Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Date
October 24, 2021
Author
Don Bennett
Category
Bulletins

Created, saved and gifted by god, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
October 24, 2021 – 10:30 am

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136

Introduction

Can we pray the way Bartimaeus prays? People try to hush him up because by addressing Jesus as “Son of David” he is making a politically dangerous claim that Jesus is the rightful king. Could our prayers ever be heard as a threat to unjust powers-that-be? Bartimaeus won’t give up or go away quietly, but repeats his call for help more loudly. Do we ask so boldly? And are our prayers an honest answer to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Hope Cannot Be Silenced
Have you ever had to take a break from the news or shut the TV off because the story was just too much to take in? All the reminders of pain, injustice, and misfortune in the world around us can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes the problems feel so insurmountable that we become frustrated, even angry at the constant reminders of our powerlessness. At our worst, we may block out not only the problems but our compassion for the people who are suffering and crying out for help.
In today’s gospel, a man who suffers cries out again and again for mercy as Jesus passes by. Yet his cries are too much for others gathered around, who are annoyed by the man and want him to be quiet. In his cries they hear only hopelessness, pain, and misfortune with no remedy; they hear their own powerlessness. But Jesus hears something different: rather than the problem, pain, misfortune, and human weakness, he hears a person in need, hope, and divine strength. Jesus hears the man’s faith that his cries will not be in vain, and his trust in God’s mercy and power. When Jesus hears the suffering one crying out in hope, it is the beginning of healing.
In Christian assembly, we gather to lift up our own cries and to hear those of others. The peace that comes when the body of Christ gathers is not achieved by shutting out the sounds of a world in pain, but through the hope that wherever they ring forth, God is already present and listening and ready to heal. As you listen in your own life and among those gathered today, what do you hear? And how is God calling you to respond?

PRELUDE

GATHERING

The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, whose teaching is life, whose presence is sure, and whose love is endless.
Amen.

Let us confess our sins to the one who welcomes us with an open heart.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God our comforter:
like lost sheep, we have gone astray. We gaze upon abundance and see scarcity. We turn our faces away from injustice and oppression. We exploit the earth with our apathy and greed. Free us from our sin, gracious God. Listen when we call out to you for help. Lead us by your love to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. By the gift of grace in Christ Jesus, God makes you righteous. Receive with glad hearts the forgiveness of all your sins.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN – “Just As I Am, without One Plea”

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come,

Just as I am; thy love unknown
has broken ev’ry barrier down;
now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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

Kyrie eleison, Lord, have mercy.
Christe eleison, Christ have mercy.
Kyrie eleison, Lord have mercy.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

Glory to you, God, for yours is the earth;
yours is the promise, the blessing, the birth.
Ours the rejoicing for Word given frame;
ours the thanksgiving to your holy name.
Ours be the telling of deeds greatly done;
yours be the glory, O God, yours alone.

Glory to you, God, for yours is the earth;
yours the hosannas, the dying, rebirth.
Ours the rejoicing for nature reclaimed;
ours the thanksgiving to your holy name.
Ours be the telling of deeds greatly done;
yours be the glory, O God, yours alone.

Glory to you, God, for yours is the earth;
yours the annointing, the radiant worth.
Ours the rejoicing for spirits aflame;
ours the thanksgiving to your holy name.
Ours be the telling of deeds greatly done;
yours be the glory, O God, yours alone.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Eternal light,
shine in our hearts. Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal compassion, have mercy on us. Turn us to seek your face, and enable us to re- flect your goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

WORD

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

FIRST READING Jeremiah 31:7-9

This passage speaks not only of the southern kingdom, Judah, and its homecoming from exile in Babylon, but also of the northern kingdom (“Israel” or “Ephraim”) and its restoration. The northern tribes of Israel had been lost in exile to Assyria more than a century before Jeremiah prophesied.

A reading from the book of Jeremiah.
Thus says the LORD: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING Hebrews 7:23-28

Human priests of old offered sacrifice for their own sins and served only until their death. In contrast, Jesus is God’s Son, the holy, sinless, resurrected high priest. Death did not terminate his priestly service, but through his death he has interceded for our sins.

A reading from the book of Hebrews.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL Mark 10:46-52

Bartimaeus comes to Jesus with faith, asking that he might see again. Recognizing Jesus’ identity, Bartimaeus is the first person to call him “Son of David” in the Gospel of Mark.

The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.

As [Jesus] and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

YOUTH MESSAGE

MESSAGE – Pr. Jamie Vannoy

HYMN OF THE DAY – “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found;
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.
My God, my Savior has ransomed me,
And like a flood his mercy rains,
Unending love, amazing grace.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.
My God, my Savior has ransomed me,
And like a flood his mercy rains,
Unending love, amazing grace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine,
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine,
Will be forever mine.
You are forever mine.

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.
My God, my Savior has ransomed me,
And like a flood his mercy rains,
Unending love, amazing grace.

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

Set free from sin and death and nourished by the word of truth, we join in prayer for all of God’s creation.

A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
Hear us, O God,
your mercy is great.

Confident that you hear us, O God, we boldly place our prayers into your hands; through Jesus Christ, our truth and life.
Amen.

MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

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, our duty and our joy, the we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty an merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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 pow’r and God of might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting, and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

All creation sings your praise. Sun, moon, and stars reflect your glory. Mountains, lakes, and forests declare your wonders.

With Sarah and Abraham we go out in faith, trusting your promise.
With Miriam and Moses we celebrate our deliverance from bondage.
With Naomi and Ruth we bind ourselves together in covenant love.
With Jonathan and David we delight in the gift of deep and abiding friendship. With Mary and Elizabeth we welcome your presence in the birth of Jesus,
the Holy One.
With Lazarus, Martha, and Mary we give thanks for the blessings of family.
With disciples and followers we marvel at the reign of God come near.
With saints through the ages we ponder the mystery of Christ’s dying and rising.

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.

With hearts full of memories and hopes, we break this bread and share this cup, remembering the death and resurrection of Christ, and his promise to be with us always as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

O Divine Lover, you are the breath within us. You are our heart’s desire. You are our priceless treasure. You are the garden of paradise.

Come down, O Love divine. Come among us, O passionate Fire. Come within us, O Spirit of unity.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Bless our table and the feast we share. Bless us with gladness of heart.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.

At this table make us your body. Form us to be people of justice and peace. Fill us with gratitude and generosity that we may bear the fruit of love in word and deed.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Praise to you, Author of creation.
Praise to you, O Beloved One.
Praise to you, O Giver of all good things.
Praise to you, blessed and holy Trinity,
one God, now and forever.
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

All who hunger and thirst, come. The table is ready.

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, grant us peace.