A Foretaste of the Coming Harvest
Pentecost begins with a rush–the rushing, life-giving wind of God’s Spirit. Now the latter part of the season of Pentecost centers on the lush green of growth and glorious yellow of harvest. We are constantly reminded that God has inexorably linked the experience of grace to the life and work of human beings. It is ordinary for the community of faith to be about the work of God’s reign. It is extraordinary that this labor bears the very power of the cross and resurrection. This part of the Pentecost season pushes us to see our work as sacramental, an incarnational expression of Christ’s own life, death, and resurrection.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
We remember our baptisms, confess our faithlessness,
and hear God’s faithful promise of forgiveness
Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity:
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
People: Amen.
Pastor: God of all mercy and consolation,
come to the aid of your people,
turning us from sin
to live for you alone.
Give us the power of your Holy Spirit
that, attentive to your Word,
we may confess our sins,
receive your forgiveness,
bear with one another in love,
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,
and grow into the fullness of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Let us confess our sin in the
presence of God and of one another. Reconciling God,
People: we confess that we are a rebellious people,
following our own desires rather than listening to your call.
We have counted ourselves better than others,
failing to seek justice and care for the neighbour in need.
We have sought earthly treasures,
neglecting your gifts of word and sacrament.
For the sake of Christ Jesus,
forgive our sins,
strengthen our faith,
and lead us by your Holy Spirit
to joyful service in your name. Amen.
Pastor: In the mercy of God,
I declare to you the forgiveness of all your sin.
In baptism, you have been crucified with Christ;
it is no longer you who live,
but Christ who lives in you.
People: Amen.
GATHERING
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE
GATHERING SONG
“O God Beyond All Praising”
[click on the link below]
GREETING
Pastor: Sisters and brothers, you have been called to freedom in Christ.
People: Let us live in that freedom and be lead by God’s Spirit.
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual lovingkindness to us your servants. Because we cannot rely on our own abilities, grant us your merciful judgment, and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Epistle Reading: Philippians 1:21-30
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16
The Labourers in the Vineyard
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
SERMON
[Click on link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
“There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy”
[click on the link below]
TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS
Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Norm Gregory, Jody Giesbrecht, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, John Beaven, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Mary Anderson, Joan Schock, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Bryan Matschke, AnnE and Joel Zimmerman, the family of Lyle Sand, the family of Hildegard Schneider (Renita Falkenstern’s mother), and the family of Marguerite Sanders (Don Sander’s sister), the family of Mabel Zolotarchuk (Circle West member), and the family of Pastor Anne Knudsen.
We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Yemen, Venezuela, Somalia, Libya, Hong Kong, Belarus, the Palestinians and Israelis, the Rohingya Muslim refugees, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the refugees on the Greek Island of Lesbos, the people of Haiti suffering from natural and political disasters, the people of the Bahamas suffering from hurricanes and those in the United States suffering from hurricane Laura and Sally the people of California, Oregon, and Washington devastated by wildfires and smoke, those in the United States , Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence and destruction of lives and property, students, teachers, and staff at the re-opening of the school year, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community threatened by the coronavirus.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH
[The congregational response after each petition is: “RENEW YOUR WHOLE CREATION.”]
Pastor: Freed by Christ and led by the Spirit, let us pray in hope to our God of life for the Church, the world, and the needs of all people everywhere, saying, “Come, Holy Spirit,” and responding, “Renew your whole creation.”
Petitioner: Loving God, through your Word, through baptism, and through your Supper you call us into the world for faithful service. Give us glad and generous hearts so that we may celebrate the one faith, one baptism, one supper that makes us all one in Christ whether we have come recently to faith or have laboured faithfully our whole lives. Come, Holy Spirit…
Petitioner: Faithful God, as the landowner was gracious to the workers in need, help the management of corporations and businesses, and economic leaders of the world show generosity and righteousness to all labourers seeking employment and wanting to earn a fair wage. Come, Holy Spirit…
Petitioner: Sustaining God the goodness of creation is a celebration of your generosity. Send your Spirit to move across lands and waters in this change of seasons that all may have the generosity and abundance of harvest. Grant the promise of life to all living things that prepare to be dormant in winter and to reawaken in spring. Come, Holy Spirit …
Pastor: God of healing, be with those who are ill, suffering, lonely, depressed, victims of abuse, or grieving. We remember especially before you … Transform sorrow into courage, fear into generosity, and loneliness into compassion. Give them assurance in your abundant generosity and hope in your promises. Come, Holy Spirit…
Petitioner: Christ of mission, we pray that the diversity of gifts bestowed upon our community at King of Glory may be recognized, used, and celebrated. Strengthen us all in our vocation of witness to one another and to the world. Place among us overflowing fonts and tables set as a feast for all people. Give us the faith and boldness to hear and act upon your word of forgiveness and to praise your boundless love. Come, Holy Spirit…
