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

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

[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 God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the Church in every age.  Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people.  Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the Gospel, and bestow on the Church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

First Reading:  Jeremiah 31: 31-34

A New Covenant

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. 

Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
          Selah 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
   God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.
          Selah 

Come, behold the works of the Lord;
   see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
‘Be still, and know that I am God!
   I am exalted among the nations,
   I am exalted in the earth.’
The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.
          Selah 

Epistle Reading:   Romans 3:19-28

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 

Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. 

Gospel Reading:  John 8:31-36

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ 

Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY

“The Church’s One Foundation”

[click on the link below]

TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS

Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet 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), the family of Marguerite Sanders (Don Sander’s sister), the family of Mabel Zolotarchuk (Circle West member), the family of Pastor Anne Knudsen. and the family of Norm Gregory.

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,  Armenia and Azerbaijan, Thailand, Nigeria, 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 hurricanes Laura, Sally, Delta and tropical storm Beta and the people of Atlantic Canada recovering from tropical storm Teddy, the people of California, Oregon,  Washington, and Colorado devastated by wildfires and smoke, The people in India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Tanzania impacted by floods, 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 as they return to school, 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.”]

Petitioner:  Loving God, through the water of our baptism, through the nourishing food of your Supper, and through the power of your Word, we celebrate in prayer and praise the heart of our faith – the Gospel of Christ.  Forgive us and reconcile us to yourself and to one another that we might build up the body of Christ, continue our witness to your truth that liberates us from sin, and by your Spirit persist in your love for the world.  God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:   Faithful God, we give you thanks for creation and its gift of a completed harvest.  Nourish the earth to provide enough food and clean water for all.  Forgive us our carelessness with the earth and transform our lives of consumption into lives of gratitude. Give us a renewed commitment to care for and to nurture your creation, that the wonders you have made will be available for generations that follow.  God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  God of reconciliation, amid our struggles and disappointments insure that your guiding and reforming gift of grace is directing us as faithful partners in ministry that our life together might be filled with great love for those around us.  Make this congregation a place of forgiveness and reconciliation.  Send us forth to persist joyfully with greetings of grace and peace on our lips.   God, in your goodness …

Pastor:   God our refuge and strength, you are a very present help in trouble.  We pray for the sick, the desperate, the anxious, the depressed, for those who face constant pain or even death, for those in treatment for addiction or disease, and for those who mourn.  We remember especially before you ….  Grant them peace and healing, for you are their refuge and strength and their source of hope.   God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  God of justice and wisdom, 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.  Accompany refugees, displaced persons, and all who wander without homes.  Shelter them from all harm.  Graciously tend to the victims of terror. Guide the feet of all leaders of the nations into the way of peace.    God, in your goodness…  

Petitioner:  Sustaining God, send your Spirit of wisdom, justice, and peace to all who are running for election to all forms of government.  May they regard all in their jurisdictions without partiality, advocate for the well-being of the poor, homeless, and unemployed, and provide good order for the health, safety, and vitality of all within their governance.   God, in your goodness …

Petitioner:  God of freedom, we pray for all communities of faith, their ministers and their ministries, especially St. David’s/Trinity United Church and Resurrection and Trinity Lutheran churches.  We give you thanks for all the ways that you keep reaching out to us reforming and conforming us to the Good News of our freedom in Christ.  Where we are in error, direct us; where we are true, strengthen us; where we are divided, reunite us.   God, in your goodness …

Pastor: Teach us to pray, O God, and grant us wisdom in our asking, in the name of Jesus Christ our 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

“The Church of Christ In Every Age”

[click on the link below]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

On Sunday, November 1, All Saints Sunday, King Of Glory will hold a service at St. David’s/Trinity.  The worship service with Communion will begin at 6:30.  There will be a time to remember and commemorate those saints who have been dear to us at King of Glory and have gone before us into God’s presence.  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:

Because COVID cases are relatively low in number The Church Council has decided that we will have in person worship services every other Sunday.  In person services will be held at St. David’s/Trinity at 6:30 on November 1, 15 and 29.  Should new case numbers spike or other unforeseen circumstances arise we will make the necessary modifications.

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.  

September, October 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: -$1,372.35

August income/expenses: $1498.57.

Contributions from October 4 through October 18: $2570

Thank you to all involved in the quilts that have been made by members of King of Glory.  Our quilting worker-bees have made these quilts which will all go to Canadian Lutheran World Relief for various aid programs around the world.  Prodigious thimbles full of thanks to the industrious sewers Bev Gregory, Karen McKenzie, Doreen Matschke, Ursula Coakwell, Sharon Morgan, Marge McMillan, Sherry Andrews, and Carol Sarich.  Thank you to Home Hardware for providing free shipping.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief has informed us that they are discontinuing this program.  It should be noted that from June 2011 until October 2020 our quilters have made 1188 quilts for CLWR, 73 vests for CLWR and 103 quilts for various local groups and individuals.

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

Additional Prayers

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. Bless them 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.  Hear us, O God of life …