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  

PRELUDE

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity,   one God, our maker, our helper, and our keeper. Amen.

Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Merciful and loving God, we are your stiff-necked people. We trample on the needy. We grumble about your grace to others. We turn away from the poor. Have mercy on us and forgive our sins. Rejoice over us as ones who were lost and have been found. Amen.

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. You who were lost have been found. In the name of   Jesus, 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 upon 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 will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

  21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of 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 demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to demonstrate at the present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the one who has the faith of Jesus.

  27 Then what becomes of boasting  It is excluded. Through what kind of law  That of works  No, rather through 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

*HYMN OF THE DAY Built on a Rock (ELW 652)

* 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

Renewed in God’s everlasting grace, let us pray for the church, the world, and all creation.

Free your church, O God, with grace, mercy, and love to be transformed by your word. Direct your church to be united in word and deed so that all creation knows the uniting and transforming power of the gospel. God of grace, receive our prayer.

Renew creation, O God, so that all living creatures thrive together. Guide those who work to restore and renew creation. Preserve and care for endangered species throughout the world. God of grace, receive our prayer.

Bring peace among the nations, O God, so violence and terror are not the norm on your earth. Inspire leaders of communities to work for peace and justice. Unite our politicians with a common mission and purpose. God of grace, receive our prayer.

Heal all who suffer, O God, and bring them peace. Draw near to people who are incarcerated. Give hope to people experiencing housing or employment insecurity, oppression, or discrimination. Heal those who are ill. Be our stronghold at all times. We pray especially for the Folcroft Police and Fire Company members, the family of Tiona, family and friends of Dan, Pastor Wende, Ray, Richie, 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.

Forgive us our sins, O God, and grant us your grace. Move us to understanding and reconciliation between people of other faiths and other Christian traditions in our community. Mend hurt feelings and heal wounds we have caused one another. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We give you thanks, O God, for the life and witness of all your saints. Give us hope in your son’s victory through the cross. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We offer our prayers, O God, trusting in your everlasting grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 The Church's One Foundation (ELW 654)

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Do not lose heart. 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.

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        $   7,263.55

Offering last month        $   5,131.14

Budget required to date (9 months)        $  65,371.95

Total received to date        $  49,736.26

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (9 months)        $   3,600.00

Total received to date        $   3,427.48

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS:  10/28 Finance Meeting

Our annual Thanksgiving Food Collection begins on Sunday, October 19 through November 9. Here is the list of items:

 

October 19...stuffing, rice, elbow macaroni or ziti, instant mashed potatoes.

October 26...canned cranberry sauce, cans of vegetables, jars of applesauce and peanut butter. 

November 2...flour, sugar, cooking oils, gravy packets.

November 9...canned meats, like chicken or spam, canned beans, soup, chili or stew.

 

We hope to deliver to Mt. Zion on Saturday, November 15 so please get your donated goods into Church by November 9th.

Sunday, November 2nd 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.