Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle to remind yourself of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
Announcements and Call to Worship
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Our call to worship is based on Matthew 16: 13-20.
Our help is in the name of the Lord our God, the Maker of heaven and earth, who comes to our aid in times of need, who gives us the courage to do what we know is right, who invites us to turn away from the influences of the world around us and confess Jesus alone as Saviour and Lord. This is our God! Let’s worship together.
Opening Song
Shepherd Me, O God
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Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth, my spirit shall sing the music of your name.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side, your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my pow’r to hold.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Reading
Philippians 4:1-9
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1My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Matthew 22:1-14
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1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2“The dominion of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Hymn of the Day
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
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You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
As when the shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice; so when you call your fam’ly, Lord, we follow and rejoice.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
With joyful lips we sing to you our praise and gratitude that you should count us worthy, Lord, to share this heav’nly food.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Is not the cup we bless and share the blood of Christ outpoured? Do not one cup, one loaf, declare our oneness in the Lord?
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
The myst’ry of your presence, Lord, no mortal tongue can tell: whom all the world cannot contain comes in our hearts to dwell.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
You give yourself to us, O Lord; then selfless let us be, to serve each other in your name in truth and charity.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Apostles’ Creed, Prayers, Lord’s prayer
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
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
Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
That even through global sorrows the church can rejoice in your salvation, that church leaders be sustained for their ministries, that churches find strength in collaboration, that church members resolve their conflicts in peace, and that all the baptized find ways in this difficult time to uphold what is honorable and just: Lord, hear our prayer.
That national conflicts be resolved without warfare and destruction, that the work of international peace workers be honored, that leaders of nations attend to the needs of the poor, that our country be preserved from discord and violence, that the election process will be just, that prejudice based on ethnicity, skin color, and economic status be ended, and that justice will prevail in our laws and through our courts, Lord, hear our prayer.
That the coronavirus will subside, that all who are sick with the virus, from rulers to refugees, be healed, that people living with fear be comforted, that medical workers be supported and medical supplies be made everywhere available, and that a vaccine be developed and fairly distributed, Lord, hear our prayer.
That those who suffer from want be assisted, that those without work find jobs, that children be educated, that ministries of care be strengthened to feed those who hunger and those without homes, that extremism be lessened and a spirit of cooperation be nurtured. Lord, hear our prayer.
That you receive our thanks for all those who have died in the faith, that when facing our own death, you give us hope, and that you grant us your peace throughout our days, Lord, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, merciful God our Father, we offer ourselves and all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Sending
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The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.
Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Go in peace.
Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Sending Song
Let Us Go Now to the Banquet
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Let us go now to the banquet, to the feast of the universe. The table’s set and a place is waiting; come, ev’ryone, with your gifts to share.
I will rise in the early morning; the community’s waiting for me. With a spring in my step I’m walking with my friends and my family.
Let us go now to the banquet, to the feast of the universe. The table’s set and a place is waiting; come, ev’ryone, with your gifts to share.
God invites all the poor and hungry to the banquet of justice and good where the harvest will not be hoarded so that no one will lack for food.
Let us go now to the banquet, to the feast of the universe. The table’s set and a place is waiting; come, ev’ryone, with your gifts to share.
May we build such a place among us where all people are equal in love. God has called us to work together and to share ev’rything we have.
Let us go now to the banquet, to the feast of the universe. The table’s set and a place is waiting; come, ev’ryone, with your gifts to share.
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Dione, Ian
Children’s Moment: Pastor Kristin
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. 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. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147