Our Savior's Lutheran Church

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Pastor Ole Gunderson
1115 13th Street, Clarkston, WA Phone: 509-758-7751
Pastor’s Home: 208-746-5234 e-mail: [email protected]
September 15, 2024, LECTIONARY 24, ELW Service of the Word

Welcome to Our Savior’s! If this is your first visit to worship at Our Savior’s, please take a moment to sign the guest book in the entry. We’re delighted you are here, and pray that the love and peace of God, Our Father, be with you always.
*(standing for those who are able)

Hymn of the Month (green handout), “In the Garden”

*p. 211, Confession and Forgiveness

*HYMN 865, “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”

*p. 213, GREETING AND KYRIE
*p. 213, Hymn of Praise, “Glory to God, glory to God…”

*Prayer of the Day, (read together boldface type after the /.)
“O God, / through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may turn from the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-9a “The word of the Lord….Thanks be to God.”
The image of the servant of the Lord is one of the notable motifs in the book of Isaiah. Today's reading describes the mission of the servant, whom early Christians associated with Jesus. Like Jesus, the servant does not strike back at his detractors but trusts in God's steadfast love.

Psalm 116:1-9 ( read together the boldface type )
I love the LORD, who has heard my voice, and listened to my supplication,
for the LORD has given ear to me whenever I called.
The cords of death entangled me; the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I came to grief and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I pray you, save my life."
Gracious is the LORD and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The LORD watches over the innocent;
I was brought low, and God saved me.
Turn again to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt well with you.
For you have rescued my life from death,
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling;
I will walk in the presence of the LORD in the land of the living.

SECOND READING: James 3:1-12 “The word of the Lord.. …Thanks be to God.”
This text uses various images to illustrate how damaging and hurtful the way we speak to and about others can be. Not only are we to control our speech, but what we say and how we say it is to reflect our faith.


* GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (inside back cover) Sweet, Sweet, Spirit

*GOSPEL: Mark 8:27-38 “The Gospel of the Lord…..Thanks be to God.”
This story provides the turning point in Mark's gospel. Peter is the first human being in the narrative to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, but he cannot accept that as the Messiah Jesus will have to suffer. Moreover, Jesus issues a strong challenge to all by connecting discipleship and the cross.

HYMN OF THE DAY 810, “O Jesus, I Have Promised”

SERMON

*p. 217, THE APOSTLES CREED
*p. 218, THE PRAYERS “Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.”
*p. 218, Sharing of the Peace

OFFERING
*p. 219, Offertory, “Salvation belongs to our God,….”
*p. 220, Thanksgiving for the Word
*p. 221, THE LORD’S PRAYER
*p. 221, BLESSING

*CLOSING HYMN 685, “Take My Life, That I May Be”

*p. 222, Dismissal “Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.”

Three weeks ago we heard John's gospel's version of Peter's confession of faith.
This week we hear Mark's version, when Peter says, "You are the Messiah."
In John, the stumbling block is Jesus' invitation to eat his flesh,
given for the life of the world.
In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus' words about his own coming death,
and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus' words.
But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of "messiah")
in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3);
so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross.

ASSISTING MINISTERS
Music Director: Mark Newman Assisting Minister: Bruce Larson
Usher: Jerry Morris and Mike Weger Greeter: Kirsten Gunderson
Live Stream Tech and Slides: Mary Ann Morris

Our Altar Flowers this morning are available to sponsor

Worship Attendance last Sunday - 54

PRAYER CONCERNS This week we have added prayers for Pastor Gunderson. We continue our prayers for the those affected by the fires, natural disasters and unrest in the world; for Andrea Schoolmaster; for the families and friends of Ray Quilici, Wes Clizer; Duane Shears, and Pauline (Marker) Redheart, for Chuck Fisbeck and for Lisa Therrell; for the family and friends of Rodger Rawson’s mom, Sandra Rawson, for Beth Larson, Gayle Foster; and Christine Marquis; for Phil Newbry, and Stephen Ashley; for Becky Christner; Jan Durham, and for Brian Curran and family; for Shilo’s mom, Janice, and for Brielle Fuller; for Renee Galaski, and Suzanne Robinson; for Ron Gilliland; Nancy Briscoe, Edna Estlund; and Louise Solem; for Ada Benscoter; Kajaah Miller; Melanie Stellman; and Pete and Nancy Broyles; for Chris Wolf King; Heidi & Xavier, Wilma Van Tine, Jo Earl; Linda Van Tine; and Donna Allers.
(Please, help us keep our prayers up to date! We don’t always know the current status of those in our prayers.
We will honor your prayer requests by publishing them in the bulletin for at least one month.
If you would like your request to be renewed after that time, please let the office know.)

