Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 20, 2023
WELCOME to each of you gathered for worship this morning. Please take a moment to complete the attendance sheet and place it in the offering plate when it is passed.
| OUR MISSION STATEMENT “Sharing God’s love and His promise for tomorrowEngaging with God’s children to carry the light ofJesus Christ from the altar through the door.” Louis Sanders – Council PresidentVacant – Vice-PresidentDr. Eric Hahn – SecretaryAnni Hahn – Treasurer |
3730 MacArthur Blvd.
New Orleans, La 70114
504-362-1967
Love Lutheran e-mail addresses: lovelutheran68@gmail.com
Love Lutheran Website: www.lovelutheran.org
Love Lutheran is a Member of the ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website at: www.elca.org
Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans
PRESIDING AT WORSHIP: Rev Lisa Gaye
LECTOR: Amy Hilton
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IN OUR PRAYERS
Congregation Prayers:
Mary Sanders
Melissa Gallant
Sharon Steele
Dianne Revuelta
Lyn Weixel
Robert Onsgard
Kevin Trimble
Ken and Sandy Flora
Phillip Brubaker
Denise Daigrepont Roy
Ila Duncan
Jamie Johnson
Hans Heinemann
Rick and Gabe Lyons
Laurie Smith
Andrew Douglas
Arlene Ogg
Elaina Cannon and Children
Leya and Aaliyah
Wayne Prayers:
Sarah Steele
Dirk Anderson
Joyce Barber
Jodee James
Lu Carrigan
Janice Bela
Dixie Adkins
Alex Adkins
Adam Adkins
Julien Adkins
Alisha Adkins
Dixie Prayers:
Sarah Steele
Dirk Anderson
Joyce Barber
Jo Ellen Smith Nursing Home
Elaine Prayers:
Elaine Teague
David and Kim Teague
Joshua Teague
David Teague Jr.
Steven Teague
Terri Marino
Jackie Pavur
Shirley Lyons
Louis Mayer
Lane Wise
Paul Steele
Pastor Lisa Prayers:
Community and World
For those who work and live in nursing homes
Staff of United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund
Our military serving here and abroad
We pray also for Love Lutheran Church and for all those in need of healing power of God’s love.
Ask and it will be given to you: Our Lord invites us to bring all our cares and concerns to him and trust in his mercy and grace. If you have prayer concerns please let Pastor Gaye know by noon on Wednesday so that your prayer request may be included in the prayers of the people at Sunday worship. Please inform Pastor Gaye if your prayer request needs to be extended longer than two weeks.
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| LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye Adult Bible Study: 9:00 A.M. Office: 504-362-1967 Worship: 10:00 A.M. |
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 20, 2023
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Stand as you are able)
PRELUDE Soloist, Erin Slatton
Hymn: #ELW 790 “Day by Day”
BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.
(Silence is kept for reflection)
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority. I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING HYMN: #ELW 886 “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
Soloist will sing v1
Congregation will sing v2-4
THE GREETING
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
THE KYRIE
THE HYMN OF PRAISE: “Now the Feast and Celebration”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
C: God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(You may be seated)
First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
The prophet calls upon Israel to do justice in view of God’s imminent intervention to save. Righteousness and obedience define who belongs to the Israelite community—not race, nationality, or any other category.
1 Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.
6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant– 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 8 Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 67
Let all the peoples praise you, O God. (Ps. 67:3)
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
God has not rejected Israel. Rather, the call and gifts of God are irrevocable so that, while all have been disobedient, God has mercy upon all.
[Paul writes:] 1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2a God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
(Stand as you are able)
Gospel: Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward religious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be a religious outsider approaches him for help.
(10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”)
21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
(You may be seated)
SERMON
(Stand as you are able)
HYMN OF THE DAY: #ELW 759 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
Soloist will sing v1
Congregation will sing v2-4
P: God has made us his people through our Baptism in Christ. Living together in hope, we confess our faith.
THE 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 into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
And 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 Christian church.
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
And life everlasting. Amen.
(You may be seated)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
A: Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation.
