Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a | Welcome mats adorn people’s front steps. “All are welcome” is blasted across signs in front of churches and businesses, and “welcome home!” is a phrase we often use with people we haven’t seen in a while. But what does it really mean to be “welcomed”? Join us for worship this week as we hear the promise of our God who became a servant so that we might be welcomed into God’s embrace, and as we are sent to be Christ’s welcome to all the world.

Sunday, September 22, 2024, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: All My Relatives. Text and Music: Larry Olson, Karol Baer. Text and Music: © 1992 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription. Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan. Text and Music: © 2009 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 2009, 2010 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 1969, 1981, 1997, 2009 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service. Text and Music: Lutheran Book of Worship, Ronald A. Nelson. Text and Music: © 1978, 1985 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Jesus Loves Me. Text: Anna B. Warner, 1820-1915, alt. Music: William B. Bradbury 1816-1868. Text and Music: © Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 2009, 2010 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under
One License subscription. Communion Song: Children of the Heavenly Father. Text and Music: Ernst W. Olson. Text and Music: © 1925, 1953 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Make Me a Servant. Text and Music: Kelly Willard. Text and Music: © 1982 Alfred Sacred. Covered under One License subscription.

Mark 8:27-38 | Think about the things, people, and ideas that you “follow.” You might follow a sports team, an influencer on social media, or a news channel.  So then, what does it mean when Jesus asks us to “follow him”? And even further, what does it mean that we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross as a part of what it means to “follow” Jesus? As we take in the many people and things we could choose to follow, join us for worship this weekend as we wrestle with Jesus’ call to his disciples – and to us – inviting us to the truth of God’s fullness of life.

Sunday, September 15, 2024, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: If God My Lord Be for Me. Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676; tr. Richard Massie, 1800-1887, adapted. Music: English melody, 16th cent.; arr. hymnal version. Text and Music: © 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.
Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan. Text and Music: © 2009 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription.
Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 2009, 2010 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 1969, 1981, 1997, 2009 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Will You Come and Follow Me. Text and Music: John Bell. Text and Music: © 1987 Iona Community/WGRG (North America). Covered under One License
subscription. Offering: In Christ There Is No East or West. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 2009, 2010 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Take Up Your Cross. Text and Music: Jaime Cortez. Text and Music: © 2014 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Lord, I Lift Your Name on High. Text and Music: Rick Founds. Text and Music: © 1989 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing. Covered under CCLI subscription.

Mark 7:24-37 | Imagine what it would be like to go from being deaf to being able to hear. Or, being blind to being able to see. In that moment, a whole new world (quite literally) would open up before you. In the same way, this weekend, we meet a deaf man whose entire world opens up before him as Jesus’ heals him. For ourselves, we may not struggle with such an impairment. But for each of us, Jesus continues to come to us: opening our ears, our perspectives, our wills, indeed our very lives, so that we might receive God’s grace and so that we might extend that grace to others. So, as we continue through Mark, join us this weekend as we receive Christ’s healing and grace anew, and as we open ourselves to the truth of Christ and Christ’s Kingdom.

Sunday, September 8, 2024, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord. Text and Music: Paul Baloche. Text and Music: © 1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered under One License subscription. Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan. Text and Music: © 2009 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 2009, 2010 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 1969, 1981, 1997, 2009 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Spirit, Open My Heart. Text and Music: Ruth Duck. Text and Music: © 1996 The Pilgrim Press. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Make Me an Instrument. Text and Music: Larry Olson, Karol Baer. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy. Text and Music: Curtis Stephan, International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Text and Music: © 2009, 2010 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds. Text and Music: John Newton. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Lord of Justice. Text and Music: Larry Olson. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23; James 1:17-27 | Whether as individuals or groups of people, over time, we may continue to “do” something that becomes devoid of meaning. It becomes a “habit,” or, a “tradition.” On the whole, these habits or traditions aren’t inherently bad. But, as we’ll see in our Gospel reading, when those habits and traditions become our sole focus, what really matters often becomes blurry. So as we move into another school year, join us as we refine our focus on Christ and on God’s Word implanted within us, and as we are sent to live as people set apart, holy in God’s sight.

Sunday, September 1, 2024, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Way. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt. Music: William H Havergal, 1793-1870. Text and Music: Public Domain. Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Change My Heart O God. Text and Music: Eddie Espinosa, b. 1953. Text and Music: © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus. Text: Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, alt. Music: Georg G. Boltze, 18th cent. Text and Music: 1978 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy and Amen. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Teach Me To Obey. Text and Music: Aryn Calhoun, Sean Hill, Robby Valderrama. Text and Music: © 2015 Bless The Church Music (Admin. by Bless the Church Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am. Text and Music: John L. Bell, b. 1949. Text and Music: © 1995 Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

John 6:56-69 | As Jesus wraps up his teaching on who he is as the Bread of Life, several in the crowd walk away. Though Jesus has offered them the gift of life itself, it seems too hard to stomach and too challenging to digest. So they leave, satisfied with what they have and ignoring Jesus’ invitation to something even greater. For ourselves, at any point on our spiritual journey, we also can be content with where we’re at. And rather than heeding God’s invitation to engage in an even deeper relationship with Christ, leading us to something even more true and more real, we can refuse. But continually, Jesus invites us to something more, for with God our rate of return has a guaranteed result. So as we head into the fall, join us for worship this weekend as we hear Christ’s invitation given to us once again, and as we consider our own willingness to receive all that God has put before us.

