INTRODUCTION

Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold—who comes to us risen from the dead—who can free us from the death grip of greed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS   

PRELUDE

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

In the name of the Father, and of the   Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Baptized into Christ, let us confess our sin.

Merciful God,

you free us to love others, but we neglect our neighbors and follow our own way. You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace, but we turn away from the abundant life you offer. You surround us with patience, kindness, and generosity, but we grow weary in doing what is right.

In your mercy, forgive us. Do not give up on us. Heal us, break our bonds, and show us the path of life. Amen.

You belong to Christ Jesus and you are God’s children through faith.

In the cross of   Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven. Clothed with Christ, you are a new creation. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. 

O God, rich in mercy, you look with compassion on this troubled world. Feed us with your grace, and grant us the treasure that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

*GATHERING SONG Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (ELW 719)

FIRST READING: Amos 6:1a, 4-7

 1a Woe to those who are at ease in Zion

  and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria.

 4 Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory

  and lounge on their couches

 and eat lambs from the flock

  and calves from the stall,

 5 who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp

  and like David improvise on instruments of music,

 6 who drink wine from bowls

  and anoint themselves with the finest oils

  but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

 7 Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile,

  and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away.

PSALM: Psalm 146

 1 Hallelujah!

  Praise the LORD, | O my soul!

 2 I will praise the LORD as long | as I live;

  I will sing praises to my God while I | have my being.

 3 Put not your | trust in rulers,

  in mortals in whom there | is no help.

 4 When they breathe their last, they return to earth,

  and in that day | their thoughts perish. 

 5 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob | for their help,

  whose hope is in the | LORD their God;

 6 who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that | is in them;

  who keeps promises forever;

 7 who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to | those who hunger.

  The LORD sets the | captive free.

 8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who | are bowed down;

  the LORD | loves the righteous.

 9 The LORD cares | for the stranger;

  the LORD sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way | of the wicked.

 10 The LORD shall | reign forever,

  your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. | Hallelujah! 

SECOND READING: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it, 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

  11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

  17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches but rather on God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

*GOSPEL: Luke 16:19-31

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

[Jesus said:] 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

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

MEDITATION

*HYMN OF THE DAY The Church of Christ, in Every Age (ELW 729) 

* 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

Gracious God, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.

We pray for the church, that it would remain faithful to the gospel, always striving to serve the needs of those who are oppressed and rejecting the complacency that comes from wealth. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We pray for creation, that the nations work together to protect and restore the earth, preserving the beauty of the planet for future generations and honoring the gift of your creation. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We pray for those in positions of authority, that they govern with justice and compassion, recognizing the dignity of all people and working to promote peace and prosperity for all. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We pray for people in any need. Give them your assurance and courage when the path forward is not clear. Liberate us from all that binds us, lift us up when we are bowed down, and show us your love. We pray especially for the Folcroft Police and Fire Company members, the family of Tiona, family and friends of Dan, Pastor Wende, Ray, Richie, Jules, Derek, Chris, Bill, Donna, Trena, Keyasi, Sorie, Bill, Carol, Vince, Danielle, Barbara, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Curt, Calvin, Robin, 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, receive our prayer.

We pray for this congregation, that we would be strengthened to build a world where all can thrive. Incite us to advocate for fair wages and just policies, and guide us in building a community of mutual support. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We remember in thanksgiving the faithful departed. Inspire us by their example to love and serve our neighbors, and bring us to eternal life. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We entrust these prayers to you, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend. 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

*BLESSING

The love of God abound in you; the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ fill your hearts; and the life of the Spirit   bless you and give you peace. Amen.

* SENDING SONG  Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (ELW 712)

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Live by the Spirit. Thanks be to God.

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of September by Joe and Sherrie Modge in honor of Julie and TJ Wiker on their first wedding anniversary.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

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  (August) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month        $   7,263.55

Offering last month        $   6,097.14

Budget required to date (8 months)        $  58,108.40

Total received to date        $  44,605.12

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (8 months)        $   3,200.00

Total received to date        $   3,091.76

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.