CREATED, SAVED AND GIFTED BY GOD, WE SEEK, SERVE AND SHARE JESUS CHRIST.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 23, 2020
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.
Deep Waters of Forgiveness
Churches have different practices around baptism. In some churches, a small bowl holds just enough water to trickle a few drops over the head. In others, the bowl is wider and the water is splashed with the whole hand. In yet other churches, the person is fully immersed in a font large enough for them to go all the way underwater. Sometimes the water stays in the bowl, sometimes a bit splashes out, and sometimes the whole area around the font gets wet. But no matter the amount of water used, there’s always more where it comes from. God’s waters of forgiveness run deeper than we will ever know.
The waters of baptism are so deep that even a few sprinkles cover a lifetime of falling short. We are forgiven time and again for a myriad of sins. And because the weight of sin has been lifted from us, we are free to extend such forgiveness to others.
In fact, our faith depends on it. In the Lord’s Prayer, our petition for forgiveness is directly tied to our own willingness to forgive others: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Thankfully, we are not expected to conjure up such forgiveness on our own. We draw from the endless supply of divine reserves. Where we, and Peter, might have difficulty forgiving a mere seven times, Jesus reminds us that his kind of forgiveness can be measured on an exponential scale.
While our capacity for forgiveness may be limited, Jesus’ well of forgiveness is deep enough for all people and all matters of sin. When we find ourselves struggling to extend forgiveness to others, we return to the baptismal font. This is an overflowing well of love. Drawing from this water, we draw from the limitless supply of forgiveness.
Remembering our baptism, we are reminded not only that we are forgiven, but that we, too, are agents of forgiveness in the world.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
WELCOME
Prelude: “El cielo canta alegría”
by Pablo Sosa
El cielo canta alegría, ¡aleluya!,
Porque en tu vida y la mía brilla la gloria de Dios. ¡Aleluya!
The heavens sing joy, alleluia,
For in your life and mine shines the glory of God. Alleluia!
El cielo canta alegría, ¡aleluya!,
Porque a tu vida y la mía las une el amor de Dios. ¡Aleluya!
The heavens sing joy, alleluia,
For to your life and mine is united the love of God. Alleluia!
El cielo canta alegría, ¡aleluya!,
Porque tu vida y la mía proclamarán al Señor. ¡Aleluya!
The heavens sing joy, alleluia,
For your life and mine shall proclaim the Lord. Alleluia!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation.
Amen.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness.Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all. We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
KYRIE
Have mercy on us, Lord, and hear our solemn prayer.
We come to hear your living word; is saves us from despair.
Have mercy on us, Christ, and wash away our sin.
Pour out your grace and make us whole that new life may begin.
Have mercy on us, Lord, make sin and shame depart.
renew us with your saving pow’r; create in us new hearts!
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
Glory be to God in heaven; peace, goodwill to all the earth.
Mighty God of all creation, Father of surpassing worth:
we exalt you, we adore you, we lift high our thanks and praise.
Saints and angels bow before you; here on earth our songs we raise.
Glory be to Christ forever, Lamb of God and Lord of love.
Son of God and gracious Savior, you have come from heav’n above;
on the cross you died to save us; now you reign at God’s right hand.
Hear our prayer; restore, forgive us; in your promise firm we stand.
Holy One we now acclaim you; Lord alone, to you we call;
Holy One in faith we name you, God most high, yet near to all:
Jesus Christ, with God the Spirit, in the Father’s splendor bright.
For the peace that we inherit, glory be to God on high!
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 Savior and Lord. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Genesis 50:15-21
After Jacob’s death, the brothers of Joseph begged for forgiveness for the crime they had done against him. You intended to do me harm, Joseph said, but God used this as an opportunity to do good and save many lives.
A reading from the book of Genesis.
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 ap- proached 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.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 14:1-12
This Christian community has significant struggles with diversity. Here Paul helps us understand that despite different practices in worship and personal piety, we do not judge one anoth- er. All Christians belong to the Lord Jesus Christ who died for all of us and will judge each of us.
A reading from the book of Romans.
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling 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 judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment 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 honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor 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 judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment 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.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia! Lord and Savior: open now your saving word.
