WELCOME
PRELUDE
“There Is A Redeemer” By Keith Green
INTRODUCTION
CONFESSION
P: God, have mercy.
C: God, have mercy.
GATHERING SONG
“All Are Welcome” By: Hans Peterson & Larry Olson
All are welcome, friend and stranger at the banquet of the Savior. All are welcome. All are welcome here.
From the woman who comes crying, leaving tears at Jesus’ feet, to the man who knows the right way but cannot see.
All are welcome, friend and stranger at the banquet of the Savior. All are welcome. All are welcome here.
From the ones who feel forgotten, those who sense their place is gone, to the ones who live in hunger, here you belong.
All are welcome, friend and stranger at the banquet of the Savior. All are welcome. All are welcome here.
Go into the streets and cities, to the farms and families, tell about the splendid table, God’s mercy.
All are welcome, friend and stranger at the banquet of the Savior. All are welcome. All are welcome here.
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: God of heaven and earth,
C: before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the triune God: Author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us. Glory and praise to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING: Genesis 1:1–2:4a
6And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
9And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
14And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, 18to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
20And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
26Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
27So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
4aThese are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
PSALM: Psalm 8
2you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of infants and children;
you have set up a fortress against your enemies, to silence the foe and avenger.
3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
4what are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them, human beings that you should care for them?
5Yet you have made them little less than divine; with glory and honor you crown them.
6You have made them rule over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet:
7all flocks and cattle, even the wild beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes along the paths of the sea.
9O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
GOSPEL: Matthew 28:16-20
SERMON
Rev. Elizabeth Eaton (Presiding Bishop – ELCA)
HYMN OF THE DAY
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty – Hymn #413 (ELW)
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in pow’r, in love and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
APOSTLE’S CREED
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.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
P: Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
MINSTRY HAPPENINGS
SPECIAL MUSIC – BELL SOLO
“How Great Thou Art”
Bonnie Buckles – Accompanied by Ron Buckles
OFFERTORY PRAYER
P: Merciful Father,
C: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
BLESSING
SENDING SONG
“How Majestic Is Your Name” – By: Sandi Patty
Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
Oh Lord, we praise your name, Oh Lord, we magnify your name.
Prince of peace, Mighty God, Oh Lord, God Almighty.
Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
Oh Lord, we praise your name, Oh Lord, we magnify your name.
Prince of peace, Mighty God, Oh Lord, God Almighty.
DISMISSAL
P: Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
C: Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
“Find Us Faithful” – By: James Tallman
Hymns, songs and portions of the liturgy are reprinted under the following licenses:
CCLI #2339821, OneLicense #A-723565, Augsburg #SAS013411.
The scripture readings are reprinted from the NRSV Bible.