September 9 & 16, 2012

Fifteenth &

Sixteenth

Sundays

after

Pentecost

Welcome Visitors! We’re glad you are with us today.

Please sign in on the YES! Sheet and pass it to the center aisle.

If you would like to request a prayer to be read during worship, write it on the back.

An usher will pick it up during the Hymn of the Day.

Embracing the diversity of God’s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

611 Randolph • Oak Park, Illinois 60302

708-848-4741 • churchoffice@goodshepherdlc.org

www.goodshepherdlc.org

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We Are God’s Hands & Feet ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship (red book) • Please stand as you are able

Gathering

Prelude

Welcome

• Confession & Forgiveness

(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding

minister begins.)

We are called to live out our faith by

caring for our sisters and brothers

and all of creation with our hands

and feet. But we tire of being the

ones who pull out the weeds, our

feet turn us in another direction

when we encounter suffering

people. We are to be the hands and

feet of Christ in the world and yet

we use the sacred spaces of our

homes and church as places where

we can hide from the ministry to

which we are called.

Let us confess together:

We acknowledge our imperfect-

tions. We are sometimes slow to

listen and quick to anger. We may

hear your word, but resist living it.

We may have faith, but do not

always live it out through the work

of our hearts and hands.

Forgive us when we choose not to see

the poor and hungry in our midst,

when we turn away and do not share

our fish with them or teach them to

fish for themselves. We confess that

we are often afraid to deny ourselves

and follow you.

Despite our frequent failings, God

forgives us and loves us dearly. God has

empowered and entrusted us to be the

hands and feet of Christ in the world; to

be the ones who carry out Jesus’

ministry today. Let us start this new day

and new week re-committed to living

out our faith in our daily lives, so that

everything we do is an act of worship.

In the name of the Father, and of the

Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

• Entrance Hymn (September 9) “Clap Your Hands”

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• Entrance Hymn (September 16) “Shall Walk in the Presence”

• Prayer of the Day

Presiding minister leads the prayer of the day: Let us pray …

Word

First Reading

Word of God, word of life.

Thanks be to God.

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Psalm 146 (September 9)

(The refrain is sung at the beginning by the assisting minister, then repeated by all.)

Tone:

Praise / be to God!

Praise God, / O my Soul!

I will praise God as long / as I live;

I will sing praises to my God all / my life long.

Do not put your trust in nob / les, in mortals,

in whom there / is no help.

When their breath departs, they return / to the earth;

on that very day their / plans shall perish. (Refrain)

Happy are those whose help is the / God of Jacob,

whose hope is the Sover / eign their God,

who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all / that is in them;

who keeps / faith forever.

who executes justice for / the oppressed;

who gives food / to the hungry.

God sets the pris / oners free;

God opens the eyes of those who / cannot see. (Refrain)

CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE

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God lifts up those who / are bowed down;

God loves those / who are righteous.

God watches over the strangers, and upholds

the orphan / and the widow,

but the way of the wicked God / brings to ruin.

The Sovereign will reign forever, your God,

O Zion, for all / generations.

Praise / be to God! (Refrain)

Psalm 116 (September 16) Today’s Readings

Second Reading

Word of God, word of life.

Thanks be to God.

• Gospel Acclamation

• Gospel

Before the gospel: Glory to you, O Lord.

After the gospel: Praise to you, O Christ.

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September 9

• Hymn of the Day “Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am” (sung several times) ELW 814

(During the hymn, the YES! Sheets are collected. Children are invited to come

forward during the song.)

Children’s Sermon & Skit

Blessing of Sunday School Teachers

----------------------

September 16

Hymn of the Day “Will You Come and Follow Me” ELW 798

(During the hymn, the YES! Sheets are collected.)

Gathering Song & Mini-Meditation for Children

(Children are invited to come forward during the song.)

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; let us sing

power and majesty, praise to the King.

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name.

I sing for joy at the work of your hands;

forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand.

Nothing compares to the promise I have in you.

Sermon Rev. Karl Reko

Presentation of Bibles to Children (10:30)

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Meal

Offering (Gifts are gathered as the table is prepared.)

(September 9: People write how they are God’s hands on hand cutouts. Children

return to their seats.)

September 9

“God is Near” by Chris de Silva Amanda Soto-Straw, solo

In a world of changing needs, who will listen and take heed?

In a world where hurt prevails, who will reach beyond despair?

Who will choose a different road, help the burdened to unload,

help the wary ones to hear: God is near, God is near.

