Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 28, 2022
10:30 a.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at the banquet table of the Lord. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.
The Round-Table Ethic
Jesus teaches his followers that social norms and expectations no longer apply in the dinner parties he offers. Tradition in Jesus’ time said that the honorable sat in places of esteem at a dinner. The lowly were crowded down at the other end. This form of sharing a meal reinforced the social patterns of giving honor to the wealthy and powerful and shaming those who were poor and outcast. Jesus will have none of this.
The legends of King Arthur say he gathered the knights of the kingdom at a round table. A round table has no head seat of honor and therefore no lowly seat of shame. Arthur did this to help preserve peace in the kingdom. He brought together knights from many regions speak- ing different languages. Some of them were former enemies now reconciled. Some came to Great Britain from as far away as Africa and the Middle East. The round table created a space of equality. This equality supported peace and reconciliation.
Jesus critiques the social norms of his day and ours. He instructs his followers to host din- ner parties that honor those dishonored in the community and that humble those who are privileged. The spirit of his teaching is similar to Arthur’s round table: when we gather people together, we do so with a deep sense of equality among persons. In the church, this equality is rooted in God’s grace that welcomes all to the table.
One of the most profound ways the church witnesses to and enacts the gospel is to gather around dinner tables, sacred tables, public and private tables, giving everyone a place of honor. Sometimes this means simply including those who have been excluded. Sometimes it means giving voice to those usually silenced. Always it means generously feeding and nour- ishing bodies and minds in the name of Christ. It is a gift to be a community that enjoys fellow- ship at the round table of Christ.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
GATHERING SONG “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly”
All who hunger gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wand’ring.
Here in truth we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here in joy we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion’s love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
All who hunger, sing together,
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here in peace we have been fed.
Blest are those who from this table
live their days in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
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
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
for this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God,
you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Proverbs 25:6-7
The book of Proverbs is part of a collection of writings known as wisdom literature. Wisdom literature gave directions to Israel’s leaders and people for the conduct of daily life. Today’s reading is about humility.
A reading from the book of Proverbs.
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
The conclusion of the letter to the Hebrews contains suggestions for the conduct of a holy life, all of which are shaped by God’s love toward us in Jesus Christ.
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews.
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you your- selves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL READING Luke 14:1, 7-14
Jesus observes guests jockeying for position at the table. He uses the opportunity to teach his hearers to choose humility rather than self-exaltation. Jesus also makes an appeal for hosts to imitate God’s gracious hospitality to those in need.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distin- guished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
YOUTH MESSAGE
MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY “We Come to the Hungry Feast”
We come to the hungry feast
hungry for a word of peace.
To hungry hearts unsatisfied
the love of God is not denied.
We come, we come to the hungry feast.
We come to the hungry feast
hungry for a world released
from hungry folk of ev’ry kind,
the poor in body, poor in mind.
We come, we come to the hungry feast.
We come to the hungry feast
hungry that the hunger cease,
and knowing, though we eat our fill,
the hunger will stay with us; still
we come, we come to the hungry feast.
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
Trusting in God’s extraordinary love, let us come near to the Holy One in prayer.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Receive the prayers of your children, merciful God, and hold us forever in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ, our holy Wisdom.
Amen.
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
DIALOGUE
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, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the 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 in the Highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
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.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
Amen, amen. Amen, amen.
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
In Christ’s presence there is fullness of joy. Come to the banquet.
COMMUNION
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Amen.
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMN “Just To Be with You”
Lord, my life is an empty cup;
Here’s my heart – would you fill me up?
I’m face to the ground, forsaking my pride,
Leaving my will, my burdens behind.
All I want, all I need
Is just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
Here I am at your feet
Just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
I have come to the end of me,
And there’s nothing I have to bring;
But you said I belong, you say I am yours;
Nothing compares to knowing you more.
All I want, all I need
Is just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
Here I am at your feet
Just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
You made a way for me, O Savior.
I’m yours forevermore.
You made a way for me, O Savior.
I’m yours forevermore.
I’m yours forevermore.
All I want, all I need
Is just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
Here I am at your feet
Just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
All I want, all I need
Is just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
Here I am at your feet
Just to be with you,
Just to be with you.
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and always keep you in God’s grace.
Amen.
SONG AFTER COMMUNION: The Canticle of Simeon
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of ev’ry people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Life-giving God, through this meal you have bandaged our wounds and fed us with your mercy. Now send us forth to live for others, both friend and stranger, that all may come to know your love. This we pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
The God of peace, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, comfort you, and show you the path of life this day and always.
Amen.
SENDING “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored,
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand,
And together, we’ll spread the news
That God is in our land,
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side,
And we’ll guard human dignity,
And save human pride.
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.
All praise to the Father,
From whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus,
His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit
Who makes us one,
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Love your neighbor.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah, thanks be to God!
“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
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
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, died 430
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Augustine was one of the greatest theologians of the Western church. A native of North Africa, he recovered from a debauched young adulthood through the influence of his mother, Monica, and Bishop Ambrose of Milan. Besides writing influential theological books, he served as bishop of Hippo, in present-day Algeria.
Moses the Black, monk, martyr, died around 400
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Converted from life as a thief and a robber to Christianity, Moses was an Ethiopian who be- came a desert monk at Skete. The change in his heart and life had a profound impact on his native country. He was murdered when Berber bandits attacked his monastery.
Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, bishop, renewer of the church, died 1872 Friday, September 2, 2022
Grundtvig was, with Søren Kierkegaard, one of the two great Danish theologians of the nineteenth century. As a pastor, he battled the prevalent idea that Christianity was more a philosophy than divine revelation. He wrote over a thousand hymns.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.