Category: Worship Services

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Matthew 25:31-46| Each year, the church closes the year not on New Years Eve (Dec 31), but before the beginning of Advent with the celebration of Christ the King Sunday. The image of Christ as King, ruler, Lord, and master runs throughout Scripture. But what does it mean for Christ to be our King? And how does that title resonate with us today, as people living in 21^st century America? Join us for worship this weekend as we look back in the Gospel of Matthew to consider just who Christ is to us, and how our perception of Christ makes a direct impact on our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with others.

Sunday, November 26, 2023, Christ the King Sunday 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: Majesty. Text and Music: Jack Hayford. Text and Music: © 1981 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. Oh, Worship the King. Text: Robert Grant, 1779-1838, alt. Music: William Croft, 1678-1727. Text and Music: Public Domain. Gathering Song: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! Text: Edward Perronet, 1726-1792, sts. 1-4; J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, sts. 5-6. Music: Oliver Holden, 1765-1844. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service. Text and Music: Albert Bayly, The Sacred Harp. Text and Music: © 1961 Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Jesus Is My Lord with All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. Text and Music: Carol Tornquist. Text and Music: © 1996 Pilot Point Music. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: King of Kings. Text and Music: Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood. Text and Music: © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Bring Forth the Kingdom. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

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Matthew 25:14-30 | As we look to the coming Thanksgiving holiday, some families might bring out special family dishes for the occasion. These dishes – often quite valuable – are meant to be used, to be shared, and to bring joy to a gathering. They’re not meant to be kept locked up on a shelf to collect dust. In the same way, God generously and even recklessly offers us something valuable: first, God’s grace and mercy; and second, the mission of Christ in the world today. So as we prepare to give thanks, we invite you to join us for worship as we open our hands to receive what has been entrusted to us, without fear, and as we consider why or how we are tempted to keep God’s grace, God’s mercy, and the mission of Christ stuck in a cabinet rather than sharing it for the joy of all creation.

Sunday, November 19, 2023, Twenty-fifth 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: Be Thou My Vision. Text: Irish, 8th cent.; vers. Eleanor H. Hull, 1860-1935, alt.; tr. Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1931. Music: Irish traditional. Text and Music: Public Domain. The Light of the World Is Jesus. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Christ, Be Our Light. Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell. Text and Music: © 1993, 2020 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light. Text and Music: Kathleen Thomerson. Text and Music: © 1970 Jubilate Music. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Come to the Mountain. Text and Music: Scott Tunseth & Kathy Donlan Tunseth. Text and Music: © 1996 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.
Communion Song: Faithful Servant. Text and Music: Cindy Berry. Text and Music: © 2001 Shawnee Press. Covered under One License subscription.
Sending Song: This Little Light of Mine. Text: African American spiritual. Music: African American spiritual; Horace Clarence Boyer, b. 1935. Text and Music: Public Domain.

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Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24 | Throughout Scripture we’re encouraged to “be prepared” for the coming of Christ in our midst. But what does it really mean to “prepare”? Often in our lives and in our world, to be “prepared” implies having things under control, having loose ends tied up, and having a road map directing us forward. But, as we approach a parable of 10 bridesmaids this weekend, we’ll be challenged to consider that preparation goes beyond having our ducks in a row (which, perhaps is good news for some of us!). Instead, to “prepare” pushes us to be obedient to the call and the role that God has entrusted to us: to be the light of the world. So this weekend, join us for worship as once again we are invited to partake in a foretaste of God’s feast to come, and as we are sent forth by the power of the Spirit to participate in God’s mission.

Sunday, November 12, 2023, Twenty-fourth 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: Wayfaring Stranger. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Blessed Assurance. Text and Music: ASSURANCE, Phoebe Knapp, Fanny Crosby. Text and Music: © OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. Text and Music: African American spiritual. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Grateful. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Full Attention. Text and Music: Jeremy Riddle. Text and Music: © 2007 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Soon and Very Soon. Text and Music: Andraé Crouch, b. 1945. Text and Music: © 1976 Bud John Songs, Inc./Crouch Music, admin. EMI Christian Music Publishing. Covered under CCLI subscription.

