25th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 90:1-2 P: Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. C: you have been our home throughout all the ages. P: You were there before the world was made and will be forever. C: From everlasting to everlasting you are God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS based on today’s readings P: God’s love has destined us not for wrath, but rather for salvation. Therefore, let us confess our sins to the One who is eager to save. Silence for Reflection P: Loving God, C: we confess that we have sinned against you by not honoring you or one another. When we place our iniquities before you, it is your love that sheds light on our wayward deeds. As we stand in awe of your constancy for us, we ask your forgiveness through the mercy of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. P: Sisters and brothers in Christ, when we acknowledge our human limitations and turn to depend upon our everlasting God, we grow wise in heart to God’s call. You are freed to love another, for your sins are forgiven by the mercy of Christ. C: Amen. HYMN “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: O God, the gift of your Son is the life-changing treasure that is truly beyond all value. Your generosity and goodness astound us! Inspire us to teach and share your gospel, that all may enter into the joy of Christ. C: Amen. READINGS Psalm 90 "God Our Help in Ages Past" Today we are going to sing the psalm. Isaac Watts wrote this hymn in 1708 based on psalm 90. Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 [Jesus said to the disciples:] 14“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “Lord of Light” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Let us pray for the needs of the world. Holy God, you welcome us into your joy and entrust us with your gospel. In hope for the world to come and with love for the world you made, we offer our prayers for your church, your earth, and your people. P: For your church, in this community and around the world, that your good news may be proclaimed to all. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: For oppressors, that they might know justice, and those oppressed, that they might know peace. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: For your creation, that we may be the caretakers you intend. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: For the young, that they might be nurtured in love. For the old, that they would be secure in your care. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: For those who fight the demons of addiction, that they might find relief. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: For all those who care for the suffering and those in their charge, that they would be freed from pain and fear. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: For all of those about whom we worry and those whose troubles are known only to you. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: All this we pray with gratitude for your eternal love and extravagant grace; in the name of Jesus Christ. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: God has entrusted us with a variety of gifts; let us return to the Lord a generous measure of our bounty with thanksgiving and praise. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: For all that you are and all that you do, we give you thanks, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We wait in hope for the coming of your realm and offer these gifts to further your kingdom on earth; in Jesus’ name. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung in Swahili BENEDICTION P: May God, who searches the heart, Jesus, + whose love overcomes all division, and the Spirit, which helps us in our weakness, continue to lead you into life that you may serve with abandon and joy. C: Amen. HYMN “Here on Jesus Christ I Will Stand” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Honest! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbors. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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April 2024
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