To long-time Lutherans, Christians from every tradition, and people new to the faith.
We welcome you
To all who have no church home, want to follow Christ, have doubts or do not believe.
We welcome you
To people of every age and size, color and culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, and marital status, ability, disability, and challenge.
We welcome you
To believers, questioners, and questioning believers.
This is a place where you are welcome to: celebrate and struggle, rejoice and recover.
AMEN
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Sana and Tonkawa peoples. It is also important to acknowledge that we are here today due to the exclusion and erasure of many indigenous people from their native land, including the land on which we stand today. We honor with gratitude the land itself and its original people.
Living Room Worship
Welcome to worship. God welcomes you here, as does this community. In tonight’s worship, you will be invited to offer a song, poem, essay, reflection, photograph, story, or letter around the theme of “For Us” Be brave! We are all enriched by your sharing.
GATHERING SONG
Hopeless Wanderer – Mumford & Sons
You heard my voice, I came out of the woods by choice
Shelter also gave their shade
But in the dark I have no name
So leave that click in my head
And I will remember the words that you said
Left a clouded mind and a heavy heart
But I am sure we could see a new start
So when your hopes on fire
But you know your desire
Don’t hold a glass over the flame
Don’t let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
But hold me fast, hold me fast
‘Cause I’m a hopeless wanderer
And hold me fast, hold me fast
‘Cause I’m a hopeless wanderer
I wrestled long with my youth
We tried so hard to live in the truth
But do not tell me all is fine
When I lose my head, I lose my spine
So leave that click in my head
And I won’t remember the words that you said
You brought me out from the cold
Now, how I long, how I long to grow old
So when your hope’s on fire
But you know your desire
Don’t hold a glass over the flame
Don’t let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
But hold me fast, hold me fast
‘Cause I’m a hopeless wanderer
And hold me fast, hold me fast
‘Cause I’m a hopeless wanderer
I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I’m under
And I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I’m under
The skies I’m under
Prayer
O God, our Heavenly Parent,
give us a vision of our world as Your love would make it:
a world where the weak are protected
and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the benefits of civilized life are shared,
and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races, nations and cultures
live in tolerance and mutual respect,
a world where peace is built with justice,
and justice is guided by love;
and give us the inspiration and courage to build it,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Mark 9:38-50
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”
Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him. No one who does powerful acts in my name can quickly turn around and curse me. Whoever isn’t against us is for us. I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded.
“As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and to be thrown into the lake. If your hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter into life crippled than to go away with two hands into the fire of hell, which can’t be put out. If your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter life lame than to be thrown into hell with two feet. If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out. It’s better for you to enter God’s kingdom with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two. That’s a place where worms don’t die and the fire never goes out. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? Maintain salt among yourselves and keep peace with each other.”
Time of Sharing
Who is for us? If people are proclaiming Jesus does that make them for us?
Prayers
Communion
LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
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.
Communion Hymn – Let Us Break Bread Together ELW 471
Announcements
Sending Song
Soul On Fire
Chorus 1
God I’m running for Your heart
I’m running for Your heart
‘Til I am a soul on fire
Lord I’m longing for Your ways
I’m waiting for the day
When I am a soul on fire
(‘Til I am a soul on fire)
Verse
Lord restore the joy I had
I have wandered bring me back
In this darkness lead me through
Until all I see is You yeah
Bridge
Lord let me burn for You again
Let me return to You again
And Lord let me burn for You again
And let me return to You again
Chorus 2
God I’m running for Your heart
I’m running for Your heart
‘Til I am a soul on fire
‘Til I am a soul on fire
‘Til I am a soul on fire
Brenton Brown, David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee, Matt Maher, Tai Anderson
CCLI Song #7032679
© 2015 Thankyou Music; Be Essential Songs; I Am A Pilgrim Songs; Hipgnosis SFH I Limited
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #20897483
Blessing
Go in peace to enjoy and employ your gift of faith.
Our help is in the name of God who made heaven and earth.
Fear neither outward foe nor inner temptation.
Our help is in the name of God who made heaven and earth
Rejoice in your blessings and smile in your adversities.
Our help is in the name of God who made heaven and earth.
The inexhaustible grace of Christ crucified,
the tireless, eternal love of God,
and the live-in Guest who fills household of faith with many gifts,
will be with you this day and for evermore.
Amen!