The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
REFLECTIONS
How you hear a parable has a lot to do with where you are hearing it from.
— Barbara Brown Taylor
Once we reach the age of thirty, success has nothing to teach us. Success is fun and rewarding, but we don’t learn anything new from it. It’s not a bad friend; it’s just a lousy teacher.
— Richard Rohr
Dear God, I am so afraid to open my clenched fists! Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love---unconditional, everlasting love. Amen.
— Henri Nouwen
COLLECT
God of true abundance, in whom nothing is lost and all are fed: liberate us from meager rations of scarce and grudging love for which we must compete; show us another kingdom which stills our all-consuming fear and fills us with new hope; through Jesus Christ, the peace of creation. Amen.
PRELUDE
Mozart - Quartet in D major, K. 499, I - Allegretto
GREETING
Joshua Jalandoon, Worship Leader
Minister: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Te Deum, 4th cen hymn & Isaiah 6:3
We praise you, O God, and we acclaim you as Lord.
All creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
We praise you, O Christ, King of Glory, eternal Son of the Father.
You overcame the sting of death;
you opened the kingdom of heaven to all who would believe.
Rulers of the earth, leaders of the nations, all the judges of the world!
We praise you, Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Sustainer, Advocate and Guide.
You dwell among us and within us to bring us Christ’s victory.
Triune God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit, receive our praises and fill us with your love.
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of God’s glory.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
Immortal, Invisible
Walter C. Smith, 1867 · Traditional Welsh Melody
Fairest Lord Jesus
Munster Gesangbuch, 1677 · Silesian Folk Melody
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
John 13:34-35, NRSV
Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God,
you call us to do good, seek justice, and care for those in need,
yet how often we place our own comforts above compassion for others.
Forgive us, we pray,
and empower us to love, as you love,
through Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
from 1 Peter 2:24, NRSV
Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins,
we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
In Christ, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Trinity Song
Sandra McCracken, 2016
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: May the Lord bless you and keep you;
may the Lord grow you strong in Divine grace,
may the Lord fill you with the love of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG OF RENEWAL
Reckless Love
Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
SCRIPTURE
Kim Watson, Reader
Matthew 25:14-30, NRSV
“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Fred Harrell
Cultivating a Generous Life
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
O God, our offerings proclaim that work and worship are one, that life is undivided.
Use these gifts for your church’s ministries of reconciliation, service, and mercy.
Amen
MUSICAL OFFERING
R. Schumann - “Traumerei” from Kinderszenen
COMMUNION
Rev. Stephen Gundlach
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
by Karl Digerness
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
COMMUNION SONG
Mozart - Quartet in D major, K. 575, II - Andante
COMMUNION PRAYER
Siblings in Christ, since the Lord has fed us at this Table,
let us praise God's holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless God's holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all God's benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases.
Who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart
show forth the praise of the Lord, from this time forth
forevermore. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Sarah Dahl
THE 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.
SONG
Be Thou My Vision
Irish poem, c. 8th century · Irish Folk Tune
BENEDICTION
Numbers 6:24-26
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
may the Lord's face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
may the Lord look kindly upon you, and give you peace.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Beethoven - Allegretto Alla Polacca from Serenade, op. 8
MUSICIANS
Minna Choi, piano/vocals
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocals
Magik*Magik Quartet:
Liana Berube, violin
Evan Price, violin
Ivo Bokulic, viola
Lucas Chen, cello