Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 1, 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.

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
Gulf Coast Synod website at: www.gulfcoastsynod.org
Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans

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  IN OUR PRAYERS
  Congregation Prayers:
  Mary S.
  Melissa G.
  Sharon S.
  Dianne R.
  Lyn W.
  Robert O.
  Kevin T.
  Ken and Sandy F.
  Phillip B.
  Denise D. R.
  Jamie J.
  Hans H.
  Rick and Gabe L.
  Laurie S.
  Andrew D.
  Arlene O.
  Elaina C. and Children
  Leya and Aaliyah
  Jean F.
  Trish F.
  Terrie and Willie C.
  Wayne Prayers:
  Sarah S.
  Joyce B.
  Jodee J.
  Lu C.
  Janice B.
  Dixie A.
  Alex A.
  Adam A.
  Julien A.
  Alisha A.
  Loretta W.
  Ron P.
  Dixie Prayers:
  Sarah S.
  Joyce B.
  Jo Ellen Smith Nursing
  Home
  Elaine Prayers:
  David and Kim T.
  Joshua T.
  David T. Jr.
  Steven T.
  Terri M.
  Jackie P.
  Shirley L.
  Louis M.
  Lane W.
  Paul S.
  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
• 
  LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
  Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye Adult Bible Study: 9:00 A.M.
  Office: 504-362-1967 Worship: 10:00 A.M.
  Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost October 1, 2023
  WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
  (Stand as you are able)
  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 526 “God Is Here!”
  
  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 love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give
  us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that
  harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus
  Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
  (You may be seated)
  First Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
  Ezekiel challenges those who think they cannot change because of what their
  parents were and did, or who think they cannot reverse their own previous
  behavior. God insistently invites people to turn and live.
  1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this
  proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes,
  and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3 As I live, says the Lord GOD,
  this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are
  mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only
  the person who sins that shall die.
  25 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel:
  Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous
  turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it;
  for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27 Again, when the
  wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is
  lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and
  turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall
  surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of
  the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your
  ways that are unfair? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of
  you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all
  your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from
  you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get
  yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of
  Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD.
  Turn, then, and live.
  The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
  Psalm: Psalm 25:1-9
  Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6)
  1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
  2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let
  my enemies exult over me.
  3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed
  who are wantonly treacherous.
  4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
  5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;
  for you I wait all day long.
  6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for
  they have been from of old.
  7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to
  your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!
  8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the
  way.
  9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
  Second Reading: Phillippians 2:1-13
  As part of a call for harmony rather than self-seeking, Paul uses a very early
  Christian hymn that extols the selflessness of Christ in his obedient death on
  the cross. Christ’s selfless perspective is to be the essential perspective we
  share as the foundation for Christian accord.
  1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love,
  any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy
  complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord
  and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
  humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not
  to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be
  in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did
  not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied
  himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being
  found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the
  point of death– even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted
  him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name
  of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the
  earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
  glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always
  obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence,
  work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at
  work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
  The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
  (Stand as you are able)
  Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32
  The Holy Gospel according to Matthew Glory to you, O Lord.
  After driving the moneychangers out of the temple (21:12), Jesus begins
  teaching there. His authority is questioned by the religious leaders, who are
  supposed to be in charge of the temple.
  23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people
  came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing
  these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will
  also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you
  by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from
  heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If
  we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard
  John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he
  said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these
  things. 28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and
  said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not’;
  but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second
  and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31 Which
  of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to
  them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into
  the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of
  righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the
  prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your
  minds and believe him.
  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 772 “Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My
  Ways”
  
  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: Remembering the caring and generous works of God, we pray for the
  church, creation, and the needs of our neighbors.
  (A brief silence)
  A: We put our trust in you as we pray for the church. Give bishops, pastors,
  deacons, and teachers the gifts of wisdom and discernment. Be with
  them in bold truth and faithful witness. Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  A: Lead us in your truth as we pray for creation. Empower us to look to the
  interests of others as we make choices that impact the environment.
  Summon us to be advocates for healthy waterways, habitats, and air.
  Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  A: Lead us in justice as we pray for those in government, the military, and
  other positions of authority. Give them humble and willing hearts, looking
  to the needs of others. We pray also for our enemies. Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  A: Trusting your goodness, we pray for all caregivers and people who are
  sick or suffering in any way (especially…). Give them encouragement and
  consolation in your presence. Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  A: Teach us your paths as we pray for this congregation. Be at work in us
  and unite us in your love as we labor together for the sake of the gospel.
  Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  (Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)
  A: Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  A: We give thanks for all the saints who died secure in the knowledge of
  salvation. Keep us fearless in our faith and certain of your resurrection.
  Merciful God,
  C: receive our prayer.
  P: Remember us according to your steadfast love as we offer these and the
  prayers of our heart, trusting in your compassion made known through
  Jesus Christ.
  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.
  THE OFFERING
  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, who has 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: Let us pray:
  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
  
  The Communion follows:
  the congregation sings “Lamb of God”
  
  COMMUNION HYMN: #ELW 581 “You Are Mine”
  
  PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
  A: Let us pray.
  Blessed be your name, O God, for we have feasted on your Word, Christ
  Jesus, the joy and delight of our hearts. Strengthened by this food, send
  us to gather the world to your banquet, where none are left out and all
  are satisfied. In Jesus’ name we pray.
  C: Amen.
  THE BENEDICTION
  P: The God of glory, (+) Jesus Christ, name above all names, and the Spirit
  who lives in you, bless you now and forever.
  C: Amen.
  SENDING HYMN: #ELW 777 “Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty”
  (printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
  DISMISSAL
  P: Go in peace. God is at work in you.
  C: Thanks be to God.
• + +
  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: Nineteenth Sunday after
  Pentecost
  Isaiah 5:1-7;
  Psalm 80:7-15;
  Phillippians 3:4b-14;
  Matthew 21:33-46
  Hymns
  

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, 15 October 2023 – Guest Preacher, NOLA Fire Chaplain Rev.
Joshua Holder, bagpipes, honoring our First
Responders. Reception following service.
Wednesday, 18 October 2023 – Church Council, 6:00 PM
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 disaters, donations can
be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.
The Gulf Coast Synod seeks individuals from the Bayou Conference to serve
on the Lutheran Disaster Relief Team. Let Pastor know if you are interested
in serving on this team.
Registration for the ELCA Youth Gathering 2024 in New Orleans is
now open. July 16th to 20th of 2024, gathering@elca.org