The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

 Gathered In To Be Called Out

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: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Pastor: Before God, our rock, our refuge, and our dwelling place,

let us confess our sin.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most Holy and Most Merciful God,

People: you know our failings better than we do.

Some of our sins we know —

the thoughts and words and deeds

against our sisters and brothers.

We are more ready to be forgiven than to forgive others.

Turn us again toward you and toward others.

Guide us again to the water of life,

and renew in us the grace of baptism,

that we may live for you and die in you,

for the sake and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Pastor: You are all children of God.

In the mercy of almighty God,

Jesus Christ was given to die for you,

and through Christ God forgives you all your sin.

With all the faithful in heaven and on earth,

rejoice and be glad,

your sins are forgiven!

People: Amen.

GATHERING

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE

GREETING

Pastor: The grace given to us in Christ Jesus,                                                                          the rich presence of the Holy Spirit living in us,                                                      and the power of God who calls us with a holy calling be with you all.

People: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY        

O God, our teacher and guide, you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children.  Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition, that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.   Amen.

First Reading

Proverbs 31:10-31

A capable wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
   and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant,
   she brings her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night
   and provides food for her household
   and tasks for her servant-girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
   with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
   and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
   Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
   and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
   and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
   for all her household are clothed in crimson.
She makes herself coverings;
   her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the city gates,
   taking his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
   she supplies the merchant with sashes.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
   and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her happy;
   her husband too, and he praises her:
‘Many women have done excellently,
   but you surpass them all.’
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
   but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
   and let her works praise her in the city gates.   

Second Reading                                                                                              James 3:3-4:3,7-8a                                                                                                        

If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. 

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

Gospel Reading                                                                                                Mark 9:30-37                                                                                                                         They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’                                                                                                                             

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“All Are Welcome”

NICENE CREED  (recited on festival Sundays)

Pastor: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.

All: We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary 

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

    in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

    and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS

Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson and baby Maverick Gallant, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, John Beaven, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Bryan Matschke, Audrey Hedlin, Liz Sand, Robin Stamm and baby Constantine, Mona Neher, Carl Rausch, Joanne, Bill, and Jocelyn Adams, Oma Ywo, the family of Lyle Sand, the family of Marguerite Sanders (Don Sander’s sister), the family of Norm Gregory, the family of Mary Anderson (Evelyn Robson’s mother), the family of Joel Zimmerman.

We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the children  and people buried in unmarked graves at residential schools and First Nation lands, and all those who have suffered the trauma of residential schools, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Somalia, Libya, Hong Kong, the Palestinians and Israelis, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Belarus, Tunisia, the Rohingya Muslim refugees and the ethnic Karen of Myanmar, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the people of Haiti suffering from earthquake, hurricane, and political disasters, all those caught in the path of tropical storm Fred and hurricanes Grace, Ida, and Nicholas those in the Western United States and Canada devastated by drought, and wildfires especially those in Lytton B.C., those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community still threatened by the coronavirus.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH

 [The congregational response after each petition is:“CAUSE YOUR FRUITS OF LOVE TO ABOUND.”]

Pastor:  With confidence in God’s saving grace, let us pray to the Lord of the Harvest for the Church, the world, and the needs of all people everywhere, saying, “God, in your goodness,” and responding, “Cause your fruits of love to abound.”

Petitioner:  Loving God, through your Word, through baptism, and through your Supper you call us into the world for faithful service.   Cleanse us, refine us, and season us to diligently seek out and invite the lost, to exercise compassion for the least, to advocate for the powerless, and to faithfully entrust all to your abiding care.   God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:   Faithful God, pour out your mercy upon us when we stray to ways of sin, fear, and disobedience by aspiring to greatness rather than servanthood.  Turn us back to you.   Send your Spirit of forgiveness and renewal to all families, communities, and nations.  Reconcile us to one another, as you have graciously reconciled us to you.  God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  Sustaining God, plant the seeds of justice by the movement of your Spirit in the candidates funning for office in the national election and in all who vote.  Move to compassion the peoples and the leaders of this nation who have been blessed by peace to open their hearts and grant a safe haven to those seeking refuge and asylum, and provide for the health, safety, security, and well-being of all who live in Canada.  Graciously tend to those seeking election and their leaders, and guide the feet of all into the way of peace.  God, in your goodness …

