INTRODUCTION

Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

PRELUDE We Have Come Into his House

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity,  one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

Let us confess our sin and come to God for healing.

Gracious God,

have mercy on us. We confess that we have honored you with our lips,

but have harmed our neighbors with our tongues. The cravings at war within us cause conflicts and disputes. In our desire to be first we make distinctions among ourselves. We place the needs of the poor and the suffering last. In your great mercy, forgive us our sins. Draw near to us with grace in time of need, and turn us to follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God promises to forgive our iniquity and to remember our sin no more.

By grace you have been saved. In the name of  Jesus Christ, the source of eternal healing, your sins are forgiven. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. 

Sovereign God, you have created us to live in loving community with one another. Form us for life that is faithful and steadfast, and teach us to trust like little children, that we may reflect the image of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

GATHERING SONG     All Are Welcome (ELW 641)

FIRST READING: Genesis 2:18-24

18The LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. 21So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23Then the man said, 

“This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

this one shall be called Woman,

for out of Man this one was taken.”

24Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

PSALM: Psalm 8

1O | LORD our Lord,

how majestic is your name in | all the earth!—

2you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of infants and children;

you have set up a fortress against your enemies, to silence the foe | and avenger.

3When I consider your heavens, the work | of your fingers,

the moon and the stars you have set | in their courses,

4what are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them,

human beings that you should | care for them

5Yet you have made them little less | than divine;

with glory and honor you crown them.

6You have made them rule over the works | of your hands;

you have put all things under their feet:

7all | flocks and cattle,

even the wild beasts | of the field,

8the birds of the air, the fish | of the sea,

and whatever passes along the paths | of the sea.

9O | LORD our Lord,

how majestic is your name in | all the earth! 

SECOND READING: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

2:5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6But someone has testified somewhere, 

“What are human beings that you are mindful of them,

or mortals, that you care for them

7You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned them with glory and honor,

8subjecting all things under their feet.”

Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying, 

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

GOSPEL: Mark 10:2-16

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

2Some Pharisees came, and to test [Jesus] they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you” 4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

HYMN OF THE DAY Blest Be the Tie That Binds (ELW 656)

*APOSTLES'CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Challenged by God’s Word in Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and the whole creation.

God of our ancestors, we give thanks for the church in all times. May we listen for the prophets of this age who bear messages that stir the church toward renewal and justice. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Creator of every creature on earth, direct our lives toward the renewal and sustaining of cattle, birds of the air, animals of the field, and those who share our homes. Reveal the ways we can work alongside creation for the health and well-being of all. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Sovereign God, we give thanks that you are mindful and benevolent to even us, mere mortals. Accompany us when hardness of heart gets in the way of justice between people and nations. Endow leaders with minds for justice and hearts for compassion. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the people of Israel and Palestine, for those the Gaza Strip who are suffering the ravages of war, send your peace into their hearts and let their fighting end,  We also pray for the Ukrainian people that they be surrounded by your love and protection against the attacks on their country.  Lift all these people up, protect them, and end this war against them.  Lord, let your peace reign.  God of grace, hear our prayer.

Restoring Lord, grant healing and wholeness to those who are sick and suffering. Work through medical professionals to diagnose, ease pain, and give life to all who seek their wisdom and experience.. We pray especially for Scarlet, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Rich, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Bill, Curt, Barb, Calvin, Krystal, Alexandra, Jim, Robin, Ana, Helen, Hoon, Pat, Deb, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, and those we now raise before you in our hearts.  We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit.  Grant them healing and wholeness. God of grace, hear our prayer.

* 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 temptation,

   but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

   and the power, and the glory,

   forever and ever. Amen.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD

Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.

* OFFERING PRAYER

* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.  We lift the 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 offer thanks and praise to you, almighty and 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 to 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

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.

* INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Come and be nourished by the gift of our Lord and know the God of life and love.

COMMUNION SONG

May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.  Amen.

CONGREGATION HYMN Although I Speak with Angel's Tongue (ELW 644)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Jesus, Bread of life,

we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. Amen.

*BLESSING

God all mighty, God most merciful  bless you, keep you, and give you peace. Amen.

* SENDING SONG  Now Thank We All Our God (ELW 839)

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Follow Jesus . Thanks be to God.

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of October by the Shortt family in memory of Virginia and Warren Lewis.

The sign-up sheet for sponsorship of the ETERNAL CANDLE is now available on the hallway table.  The cost this year has increased more than usual due to a change in providers which now includes the cost of delivery.  Sponsorship for one month is now $26.

YOU CAN HELP!  You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done.  Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards.  Please see MaryAnne Rossi if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry. 

Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON.  Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.

The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!

With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.

Our Financial Response  (September) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month       $   8,443.07

Offering last month       $   5,834.14

Budget required to date (9 months)       $  67,544.56

Total received to date       $  48,889.42

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (9 months)       $   3,200.00

Total received to date       $   3.200.540

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month. 

Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.