September 3, 2023

1st Sunday of Season of Creation

*  Denotes stand if you are able.

PRELUDE

Gathering

*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  “The Earth is Full of Wit and Wisdom”  ACS 1064

*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

Amen.

Word

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

CHILDREN’S TIME

First Reading: 

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm:

Second Reading: 

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION  Gospel Acclamation (Celtic): Celtic Alleluia

*Gospel: 

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

Sermon Pastor Eric Trozzo

Hymn of the Day

*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 to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he 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 catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. 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.

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

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.

Communion Song

Communion Hymns

“Crashing Waters at Creation” ELW 455
“How Marvelous God’s Greatness” ELW 830 

*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  “For the Beauty of the Earth” ELW 879

*Dismissal

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

*Postlude 

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