Pastor:   God of healing, your children are burdened by trials, brokenness, pain, illness and sorrow.  We remember especially before you ….  Heal their pain and suffering, assure us of your presence, and embrace all with your wholeness.   God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  Christ of mission, help us in this community of faith to empty ourselves of our own selfish egos and pride.  Through your Spirit enable us to listen to your Gospel, trust it to work among us, and serve others with a self-giving love.  Give us the faith and boldness to invite all whom you love to join us to hear your word of forgiveness and to praise your boundless love.  God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  Good and gracious God, from the stars of heaven to the deepest sea, from glaciers and deserts, your creation sings its praise to you.  Plant in us the desire to care for the earth, to honour you, the Creator of all, and to preserve the land, air, water and all that you have made.  God, in your goodness…  

Petitioner:  God of hope and welcome, you place children among us.  Teach us to honour the children in our midst and to pay attention to what they can teach us about who you are. Help us care for the most vulnerable in our society and protect them from poverty, hunger, war, disasters, and domestic abuse.  God, in your goodness …

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.

THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE

Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you always.

People: And also with you.

(The congregation greets one another with a gesture of peace, using these or similar words:
“Christ’s peace be with you.”)

THE OFFERING

(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Pastor:: Let us pray.
God of harvest,

People: to your table we bring wine and bread,

and gifts from the labor of our hands.

Receive the offering of our lives,

and feed us with your living bread from heaven,

that our lives may proclaim your care for all creation,

and that we may serve others in your name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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,

uphold you by the Spirit in times of trial, 

and give you peace, now, and always.

People: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

“Will You Let Me Be Your Servant”

DISMISSAL 

Pastor: Go in peace.

Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you

People: Thanks be to God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY AT KOG 

Church Council meeting at 8:00 p.m.

THIS WEEK AT KOG

COMING UP AT KOG

• – Sunday, October 3 will be the commemoration of St. Francis and blessing of pets and animals.  
• – Sunday October 10, KOG has an online worship service

Beginning the first Sunday in September, September 5, King of Glory will hold our regular in-person worship services—following the provincial protocols recommended—on a weekly basis at the regular time 6:30 p.m.  Of course, should there be any significant changes with regard to the pandemic situation the Church Council will revisit the issue.

June, July, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG

2021 Budget:  $49,536       Monthly Budget:  $4,180.50     Weekly Budget:  $964.73

2021income/expenses: $2,380.19

July income/expenses: $627.10

Weekly contributions for September:  September 5: $1,070  September 12: $570

Sunday, October 3 will be the commemoration of St. Francis.  This has been a traditional time to bless pets and animals.  Francis had a spirit of gladness and gratitude for all of God’s creation.  This will be the focus of our worship this Sunday.  Bring your pets, pictures of your pets, stuffed animals, or even pictures of animals to visually remind us of the blessings of creation and to bless God, the Giver, and all creatures great and small, wild or tame.

Thank you to everyone for supporting On Eagle’s Wings and their Summer Bible Camps in the North with monies for supplies for the program.  $1052 has been contributed.  Thank you for your generosity.

The 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.

St. David’s Trinity United Church

CURBSIDE FALL TURKEY SUPPER 

Saturday, October 2nd,pick-up between 3:30- 5:00 p.m. at the church.

Advance tickets only.  A limited number of tickets will be sold.  $20/ADULT.

Meal includes turkey, dressing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries and a dinner roll (catered by Mulberry’s). 

A gluten-free option is available.

Please call the church office at 306-978-0707 for tickets.

Payment can be made through Interac e-transfer (st.davidstrinityuc@sasktel.net), cheque or cash

Absolutely NO TICKETS will be sold AFTER September 22nd.

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 [pastor]

Six feet distancing  recommended

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, but you may sing quietly recommended

Hand sanitizer available

No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)

Communion procedure: distribution in a way that maintains physical distancing

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service