(A brief silence)
A: O God, your Spirit gathers the church. Shepherd those who are newly baptized and newly ordained in the proclamation of the gospel, breathe life into ecumenical and inter-religious endeavors, and support missionaries throughout the globe. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You created the earth and all its inhabitants and declared it good. Clean polluted skies, seas, and soil, provide nourishment to plants and animals, and make us aware of our impact on the environment. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You call leaders to bridge differences and practice generosity. Inspire all in authority to protect people in harm’s way, deliver those in bondage, support fair elections, provide care for military personnel and veterans, and show mercy to those for whom they have responsibility. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You provide for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Embrace people who have been rejected because of difference, heal trauma caused by racism or prejudice, shield any who are persecuted, console the dying, and heal the sick (especially…). Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: O God, you journey with us in all of life’s transitions. Guide those preparing for baptism, marriage, and retirement. Guide our church council and committees in their visioning and ministry. Safeguard those who travel. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)
(After each petition we respond:)
A: Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: We give you thanks for those who now rest from their labors. Motivate us by their lives of dedication to the gospel, until that day when we join with them in our eternal home. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
P: Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, Jesus Christ our Savior.
C: Amen.
P: Lord Jesus, you said to your apostles: I leave you my peace, my peace I give you. Look not on the sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.
C: Amen.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(You may be seated)
THE OFFERING
(Stand as you are able)
THE OFFERTORY: “As the Grains of Wheat”
THE OFFERTORY PRAYER
A: Let us pray, Merciful God,
C: everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. We joyfully release what you have entrusted to us. May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
PROPER PREFACE
P: It is truly good, right, and salutary, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who ascended above the heavens and, sitting at Your right hand, poured out on this day, as He had promised, the Holy Spirit on the chosen disciples. At this the world rejoices with exceeding joy.
Therefore with angels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
THE SANCTUS:
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed,
took bread and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying:
‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of Me.’
“In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, gave thanks,
and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you;
this cup is the New Testament in My blood,
which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.
Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
P: We say together
C: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Amen
P: We pray together THE LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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.
THE COMMUNION
P: The gifts of God for the people of God, feed on them in your heart with thanksgiving.
C: Amen
(You may be seated)
The Communion follows:
During the communing of Pastor and Assistant the congregation sings “Lamb of God”
(Stand as you are able)
COMMUNION HYMN: #ELW 588 “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
Soloist will sing v1
Congregation will sing v2-4
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
A: Let us pray.
We thank you, generous God, for the refreshment we have received at your banquet table. Send us now to spread your generosity into all the world, through the one who is our dearest treasure, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
P: The God who calls across the cosmos and speaks in the smallest seed (+) bless, keep, and sustain you now and to the end of the age.
C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN: #TOSB 11 “Because He Lives”
Soloist will sing v1
Congregation will sing v2-3
DISMISSAL
P: Go in peace. Share the harvest.
C: Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Soloist, Erin Slatton
Hymn: #ELW 742 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
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Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible with Apocrypha.
Copyrighted elements of Revised Common Lectionary, liturgical texts, and liturgical music used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license number SB144485. All music and portions of the liturgical music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-705233. All rights reserved. Clipart and images as reprinted from Churchart.com license.
Scripture Next Sunday: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 51:1-6;
Psalm 138;
Romans 12:1-8;
Matthew 16:13-20
Hymn
ANNOUNCEMENTS
In the event of an emergency, you may contact Pastor Gaye at the church office (504) 362-1967.
Cell Phones: We are requesting that members and visitors please silence your cell phones to “off” while in the sanctuary and we are in worship service.
| UPCOMING EVENTS: Sunday, 17 September 2023 – Special Music, Country Gospel Sunday |
Please consider a donation to the Memorial Engelbracht Guest Musician Fund. Donation envelopes can be found in the rear of the church.
If you wish to help to aid in the recovery of victims of disasters, donations can be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.
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Daily devotional website as suggested by Pastor Lisa Gaye
https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/
Meditation on the Lessons – Take Home
Prayer:
O Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest your word, that we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
1. Identify a passage from scripture today that touches your life.
2. Pray for the Holy Spirit as you write: “From what I’ve heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be? Is God inviting me to change in any way?
From the Lambeth/African Bible Study Method EPCUSA
GUEST MUSICIAN
Erin Slatton is a student of education and voice at LSU.
Last modified: September 27, 2023