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
Sept 9- Flooring upgrades begin
TODAY - Sept 15 - Worship Leader, Dennis Ohrtman
Sept 18 - Council Meeting, 6:30 pm
Sept 22 - Worship Leader, Ernie Stoops
Sept 24 - Thrivent/2nd Harvest Mobile Food Bank, 11-1 pm @ OSLC, Drive-thru,
workers start at 8:30am.
Sept 26 - LWR Quilting, 10 am

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last Sunday’s (Sept 8) General Fund Offering: $4,875.00
General Fund Working Balance after Payroll & invoices: (-29,455.71)
Aug/Sept (to date) Daycare Reimbursement: $4,319.39
Average Weekly Budgeted Expense: $4,821.44

ABOUT GIVING: WHERE DO I FIT? Each of us should give only that which the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus moves our hearts to want to give.
If we all do, the Lord will bring about the rich harvest of His blessing. To God be the Glory !!!

Falling in Line
It is never easy to think about bad things happening to the people we love. When unpleasant topics like illness or death come up, we're likely to say things like, "Oh, let's just not talk about it," or "It would never come to that!" So it is understandable that Peter scoffs when Jesus talks about his own suffering. Peter cannot fathom it. We, too, have a difficult time understanding God's ways, and like Peter, we sometimes resist when confronted with a hard truth.
However, Jesus is unfazed. There are many ways to interpret what he says in reply: Maybe it is a rebuke, calling Peter out when he got it wrong. It could be a protective statement, like a parent calling out to their small child who has run too far ahead on the street; it may sound harsh, but it is love. Or perhaps it could be Jesus calling his followers to fall in line—a call to action. "We have places to go," Jesus may be saying, "and you cannot follow from the front."
Whatever the case, Jesus points to the cross and warns of its costs. For his disciples, it will mean taking a stand against the powers of the world, perhaps even against their own families. In our baptism, we are marked with that same cross, and Jesus calls us to the same mission: to pick up our cross and follow him.
We live in a complicated world, and sometimes the path of discipleship is unclear. Sometimes we get it wrong, or get a little too far ahead, or lose our way entirely. But we trust in Jesus, our wise teacher, to lovingly correct us and set us on our way again. Through the cross, God gives us life and gives us freedom to go out, confront unpleasant truths, and do whatever we need to do for others. Nothing stands in our way.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress.
Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

Check us out on FACEBOOK -
https://www.facebook.com/OSLCclarkston
OSLC Livestreams are available on our YouTube channel (OSLC Clarkston)

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Pastor Ole Gunderson
1115 13th Street, Clarkston, WA Phone: 509-758-7751
Pastor’s Home: 208-746-5234 e-mail: [email protected]
September 8, 2024, LECTIONARY 23, ELW Service of the Word

Welcome to Our Savior’s! If this is your first visit to worship at Our Savior’s, please take a moment to sign the guest book in the entry. We’re delighted you are here, and pray that the love and peace of God, Our Father, be with you always.
*(standing for those who are able)

Hymn of the Month (green handout), “In the Garden”

*p. 211, Confession and Forgiveness

*HYMN 731, “Earth and All Stars”

*p. 213, GREETING AND KYRIE
*p. 213, Hymn of Praise, “Glory to God, glory to God…”

*PRAYER OF THE DAY, (congregation reads boldface type after the /)
“Gracious God, / throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord. Amen”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1ST READING: Isaiah 35:4-7a “The word of the Lord…Thanks be to God.”
These verses are a word of hope to the exiles in Babylon. Chapter 34 portrays God's vengeance on Edom, Israel's age-old enemy, which makes the path from Babylon to Zion safe for the exiles' return. The desert itself will flow with water to give drink to the returning exiles.

