The Twenty-First 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 Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness.  Replace our hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may delight in doing your will, through  Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.   Amen.

FIRST READING  

Genesis 50:15-21

Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. 

SECOND READING                                                                                                Romans 14:1-12                                                                                                               Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. 

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God. 

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 

Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written,
‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
   and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

GOSPEL READING                                                                                               Matthew 18:21-35                                                                                                               Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace”

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, Wayne Turner, Kyrie Parimi, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Audrey Hedlin,  Mona Neher, Oma Ywo, Owen Peterson, Helga Halldorsdottir, Evaline Sanders, Wayne Andre, Cari Schappert, the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of Carl Rausch, the family of Janet Gregory (Bev Gregory’s sister in-law), the family of Robert Gregory (Bev Gregory’s brother in-law).    

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, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, the fighting in Sudan, the flooding in South Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the Palestinians and Israelis, Ethiopia and Tigray, Myanmar and the Rohingya Muslim refugees, Lebanon, Niger, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the 100 million refugees and displaced persons, the 345 million people suffering from food insecurity, the people of Haiti suffering political disasters, those across Canada, threatened by wildfires and smoke-filled air, the people in Libya devastated by flooding, the people in Morocco recovering from earthquake, and those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence.

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.   Shape us to be bearers of mercy and not merely justice.  Give us glad and generous hearts that we who have shared your abundance, grace, and forgiveness may now share with those in need, comfort with grace those who live under law, and proclaim forgiveness to all enslaved by sin. Come, Holy Spirit…

Petitioner:  Faithful God, pour out your mercy upon us when we stray to ways of sin 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.  Come, Holy Spirit…

Petitioner:  God of reconciliation, make your ways known to us.  Hold us upright as we work for justice in our neighbourhoods, communities, our nation, and the world.  We pray for all who govern, give them wise and generous hearts.  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 ….  In your compassion ease their suffering, surround them with caring people, and give them your peace.  Come, Holy Spirit…

Petitioner:  Christ of mission, we pray that the diversity of gifts bestowed upon our community at St. David’s/Trinity and King of Glory may be recognized, used, and celebrated.  Strengthen us all in our vocation of witness to one another and to the world. Give us the faith and boldness to invite all whom you love back to worship to hear your word of forgiveness and to praise your boundless love.  Come, Holy Spirit…

Petitioner:  Good and gracious God, peace is possible only where forgiveness and mercy shove aside the desire for vengeance.  Silence our quarreling.  Give us the courage to forgive that we may find peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace among our friends and neighbours, and peace with all people.  Come, Holy Spirit…  

Petitioner:  Sustaining God, from the stars of heaven to the deepest sea 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.   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.

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

“Praise, My Soul, The God of Heaven”

DISMISSAL 

Pastor: Go in peace.

Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you

People: Thanks be to God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY AT KOG                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         – Sunday, September 17, Worship led by King of Glory (communion) 10:30 a.m.   – Coffee Social after the service. Hosted by Renita Falkenstern  

THIS WEEK AT KOG                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

– Thursday, September 21, Bible Study, “A Short History of Grace,”  7:30 p.m. Hosted by Renita Falkenstern.  We meet in Pastor Michael’s home, 1010 Duke Street.       

COMING UP AT KOG                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             – Sunday, September 24, Worship led by King of Glory (communion)                Blessing of the Animals, 6:30 p.m.   

– Coffee Social after the service. Hosted by Carol and Pat Sarich                                                                – Tuesday, September 26, Church Council meeting via Zoom, 7:30 p.m.                    – Wednesday, September  27, Women’s Breakfast Out, at Mulberry’s Restaurant 2326 B Millar Avenue, 10:00 a.m.                                                                                          – Saturday, September 30, Men’s Breakfast Out at Mulberry’s Restaurant 2326 B Millar Avenue, 8:30 a.m                                                                                       – Sunday, October 1, Worship led by St. David’s/Trinity (communion), 10:30a.m.                                                                                                                         – Coffee Social after the service                                                                                         – Thursday, October 5, Bible Study, “A Short History of Grace,”  7:30 p.m. Host needed.  We meet in Pastor Michael’s home, 1010 Duke Street.                                                                                          

– Sunday, October 8, Worship led by St. David’s/Trinity (no communion), Thanksgiving Sunday, 10:30 a.m.                                                                                                                         – Coffee Social after the service

August, September, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG

2023 Budget:  $50,471       Monthly Budget:  $4,260     Weekly Budget:  $971

2023 income/expenses: -$6,173.64

July income/expenses: -$1,878.71                                                                                           Weekly contributions for August:   For the month $870

Weekly contributions for September:   September 10: $1370  

Lutheran Campus Ministry Fundraiser supper is set for Saturday evening, September 23rd at 6:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church. Come to hear how the ministry of post-Secondary students has navigated COVID, evolved and grown. You can enjoy a great meal catered by Mulberry’s, fellowship, entertainment and have the opportunity to offer your support. Contact Pastor Michael for tickets before September 19.  Tickets will not be available at the door. 

Sunday, September 24 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.

“A Short History of Grace”. This Bible and theology study looks at the ways grace is interpreted from the time of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, through St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther and to contemporary theologies of liberation. 

Thank you from On Eagle’s Wings for our donation of $967 in support of their Summer Bible Camps in the North.