Worship and Music – First Lutheran Church

10 04 2026 – Feast of St. Francis of Assisi & Pet Blessing

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction

The annual feast of St. Francis of Assisi is traditionally held on October 4. Francis is known on most church calendars as a “church reformer.” In the 13th century, Francis rebuilt the church in its outward form of mission to the outside world. Francis and his followers chose to live in nature rather than permanent physical structures. Francis embraced all of creation from birds to wolves to Brother Son to Sister Moon. Popular culture has embraced his countercultural identity in his association with Creation Theology and most closely identified him with popular blessings of animals and pet companions. Our relationship to creation and especially our pet companions point to our relationships with Jesus. It is no coincidence that Pope Francis I took the name of Francis on his consecration as Pontiff in 2013 given their shared humility and identity with the marginalized.

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October 3, 2026

09 27 2026 – Pentecost XVIII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: Deacon Susan Lindberg Haley

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Bishop Nathan Pipho has granted
Deacon Susan permission to preside
at Holy Communion today.

Introduction

Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy world.

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September 26, 2026

09 20 2026 – Pentecost XVII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: Deacon Susan Lindberg Haley

Assisting Minister: Sue Newburg

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Bishop Nathan Pipho has granted
Deacon Susan permission to preside
at Holy Communion today.

Introduction

Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars.

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September 19, 2026

09 13 2026 – Pentecost XVI & Baptism

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-q times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.

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September 12, 2026

09 06 2026 – Pentecost XV

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

Since the seventh century, September 1 has symbolized the day of the creation of the world in the Byzantine tradition and has been the
opening feast of its liturgical year (known as the Feast of the Indiction), in parallel with Rosh Hashanah marking the Jewish New Year. Creation in Christ celebrates the ongoing creation of the world in and through
Christ, who sustains, unites, and holds all created things. We hear today of the triune God who creates all things: sun and moon, shining stars, sea monsters, creeping things and flying birds—and, yes, even human
beings. God-in-Christ still takes care of all things and invites us to join in as caretakers of God’s good creation.

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September 5, 2026

08 30 2026 – Pentecost XIV

Worship Leaders Today

Ofﬁciant: Mr. Peter Randall

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world..

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August 29, 2026

08 23 2026 – Pentecost XIII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Juliette & Matthew Carlson: Acolytes

Introduction

In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

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August 22, 2026

08 16 2026 – Pentecost XII

Pentecost X

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request
that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need..l

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August 15, 2026

08 09 2026 – Pentecost XI

Pentecost X

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.l

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August 8, 2026

08 02 2026 – Pentecost X

Pentecost X

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.l

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August 1, 2026

07 26 2026 – Pentecost IX

Pentecost IX

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today’s gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first!

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July 25, 2026

07 19 2026 – Pentecost VIII

Pentecost VIII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.

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July 18, 2026

07 12 2026 – Pentecost VII

Pentecost VII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.

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July 11, 2026

07 05 2026 – Pentecost VI

Pentecost vI

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Nina Sousa

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

At this celebration of the nation, we join the psalmist in offering thanksgiving to God: “You crown the year with your goodness, and your
paths overflow with plenty.” We are grateful for the abundance of the good things of God’s creation. As the body of Christ in the world, we give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

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July 4, 2026

06 28 2026 – Pentecost V

Pentecost v

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission:to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.

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June 27, 2026