Welcome toLuther Memorial Churchof the Erie Lutheran Parish

1 SEPTEMBER 2019The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at the banquet table of the Lord. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.

LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCHLUTHER MEMORIAL ACADEMY

225 West Tenth Street Erie, PA 16501 814-454-0106THE REV. WILLIAM COLEMAN, Pastor

THE REV. J. DAVID MUMFORD LINDA GRAFFIUS, RN

Pastor Emeritus Director of Care & Health MinistriesWALT GABER JAN MACINNES

Cantor Care Ministry

RON KING BETH KELLER

Pastoral Asst. ~ Holy Trinity Youth and Family MinistryTHE REV. RICHARD SCHULTZ SARAH PRYLINSKITHE REV. ROY WASHILL Youth and Family MinistryTHE REV. BRIAN MORAN CHRISTOPHER A. PAUL

Pastors in Residence Academy Administrator

1 SEPTEMBER 2019THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Holy Communion • ELW – Setting One • 10:30

LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH MISSION STATEMENTLuther Memorial is Christ’s church that brings its ministry to northwest

Pennsylvania within the context of its Lutheran heritage.As a church that ministers to the community, it seeks to be an inclusive

congregation providing a welcoming environment for all to worship,learn, and enhance both personal spiritual growth and fellowship.

GATHERING – “The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.”

PRELUDE – Three Toccatas Johannes Speth (1664 - 1720) #3: A Minor, #1: D Minor, #5: C Major

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

Bless us, O God, with a reverent sense of your presence, that we may be at peace and may worship you with all our mind and spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Lutheran Book of Worship

Please stand as you are able.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESSAll may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,the strength of our ancestors,the host of this meal,the builder of the city that is to come.

C Amen.

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P Most merciful God, C we confess that we are in bondage 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 Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our 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 your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

Text and music for this hymn were written by a contemporary liturgical composer, workshop presenter, and performing musician who graduated from Luther College in 1984.

Much of his work has proved enormously popular in Roman Catholic churches. He has published over 250 pieces and twenty-four recordings.

ENTRANCE HYMN WOV 718

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GREETING 2 Corinthians 13:14

P From God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit,grace and peace be with you all.

C And also with you.

KYRIE Luke 17:13

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PRAYER OF THE DAY Ruth 2:4

P The Lord be with you.C And also with you.

P Let us pray,C O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the

humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Please be seated.

CHILDREN’S SERMON

WORD – “God speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.”

The book of Proverbs is part of a collection of writings known as wisdom literature. Wisdom literature gave directions to Israel’s leaders and people for the conduct of daily life.

Today’s reading is about humility.

FIRST READING: Proverbs 25:6-7 6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence  or stand in the place of the great; 7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”  than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 112Refrain: (Sung once by the choir, then repeated by the congregation and sung where indicated by R.)

1Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lordand have great delight in God’s commandments!

2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;the generation of the upright will be blessed. R

3Wealth and riches will be in their house,and their righteousness will last forever.

4Light shines in the darkness for the upright;the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

5It is good for them to be generous in lendingand to manage their affairs with justice.

6For they will never be shaken;the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance. R

7They will not be afraid of any evil rumors;their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

8Their heart is established and will not shrink,until they see their desire upon their enemies.

9They have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever;they will hold up their head with honor.

10The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away;the desires of the wicked will perish. R

The conclusion of the letter to the Hebrews contains suggestions for the conduct of a holy life, all of which are shaped by God’s love toward us in Jesus Christ.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-161Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence,  “The Lord is my helper;  I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” >

  7Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the fourteenth chapter. C Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus observes guests jockeying for position at the table. He uses the opportunity to teach his hearers to choose humility rather than self-exaltation. Jesus also makes an appeal for hosts to mimic

God’s gracious hospitality to the poor and the broken.

GOSPEL: Luke 14:1, 7-141On one occasion when Jesus was going into the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.  7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8“When you are invited by someone into a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start taking the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” >

  12He spoke also with the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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

Please be seated.

SERMON Pastor Bill Coleman

Please stand as you are able.

This hymn text, whose starting point is Hebrews 13:8, was written on request for a service celebrating the opening of a new building at Cambridge University. The well-known tune has been used

with a number of secular and sacred texts.

HYMN OF THE DAY WOV 778

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APOSTLES’ CREED

C I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He 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.He will come again 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.

Please be seated.

THE PRAYERS 1 Timothy 2:1

A With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation.

