SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. MISSION STATEMENT To reflect God s love through service to the family of God.

September 11 & 12, 2021

S ^IXTEENTH S ^UNDAY

AFTER P ^ENTECOST

MISSION STATEMENT

To reflect God’s love through service to the family of God.

WELCOME STATEMENT

We welcome and encourage the full participation of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, appearance, or anything else that threatens to divide us. We have all been claimed as God’s children, and all are welcome here.

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

-Galatians 3:28

W

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Preaching Minister—Pastor Tony Dusso

Presiding Minister—Pastor Jason Poole-Xiong Organist—Cheryl Licary

5:00 pm Lector—Nancy Nelson service Cantor—Jean Lincoln

Usher—Nancy Schmidt 8:30 am Lector—Bill Ribbeck service Cantor—Jean Lincoln

Ushers—Terry Amundson and Bob Pederson 10:30 am Lector—Melody Wirgau

service Cantor—Jean Lincoln

Ushers—Bill Frisbee and Mark Sorenson

I

We join thousands of Lutherans throughout the country participating in “God’s Work, Our Hands,” a day of service that encourages us to use our talents for the benefit of others in the community. It was God’s hands that made all of us; created to reflect God’s love through the way we care for one another. Jesus models the essence of human life through his love and humility expressed in the cross. Our egos fight this kind of life, to our peril, by seeking independence and control. The way of Jesus, to be as we were created to be, calls people to “deny themselves take up their cross and follow me.”

Through faith and humility our hands and God’s work become one.

GATHERING_______________________________

PRELUDE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please rise.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose teaching is life,

whose presence is sure, and whose love is endless.

C Amen.

P Let us confess our sins to the one who welcomes us with an open heart.

P God, our comforter,

C like lost sheep, we have gone astray.

We gaze upon abundance and see scarcity.

We turn our faces away from injustice and oppression.

We exploit the earth with our apathy and greed.

Free us from our sin, gracious God.

Listen when we call out to you for help.

Lead us by your love to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Amen.

P All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

By the gift of grace in ☩ Christ Jesus, God makes you righteous.

Receive with glad hearts the forgiveness of all your sins.

C Amen.

Please be seated.

OPENING SONG

"if you would my disciple be;

forsake the past, and come this day, and humbly follow after me."

Take up your cross; let not its weight pervade your soul with vain alarm;

his strength shall bear your spirit up, sustain your heart, and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross, nor heed the shame, nor let your foolish heart rebel;

for you the Lord endured the cross to save your soul from death and hell.

Take up your cross and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down;

for those who humbly bear the cross one day will wear the glorious crown.

Text: Charles W. Everest, 1814-1877, alt.

GREETING

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C And also with you.

KYRIE

P In peace, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Cantor: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

P For the reign of God, and for peace throughout the world, for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Cantor: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

P For your people here who have come to give you praise, for the strength to live your word, let us pray to the Lord.

Cantor: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

P Help, save, and defend us, O God.

Cantor: Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE

Cantor: Now the feast and celebration, all of creation sings for joy, to the God of life and love and freedom; praise and glory forevermore!

Now is the feast of the Lamb once slain, whose blood has freed and united us to be one great people of God.

Power and riches, wisdom and might, all honor and glory to Christ forever.

For God has come to dwell with us,

to make us people of God; to make all things new.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray… O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may turn from the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen

WORD_____________________________________

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 50:4-9a

L A reading from Isaiah.

4The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

⁵The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

6I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

7The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

⁸he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

9aIt is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

L The word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 116:1-9

1I love the Lord, who has heard my voice, and listened to my supplication,

2for the Lord has given ear to me whenever I called.

3The cords of death entangled me; the anguish of the grave came upon me; I came to grief and sorrow.

4Then I called upon the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”

5Gracious is the Lord and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

6The Lord watches over the innocent;

I was brought low, and God saved me.

7Turn again to your rest, O my soul.

for the Lord has dealt well with you.

8For you have rescued my life from death,

my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling;

9I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

SECOND LESSON: James 3:1-12

L A reading from James.

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater

strictness. ²For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ³If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴Or look at ships:

though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ⁶And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

L The word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Please rise.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Cantor: Alleluia, alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Mark 8:27-38

P The holy gospel, according to Mark, the 8th chapter.

C Glory to you, O Lord.

27Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi;

and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ²⁸And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah;

and still others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” ³⁰And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

³¹Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³²He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

³⁴He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. ³⁶For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ³⁷Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ³⁸Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

P The gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

SERMON

SONG OF THE DAY

building a future, repairing the world, raising up homes, planting new gardens, feeding the hungry and shelt'ring the cold.

Bless, God, our hands as we work in your name, sharing the good news of your gospel.

God's work, our feet: trav'ling together, following Jesus to places unknown, walking as friends, marching for freedom, running the race with God's future the goal.

Bless, God, our feet as we follow your way, sharing the good news of your gospel.

God's work, our voice: singing together, praising, proclaiming to all who will hear, praying for peace, shouting for justice, claiming God's love for the lost and the least.

Bless, God, our voice as we speak in your name, sharing the good news of your gospel.

God is at work in and around us:

seedlings are sprouting and bread's on the rise!

Washed and set free, humbled and honored, gifted by grace, we respond in God's love.

Bless, God, our lives as we answer your call, sharing the good news of your gospel.

Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954

Text © 2019 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress

APOSTLES’ CREED

C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary, 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,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come 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.

THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

P Made children and heirs of God’s promise, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

A brief silence.

P Humble God, you have made yourself known in Christ through the cross and call us to follow you through humble service.

Inspire us to pick up our cross, living in the freedom of your love through our service toward others. Lord, in your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Protective God, you brought life into being and called it good.

Bring new creation to lands devastated by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and other disasters, we especially pray for those who have lost loved ones and continue to recover from the

devastation of Hurricane Ida. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.

P Inspiring God, give to your church success in this weekend’s

“God’s Work, Our Hands” projects throughout the country. May we be your hands while we bring hope through words and actions to your children in need. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer.

P Transforming God, you announce release to the captives and freedom to the oppressed. Break chains of discrimination and injustice. Amplify voices that go unheard and inspire us to advocate for the those who are overlooked. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.

P Redeeming God, you accompany your people through every stage of life. We give you thanks for the saints who now rest in your embrace. Lord, in your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Receive these prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

MEAL______________________________________

RECONCILIATION AND OFFERING PRAYER

P God of abundance, you cause streams to break forth in the desert and manna to rain from the heavens. Mend our broken

relationships and produce the fruits of love among your children.

Accept the gifts you have first given us and unite them with the offering of our lives to nourish the world you love so dearly;

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen.

Your offerings can be placed in the plate at the sanctuary entrance, mailed to the church or given online on our website.

OFFERTORY

were gathered into one to become our bread;

so may all your people from all the ends of earth be gathered into one in you.

As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst, may we share the presence of your love.

Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come when all creation shares this feast with you.

Please rise.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P All who hunger and thirst, come. The table is ready.

C Thanks be to God.

Please be seated.

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

As directed by an usher, you may proceed forward to receive a sealed package that contains both a wafer and grape juice. You are welcome to consume the sacrament when you return to your pew. Please dispose of the waste in a garbage can after worship.

Children may come forward for a blessing.

MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION

Please rise.

POST-COMMUNION BLESSING POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

P: Let us pray. Lord of life, in the gift of your body and blood you turn the crumbs of our faith into a feast of salvation. Send us forth into the world with shouts of joy, bearing witness to the abundance of your love in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C: Amen.

SENDING__________________________________

BENEDICTION

Congregation is invited to sing the Sending Hymn.

SENDING HYMN

DISMISSAL

P: Go in peace. The living Word dwells in you.

C: Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

☩

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME TO OUR SISTER IN CHRIST, EMILIA JOY SMITH! Emilia, daughter of Amy and Jon Smith, will be baptized this Sunday at our Outdoor Family Worship Service. Congratulations to the Smith Family.

OUTDOOR FAMILY WORSHIP | SEPT 12 • SEPT 19 • SEPT 26

Songs, Children’s messages, Communion, Bible stories, Blessings and more - mark your calendar and plan to join us at 9:30 am! While this service will be aimed towards families, everyone is welcome! Bring your own chairs, or a blanket.

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH! Join us this Sunday, September 12 at 6:30 pm as we kick-off our new High School Youth Group. We will meet outside around the fire for pizza, s’mores, and conversation!

j-crew meets monthly, on the 2nd Sunday from 6:30-8:30pm.

I LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS Pastor Tony’s Autumn Bible Study starts Sunday, September 19. We will look at Psalms 120-134, the “Songs of Ascent” used in ancient Israel for pilgrimage journeys. As we journey through life and face many obstacles on the road, these psalms ground us in our true source of hope and guide us to dwell in

communion with God. Sign up today to reserve your free copy of A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene H. Peterson.

HURRICANE IDA| LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE Bring God’s hope, healing, and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted - 100% of your gift will support those affected by Hurricane Ida. Visit:

https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran- Disaster-Response/Our-Impact/Hurricane-Response

COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED We are looking for individuals willing to make coffee on Sunday mornings from 9:15 -10:25 am in the

Commons. Sign-up sheet is located on the counter in the Commons.

Any questions call Nancy at 608-289-3055.

WORSHIP SERVICES ARE LIVESTREAMED The Saturday 5:00 pm service and the Sunday 8:30 am service are livestreamed. Bulletins for the services can be found online at oursaviorsbeloitwi.org/worship/.

LISTEN TO WORSHIP ON YOUR PHONE by calling 855-216-7749. No computer is necessary. Please contact the church office if you have any questions.

ROCK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Currently, recommends all people wear a face masks in all indoor, public spaces. If you are in need of a mask, support our youth by purchasing a custom OSLC mask during Coffee Hour. Masks cost $5 each.

Saturday September 11 5:00 pm Worship Sunday September 12 8:30 am

9:15 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 11:30 am 1:00 pm 6:30 pm

Worship Coffee Hour

Outdoor Family Worship Worship

God’s work. Our hands.

Televised Worship (Ch. 992) j-crew (HS Youth Group) Monday September 13 8:30 am

1:30 pm 5:30 pm

Sewing Bee Rachel Circle Naomi Circle Tuesday September 14 9:30 am

11:00 am 6:30 pm

Staff Meeting Pastors Text Study OSLC Board Retreat Wednesday September 15 9:00 am

9:00 am 12:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm

Men’s Group Shalom Circle

Pastor Tony’s Weekly Devotion Televised Worship (Ch. 992) Pastor Jason Mutual Ministry Confirmation Kick-off Thursday September 16 9:30 am

6:00 pm

BAREA Meeting

Safe Church Meeting (Zoom) Friday September 17 9:00 am Newsletter Deadline

Saturday September 18 8:00 am

5:00 pm

Lutheran on the Move

(Depart from Faith Lutheran) Worship

Sunday September 19 8:30 am 9:15 am 9:30 am 9:40 am 10:30 am 1:00 pm

Worship Coffee Hour

Outdoor Family Worship Bible Study

Worship

Televised Worship (Ch. 992)

Weekly Calendar

Altar Flowers are given today by Pat Granberg, in memory of Kellie Ann Granberg.

WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT OUR SAVIOR’S

It is a joy to have you join us for worship this morning. Wherever you are from, wherever you are in life or on your faith journey, we are glad you are here. Please fill out a Yellow Slip for attendance and prayer requests.

STAY CONNECTED

749 Bluff Street, Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 362-0716

office@oursaviorsbeloitwi.org Senior Pastor: Tony Dusso

Assoc. Pastor: Jason Poole-Xiong

www.oursaviorsbeloitwi.org www.facebook/oslcbeloit

“Ministry Coordinator OSLC”

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

We have large print bulletins and hearing enhancers for anyone who may need them, please see an usher for assistance.

SCRIPTURE

You may want to prepare for next week by studying the scriptures.

• Jeremiah 11:18-20

• Psalm 54

• James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a

• Mark 9:30-37

What does it look like when God is working with you in completing a task?

What does it feel like? When has that happened to you?

Our reading today, Mark 8:27-38 comes at the heart of the Mark’s Gospel and expresses the heart of the greater gospel message. Focusing on verses 27-33, describe Jesus. Describe God. Considering Jesus’ response to Peter afterwards and his lesson for the rest of his followers, describe what it means to be human. Who are we? Who are you?

“God’s Work, Our Hands” is a slogan and gives us a picture of the relationship between God and humans. How might it be interpreted as being a distant relationship? If we are one in Christ, and one with God through baptism, how might “God’s Work, Our Hands” express our unity with God? How does humility, “denying” ourselves, taking up our “cross”

become central to this unity?

. . .

DWELL IN THE WORD AND NOTICE HOW IT CONNECTS WITH YOUR LIFE