September 26, 2021

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“No Stumbling Blocks” 8:30 a.m.

Ezekiel Lutheran Church In-Person Worship Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“No Stumbling Blocks” Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Sunday, September 26, 2021; 8:30 a.m.

Welcome to Ezekiel Lutheran Church! We are pleased that you are worshipping with us today!

*Please stand. Prelude “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” L. Beethoven “The Joy of the Lord” A. Vale “Crown Him With Many Crowns” G. Elvey

Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship: Psalm 19:7-14

Pastor: The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the decrees of the Lord are sure,

making wise the simple; All: the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is clear,

enlightening the eyes;

Pastor: the fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever;

the ordinances of the Lord are true

and righteous altogether.

All: More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey,

and drippings of the honeycomb.

Pastor: Moreover by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward. All: But who can detect their errors?

Clear me from hidden faults. Pastor: Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

do not let them have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

and innocent of great transgression.

All: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Kyrie

*Gathering Hymn “Rise Up, O Saints of God!” ELW 669

Words of Confession and Forgiveness

Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, whose

teaching is life, whose presence is sure, and whose love is endless.

All: Amen.

Pastor: Let us confess our sins to the one who welcomes us with an open heart.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Pastor: God our comforter:

All: like lost sheep, we have gone astray. We gaze upon abundance and see

scarcity. We turn our faces away from injustice and oppression. We exploit

the earth with our apathy and greed. Free us from our sin, gracious God.

Listen when we call out to you for help. Lead us by your love to love our

neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

Pastor: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. By the gift of grace in Christ

Jesus, God makes you righteous. Receive with glad hearts the forgiveness of all

your sins.

All: Amen

*Apostolic Greeting

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And also with you.

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of the Day

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: Generous God, your Son gave his life that we might come to peace with

you. Give us a share of your Spirit, and in all we do empower us to bear

the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Lesson: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 New Testament Lesson: James 5:13-20 Children’s Message Pastor Jeff Smith

*Prayers of the Church Pastor: Lord in your mercy

All: Hear our prayer.

Lord’s Prayer

Offering/Closing “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” ELW 865 Benediction

Postlude " And Can It Be" Wesley/Campbell

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel: Mark:9:38-50 (page 45 in pew Bible) The Word for the Day “No Stumbling Blocks” Pastor Paul N. Svingen *Hymn of the Day “Word of God, Come Down on Earth” ELW 510 *Apostles’ 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.

A Bag of Tools: Isn’t it strange that princes and kings, and clowns that caper in sawdust rings, and common people like you and me are builders for eternity. To each is given a bag of tools, a shapeless mass, a book of rules; and each just make e’er time is flown, a stumbling block or a stepping stone. -R. L. Sharpe

Worship Assistants Pastors: Rev. Paul N. Svingen, Rev. Jeff Smith Musicians: Darla Benson, Greg Carter Lector: Max Neuhaus Sound: Bob Owens Ushers: Jerry Breen, Joyce Breen

WELCOME VISITORS. If you are a visitor with us today, welcome to Ezekiel Lutheran

Church!

THIS WEEK AT EZEKIEL Sept. 26—Oct. 3 Sunday, September 26 7:50 a.m. Prayer before Worship, Chapel 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship, Sanctuary 9:45 a.m. Search Committee, Rm 200 Monday, September 27 5:30 p.m. Prayer Team Meeting, Rm 190 Tuesday, September 28 12:00 p.m. Rotary, Rm 100 Wednesday, September 29 6:00 p.m. Solar Panel Completion Celebration, SW Front Lawn Saturday, October 2 8:00 a.m. Worship Band Rehearsal Sunday, October 3—Rally Sunday 7:50 a.m. Prayer before Worship, Chapel 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship with Guide Installation, Sanctuary 9:40 a.m. Blessing of the Pets, Front Lawn

Dates to Remember: Rally Sunday, October 3 Confirmation Orientation, October 6 9th Grade Confirmation, TBD

Portions of our service and today’s hymns can be found in the Evangelical Worship (ELW) ©2006

For your convenience the words and music have been printed in your worship folder with the permission of

Augsburg Fortress - License #15208-ELW

Prayers of Healing Care and Joy This Week

Those recovering from various medical situations... Nick Ross, malignant nasal tumor Leon Hennemann, Mary Ashbach’s father, hospitalized at Abbott Northwest in Minneapolis

for an infection and receiving dialysis.

All care givers.

Condolences to family and friends of Eli R. Hanel, Pastor John and Joni Henning’s brother-in-law, who passed away August 25th in Kansasville, WI. A graveside service will be held on October 6 at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Union Grove, WI.

Condolences to family and friends of Otto Bloedow, Ezekiel’s former Pastor Tinka’s husband, who passed away August 18. Otto was laid to rest in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Ezekiel:

For the Transition Task Force as they begin their service and frame their efforts around change, transition, and transformation. Help them and our entire congregation do our part in recognizing the accepting, guiding, healing hand of our God towards the transformation God knows we need in order to receive the gift of Ezekiel’s new day for mission and ministry.

For Sunday School and Confirmation classes as they start in October that our young people will learn God’s word and share God’s love.

World Events:

Those who continue to be affected by the Covid-19 virus: Pray for the virus to stop spreading. Pray for people who are infected or quarantine. Pray for people who are at higher risk of getting Covid. Pray for frontline workers. Pray for the leaders to make responsible decisions. Pray for families adjusting to new ways of life. Pray for all people to understand the importance of getting a vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community against Covid-19.

If you have a prayer concern please submit your prayer request to the church office (info@ezekiellutheran.org) or 715-425-8294. All prayers are confidential.

Ezekiel Lutheran Church 202 South Second Street River Falls, WI 54022

715-425-8294

www.ezekiellutheran.org