The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
and
The Blessing of the Animals
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
Sovereign God, you have created us to live in loving community with one another. Form us for life that is faithful and steadfast, and teach us to trust like little children, that we may reflect the image of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
First Reading
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.’ Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life.’
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.
Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Second Reading
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,
‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honour,
subjecting all things under their feet.’
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’
Gospel Reading Mark 10:2-16 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
SERMON
[click on the link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
“Touch the Earth Lightly”
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.
BLESSING OF ANIMALS
Pastor: The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea.
They share in the fortunes of human existence
and have a part in human life.
God, who confers gifts on all living things,
has often used the service of animals
or made them reminders of the gifts of salvation.
People: Animals were saved from the flood
and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah. The paschal lamb recalls the passover sacrifice
and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. A giant fish saved Jonah; ravens brought bread to Elijah; animals were included in the repentance of Nineveh; and animals share in Christ’s redemption of all God’s creation.
Pastor: We, therefore, invoke God’s blessing on these animals.
As we do so, let us praise the Creator
and thank God for allowing us to care
for all the creatures of the earth.
Pastor: Let us pray.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, who in your self-emptying love gathered up and reconciled all creation to God. Innumerable galaxies of the heavens worship you. Creatures that grace the earth rejoice in you. All those in the deepest seas bow to you in adoration. As with them we give you praise, grant that we may cherish the earth, our home, and live in harmony with this good creation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen, amen. Shalom, Shalom
OUR COVENANT WITH ALL CREATION
People: Source and sustainer of life we cherish the myriad works of your hands. Water, earth, and sky are yours, as are all their inhabitants, wild and tame. We thank you for creatures that nourish and serve us, befriend, enrich, entertain, and protect us. We, who are made in your image, pledge to care for all your creatures well. We dedicate ourselves to your groaning yet wondrous creation to enable it to rally and to thrive so that it might reveal to all who come after us your wise, redemptive, and transfiguring love.
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens
Praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all angels
Praise him, all his host.
Praise him, sun and moon;
Praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens,
And you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever;
He fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
You sea monsters and all deeps.
Fire and Hail, snow and frost,
Stormy wind fulling his command.
Mountains and all hills,
Fruit trees and all cedars,
Wild animals and all cattle,
Creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
Princes and all rulers of the earth.
Young men and women alike,
Old and young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For his name alone is exalted
His glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people.
Praise for all his faithful,
For the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord.
Francis of Assisi’s Sermon to the Birds
My little sisters, the birds, many are the bonds which unite us to God. And your duty is to praise God everywhere and always, because he has let you free to fly wherever you will, and has given you a double and three-fold covering and the beautiful colored plumage you wear.
Praise God likewise for the food he provides for you without your working for it, for the songs he has taught you, for your numbers that his blessing has multiplied, for your species which he preserved in the ark of olden times, and for the realm of the air he has reserved for you.
God sustains you without your having to sow or reap. He gives you fountains and streams to drink from, mountains and hills in which to take refuge, and tall trees in which to build your nests. Although you do not know how to sew or spin, God gives to you and your little ones the clothing you need.
How the Creator must love you to grant you such favors! So, my sister birds, do not be ungrateful, but continually praise God who showers blessing upon you.
Hymn: Many and Great, O God
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
People: Gracious God, in your love you created us in your image and made us to care for all the animals that live in the skies, the earth, and the sea. Bless our pets and all your animals, wild and tame. Help us recognize your power and wisdom in all the creatures that live in our world. Bless their variety and their own created beauty. Protect your creatures, and guard them from evil, and hear our prayer for all that suffer overwork, hunger, and ill-treatment, are endangered species, or at risk of extinction.
Amen.
The animals may be brought forward to receive a blessing.
Pastor: Bless, O gracious and loving Creator, these creatures, and fill our hearts with thanksgiving for its their being. Amen.
Pastor: Let us pray.
God created us and placed us on the earth to be stewards of all living things, therefore let us proclaim the glory of our Creator, saying:
People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you create the animals
and give us the ability to train them to help us in our work.
People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe;
you give us food from animals to replenish our energies.
People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; for the sake of our comfort
you give us domestic animals as companions.
People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you care for us
even as you care for the birds of the air.
People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe;
you offered your Son to us as the passover lamb
and in him willed that we should be called your children.
People: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.
A Benediction of Hope
Pastor: Patient Lord of Life, your word foretells a day when the wolf will lie down with the lamb. Renew our vision for the peaceable kingdom for all your creation.
People: Amen, Shalom, Shalom.
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, Joan Schock, 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, Mozambique, 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, the residents of La Palma threatened by volcanic eruption, 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 the water of our baptism, the fire of your Spirit, and the salt of your Word, cleanse us, refine us, and season us 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, send your Spirit of wisdom, justice, understanding, and peace upon all elected to government—federally, provincially, municipally. May they regard all in our nation, province, and city without partiality, advocate for the well-being of the poor, homeless, and unemployed, provide good order for the health, safety, and vitality of all within our borders, care for the creation and wisely steward its resources, and use their office in humble service to their neighbour. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Sustaining God, the vineyard of your creation sings its praise to you. Yet we have been unjust and merciless in exploiting these resources and not being gracious and caring for your gift of creation. Plant in us the desire to care for the earth, and preserve the land, air, water and all that you have made, and work for a just distribution of the resources of your creation. God, in your goodness…
Pastor: God of healing, make yourself known among people burdened by trials, brokenness, pain, illness and sorrow. We remember especially before you …. Surround them with comfort, courage, hope, and bring them to wholeness and life. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: God of reconciliation, every good gift comes from you. We pray that you make us a people who do not hinder but encourage all to receive your blessing. Where we are unfaithful, restore us. Where we are broken, mend us. Where we are divided, unify us, that in being faithful with what blessings you have given us, others might discover the true riches of your grace. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Good and gracious God, confound our ways of self-serving behaviour. Stir us to advocate for and to serve those who are cast aside by the world and who are most in need of care. Encourage partnerships among the people of faith to support food banks, clothing closets, homeless shelters, and ministries that lift up people who feel less than whole in any way. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Christ of mission, give this community of faith created in the image of the Christ, confidence in your gracious and ever-widening love. Walk faithfully with those who find great joy in relationships and with those who experience the pain of broken relationships. Make the church a place where all people may come to know loving companionship. 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
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace.
Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you
People: Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY AT KOG
THIS WEEK AT KOG
COMING UP AT KOG
- – 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
September 19: $320 September 26: $0
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.
We acknowledge the officers and members of the Church Council: Wayne Turner, Chairperson, Jennipher Karst, Vice-chairperson. Lauren Sarich, Secretary, Pat Sarich, Co-treasurer, Karen McKenzie, Financial Secretary and Evelyn Robson, Kyle Sarich, Karen Larson and Don Sanders as Council members at large. We keep these people and their ministry of servant-leadership in our prayers asking the Spirit to send them wisdom, guidance, and understanding.
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
King of Glory Lutheran Church 