First Lutheran Church

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni


Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni


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