October 15, 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 

Love Lutheran Church

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

Gulf Coast Synod website at: www.gulfcoastsynod.org

Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans

+ + +

PRESIDING AT WORSHIP:  NOLA Fire Chaplain Joshua Holden

LECTOR:  Amy Hilton

                           + + +

                       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. Landen T.   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.  

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost                                October 15, 2023

PRELUDE                                     John J Rode, Bagpiper

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 574 “Here I Am, Lord”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

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:  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.

(You may be seated)

Psalm:  Psalm 91

1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

2 will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence;

4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day,

6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling-place,

10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.

15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them.

16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

Reading:  Galatians 6:1-10

6 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.  Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.  2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.  3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.  4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride.  5 For all must carry their own loads.

6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.     8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.  9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.  10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

The Word of the Lord.                   Thanks be to God.

(Stand as you are able)

Gospel:  John 15:12-16

The Holy Gospel according to John           Glory to you, O Lord.

12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.  15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.  16 You did not choose me but I chose you.  And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

The Gospel of the Lord.              Praise to you, O Christ.

(You may be seated)

SERMON                                              NOLA Fire Chaplain Joshua Holden

(Stand as you are able)

HYMN OF THE DAY:  #ELW 888 “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

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:  Trusting in the transformative power of God’s loving Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

(A brief silence)

A:  For the church of Jesus Christ in this and every land, that all followers of Christ share the mind of Christ and strive to live together in peace, staying firm in the Lord.  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  For green pastures and still waters and all the beauty of the natural world, that creation flourishes and humankind lives in right relationship with all you have made.  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  For the nations of the world and all who hold positions of authority, that they govern in accordance with God’s vision of justice, providing shelter and refuge to all in need, striving toward the goal of peace and prosperity for all.  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  For all experiencing valleys of illness and grief, that they be healed and comforted and find rest in the presence of the Good Shepherd who walks beside them.  (We pray especially for…).  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  For this community of believers, that wherever there is conflict or discord, the love of Christ may keep us united and make us mindful of all that is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, and excellent.  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  Lord God Almighty, help us to show our first responders how much they are appreciated.  May these brave men and women know that their God and their community supports them and cares for them!  Give us ways to demonstrate our gratitude and thankfulness for their difficult sacrifices every day.  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)

(After each petition we respond:)

A:  God of grace,

C:   hear our prayer.

A:  In thanksgiving for the beloved saints who now rest in your mercy, that their faithful witness guides your church until the day we join them at your heavenly feast.  God of grace,

C:  hear our prayer.

P:  Gracious God, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your unending love and amazing grace; through 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, 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

(You may be seated)

The Communion follows:

the congregation sings “Lamb of God”

(printed on the following page)

(Stand as you are able)

COMMUNION HYMN:                    John J Rode, Bagpiper

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 879 “For the Beauty of the Earth”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

DISMISSAL

P:  Go in peace.  God is at work in you.

C:  Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE            John J Rode, Bagpiper

+ + +

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: Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 45:1-7;

Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13];

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10;

Matthew 22:15-22

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: 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

+ + +

Daily devotional website as suggested by Pastor Lisa Gaye

https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/

Last modified: November 1, 2023