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.
Call to Worship
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Opening Song
Give Thanks
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Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,” let the poor say, “I am rich,” because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say, “I am strong,” let the poor say, “I am rich,” because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,” let the poor say, “I am rich,” because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say, “I am strong,” let the poor say, “I am rich,” because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks!
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Reading
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Matthew 22:15-22
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15Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [Jesus] in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Hymn of the Day
Rock of Ages
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Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy riven side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.
Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to thy cross I cling. Naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Apostles’ Creed
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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.
We pray for the church around the world: that church leaders be supported in their ministries; that national and local churches receive the necessary funding to accomplish their tasks; and that, hearing you call us by name, we join with all the baptized to give you praise, even in this time of great trouble. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the earth, the lands, the waters, the animals: that what has been destroyed or harmed be renewed; that the wildness of both storms and viruses be tamed; and that all people become faithful stewards of your good creation. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the nations of the world: that violence between and within nations cease; that ELCA World Hunger, the World Food Programme of the United Nations, and other relief agencies be enabled to feed those who face starvation; that elections in the world’s democracies be conducted fairly; and that the people of our country work for justice and peace. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for a right use of taxation: that laws concerning taxes reflect justice for all; that tax monies be directed to worthy uses; and that citizens honestly pay what is fairly charged, so that our nation may be maintained. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all ministries of healing: that hospitals and clinics receive adequate resources; that medical care be improved in neighborhoods of poverty, in prisons, and in refugee camps; that physicians and nurses be upheld; and that kindly hospice care be available to the dying. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all in need: for all who suffer from the coronavirus; for all who are living with high anxiety; for those who are unemployed; for those evicted from their housing; for all who experience prejudice. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray finally for ourselves: that you give us steadfastness in faith and love; and that you hear the petitions of our hearts. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you for the centuries of the faithful who have died in the faith, and for those we remember in our hearts. . . . That at the end you will welcome us all into your presence, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.https://youtu.be/9jz6z90gnas
Hear us when we call upon you, O God, and enfold in your loving arms all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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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
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
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Lord, I lift your name on high; Lord, I love to sing your praises. I’m so glad you’re in my life, I’m so glad you came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky; Lord, I lift Your name on high.
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Sheri, Ruth, Karlee, Jeremy
Children’s Moment: Lori
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
Call to worship adapted from ‘Apart but Together’ by Cynthia Landrum and from the United Church of Christ’sWorship Ways Archive.