So be Christ’s eyes and see what Christ would see.

Be Christ’s ears and hear what Christ would hear.

Be Christ’s hands that you may show the world God is love, God is hope, God is near.

In a world of changing tides, who will gather by Christ’s side?

The forgotten ones who call, plead for mercy should they fall,

All the wounded, weary lives, spent in silence through the nights,

If these lives could only hear: God is near, God is near. (Refrain)

In this world where all will know, in these hearts where Christians show

faithful service, a home where love can grow.

From the heart of humankind comes the quest to seek and find the

God of grace, the kingdom drawing near.

-text by Liam Lawton. Refrain based on the words of St. Teresa of Avila

Offertory Hymn “We Are An Offering”

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• Prayers of Intercession

• Peace The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

• Eucharistic Prayer

• Lord’s Prayer

Presiding Minister: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever.

Amen.

• Invitation to Communion

God gives food to those who hunger. Come, be fed, be healed.

Communion Instructions

September 9 -- Prior to receiving communion, please take one of the hand-shaped

papers located in the pew, write your name on it and at least one way that you are

God's hands in the world. When the usher comes to your row, please exit to the side

aisle and tape your paper hand to the wall, then proceed up the side aisle to receive

the bread from Pastor and wine or juice from the communion assistants who will be

standing along the center aisle. You will be given bread. You may eat the bread and

drink; or instinct (dip) in the large cup and eat. Please move to the appropriate server.

The silver cup has wine; the oversize pottery cup has grape juice for intinction. Gluten

free communion wafers are available. Please let Pastor Kathy or the assisting minister

know when you come forward. After you commune, feel free to kneel at the altar rail

in silent prayer.

September 16 -- Please come forward as the ushers direct. You will be given bread.

You may eat the bread and drink; or intinct (dip) in the large cup and eat. Please

move to the appropriate server. The silver cup has wine; the oversize pottery cup has

grape juice for intinction. Gluten free communion wafers are available. Please let

Pastor Kathy or the assisting minister know when you come forward. After you

commune, feel free to kneel at the altar rail in silent prayer.

Communion Song “Now Behold the Lamb”

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September 9 Instrumental Music

September 16 “Day of Arising” by Carl Schalk Senior Choir

“Lord, Jesus You Shall Be My Song” ELW 808

After all have returned to their places, please remain seated.

Post Communion Prayer

Presiding Minister: May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you,

embolden you to be his hands and feet in this world, and keep

you in God’s grace.

Amen.

Announcements

• Prayer of Dedication & Blessing of Hands

Presiding Minister:

Loving God: Your thoughts and words and hands made and molded this amazing

world. You then turned it over to us and asked us to use our hands and words and

thoughts to maintain and sustain it. You tasked us to use our hands to tend to the

soil and what comes from it. Through Jesus you showed us how to use our hands

to embrace, to heal, and to serve. From the Spirit we learn to use our hands to

wave to strangers and bid them to join us in community. With our fingertips we

learn the importance of touch. With an extended hand we learn the joy of

connection. With palms linked together we see the power of unity. Bless now

these hands we lift up to you in praise and in dedication. Make us aware this

week how fingers on a keyboard, a basketball, a measuring cup, and a steering

wheel reflect your presence in the world. Help us to use our hands to reach out in

service to our family and neighbors every day, remembering that it is our job to be

your hands in the world.

Amen.

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Sending

• Sending Hymn September 9 “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises!” ELW 535

September 16 “I’m Going on A Journey” ELW 446

• Dismissal

Assisting Minister: Go in peace, using your hands and feet to do God’s work.

Thanks be to God.

Postlude

“Clap Your Hands” copyright 1988 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; all rights reserved; used by

permission, CCLI License #56321. Psalm 146 Refrain by Judy Hunnicutt, 1994. reprinted from New

Century Hymnal, © 1995, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland Ohio. Reprinted with permission. CCLI License

#56321. Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights

reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26258. 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.

Printed on 100% recycled envirocopy paper

Sunday worship – 8:00 & 10:30am

(Holy Communion celebrated at both services)

Pastor – Rev. Kathryn Nolte Christian Ed Director – Deaconess Debbie Rank

Council President – Barbara Hunt Music Director – Mark Law Office Administrator – Vicki May

Council VP – Brad Grining Church Musician – Stuart Leitch Custodian – Tali Melani

Sunday Nursery Attendants – Elois Gardner & Courtney Roberson