We are worshiping at 11 am.

September 6, 2026

Join us! All are Welcome!

SHARING OF THE PEACE

The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you today and always.

And also with you.

Congregation members greet each other by saying:

Peace be with you.

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,

who pours love into our hearts

and healing upon the earth.

Amen.

Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith,

let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection

Compassionate God,

we confess that we struggle to embody your goodness

in the world and in our own hearts.

Creation groans from overuse.

Jealousy and bitterness strain our relationships.

Indifference keeps us from seeking justice.

Divisions disrupt your call to show genuine love

to others.

Turn our hearts back to you.

Restore our world and reconcile us to one another.

Renew us to live as your holy people,

following the way of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Hear this good news:

We have peace with God through ☩ Jesus Christ,

in whom there is no condemnation,

but only forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

Receive freely this healing gift of grace.

Amen.

Gathering Hymn “Earth and All Stars!”

1 Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm!

Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Refrain

God has done marvelous things.

I too sing praises with a new song!

2 Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!

Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

3 Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Limestone and beams! Loud building workers!

Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

4 Classrooms and labs! Loud boiling test tubes!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Athlete and band! Loud cheering people!

Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

5 Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Daughter and son! Loud praying members!

Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain

Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926

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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.

Canticle of Praise

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power, riches, wisdom and strength,

and honor, blessing, and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God,

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing, honor, glory, and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray,

O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

The assembly is seated.

First Reading Ezekiel 33:7-11

A reading beginning with the 33rd chapter of Ezekiel.

7 So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

10 Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel: Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” 11 Say to them: As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Assistant- Psalm 119:33-40 Read Responsively

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your teaching; I shall keep it with all my heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your decrees and not to unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from beholding falsehood; give me life in your way.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, because your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for your commandments; by your righteousness enliven me.

Assistant-Second Reading Romans 13:8-14

A reading from Romans beginning with chapter 13

8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Congregation stands

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 18:15-20

The holy gospel according to Matthew the 18th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

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

Congregation is seated

Sermon

Hymn of the Day “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”

1 Joyful, joyful we adore thee,

God of glory, Lord of love!

Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,

praising thee, their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

drive the gloom of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

2 All thy works with joy surround thee,

earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,

stars and angels sing around thee,

center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,

chanting bird, and flowing fountain

call us to rejoice in thee.

3 Thou art giving and forgiving,

ever blessing, ever blest,

wellspring of the joy of living,

ocean-depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother,

all who live in love are thine;

teach us how to love each other,

lift us to the joy divine!

Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1922

Apostles’ Creed

The presiding minister may introduce the Creed.

With the whole church, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

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

Reminded of God’s gracious and abundant love, we offer our prayers, confident that God hears us.

A brief silence.

Proclaiming God, empower your church throughout the world to announce the words you give us. Open us to receive your word in unexpected ways. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Forming God, renew the cycles of your creation that provide for the needs of all. Protect grasslands, marshes, swamps, and all places of transition. Heal communities crying out after disaster. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Governing God, turn all who create, enforce, or interpret legislation away from selfish gain and toward your promise of good for all, especially the good of all who labor. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Attending God, wake us up to any around us who are in need. Restore broken relationships, failing health, frayed emotions, and the hurts we carry with us. We pray especially for Joe, Mark, Ron, Ruth, Pastor Van Gundy, Bernard, Fritz, Lucas, Sue, Ed, Candy, Lynne, Janet, Margaret, Rillys, and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Gathering God, resolve conflicts in this community through your righteousness and grace. Reconcile us to each other, making your good news known even through our imperfections. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Loving God, all who die in faith have life with you. We give you thanks for the nearness of your salvation for all who have gone before us especially Scott Garvin. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Grant the prayers we have offered, what we have forgotten to ask, and whatever else you see that we need. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Offertory “This Is Christ's Body” sing twice

This is Christ's body, broken and blest.

Feed us with mercy and love. (with mercy and love.)

We are Christ's body, broken and blest.

Heal us and make us one.

Text: Anne Krentz Organ, b. 1960

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Offertory Prayer

We pray,

God of creation,

you send rain and the earth springs forth abundantly.

All blessings are from you;

make us generous with what we have.

Use our gifts, our abilities, and our hearts

in service to you and in love to our neighbors,

today and always.

Amen.

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.

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 pow’r and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Eucharistic Prayer

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,

who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,

who preached good news to the poor,

and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.

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.

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,

we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,

and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,

the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

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

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

Christ invites you to this table.

All who are thirsty, all who are hungry, come!

Congregation is seated

Pastor COMMUNION INSTRUCTION

We commune at the rail, in our seats and online. We will begin by communing those online and in their seats. …

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

grant us peace.

Distribution at the rail.

Communion

The body of Christ, given for you. Amen

The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen

Congregation stands

Prayer after Communion

Sustaining God,

with this bread and cup,

you nourish us with mercy and abundant life.

By your Spirit, send us from this table to serve a needy world.

Make us living signs of your liberation, healing, and love,

following the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray.

Amen.

Benediction

The God of love

draw you into full accord and one mind,

in the body of Christ Jesus.

Amen.

The God of hope

grant you strength and joy in all circumstances

through the interceding of the Spirit.

Amen.

The God of grace

☩ bless you now and forever.

Amen.

Sending Hymn “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”

1 “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.”

2 “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.”

3 “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 J. Vajda, b. 1919, alt.

Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.

Dismissal

Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.

Thanks be to God.

Permission for liturgies by Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS004206

Sundays and Seasons 2026