Let it burn like fire within us; speak until our hearts are stirred.
Alleluia! Lord, we sing for the good news that you bring.
GOSPEL Matthew 18:21-35
When Peter asks about the limits of forgiveness, Jesus responds with a parable that suggests human forgiveness should mirror the unlimited mercy of God.
The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
Peter came and said to [Jesus], “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 would 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 would 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.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC: Blest Be the Tie that Binds
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the unity of heart and mind
is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes,
our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin we shall be free;
and perfect love
and friendship reign
through all eternity.
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried;he descended into hell.On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes: Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
MEAL
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right and good that we should everywhere and always offer thanks and praise to you, holy God, mighty and immortal, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day broke the bonds of death, opening to us the way of everlasting life and giving us a foretaste of the feast to come.
And so with the Church on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest!
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into tempta- tion, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet table where Christ gives himself as food and drink.
Amen.
LAMB OF GOD
O Lamb of God, you bear the sin of all the world away;
you suffered death our lives to save:
have mercy now, we pray.
O Lamb of God, you bear the sin of all the world away;
you set us free from guilt and grave:
have mercy now, we pray.
O Lamb of God, you bear the sin of all the world away;
eternal peace with God you made:
give us your peace, we pray.
HOLY COMMUNION
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and always keep you in God’s grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
Mothering God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.
Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC: Trading My Sorrows
I’m trading my sorrows,
I’m trading my shame,
I’m laying them down
for the joy of the Lord.
I’m trading my sickness,
I’m trading my pain,
I’m laying them down
for the joy of the Lord.
Yes, Lord, yes, Lord,
yes, yes, Lord;
Yes, Lord, yes, Lord,
yes, yes, Lord;
Yes, Lord, yes, Lord,
yes, yes, Lord, amen.
I am pressed, but not crushed,
Persecuted, not abandoned,
Struck down, but not destroyed;
I am blessed beyond the curse,
For his promise will endure,
That his joy’s gonna be
my strength.
Though the sorrow may last
for the night,
His joy comes with the morning.
I’m trading my sorrows,
I’m trading my shame,
I’m laying them down
for the joy of the Lord.
I’m trading my sickness,
I’m trading my pain,
I’m laying them down
for the joy of the Lord.
Yes, Lord, yes, Lord,
yes, yes, Lord;
Yes, Lord, yes, Lord,
yes, yes, Lord;
Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes,
yes, Lord, amen.
I am pressed, but not crushed,
Persecuted, not abandoned,
Struck down, but not destroyed;
I am blessed beyond the curse,
For his promise will endure,
That his joy’s gonna be
my strength.
Though the sorrow may last
for the night,
His joy comes with the morning.
I’m trading my sorrows,
I’m trading my shame,
I’m laying them down
for the joy of the Lord.
I’m trading my sickness,
I’m trading my pain,
I’m laying them down
for the joy of the Lord.
La, la, la…
La, la, la…
Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, died 407
Sunday, September 13, 2020
John was a priest in Antioch and an outstanding preacher. His eloquence earned him the nickname “Chrysostom” (“golden mouth”). Appointed bishop of Constantinople, seat of the empire, he criticized corruption in the court. As a result, he was exiled by the empress.
Holy Cross Day
Monday, September 14, 2020
Helena, mother of Constantine, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and found what may be the actual site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Her son built two churches there, and the dedication of one of them gave rise to this celebration of our Lord’s victory on the cross.
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, martyr, died around 258
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Cyprian served as a bishop during a time of great persecution of Christians. He insisted on receiv- ing back those who had left the faith under duress. He also provided medical care during a severe epidemic.
Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, died 1179
Thursday, September 17, 2020
A mystic who was widely influential within the church, Hildegard advised and reproved kings and popes, wrote poems and hymns, and produced treatises in medicine, theology, and natural history. She was also a musician and artist.
Dag Hammarskjöld, renewer of society, died 1961
Friday, September 18, 2020
A Swedish diplomat, Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary General of the United Nations until his death in a plane crash while trying to negotiate peace in present-day Zambia. His journal, published as Markings, revealed the depth of his Christian faith.