INTRODUCTION
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Please use the ELW for the Congregation Hymn 612 and Sending hymn 768
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.
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING SONG A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELW 504)
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
PSALM: Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present | help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,
and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea;
3 though its waters | rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of | the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;
God shall help it at the | break of day.
6 The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;
God speaks, and the earth | melts away.
7 The LORD of | hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
8 Come now, regard the works | of the LORD,
what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth;
9 behold the one who makes war to cease in | all the world;
who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the | shields with fire.
10 “Be still, then, and know that | I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted | in the earth.”
11 The LORD of | hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
SECOND READING: Romans 3:19-28
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of boasting It is excluded. By what law By that of works No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
GOSPEL: John 8:31-36
The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
31 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’ ”
34 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam
HYMN OF THE DAY Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (ELW 779)
*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 Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
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
Challenged by God’s Word in Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and the whole creation.
Lord of all, we give thanks for the whole church throughout the world. Open wide the paths toward unity between denominations so that all followers of Christ may join in shared worship and mission. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Renewing God, as the dying leaves display their beauty, we are reminded that nature’s cycle of life includes and requires both life and death. Instill in your people a mission of preservation and appreciation for trees, animals, and waterways threatened by climate collapse. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, in the spirit of reformation we pray for all who cry out for relief from systemic oppression. May the hearts of those who occupy seats of power be reformed so that peace becomes the center of our life together. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of mercy, be with the people who have lost family, friends, homes or been injured from hurricanes, tornadoes and seas. Comfort them as they grieve and as they rebuild in their lives from this disaster. 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.
Comforting God, be with all who are sick, suffering, or grieving in our own community and beyond. Surround them with the promise of your love, comfort, and grace that never ends. We pray especially for the family of Lewis, Talayia, Tiana, Vince, Danielle, Barbara. Scarlet, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Rich, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Bill, Curt, Barb, Calvin, Robin, Ana, Helen, Hoon, Pat, 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.
Divine Guide, continue to challenge this community to be ever reforming in our ministries and outreach efforts. Inspire creative ideas among us so that the communal, grace-filled word of God remains at the heart of our ministry. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, in Christ’s resurrection you ensure that though life be wrenched away, death cannot win the day. May the truth of your saving grace through faith sustain our hope for life in you. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in the saving grace you freely give, both 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 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 (ELW 612)
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*BLESSING
God all mighty, God most merciful bless you, keep you, and give you peace. Amen.
* SENDING SONG Lead Me, Guide Me (ELW 768)
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.
Sunday, November 3rd is All Saints' Sunday - If you wish us to remember someone who passed in the last year, please either call the church office and leave a message with the full name of the person, or email to the office before October 29. You may also put the list of names in the offering plate.
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) $ 3,600.00
Total received to date $ 3.200.54
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.