Sunday, August 25, 2024, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: O Jesus, I Have Promised. Text: John E. Bode, 1816-1874, alt. Music: Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch, Meiningen, 1693. Text and Music: Public Domain. Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Lord Fill My Life. Text and Music: Paul Frantsen. Text and Music: © 1998 Cross the Sky Ministry. www.crossthesky.com Offering: Dona Nobis Pacem. Text and Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Text and Music: Public Domain. Communion Liturgy: Holy and Amen. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: To Be Your Bread. Text and Music: David Haas. Text and Music: © 1981, 1982 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: You Are the Way. Text and Music: Steve Angrisano, Patrick Smith. Text and Music: © 1999 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription.

John 6:51-58 | “You are what you eat,” goes the traditional nutritional advice. Many of us have heard this in reference to our physical bodies, and it’s common for fad diets to incorporate this phraseology into their marketing. But what about what we feed our minds, our souls, and our spirits? Join us for worship as we hear the invitation from Jesus to consume that which gives life, sending us forth to be Christ’s bread of life in the world today.

Sunday, August 18, 2024, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Pass It On. Text and Music: Kurt Kaiser. Text and Music: © Lutheran Church of Australia . Covered under One License subscription. Gathering: As We Gather at Your Table. Text and Music: Carl P. Daw, Jr. Text and Music: © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: By Your Hand, You Feed Your People. Text and Music: Susan Briehl, Marty Haugen. Text: © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy and Amen. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Take, Eat, Drink. Text and Music: Ike Ndolo, Mitch Wong, Ricky Vazquez, Sandra McCracken, Sarah Kroger Quaglia. Text and Music: © Admin. by Integrity Music. Covered under CCLI subscription. When I Return (Homeward Bound). Text and Music: Jay Althouse, Marta Keen. Text and Music: © 2006 Alfred Sacred. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: My Life Is In You. Text and Music: Daniel Gardner. Text and Music: © 1986 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription.

1 Kings 19:4-8 | Once in a while, we all need a “pick-me-up.” Maybe that comes in the form of a quick snack, a cat nap, or an encouraging phone call from a friend. Whatever it is, we need something to help us continue onward. In the same way, we hear from the prophet Elijah this weekend, who – after a series of events – is about ready to give up. But in the midst of his desperation, the Lord meets him where he is at and provides for Elijah. But then, the Lord commands Elijah to keep moving. From time to time, we – as individuals, as the church, as the world – might feel desperate like Elijah. But even then, the Lord comes to us, provides for us, and ushers us onward to continue the journey for the sake of the whole world. So join us this weekend, as we receive Christ as our Bread of Life, and as we are sent forth – not always knowing exactly where we go, but all the while trusting the hand of God to lead us.

Sunday, August 11, 2024, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen, All Night. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 1981 Harold Flammer Music (Admin. by Hal Leonard LLC) (Admin. by Tom Cat Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Gathering: All who Are Thirsty. Text and Music: Brenton Brown, Glenn Robertson. Text and Music: © 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of Praise: Glory to God. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Lord Jesus You Shall Be My Song. Text and Music: Les Petites Soeurs De Jésus. Text: © 1970 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: The Solid Rock. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy and Amen. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Taste and See. Text and Music: James Moore. Text and Music: © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Your Grace is Enough. Text and Music: Matt Maher. Text and Music: © 2003 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription.

John 6:24-35 | When you get hungry, you may or may not know exactly what you’re hungry for. For many Americans (though not all), our options for food – and what sustains us – are endless. But for the crowd who’d received loaves and bread from Jesus after the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000, they knew exactly what they wanted: more bread. And yet, when they encountered Jesus, in that interaction by the power of the Spirit, they began to recognize their deeper hunger for something even greater. As we continue through our series on Jesus as our Bread of Life, join us as we consider what draws us to seek after Jesus, and as we open ourselves to receive from Jesus that which truly satisfies.

Sunday, August 4, 2024, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: For Everyone Born (A Place at the Table). Text and Music: Lori True. Text and Music: © 2001 GIA Publications, Inc. & Let Us Go Now to the Banquet. Text and Music: Guillermo Cuéllar. Text and Music: © 1988 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering: Welcome Table. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2003 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription.
Hymn of the Day: All Who Hunger Gather Gladly. Text and Music: Sylvia G. Dunstan. Text: © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Now the Silence. Text and Music: Vajda/Schalk. Text and Music: © 1969 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy and Amen. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Hungry. Text and Music: Kathryn Scott. Text and Music: © 1999 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises. Text and Music: Anders Nyberg. Text and Music: © 1984 Walton Music. Covered under One License subscription.