10 OCTOBER 2021
Copyright Information All liturgical texts used from Evangelical Lutheran Worship administered Augsburg Fortress and under Sundays and Seasons License #SAS000839. Where applicable, hymns used through One License #A-725060. Biblical texts taken from The Inclusive Bible. 2007. Priests for Equality.
Welcome! This is the day the Lord has made, let us together rejoice and be glad in it!
~ Here are a few notes to help you participate in worship today: Almost everything you need is here in this bulletin. You are invited to participate with the
words in bold type. You may stand as you are able where there is an asterisk (*). Hymns are included in this bulletin. If you need larger print, you may find the hymn in the back of the red hymnal using the number indicated (#) here. Hymns #151-893 may be found in the red Evangelical Lutheran Worship and hymns #901-1100 may be found in the purple All Creation Sings. The Psalms are found as hymn #1-150 on un-numbered pages.
~ You don’t need to disconnect here! - You don’t need to turn off your phone, but please place it in silent mode. - Feel free to take pictures—of our building, of worship, but ask permission for any people-pictures. -We ask that you not use flash during this worship service. - Post your favorite quote from the sermon or verse from a hymn… just be sure to check in and let your friends know where you are!
~ We welcome all of God’s children no matter your age. Wriggles, dancing, and singing welcome! Together we raise a joyful noise. If you would like a children’s bulletin, a soft toy, or a book, they’re in the back!
~ All-Gender Restrooms may be found in Kimes Hall. To get there, exit by the back door, cross the driveway, and enter the red door at the top of the ramp/stairs.
~ Christ Ascension is a Reconciling in Christ congregation and we fully welcome all people—regardless of race, gender understanding/expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, political affiliation—and we hope that you know the
grace and love of God among us today! + + +
Christ Ascension Lutheran Church and Preschool 8300 Germantown Ave | Philadelphia, PA 19118
215.247.4233 christascension.org The Rev. Jay C. Mitchell, Pastor Ms. BethAnn Leaming, Preschool Director Ms. Denise Hyson, Parish Administrator
GATHERING The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
PRELUDE
*BAPTISM OF CORA MELCHIOR
Presentation The Presiding Minister addresses the family and the assembly: God, who is rich in mercy and love,...and joined in God's mission for the life of the world. The parents present their child of baptism: We present Cora ___ Melchior for baptism. The Presiding Minister asks: Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have your children baptized into Christ? We do. As you bring your children to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: to live with them among God's faithful people, bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer, so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace. Do you promise to help your children grow in the Christian faith and life? We do. Sponsors, do you promise to nurture Cora in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God's Spirit, and to help her live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church? We do. People of God, do you promise to support Cora and pray for her in her new life in Christ? We do.
Profession of Faith Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God, the powers of this world that rebel against God, and the ways of sin that draw you from God? I renounce them. Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? 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. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? 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.
Thanksgiving at the Font Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness, let us give thanks for the gift of baptism. Holy God, fountain of living water,… Your steadfast love fills the earth. Your steadfast love fills the earth.
Baptism Cora ____, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Anointing Let us pray. We give you thanks,...both now and forever. Amen. The newly baptized is anointed with oil in the sign of the cross. Cora _____, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.
Welcome The newly baptized is presented with a candle lighted from the Paschal candle—sign of the Risen Christ’s presence in the midst of the assembly. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life. Let us welcome the newly baptized. We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world. The assembly offers a welcome with applause.
*GATHERING HYMN #878
*GREETING The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ,...be with you all.
And also with you.
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
WORD God speaks to us in scripture readings, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 Seek the Lord and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground! They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. Therefore, because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 90:12-17 The choir introduces the refrain (R), the congregation repeats. The assembly joins on all following refrains and verses in bold.
So teach us to num- | ber our days that we may apply our | hearts to wisdom. Return, O Lord; how long | will you tarry? Be gracious | to your servants. R Satisfy us by your steadfast love | in the morning; so shall we rejoice and be glad | all our days. Make us glad as many days as you af- | flicted us and as many years as we suf- | fered adversity. Show your ser- | vants your works, and your splendor | to their children. May the graciousness of the Lord our God | be upon us; prosper the work of our hands; pros- | per our handiwork. R
SECOND READING Hebrews 4:12-16 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God.
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
*GOSPEL Mark 10:17-31 The Holy Gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jay
*PRAYER OF INTERCESSION Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
*THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you. We greet one another with a sign of peace saying “Peace be with you,” or similar words.
Please be mindful of touch.
MEAL God feeds us with Jesus Christ.
OFFERING An offering is gathered for the mission of the church. Our offering at Christ Ascension goes to support our ministries as well as those of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. If you would like to give electronically, you may do so by using the DONATE tab on our website: christascension.org.
*OFFERTORY HYMN THE HEAVENS TELL OF YOUR CREATIVE GLORY #1070
Text: Horacio Vivares; tr. David Bjorlin, b. 1984 Music: Horacio Vivares Text and music ©2019 Red Crearte
* OFFERTORY PRAYER
*DIALOG spoken p. 107
*PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy...join their unending hymn:
*SANCTUS p. 108
*EUCHARISTIC PRAYER The Presiding Minister, on behalf of all, gives thanks for God’s providence and especially for bread and wine. Together, the Presiding Minister and Assembly remember the past, present, and future that are met together in this meal: ...we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The Presiding Minister continues. The assembly adds their assent with: Amen.
*LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in Heaven… p. 112
*INVITATION TO THE TABLE
COMMUNION This is Christ’s Table and Christ himself is present when we share this Meal. All Christians are welcomed to receive the Bread and Wine, Christ’s Body and Blood given and shed for the sake of the world. Communion is by pouring chalice. You may come forward, at the direction of the ushers. Take a small cup from the front of the aisle, and proceed to the altar rail. Receive the bread in your open palm. Then, please hold your cup steadily for the assisting minister to pour into. You may then drink. When you return to your seat, please dispose of the cup in the provided bowl. For those who so desire, gluten-free bread is available. Please indicate such desire to the presiding minister. For those who would like to participate, but not to receive the Bread and Wine, please come forward for a blessing. Please indicate this desire by crossing your arms in front of you. If you are unable to come forward to the altar rail and would like Communion brought to you in your seat, please let the usher know.
HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION Agnus Dei p. 112
We Come to the Hungry Feast #479
Can You Feel the Seasons Turning on following page
Take, Oh Take, Me As I Am #814
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*BLESSING
* DISMISSAL Go in peace. The Living Word dwells in you!
Thanks be to God!