Psalm 146 (congregation reads boldface type)
Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in rulers, in mortals in whom there is no help.
When they breathe their last, they return to earth,
and in that day their thoughts perish.
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help,
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;
who keeps promises forever;
who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.
The LORD sets the captive free.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD cares for the stranger; the LORD sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
The LORD shall reign forever,
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!

2ND READING: James 2:1-17 “The word of the Lord....Thanks be to God.
Faithful Christians do not show partiality to the rich and powerful of the world, especially at the expense of the poor and weak. Likewise, faith does not pay mere lip-service to God's will. Instead, a living Christian faith expresses itself in acts of compassion and mercy for those in need.

* GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (inside back cover) Sweet, Sweet, Spirit

*GOSPEL: Mark 7:24-37 “Glory to you, O Lord…... Praise to you, O Christ”
In Mark's gospel, encounters with women usually signify turning points in Jesus' ministry. Here, a conversation with a Syrophoenician woman marks the beginning of his mission to the Gentiles.

HYMN OF THE DAY 886, “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

SERMON

*p. 217, THE APOSTLES CREED
*p. 218, THE PRAYERS “Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.”
*p. 218, Sharing of the Peace

OFFERING
*p. 219, Offertory, “Salvation belongs to our God,….”
*p. 220, Thanksgiving for the Word
*p. 221, THE LORD’S PRAYER
*p. 221, BLESSING

*CLOSING HYMN 673, “God, Whose Almighty Word”

*p. 222, Dismissal “Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.”

James tells us to stop showing favoritism in the assembly,
treating the rich visitor with more honor than the poor one.
Jesus himself seems to show partiality in his first response
to the Syrophoenician woman in today's gospel.
Was he testing her faith in saying Gentiles don't deserve
the goods meant for God's children?
Or was he speaking out of his human worldview,
but transcended those limits when she took him by surprise with her reply?
Either way, the story tells us that God shows no partiality.
Everyone who brings her or his need to Jesus
is received with equal honor as a child and heir.

ASSISTING MINISTERS
Music Director: Mark Newman Assisting Minister: Jean Carson
Ushers: Brenda and Mark Ziegler Greeter: Kirsten Gunderson
Live Stream Tech: Mary Browne Slides: Mary Ann Morris

Our Altar Flowers this morning are given by Ole and Kirsten Gunderson
in memory of Audrey Hanson’s Birthday.

Worship Attendance last Sunday - 44

PRAYER CONCERNS This week we have added for Andrea Schoolmaster. We continue our prayers for the those affected by the fires, natural disasters and unrest in the world; for the families and friends of Ray Quilici, Wes Clizer, Duane Shears, and Pauline (Marker) Redheart, for Chuck Fisbeck and for Lisa Therrell; for the family and friends of Rodger Rawson’s mom, Sandra Rawson, for Beth Larson, Gayle Foster; and ; for Christine Marquis, and for Kevin Thorson and his family; for Phil Newbry, and Stephen Ashley; for Becky Christner; Jan Durham, and for Brian Curran and family; for
Shilo’s mom, Janice, and for Brielle Fuller; for Renee Galaski, and Suzanne Robinson; for Ron Gilliland; Nancy Briscoe, Edna Estlund; and Louise Solem; for Ada Benscoter; Kajaah Miller; Melanie Stellman; and Pete and Nancy Broyles; for Chris Wolf King; Heidi & Xavier, Wilma Van Tine, Jo Earl; Linda Van Tine; and Donna Allers.
(Please, help us keep our prayers up to date! We don’t always know the current status of those in our prayers.
We will honor your prayer requests by publishing them in the bulletin for at least one month.
If you would like your request to be renewed after that time, please let the office know.)

