Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 17, 2017
8:30 A.M.
WELCOME TO GRACE
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Installation of Teachers
Blessing of Children
Stand as you are able.
Confession and Forgivenessp. 94
Gathering Hymn ‘Earth and All Stars!’ 731
Greeting
Opening Litany
ALet us cometogether all who know God’s mercy and grace!
CWe were lost and the Lord did not give up until we were found.
AEach of us in our own way has gone astray before the ways of the Lord.
COur spirits were soiled and had no joy, yet the Lord washed us clean.
AGod’s mercy and grace are real! Let our hearts lift praise to God.
CBlessed be the name of the Lord!
Prayer of the Day
PLet us pray
O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness. Replace our hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may delight in doing your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
CAmen
Be seated.
First ReadingGenesis 50:15-21
15Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” 16So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
LThe Word of the Lord.
CThanks be to God
Second Reading Romans 14:1-12
1Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
7We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
10Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
LThe Word of the Lord.
CThanks be to God.
Stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation ‘Alleluia!’ p.142
PThe Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 18th chapter.
CGlory to you, O Lord.
Holy Gospel Matthew 18:21-35
21Peter came and said to [Jesus], “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
PThe Gospel of the Lord.
CPraise to you, O Christ.
Be seated.
Sermon
Hymnof the Day
‘Where Charity and Love Prevail’ 359
Stand as you are able.
Apostles’ Creed p. 105
Prayers of Intercession
Petitions end:
ALord, in your mercy,
Chear our prayer.
PInto your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting the power of Christ and the gifts of the Spirit.
CAmen
Peace
The people greet one another saying: “Peace be with you”.
Be seated.
Offering
Stand as you are able.
Offertory ‘Let the Vineyards be Fruitful’ 184
Offering Prayer
AGod of life,
Cyou give us these gifts of the earth, these resources of our life and our labor. Take them, offered in great thanksgiving, and use them to set a table that will heal the whole creation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Great Thanksgiving p. 144
Lord’s Prayer p. 145
Be seated.
Distribution of Holy Communion
Communion, this morning, will be by intinction. The ushers will direct you to the front, first the pulpit side and then lectern side. Come up using the center aisle and return by the side aisle. Wine will be in the larger portion and grape juice in the smaller portion of the challis. Gluten free wafers available by request. Children are invited for a blessing. All are welcome who believe Christ is present in this meal for the forgiveness of sins.
Hymns at the Distribution
‘Lamb of God’ p. 146
‘Our Father, We Have Wandered’ 606
‘I Come with Joy’ 482
Stand as you are able.
Table Blessing
Post Communion Prayer
AJesus Christ, host of this meal,
Cyou have given us not only this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled again by these signs ofyour grace, may we hunger for your reign of justice, may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. Amen
Blessing
Sending Hymn
‘Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing’ 544
Dismissal
AGo in peace. Serve the Lord.
CThanks be to God.
Postlude
Prayer Huddle
Copyright © 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB131627.
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.
Welcome to Grace
Whether you are a member or visiting for the first time, may God’s grace surround you today.
There is a guest book to sign in the gathering area. If you are looking for a church home,
you are welcome here.
Worship Assistants: September 17
Greeters: Mason – Joyce Learman
East – Art Peterson
Assisting Minister: Tom Jensen
Lector: Tom Jensen
Communion 8:30: Gene Krull
Communion 10:30: Judy Cross
Ushers:Joe Wilharms, Lindsey Wilharms, Dave Wiese, Jon Seidl
Organist: Diane Bailey
Attendance 9/10: 57
Grace Lutheran Church
900 N. Mason, Appleton, WI 54914
920-733-9135
Pastor Dan Luett
920.594.2015
Office Manager: Sarah Bultman
In Prayer this Week
For members on the Care Listespecially Ellen Holz and Donny Kassube.
For Healingfor Tom Jensen;Mardie Paalman, Cookie Regal's sister; Winston Augustus Smith, Cheryl Muggenthaler's nephew; Mary Langdon, Cheryl Muggenthaler’s sister-in-law; Rev. Jennie Johnson Wrege; Valerie Sieg; Marvin Wrege; Sharon Meier; Margaret Congdon; Jerry Wilharms; Lorraine Phelps.
For those with cancerespecially Melissa Heins, Gene and Karen Krull’s daughter; Mark Catlin; Roger Schmidt; Marian Breitenfeldt; Enid Andrews.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12
If you have a Prayer Chain request, please contact Mary Hubers (731-1428) or Susan Pringnitz (733-7591). Call the church office with requests for prayer to be put in the bulletin and/or to ask for a prayer to be relayed to the Prayer Chain.
Announcements
Grace is having a Reformation 500 Bookstore!
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more about Martin Luther,his writings, and their impact on Christianity?Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles. The last day to place your order isNovember 5.
FVLH Annual Pie, Ice Cream & Silent Auction: October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from Sharon Meier or Becky Luett. $10 per person or $30 per family. Silent Auction donations are also being accepted; Contact Becky Luett at 734-7225 to arrange delivery of donations or for more information. Money raised will go to purchase Walk-Thru Tub inserts. Thank you for your support.
Church Office Hours: As a reminder the church office is staffed for Grace from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. The church building itself is open between 8:30 & 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If no one answers the phone, please leave a message and either Sarah Bultman or Pastor Dan will return your call. If you have an emergency, please call Pastor Dan directly at 920-594-2015. Remember you can email Sarah at or Pastor Dan at .
Hurricane Relief
Please stand by our neighbors in Florida and Texas as they begin the long road to recovering from the hurricanes that have recently affected them.
Lutheran Disaster Response’s affiliate is actively present, collaborating with community leaders and officials to initiate the proper responses, particularly the long-term recovery efforts. Together, we have a strong history of working with disasters in the Gulf Coast area. Recovery efforts are expected to take years, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to accompany those affected through every phase of this disaster.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response, designated for "Hurricane Response – United States" will be used entirely (100 percent) for this disaster until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it.
By mail:Make checks payable to
Hurricane Response - United States
and send to:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
By phone:Call 800-638-3522 to make a donation with a credit card. Operators are ready to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central Time.
By Website: Visit ELCA website at ELCA.org and
click on “Give Now”
GRACE FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, Sept. 17...……....….………8:30 a.m. Worship
9:25 a.m. Sunday School
9:25 a.m. Adult Forum
10:30 a.m. Worship
Installation of Teachers & Blessing of Children at both services. Blessing of the Backpacks at 10:30 a.m. only.
Monday, Sept. 18...... 7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 19……...... 8:30 a.m. Quilting
6:00 p.m. Confirmation
6:30 p.m. Trinity Council
6:30 p.m. FV Chorus
Wednesday, Sept. 20...…….…9:00 a.m. Bible Study
6:30 p.m. TLC Worship
6:45 p.m. AA Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 21………10a.m. H.S. Grilled Cheese
9:00 a.m. Trinity Newsletter Team
6:30 p.m. Trinity Singers Practice
6:30 p.m. Fox Sounds
Friday, Sept. 22…...... 9:00 a.m. Bible Study
Saturday, Sept. 23….….…9:00 a.m. Hmong Service
Sunday, Sept. 24...……....….………8:30 a.m. Worship
9:25 a.m. Sunday School
9:25 a.m. Adult Forum
10:30 a.m. Worship
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