Petitioner: Good and gracious God, the nations of the world are broken by terror and hostility within and without. Plant the seeds of justice by the movement of your Spirit in the nations of this world. Incite us to commit acts of peace, break down barriers, crush complacency, and stand up to intolerance. Accompany refugees, displaced persons, and all who wander without homes. Shelter them from all harm. Graciously tend to them and their leaders, and guide the feet of all into the way of peace. Come, Holy Spirit…
Petitioner: God of hope, transform our community into a place of welcome for those who feel shunned, marginalized, or abandoned. Send us forth to persist joyfully with greetings of grace and peace on our lips. Come, Holy Spirit …
Petitioner: Generous God, fill us with compassion and concern for others, young and old, that we may look after one another in these challenging days. Bring healing to those who are sick with the virus and be with their families. Comfort the family and friends of those who have died. Strengthen and protect all medical professionals caring for the sick and all who work in our medical and health care facilities. Give wisdom to leaders in healthcare and governance that they may make the right decisions for the well-being of people. We pray in gratitude for all those in our country who will continue to work in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us all. We especially remember students, teachers, and staff who will be going back to school. Bless everyone and keep them safe. O God of creation and life, we place ourselves in your protection. May the mantle of your peace enfold us this day and tomorrow. Come, Holy Spirit …
Pastor: Empowering God, your gracious Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Keep us in the faith, call, gather, and enlighten us with your Word, search our hearts and renew our lives to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our living Lord.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Saviour gave us:
People: 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.
BENEDICTION
Pastor: Almighty God, who makes all things new in Jesus Christ,
send you light and truth.
The providential hand of God protect you;
the life giving Christ accompany you;
and the sustaining presence of the Spirit
give you peace, now, and always.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
“Lord of All Hopefulness”
[click on the link below]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace,
renewed and prepared by God to care for all creation.
People: Thanks be to God.
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace, renewed with Christ’s Spirit to love and to serve.
People: Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMING UP AT KOG
Monday, September 21, Church Council meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Pat and Carol Sarich (164 MacCormack Road, Martensville)
AIDS Saskatoon, now called Prairie Harm Reduction will not be holding an in-person community walk in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, we are encouraging our walk participants to complete the walk whenever it works best for your schedule. Try connecting with your fundraising team or making time as a family to complete your walk. We would love for you to share your walk photos with us using #yxeAIDSWalk2020. Pastor Michael will set up a King of Glory team (as in years past) to which we can contribute for the “Walk.” The “Walk” is Sunday October 4. I just heard about this on Saturday; I will have more details soon.
The draft website for all seven ELCIC congregations in Saskatoon is now up and the address is https://saskatoonelcic.com/ It will be used now mainly for sharing information during the pandemic.
On Sunday, October 4, King Of Glory will hold a service at St. David’s/Trinity. The worship service with Communion will begin at 6:30. In order to hold this service we will have to follow the protocols set by the Province for holding a worship service. The protocols and procedures are listed below:
July, August, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG
2020 Budget: $49,536 Monthly Budget: $4,128 Weekly Budget: $952.62
2020 income/expenses: -$5,508.67
June income/expenses: -$1457.15.
Contributions from August 2 through September 15: $6470.00
Contributions for CLWR: $150
At the August 10 Church Council meeting the following people were elected as Officers of the Council and Congregation: Wayne Turner, Chairperson, Carol Sarich, Vice-chairperson, Evelyn Robson, Secretary, Pat Sarich, Co-treasurer, Vacant, Co-treasurer, Financial Secretary, Karen McKenzie. Members at large are: Deryl Morgan, Jennipher Karst, and Kyle Sarich. Thank you for your service and we pray for God’s blessings and the Spirit’s wisdom, understanding, and guidance on your ministry.
Offerings.
Even though we are not meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them. Church Council has decided that the best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.
Send your contributions to: King of Glory Lutheran Church
3318 Merritt Street
Saskatoon, SK S7M 3P6
Thank you for your generosity.
Co-Treasurer position for King of Glory
King of Glory is looking for a co-treasurer primarily responsible for documenting and filling out the forms for the province, the Canada Revenue Agency and the ELCiC. They will work Pat Sarich whose primary responsibility is oversight of the budget and the bookkeeping with respect of receipts and expenditures. Please contact Pastor Michael about this position.
Checklist and Guidelines for Re-opening Worship Services
Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc before the service
One person preps worship materials and conducts seating [pastor]
Pre-screening and Registration of attendees (if tracing is necessary)
Seating chart with six feet distancing (if tracing is necessary)
No sharing of pencils, pens, etc.
No serving of food or beverages
Try not to use the washrooms
Open doors and windows if possible
Use/wear face masks
Hand sanitizer available
No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)
No congregational singing
Used material should be set aside for 72 hours (worship folders)
Communion procedure
remain seated
pastor brings elements in self-contained manner
Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service
King of Glory Lutheran Church 