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
TODAY - ELCA’s ”God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
Sept 10 - Foundation/ Memorial Committee, 10 am
Sept 11 - Mary Magdalene Circle, 10 am
Sept 12 – Ole’s Knee Surgery
Sept 15 - Worship Leader, Dennis Ohrtman
Sept 16th ish - Flooring upgrades scheduled to begin (a plan, not a promise)
Sept 18 - Council Meeting, 6:30 pm
Sept 22 - Worship Leader, Ernie Stoops
Sept 24 - Thrivent/2nd Harvest Mobile Food Bank, 11-1 pm @ OSLC, Drive-thru,
workers start at 8:30am.
Sept 26 - LWR Quilting, 10 am

September 8, 2024, LECTIONARY 23
A Table-scrap Feast
The story of the Syrophoenician woman is one of the most puzzling in all the gospels. It raises more questions than answers: Why did Jesus turn her down? Was he testing her? Was the human side of him mistaken? Perhaps Jesus was just grumpy? Unfortunately, the gospel writer did not record what Jesus was thinking, only what he said, and those words remain troubling.
But we do know that Jesus was moved by the Syrophoenician woman's persistence and faith. She bravely crossed multiple barriers—gender, ethnicity, class, religion—to get the help her daughter needed. In the end, Jesus grants her the mercy she seeks: he heals her daughter and restores their family. The woman had come begging for crumbs and instead received an abundant feast.
Who is the Syrophoenician woman today? Maybe she is one of the millions who face daily violence and abuse, or perhaps the countless many who live with addiction or mental illness. She may be an asylum-seeker or refugee, reluctantly fleeing home because it's no longer safe for her family. The woman in today's gospel represents all who are outcast and ignored. This story is a powerful reminder of the inclusivity and compassion at the heart of Jesus' teachings and deeds. It is also a call to action, urging us to open our hearts and extend love and mercy to those who are marginalized or in need, just as Jesus did.
God has this amazing ability to bring about change in astonishing ways, through the most unexpected people. God's work in our lives is always surprising us, shaking up our worldview, and making abundance out of scarcity. Even when all we expect for ourselves or others are scraps, God has a larger vision: a banquet to which we are all invited.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.


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Please be patient while our upgrades continue.
We promise that it will be worth all the current chaos.

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September Updates from Bp Manlove

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Pastor Ole A Gunderson
1115 13th Street, Clarkston, WA 99403 Phone: 509-758-7751
Pastor’s home: 208-746-5234, e-mail: [email protected]
September 1, 2024, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, ELW 8 with Communion

Hymn of the Month (green handout), “In the Garden”

*p. 94, Brief order for Confession and Forgiveness

*OPENING HYMN 879, “For the Beauty of the Earth”

*p. 184, GREETING AND KYRIE
*p. 187, HYMN OF PRAISE, “This…. is the feast”

*Prayer of the Day, “The Lord be with you….and also with you.”
(read together the boldface type after the /.)
“O God our strength, / without you we are weak and wayward creatures. Protect us from all dangers that attack us from the outside, and cleanse us from all evil that arises from within ourselves, that we may be preserved through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 “The word of the Lord….Thanks be to God.
The Israelites believed the law was a divine gift that provided guidelines for living out the covenant. Moses commands the people to obey the law and neither to add to nor subtract from it. The Israelites are also to teach the law to their children and their children's children.

Psalm 15 (read together the boldface type)
LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill?
Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right,
who speak the truth from their heart;
they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends;
they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor.
In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the LORD.
They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word.
They do not give their money in hope of gain, nor do they take bribes against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.

2ND READING: James 1:17-27 “The word of the Lord…..Thanks be to God.”
The letter of James was intended to provide first-century Christians with instruction in godly behavior. Here, Christians are encouraged to listen carefully and to act on what they hear, especially by caring for those least able to care for themselves.

* p. 188, GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, “Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go…..”

*GOSPEL: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 “The Gospel of the Lord…Glory to you O Lord
Mark's gospel depicts Jesus as challenging traditional ways in which religious people determine what is pure or impure. For Jesus, the observance of religious practices cannot become a substitute for godly words or deeds that spring from a faithful heart.

HYMN OF THE DAY 772, “Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways”

THE SERMON

*p. 105, THE APOSTLE’S CREED
*SHARING OF THE PEACE
*OFFERING
Offertory Hymn, “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heav'nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

(p. 107) Offertory Prayer
*p. 190, THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
*p. 190, “Holy, Holy, Holy…”
*p. 191, THE LORD’S PRAYER
*p. 191, “Lamb of God…”

COMMUNION (We commune today at the Altar.)