Matthew 5:1-12; Psalm 34:1-10, 22 | It’s common to hear words like “blessed” and “blessing” in everyday conversation. Look online and you might find people attributing what they experience to being #blessed. But what, really, is blessing? Where does it come from, and how does it relate to our lives as saints in God’s Kingdom? Join us this weekend for worship as we give thanks for all the saints – past, present, and future – and as we claim our own blessedness in God’s sight, going forth to live into our holy vocation as saints in God’s Kingdom.

Sunday, November 5, 2023, All Saints Sunday 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: This Little Light of Mine. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: For All the Saints. Text: William W. How, 1823-1897. Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text and Music: © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Give Thanks for Saints. Text: Martin E. Leckebusch, b. 1962. Music: C. Hubert H. Parry, 1848-1918. Text and Music: © 2003 Kevin Mayhew Ltd. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Wade in the Water. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 1993 Alfred Sacred. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Taste and See. Text and Music: James E. Moore Jr., b. 1951, based on Ps. 34. Text and Music: © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Oh When the Saints Go Marching In. Text and Music: African American spiritual; arr. hymnal version. Arr.: © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Psalm 46 | Each year, the church honors Reformation Day – a day to remember reforms within the church throughout history, and a day to pay attention to how the Spirit is continually re-forming and re-shaping us to live in the kingdom of God. And yet, based on where each of us find ourselves, the very notion of “reformation” might sit quite differently. For some, life – and even faith – may feel chaotic, confusing, and stirred up. While for others, there may be hunger for a long overdue shift in thinking, shift in society, or shift in faith that more clearly resembles the whole of God’s Good News. Point being: we approach “reformation” based on where we find ourselves, and where we find ourselves as the church. So, as we gather in worship this weekend, join us as we recall the changing and shaking that is happening, and perhaps the changing and the shaking that needs to happen in our lives, the world, and the church as we join with Christ in mission.

Sunday, October 29, 2023, Reformation Sunday 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: Blessed Assurance. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship. Music: Martin Luther. Text and Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.
Hymn of the Day: The Church of Christ in Ev’ry Age. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: William Knapp, 1698-1768. Text and Music: © 1971 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Reflection. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Reformation Song. Text and Music: Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester. Text and Music: © Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI License subscription. Sending Song: Send Us Out. Text & Music: James Hersch. Text & Music: © 1994 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 22:15-22 | You have heard it said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God the things that are God’s.” All well and good when the “Caesar’s” of our time are well-intentioned rulers! But how do we approach this phrase when leaders, and powers, and authorities lead without any concern for their people? Or, when leaders perpetuate a system of injustice and destruction? Join us this weekend as we wrap up our stewardship series and as we are summoned to give ourselves, fully, to God as Christ’s ambassadors within the world.

Sunday, October 22, 2023, Twenty-first Sunday of 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: Amazing Grace. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: God of the Fertile Fields. Text: Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974, alt. Music: Felice de Giardini, 1716-1796. Text and Music: © 1955, ren. 1983 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Give Thanks. Text and Music: Henry Smith. Text and Music: © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Spirit Of God, Descend Upon My Heart. Text and Music: Frederick Atkinson, Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: 10,000 Reasons. Text and Music: Matt Redman. Text and Music: © 2011 Columbia Music Company. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: For the Fruit of All Creation. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text: © 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 | You’ve likely heard about “stewardship” in reference to money. But, in the words of Grace Pomroy Duddy, “stewardship is everything we do after we say ‘I believe.’ Stewardship is the way we love God and neighbor with our whole lives. Understood this way,…stewardship is about justice – justice for our neighbors and for our world.” Join us for worship this weekend as we pray the Scriptures using the model of Lectio Divinia, giving space for the Spirit to speak to us as we live out our calling to justice and generosity.

Sunday, October 15, 2023, Twentieth Sunday of 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 Song: We Come to the Hungry Feast. Text and Music: Ray Makeever. Text and Music: © 1982 Ray Makeever, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: We Give Thee But Thine Own. Text: William W. How, 1823-1897, alt. Music: L. Mason and G. Webb, Cantica Lauda, 1850. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Interlude. 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. Sending Song: We Are Called. Text and Music: David Hass, b. 1957. Text and Music: © 1988 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Philippians 3:4b-14 | You may have heard people refer to money or other material possessions as “blessings” from God. But does that mean God’s blessings, or God’s love, are only given to those who have material things? This week as we continue in our stewardship series, we’ll wrestle with this question and heed Paul’s words to the Philippians, urging us to consider what is valuable, what is worth our pursuit, and what it means to take up the mind of Christ – the mind of humility and servitude.

