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September 17, 2023

3rd Sunday of Season of Creation

* Denotes stand if you are able.

PRELUDE

Gathering

The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

*Welcome and Announcements

*Call to Worship

In the name of the Creator, the fountain of life,
the name of Christ, the pulse of life,
and the name of the Spirit, the breath of life. Amen.
Holy! Holy! Holy!
Earth is filled with God’s presence.
Christ, we come into your presence today
to worship in this sanctuary called Earth,
A planet filled with your presence,
quivering in the forests,
vibrating in the land,
pulsating in the wilderness,
shimmering in the rivers.
God, reveal yourself to us in this place
and show us your face in all creation.
Holy! Holy! Holy!
Earth is filled with God’s presence.
We confess to you
our lack of care for the world you have given us.
Lord, have mercy.
We confess to you
our selfishness in not sharing the earth’s bounty fairly.
Christ, have mercy.
We confess to you
our failure to protect resources for others.
Lord, have mercy.
May the Father of all mercies cleanse you from your sin, and restore in us the joy of your salvation. God, reveal yourself to us in this place and show us your face in all creation.
Holy! Holy! Holy!
Earth is filled with God’s presence.

**Gathering Song “Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices” ELW 833**

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE “Now the Feast and Celebration”

Prayer of the Day

God, our Creator, whose glory fills our planet, help us to discern your vibrant presence among us, especially in the mysteries of the forest. Help us empathize with your forest creatures who are suffering. Lift our spirits to rejoice with the forest and all the creatures of the forest. In the name of Christ, who reconciles and renews all things in creation. Amen.

Word

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKERS

First Reading: Genesis 2:4b–22

A reading from Genesis.

4These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up — for the Lord GOD had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; 6but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground — 7then the Lord GOD formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. 8And the Lord GOD planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9Out of the ground the Lord GOD made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. 11The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. 14The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15The Lord GOD took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16And the Lord GOD commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
18Then the Lord GOD said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19So out of the ground the Lord GOD formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. 21So the Lord GOD caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22And the rib that the Lord GOD had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: 139

1Lord, you have | searched me out;
O Lord, | you have known me.
2You know my sitting down and my | rising up;
you discern my thoughts | from afar.
3You trace my journeys and my | resting-places
and are acquainted with | all my ways.
4Indeed, there is not a word | on my lips,
but you, O Lord, know it | altogether.
5You encompass me, behind | and before,
and lay your | hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonder- | ful for me;
it is so high that I cannot at- | tain to it.
7Where can I go then | from your Spirit?
Where can I flee | from your presence?
8If I climb up to heaven, | you are there;
if I make the grave my bed, you | are there also.
9If I take the wings | of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts | of the sea,
10even there your | hand will lead me
and your right hand | hold me fast.
11If I say, “Surely the darkness will | cover me,
and the light around me | turn to night,”
12darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright | as the day;
darkness and light to you are | both alike.
13For you yourself created my | inmost parts;
you knit me together in my | mother’s womb.
14I will thank you because I am mar- | velously made;
your works are wonderful, and I | know it well.
15My body was not hid- | den from you,
while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths | of the earth.
16Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written | in your book;
my days were fashioned before they | came to be.
17How deep I find your | thoughts, O God!
How great is the | sum of them!
18If I were to count them, they would be more in number | than the sand;
to count them all, my life span would need to | be like yours.

Second Reading: Acts 17:22–28

A reading from Acts.

22Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. 23For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, 27so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him — though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,
‘For we too are his offspring.’The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Gospel Acclamation (Celtic): Celtic Alleluia

Gospel: Matthew 28:1–10

The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon Pastor Eric Trozzo

**Hymn of the Day “There in God’s Garden “ ELW 342**

Installation of Leaders in the Congregation

The following people have been elected to positions of leadership. We give thanks for their willingness to serve. In baptism we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God; we rejoice now that these sisters and brothers will lead us in our common life and our mutual mission as a congregation.

List of Council Members

President – Tom Campbell Jr.
Vice President – Denise Cole
Secretary – Karen Widin
Treasurer – Tom Cassel
Christian Learning & Formation – Melissa Feeney
Evangelism – Heather Lerch
Fellowship & Congregation Care – Karen Widin and Rev Peggy Marks
Property – Charlie Lange
Social Ministry – Beth Eilers
Congregational Resources – Lois Duffy
Worship – Chris Cassel

You are to be faithful in your specific area of serving, that the Spirit who empowers you may be glorified. You are to be examples of faith active in love, fostering peace, harmony, and mutual understanding in this congregation. On behalf of your sisters and brothers in Christ, I ask you: Will you accept and faithfully carry out the duties of the offices to which you have been elected?

Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.

People of God, I ask you: Will you support these, your elected leaders, and will you share in the mutual ministry that Christ has given to all who are baptized?

We will, and we ask God to help us.

I now declare you installed as officers / council members of this congregation. Almighty God bless you, and direct your days and your deeds in peace, that you may be faithful servants of Christ. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Remembering the caring and generous works of God, we pray for the church, creation, and the needs of our neighbors.
Response after each prayer: receive our prayer.

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. Amen.

Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

ANTHEM

Infinite Beauty, Love that Moves Creation David Cherwien

Infinite Beauty, Love that moves the heavens,
Maker of all things, present in creation,
From the beginning, all Your works reveal You,
Stirring to wonder.
Holy this garden, worthy of protection,
Blue pearl in deep space, due our true affection,
Dwelling and parent, elegant in balance,
Growing in wonder.
Sacred all creatures, marvelous companions,
Elders and teachers, all of our relations,
Rocks tell earth’s story, plants reveal earth’s wisdom,
Living in wonder.
Blesséd our bodies, kindred gift of starlight:
Eyes to see beauty, ears to hear the heart sigh,
Hands to give healing, hearts to bind together,
Breathing in wonder.
Infinite Beauty, Love that moves the heavens,
May our minds wisen, may our hearts awaken,
That we join all things, one and interwoven,
Singing in wonder.

Susan Palo Cherwien

Meal

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

Offering “As the Grains of Wheat”

Offering Prayer

Let us pray together. Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Great Thanksgiving

DIALOGUE

The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Preface

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave,
and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, Holy, Holy “Holy, Holy, Holy (Now the Feast)”

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

Blessed are you, O God of the universe.
Your mercy is everlasting
and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
All creation sings your praise.
Sun, moon, and stars reflect your glory.
Mountains, lakes, and forests declare your wonders.

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

With hearts full of memories and hopes,
we break this bread and share this cup,
remembering the death and resurrection of Christ,
and his promise to be with us always
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
At this table make us your body.
Form us to be people of justice and peace.
Fill us with gratitude and generosity
that we may bear the fruit of love in word and deed.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Praise to you, Author of creation.
Praise to you, O Beloved One.
Praise to you, O Giver of all good things.
Praise to you, blessed and holy Trinity,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

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.

Invitation to Communion

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Communion

The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Amen.

Lamb of God

Communion Hymns

“Morning Has Broken” ELW 556
“Beautiful Savior” ELW 838

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray. God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Sending

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING

Christ calls you to be his disciples,
to serve him with love and compassion
and to serve Earth by caring for creation,
especially the seas that God has given life
so that we and all our kin may live.

May the Spirit of God, who is above all and in all and through all,
fill you with the knowledge of God’s presence in Earth
and the pulsing of Christ within you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

SENDING SONG “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” ELW 836

Dismissal

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.