October 6, 2024 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost
Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL The Bond of Love Redeemer Choir
GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP The Steadfast Love Redeemer Choir
Redeemer’s Mission is to Grow in Faith.
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin and come to God for healing.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have honored you with our lips, but have harmed our neighbors with our tongues. The cravings at war within us cause conflicts and disputes. In our desire to be first we make distinctions among ourselves. We place the needs of the poor and the suffering last. In your great mercy, forgive us our sins. Draw near to us with grace in time of need, and turn us to follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
P: God promises to forgive our iniquity and to remember our sin no more. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, the source of eternal healing, your sins are forgiven.
C: Amen.
GATHERING HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth ELW 879
SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Sovereign God, you have created us to live in loving community with one another. Form us for life that is faithful and steadfast, and teach us to trust like little children, that we may reflect the image of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Redeemer’s Mission is to Proclaim Jesus Christ.
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching and song
from the Old Testament, Psalms, and the New Testament.
Genesis 2 stresses that people are not meant to live in isolation but in relationship. Out of love for humanity, God creates them male and female, to provide companionship for each other and to become with each other “one flesh.” The Hebrew words used here are ish (man) and ishshah (woman).
18The 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. 23Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.”
24Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.
The reader concludes: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM (responsively) Psalm 8
1O | Lord our Lord,
how majestic is your name in | all the earth!—
2you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of in- | fants and children;
you have set up a fortress against your enemies, to silence the foe | and avenger.
3When I consider your heavens, the work | of your fingers,
the moon and the stars you have set | in their courses,
4what are mere mortals that you should be mind- | ful of them,
human beings that you should | care for them?
5Yet you have made them little less | than divine;
with glory and hon- | or you crown them.
6You have made them rule over the works | of your hands;
you have put all things un- | der their feet:
7all | flocks and cattle,
even the wild beasts | of the field,
8the birds of the air, the fish | of the sea,
and whatever passes along the paths | of the sea.
9O | Lord our Lord,
how majestic is your name in | all the earth!
SECOND READING Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Quoting from the psalms, this passage from Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, the one through whom God created everything and who sits at God’s right hand, is also the one who experienced human suffering and death in order to blaze the path of salvation for us.
1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
2:5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6But someone has testified somewhere,
“What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
7You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
8subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
The reader concludes: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Celtic Alleluia ELW 174
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the tenth chapter.
GOSPEL Mark 10:2-16
Jesus announced and enacted in history the new reality of God’s surprising activity. These two stories demonstrate this new reality: Women and children are accepted and valued, not dismissed as inferior to adult men.
2Some Pharisees came, and to test [Jesus] they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
MESSAGE David Allman, Pastor
HYMN Blest Be the Tie That Binds ELW 656
APOSTLES’ CREED
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 to the dead. 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.
Redeemer’s Mission is to Love All People.
Prayers on behalf of others
Challenged by God’s Word in Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and the whole creation.
A brief silence.
God of our ancestors, we give thanks for the church in all times. May we listen for the prophets of this age who bear messages that stir the church toward renewal and justice. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Creator of every creature on earth, direct our lives toward the renewal and sustaining of cattle, birds of the air, animals of the field, and those who share our homes. Reveal the ways we can work alongside creation for the health and well-being of all. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, we give thanks that you are mindful and benevolent to even us, mere mortals. Accompany us when hardness of heart gets in the way of justice between people and nations. Endow leaders with minds for justice and hearts for compassion. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Restoring Lord, grant healing and wholeness to those who are sick and suffering. Work through medical professionals to diagnose, ease pain, and give life to all who seek their wisdom and experience. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Unifying God, humans were created for relationship with the earth, its creatures, and one another. Forgive us when division threatens companionship, mutual support, and unity among us. May your love inspire us to build supportive communities of faith where all are cherished. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of resurrection, you prepare a place in the kingdom through Christ’s death and resurrection. We give thanks for the saints who have taken their place at your heavenly banquet. God of grace, hear our prayer.
We pray that you remember those of our congregation who may be suffering physically, emotionally or spiritually. Please bring healing, peace and comfort to all those that we name in our hearts and minds. God of grace, hear our prayer.
We pray that you watch over our first responders and military personnel and keep them safe, whether they are at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us. God of grace, hear our prayer.
P: Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in the saving grace you freely give, both now and forever.
C: Amen.
OFFERING Christ Comes to Us Redeemer Choir
OFFERTORY RESPONSE – Create In Me a Clean Heart
OFFERING PRAYER
P: Blessed are you, O God, source of every gift of your creation. By these gifts and with our lives, help us to serve one another and all in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
The Meal
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. All baptized Christians are invited to receive Holy Communion.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Speak to us, O Lord, in the breaking of the bread, and make us one with you.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: 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 in 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 in remembrance of me.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
SENDING OF COMMUNION
P: O God of tender compassion, as you healed the sick and welcomed the stranger, bless those who leave this assembly to share the gifts of
this table with our sisters and brothers who are sick, homebound, or imprisoned. May they be sustained by the love and prayers of this community, and by the Bread of life that satisfies all hunger, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
BENEDICTION
P: The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us. The Lord look on us with favor and give us peace. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C: Choral Amen.
SENDING HYMN Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise ELW 834
Redeemer’s Mission is to Proclaim Jesus Christ.
P: Go in peace. Follow Jesus.
C: Thanks be to God.