Note: due to technical difficulties, the video begins 30 seconds into Pastor Aleese’s sermon and therefore does not include the beginning portion of worship. Consider reading Philippians 3:4b-14 on your own before listening in!

Sunday, October 8, 2023, Nineteenth Sunday of 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: Beneath the Cross of Jesus. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending. Text and Music: Robert L. Edwards & Lloyd Larson. Text and Music: © 2016 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: O Christ, What Can It Mean For Us. Text and Music: Delores Dufner. Text and Music: © 2001, 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Here At Your Table Lord. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: I Shall Not Want. Text and Music: Audrey Assad & Bryan Brown. Text and Music: © 2013 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fortunate Fall Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Take My Life, That I May Be. Text and Music: Frances R. Havergal & William H. Havergal. Text and Music: Public Domain.

Exodus 17:1-7 | You may have heard the phrase, “God provides” or “God will provide.” Throughout Scripture, we witness numerous examples of God remaining faithful to God’s promises. But what about today? Looking around, we may see signs of scarcity, and we ourselves might not feel as though God is providing. So how do we respond to that? Join us in worship this weekend as we hear a portion of the story of the Israelites liberation from Egypt, and as we are given the invitation to let go of our fears so we can radically place our trust in God’s faithfulness.

Sunday, October 1, 2023, Eighteenth Sunday of 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: What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly. Text and Music: Sylvia G. Dunstan. Text and Music: © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Confession and Forgiveness: Used by permission from All Creation Sings, Setting 11 under Augsburg Fortress license. Adapted by Rev. A. Kenitzer. Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison. Used by permission from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Setting 8 under Augsburg Fortress license. Hymn of Praise: This is the Feast. Used by permission from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Setting 8 under Augsburg Fortress license. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Used by permission from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Setting 8 under Augsburg Fortress license. Hymn of the Day: Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Text and Music: Thomas O Chisholm and William M Runyan. Text and Music: © 1923, 1951 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Breathe on Me, Breath of God. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2009 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Liturgy: Holy, Holy, Holy & Lamb of God. Used by permission from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Setting 8 under Augsburg Fortress license. Communion Song: All Who Are Thirsty. Text and Music: Brenton Brown and Glenn Robertson. Text and Music: © 1998 Vineyard Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Praise and Thanksgiving. Text and Music: Albert F Bayly, Augsburg Fortress. Text and Music: © 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 20:1-18 | Often we proclaim the message that God’s grace extends beyond the limits of imagination. In our communion liturgy, we give thanks for God’s mercy that is higher than the mountains and deeper than the seas. But all too often, we put false limits on the boundless generosity of God, leading to an exclusion of ourselves, and others, from the fullness of God’s Kingdom. As we celebrate the sacrament of baptism this Sunday, join us as we rejoice in the gift of God’s abounding love and as we are sent forth to bear that generosity and justice as marks of discipleship in the world.

Sunday, September 24, 2023, Seventeenth Sunday of 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: Day By Day. Text and Music: Stephen Schwartz. Text and Music: © Covered under Music Theatre International. Call to Worship: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord. Text and Music: Stephen Schwartz. Text and Music: © Covered under Music Theatre International. Confession and Forgiveness: Used by permission from All Creation Sings, Setting 11 under Augsburg Fortress license. Adapted by Rev. A. Kenitzer. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy. Text and Music: Calvin Hampton. Text and Music: © 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: We Beseech Thee. Text and Music: Stephen Schwartz. Text and Music: © Covered under Music Theatre International. Communion Liturgy: Holy, Amen & Lamb of God. Text and Music: Sarah Hart. Text and Music: © 2010, 2018 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Boundless Love. Text and Music: Hans Peterson. Text and Music: © 2001 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: All My Relatives. Text and Music: Larry Olson & Karol Baer. Text and Music: © 1992 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.