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 At our Delaware Conference Assembly, we bid a fond farewell to Dean Leslie Richard and we warmly welcome our newly elected dean, Dean Jen Casey! PRELUDE A Mighty Fortress Nelson
* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation. Amen. Let us confess our sin, calling for God's transforming power. Faithful God, have mercy on us. We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves. We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world. Amen.
+ GATHERING + + The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God + "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
* indicates please stand as you are able
* GATHERING SONG: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELW 504)
* 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.
*PRAYER OF THE DAY 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.
+ WORD + + God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching and song
+ FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:31-34 31The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It 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. 33But 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. 34No 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. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. PSALM: Psalm 46 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present | help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved, and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea; 3though its waters | rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult. 4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of | the Most High. 5God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken; God shall help it at the | break of day. 6The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake; God speaks, and the earth | melts away. 7The LORD of | hosts is with us; the God of Jacob | is our stronghold. 8Come now, regard the works | of the LORD, what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth; 9behold 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." 11The LORD of | hosts is with us; the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
SECOND READING: Romans 3:19–28 19Now 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. 20For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom 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; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Then what becomes of boasting It is excluded. By what law By that of works No, but by the law of faith. 28For 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. 31Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33They 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'" 34Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Wende Bleam
* HYMN OF THE DAY Built On A Rock (ELW 652) Vs 1-3-5
* NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
* PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION With confidence in God’s grace and mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need. Renew and inspire the church in the freedom of the gospel, O God. Where the church is in error, reform it. Where the church speaks your truth, strengthen it. Where the church is divided, unify it. Ignite in us the working of the Holy Spirit. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. As the earth changes, as mountains shake and the waters roar, may we care for this planet as a holy habitation for all living things. Sustain all peoples and lands recovering from natural disasters of any kind. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Guide areas of the world divided or traumatized by conflict, especially in our own land. Free all from slavery and human trafficking, and protect all in harm’s way. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Release those living in bondage to debts, chronic pain, or addiction. Grant healing touch to those who are ill. We especially pray for those who are affected by the wild fires in our western states and for the firefighters who are battling the fires, those who are all affected by the covid virus in mind, body or spirit and for Derek, Morgan, Priscilla, Connie and her family, Lois, Pat, Hazel, Bill, Jacklyn, Addison, Joe, Deb, Tim, Ash, Sue, Gavin, Donna, Robert, Alannah, Lillian, Alexis, Sarah, Bob, Sharon, Shane, Tom, Carl, Cindy, Chrissy, Monica, Norman, Tucker, Marc, Helen, Lucas the Folcroft Police, Holy Spirit Secane, St. Timothy, Aston, and those we now raise before you in our hearts; Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. In this family of faith we give thanks for courageous voices that have remained firm in their commitment to the one who frees us from sin and death. Centered in your grace, unify us in the hope of the gospel. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Even in death, you free us and give us a place in your house. We give thanks for our ancestors who have shown us truth and freedom, especially Martin Luther and those who work for the renewal of the church. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Listen as we call on you, O God, and enfold in your loving arms all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
+ MEAL + + God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ +
OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD Please place your offering in the plate as you enter or as you leave the sanctuary. Please place your communion card in the plate as well.
* OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. * DIALOGUE
*PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should in all times and 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 *THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE 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. Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
*LORD'S PRAYER 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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to the banquet table where Christ gives himself as food and drink. Wherever you are in your journey of faith, you are welcome at God's Table. All who believe that Jesus is Lord and that He is present in the bread and wine are invited to commune. Cross arms over your chest to let the pastor know you’d like a blessing. Please place your communion card in the offering plate as you leave the sanctuary.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (ELW 517) Vs 1, and 3
TABLE BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.
*SONG AFTER COMMUNION
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
+ SENDING + + God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world +
*BLESSING Mothering God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life. Amen.
* SENDING SONG Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (ELW 645) Vs. 1, & 4
*DISMISSAL Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #44714. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. We hope that this service was meaningful for you and brought God’s peace and comfort into your homes. Continue to shelter in place to love others as yourself. Pray, trust, believe and wait. See you next week.
POSTLUDE: Postlude in G (Scott) You are welcome to watch the live service at 10:15 am at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnslutheranfolcroft Or you can watch live streaming on the St. John's website: https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org If you are having trouble accessing, please let us know.
Our Financial Response (September)
CURRENT Budgeted costs per month $ 9,021.10
Offering last month $ 4,346.00
Budget required to date (9 months) $ 81,189.82
Total received to date $ 43,063.26
MISSION SUPPORT Budget required to date (9 months) $ 5,625.00
Total received to date $ 3,974.00
Please continue to support St. John's. Our expenses continue each month even if we are not worshipping together inside our building.
