Holy Communion
September 12, 2021







But who do you say that I am?

~ Mark 8:29


The Christ? Messiah? Son of God? Miracle worker? Healer? Prince of Peace? All great answers! All perfectly correct answers? They describe what Jesus is. They would be counted correct as answers on a multiple choice exam - all of the above. But Jesus question goes deeper and is less about Jesus and more about us. Who do we say Jesus is? How do we live out our relationship with Jesus? How are we different because we are claimed and loved by Jesus? Those questions are more challenging and make us reflect and reimagine who we are as followers, disciples, and children of God.
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This Sunday we return to 2 services:
8:15 and 11:00 am

The 8:15 worship will be livestreamed
and available to view afterwards.



This Sunday we celebrate the Eucharist together!

We will continue to wear masks to protect those who are not vaccinated, children, and those who are vulnerable. We are doing everything we can to maintain a safe space for worship for everyone. However, if you feel ill or are running a fever of over 100 degrees, please stay home and keep yourself and others safe.

You may access the livestream by clicking the link below.





~ Gathering ~
Prelude


Thanksgiving for Baptism

In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water is poured into the font.
 
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.
Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.
At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons,
making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,
and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit,
and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.


Greeting and Prayer of the Day

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

Let us pray. Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord.


Amen.




~ Word ~


First Reading     Isaiah 50:4-9a

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?

Word of God. Word of life.
Thanks be to God.



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. 



Gospel   Mark 8:27-38

The Holy Gospel according to Mark.
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.”


Praise to you, O Christ.



Sermon



Prayers of the People

Each petition ends:
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.



Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.



Offertory Prayer

God of abundance,
you cause streams to break forth in the desert and manna to rain from the heavens. Accept the gifts you have first given us. Unite them with the offering of our lives to nourish the world you love so dearly; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.


Great Thanksgiving
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy... we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:


Words of Institution



Lord's Prayer

Lord, remember us in your love and teach us to pray:

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.



Communion



Post Communion Blessing and Prayer

The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.

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.
Amen.

 


~ Sending ~


Blessing


Dismissal

Go in peace. The living Word dwells in you.
Thanks be to God!
 


Postlude
Coming Up at Immanuel...
Adult Sunday School Returns Today!

After a summer of getting out-and-about, visiting with family and friends, the adult class will resume meeting today at 9:30. The class will continue the study, Introduction to the Gospels. Even if you didn’t participated in the spring, you are welcome to join the class—each gospel overview stands on its own. We will be starting with an overview of the gospel of Matthew, sharing the background and context for the writing of that gospel.

Join us on Sundays at 9:30, in person in the fellowship hall. Bring your favorite version of the Bible. Should you be more comfortable joining remotely, Zoom log-in is:
Meeting ID: 892 4142 0205
Passcode: 891269
or click the link below.
What is My Vocation and
How Do I Share It?

Vocation was a major theme for Martin Luther and Jesus too. But just what does it mean to have a vocation? The answer to that question can vary depending upon with whom you’re speaking. Is it about our chosen career? Or is it about something else? Join this One Night Only! event on Monday, September 13 at 7 pm to learn more about vocation and how we share our gifts. Lori Russell and Kathy Bannon will facilitate the discussion that will include questions like, “What’s my baptism got to do with my vocation?” and “How do our everyday vocations help us fulfill our life’s vocation?” The goal of this session is to have a better idea of what you have to share in vocation and how you (and Immanuel) can actually engage in that vocation.
Join in on Zoom for this engaging discussion.

Meeting ID: 832 3516 0120
Passcode: 820489
Bible Study Wednesday Mornings at 9

Wednesday morning Bible Study is in full swing again Wednesday mornings at 9:00. Each week we talk about the upcoming lessons for Sunday, digging more deeply into God’s story of love and grace. No prior bible study experience is necessary. Our mornings are filled with conversation, laughter, questions, and fun. Plan to be a part of this wonderful way to grow in our faith! We meet on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 854 6566 1417
Passcode: 987872

or click the link below:
Help Wanted!

If you would like to serve as an usher or greeter, reader, or communion assistant, please contact the church office and we will get you on the list!

We also need garden gnomes - or rather, some help with pulling the weeds to keep our gardens looking beautiful, and harvesting veggies for our farmstand beside the Little Pantry.

If you are able to help with any of these tasks, please contact the office.


Lift High the Crossl, Text and Music © 1974 Hope Publishing Company.  Reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.
 
Will You Come and Follow Me, Text  © 1967 Iona Community, GIA Publications.  Reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.
 
Heaven Is Singing for Joy, Text and Music  © Pablo Sosa.  Reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.
 
 
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23581.
 
 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.


Immanuel Lutheran Church | www.immanuelwebster.org | 585.872.5180