
Dedicated to Frank and Chuck
- But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor
Bill Engel, Music Director
Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone
Trevor Patricia Watkin, Flute
Jan Neuhaus, Cantor
Eric Sloniker, Lector
Beth Slevcove, 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, Melinda Person, Dan Kjonegaard, Ushers
Kaaren Nyberg, Fellowship Snacks
The litanies and prayers come from God’s Good Earth by Jeffery and Anne Rowthorn. Liturgical Press, 2018 : Hymns are from Evangelical Worship, Augsburg Fortress Press, 2006 and All Creation Sings, Augsburg Fortress Press, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today after worship: Bridging the Political Gap: Standing Firm Without Judgment
The political season is upon us and if you are like me, it is hard to hear the news without feelings of righteousness and judgment. I have become fascinated with the question of, “How do I stand strong in my beliefs without passing judgment on others?” If this is something that interests you too, please join Deacon Margy Schmitt Ajer and me, Kaaren Nyberg, on September 22nd for a post-service, guided discussion with the hope of taking a step to bridge the political gap.
9/29 after worship: Final forum on It’s Not the End of the World
Two of our post-worship forums this month took time to consider Hannah Ritchie's book Not The End of The Word: We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet. Ms. Ritchie is a Climate Scientist at Oxford. Her premise is that while the state of our climate is in serious danger we need to stop engaging in doomsday thinking and look at the data. She shares how, over a wide range of topics, our actions are making a positive difference. While there is work to be done there is much to celebrate. Our final discussion around the book will take place on September 29 after worship.
October 6: Blessing of the Animals
As we wrap up the Season of Creation, we will conclude with a blessing of the animals on October 6 (following the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4). Please bring your beloved furry friends to worship, as we will move to the patio for a special blessing immediately afterward.
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class every week 9:00 in the Library
Our current study is on the Gospel of Mark. Mark is regarded as the oldest Gospel. Having likely been written before the others it is also the shortest and most direct of the four stories of Jesus. Mark is known for frequently employing the word immediately. In Mark, Jesus and the Disciples have no time to waste as they share the extraordinary new reality of God’s grace now embodied in the flesh. Our teachers are Pastor Kurt and Jim Boyd. Bring your own bible or use one off the library shelf. Feel free to drop in any Sunday. Please join us!
Children, Youth, and Family 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.
This week at FLC
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Monday |
12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal and free clinics |
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Wednesday |
10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks |
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Thursday |
12:00 Al Anon in the library |
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Friday |
9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the library |
Contact Us
Pastor Kurt: 619-234-6149 ext. 2 or 619-323-7587 PastorKurt@firstlutheransd.org
Office hours best made by appointment.
Church Administrator (Erin): 619-234-6149 ext. 1 administrator@firstlutheransd.org
Office hours: M, T, Th: 2-5, W, F: 11-2
www.firstlutheransd.org
First Lutheran Church worships and works on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay People.
THE SEASON OF CREATION
The Season of Creation was initiated in 1989 by the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I. In subsequent years with the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches, of which our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a partner, the Season has been a growing movement. It begins September 1st every year and lasts through the Feast of St. Francis.
You may read more about the season at www.seasonofcreation.org
First Lutheran is pleased to be an enthusiastic participant in the movement.