A brief silence.A O wise and wonderful God, continually turn the hearts of your people back to you and may those

searching for you, find you here in this ministry. Mold Luther Memorial Church to be your gracious, merciful, and righteous presence in the world. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A Feed all people with food that will sustain them and raise them up to your table of grace, mercy and

love. We pray for your continued guidance and provision for the Bethany Outreach Center and move those among us today to share their time, talents and treasures within its ministry. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A Send your Spirit of humility into the halls of leadership within the City of Erie, the State of

Pennsylvania and those within Washington, D.C. Stir up in leaders and citizens a will to humbly serve, and let your peace reign. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A For a renewal in the church, O God, to follow the command to keep the Sabbath day holy. We pray for

those who have been away from this place over the summer. Inspire in them a renewal in spirit to be drawn back into this place to be fed through Word and sacrament and share their gifts within this community. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A For our children, O God, who will be returning to school, that you may allow them to see the blessing

of their education and provide them a vision for the ways they are being called to use their gifts to make this world a better place. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A Raise up people who will extend your hospitality to those in prisons, in hospitals, and in situations of

sickness and need. We join with Luther Memorial’s Prayer Group in praying for those names on our prayer list and those we offer to you now…… We ask that you give to all who suffer your lasting comfort. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A God of love, we ask for your sacrificial love to be shared within the relationships you give us. We

pray for that love to be experienced within our families, where forgiveness is given and received. We give thanks today for Mary and Michael Daniels as they celebrate their 35 th wedding anniversary on September 22. Continue to surround them and us in your grace-filled love. Hear us, O God.

C Your mercy is great.A God of mercy, we remember those you love who now rest from their labors, especially Loretta Niemi.

Grant all your beloved saints a place at your eternal banquet table. Hear us, O God.C Your mercy is great.P We lift our prayers, O God, trusting your promise that you hear us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.C Amen.

P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. Romans 16:16Please be seated.

MEAL – “God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.”

THE OFFERING IS RECEIVED Psalm 116:12

An Individual Silent Prayer as We Prepare to Make our Offering:So God blessed them, and God said to humankind, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth

and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28

VOLUNTARY – "Go Tell It on the Mountain" Spiritual Otto 'Skip' Meyn, clarinetist

Please stand as you are able.

OFFERTORY LBW 565

OFFERTORY PRAYER

A God our provider,we bring nothing into this worldand we can take nothing out of it.Accept the gifts you have first given us,which we bring to your table,and with them the offering of our lives.Nourish us now with the life that really is life,revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen.GREAT THANKSGIVING Matthew 21:9

P It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and ever living God; 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 the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

P O Holy One:Blessed are you for the birth of creation.Blessed are you in the blackness of night and in the light of the day.Blessed are you for your promises for all your people.Blessed are you in the prophets' hopes and dreams.Blessed are you for Mary's openness in following your will.Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.

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.

P Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:C Christ has died.

Christ is risen.Christ will come again.

P With this bread and wine we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.We remember our new birth, and we look with hope for his coming.

C Come, Lord Jesus.

P Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Bless this meal and may your Word awaken your people. Fill us with your light and bring us peace on earth.

C Come, Holy Spirit.P All praise and glory are yours, O Holy One of Israel,

Word of God made flesh, one God, now and forever.C Amen.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. Matthew 6:9

AGNUS DEI

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them.Come, and take your place at the feast.

C Amen.

The congregation is seated.

Today's service is a celebration of Holy Communion.  We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the gifts of bread and wine, bringing forgiveness of sins and new life

to all who receive this sacrament.  All baptized Christians who come at our Lord's invitation are welcome at His table of grace.

Please come forward by the center aisle. The distribution of the elements is bythe method of intinction (dipping). Receive the bread and dip it into the chalice (cup).Wine is in the metal chalice. Grape juice, for those who prefer it, is in the earthenware

chalice. Return to your place by the side aisle.

If you are not going to receive Holy Communion, but would like to receive a blessing, please come forward with your arms crossed over your chest.

COMMUNION John 1:29

This hymn text is the work of a widely accomplished Lutheran pastor, archivist, seminary professor, writer and musician. The tune was written by a similarly accomplished Lutheran

who served as a cantor and a teacher in Berlin.

HYMN FOR THE DISTRIBUTION LBW 203

Please stand as you are able.

BLESSING

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.C Amen.

Care Ministers please come forward to the altar during the singing of the Post-Communion Canticle.

It seems odd now to think of singing this text to the tune of  “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, but mainline churches did so well into the 20th century because of cultural bias against

the shape-note music in which the original tune was written. The vigor of the original tune seems especially right for the final line’s reference to Hebrews 13:5.

POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE LBW 507

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

A God our creator,at this table you have satisfied us

with the good things of your grace.Fix our hearts on your mercy and truth,that our lives may reflect your love for all creation,through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

SENDING – “God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.”

SENDING OF COMMUNION CARE MINISTERS

P Gracious God,you took the form of a servant, and you have called us into this same life of service by living humbly, and inviting all people into your glorious banquet.

Anoint with a servant heart these who take your word and sacrament to our sisters and brothers who are sick or homebound, and through our fellowship with them, let them receive peace. Grant grace, mercy, healing, and hope for those who will receive this bread and wine, and as they receive these signs of your grace and welcome,may they be strengthened in their faith.

C Amen.

BLESSING Numbers 6:24-26

P The Lord bless you and keep you.The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.The Lord look upon you with favorand ☩ give you peace.

C Amen.

DISMISSAL Luke 7:50

A Go in peace, and live humbly in the Lord.C Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE – Toccata in D Minor Gordon Balch Nevin (1892-1943)

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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.