The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
and
Thanksgiving Sunday
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.
THANKSGIVING ANTHEM
“Let All things Now Living”
[click on the link below]
Let all things now living
a song of thanksgiving
to God the creator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us,
God’s light goes before us,
a pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
till shadows have vanished
and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.
God rules all the forces;
the stars in their courses
and sun in its orbit obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We too should be voicing
our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise
till all things now living
unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty and ever-living God, increase in us your gift of faith, that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to what lies ahead, we may follow the way of your commandments and receive the crown of everlasting joy, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
First Reading
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Then Job answered:
‘Today also my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
O that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling!
I would lay my case before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would learn what he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; but he would give heed to me.
There an upright person could reason with him,
and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge.
‘If I go forward, he is not there;
or backward, I cannot perceive him;
on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him;
I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
If only I could vanish in darkness,
and thick darkness would cover my face!
Second Reading
Hebrews 4:12-16
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Gospel Reading Mark 10:17-31 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’
Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
SERMON
[click on the link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
“Take My Life, That I May Be”
[click on the link below]
Refrain: Take my life, that I may be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee. Refrain
Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect and use
ev’ry pow’r as thou shalt choose. Refrain
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only for my King;
take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee. Refrain
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine;
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne. Refrain
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, Joan Schock, Jennipher Karst, Jody Giesbrecht, Hannah, Wendell and baby Russell Francis, 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., the wildlife and coastline environment endangered by the California pipeline oil spill, 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, through the nourishing food of your Supper, and through the power of your Word, you give us the will to leave behind those things that hold us back from following you and serving others. Give us your Spirit to be a servant church that continues to follow where your cross leads, loving you above all, and loving our neighbours as ourselves. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Faithful God, we give you thanks for creation and its gift of harvest. Bless workers who bring the harvest of your creation to completion, even as we look forward to the blossoming of new life. Give us the strength to discover, celebrate, and nurture your creation, and lead us to new ways and new hopes for tending our world. 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 blessing you have given us, others might discover the true riches of your grace. God, in your goodness…
Pastor: God of healing, we pray for those who live in fear, loneliness, or depression, for those who face constant pain or even death, for those broken by illness, and grief. We remember especially before you …. May the gift of your compassion and healing presence be with them always. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Christ of mission, we pray for your Spirit and the gifts of understanding and wisdom as we count our days together in this community. Help us live well with one another, to care for those in need, to value the gifts of all people, to be a blessing to one another, choosing to live in faith and hope, knowing that all things are possible with you. Give us the faith and boldness to invite all whom you love to hear your word of forgiveness and to praise your boundless love. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Good and gracious God, the nations cry out for justice and peace. You delivered Israel from slavery and oppression, so too, provide food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, shelter for the homeless, and safety for those caught up in violence and fear. Give the world honest leaders who speak the truth, uphold the rights of the poor, and work for the good of all. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Sustaining God, the strength of those who hope in you, as the days darken and the earth in many places becomes dormant, as the world seems filled with violence and despair, we gather around your signs of hope – water, bread and wine. Shine the light of your love into our lives, make us eager to welcome the good news of Christ among us, so that we might build each other up. 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
“Now Thank We All Our God”
[click on the link below]
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
who wondrous thing has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mothers’ arms, has blest us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all harm in this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
the Son, and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven,
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
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
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
Weekly contributions for October: October 3: $520
Congratulations and God’s richest blessings to Jennipher Karst, Jody Giesbrecht, Hannah, and Wendell on the birth of Russell Francis. God’s spirit of health, well-being, and joy be with you all.
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 