COMMUNION HYMNS
HYMN 856, “How Great Thou Art”
HYMN 661, “I Love to Tell the Story”
HYMN 742, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
HYMN 595, “Jesus Loves Me”

*p. 114, POST COMMUNION PRAYER

*BLESSING
*CLOSING HYMN 534, “Savior, Again to Your Dear Name”

*p. 222, Dismissal “Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.”

Jesus protests against human customs being given the weight of divine law,
while the essence of God's law is ignored.
True uncleanness comes not from external things,
but from the intentions of the human heart.
Last week Jesus told us "the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Now James says God has given us birth by the word of truth.
We, having been washed in the word when we were born in the font,
return to it every Sunday to ask God to create in us clean hearts.

ASSISTING MINISTERS
Music Director: Mark Newman Assisting Minister: Dennis Ohrtman
Usher: Gwen Wilson and Kirsten Gunderson Greeter: Jean Carson
Live Stream Tech: & Slides: Mary Ann Morris

Our Communion Table has been prepared by Beth Larson and Julie Wahlberg.

Our Altar Flowers this morning are given by Chip and Julie Wahlberg.

Worship Attendance last Sunday - 44

PRAYER CONCERNS This week we have added prayers of comfort for the families and friends of Ray Quilicci, Duane Shears, Pauline (Marker) Redheart, for Chuck Fisbeck and for Lisa Therrell, We continue our prayers for the those affected by the fires, natural disasters and unrest in the world; for the family and friends of Rodger Rawson’s mom, Sandra Rawson, for Beth Larson, Gayle Foster; and for Wes Clizer; for Christine Marquis, and for Kevin Thorson and his family; for Phil Newbry, and Stephen Ashley; for Becky Christner; Jan Durham, and for Brian Curran and family; for Shilo’s mom, Janice, and for Brielle Fuller; for Renee Galaski, and Suzanne Robinson; for Ron Gilliland; Nancy Briscoe, Edna Estlund; and Louise Solem; for Ada Benscoter; Kajaah Miller; Melanie Stellman; and Pete and Nancy Broyles; for Chris Wolf King; Heidi & Xavier, Wilma Van Tine, Jo Earl; Linda Van Tine; and Donna Allers.
(Please, help us keep our prayers up to date! We don’t always know the current status of those in our prayers.
We will honor your prayer requests by publishing them in the bulletin for at least one month.
If you would like your request to be renewed after that time, please let the office know.)

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
Aug 27- Window Upgrades re-scheduled to Begin
Sept 2 - Labor Day, Office & Daycare Closed on Holiday
Sept 3 - Pre-school classes begin at OSLC
Sept 5 - LWR Quilting, 10 am
Sept 7 – Roundup Parade, 9:59
Sept 8 - ELCA’s ”God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
Sept 10 - Foundation/ Memorial Committee, 10 am
Sept 11 - Mary Magdalene Circle, 10 am
Sept 12 – Ole’s Knee Surgery
Sept 15 - Worship Leader, Dennis Ohrtman
Sept 16th ish - Flooring upgrades scheduled to begin (a plan, not a promise)
Sept 18 - Council Meeting, 6:30 pm
Sept 22 - Worship Leader, Ernie Stoops
Sept 24 - Thrivent/2nd Harvest Mobile Food Bank, 11-1 pm @ OSLC, Drive-thru,
workers start at 8:30am.
Sept 26 - LWR Quilting, 10 am
September 1, 2024, LECTIONARY 22

What Would Jesus Do?

At the outset, rules seem simple. They divide the world into good and bad and help us restore a measure of order to a chaotic world. Unfortunately, the same rules that we use to bring order out of chaos are often insufficient to deal with the complexity of our lives, which is one of the reasons there truly is an exception to every rule. This is also the reason we appoint judges: to interpret the law when it fails to adequately address the circumstance to which it is applied.

In Jesus' day the Pharisees and scribes were known for their strict observance of the law. So when they notice the disciples of Jesus eating with defiled hands, the Pharisees and scribes bring this perceived breach of the law to Jesus' attention. The law itself, which requires that people wash their hands before eating, originated from ancient purity laws. Jesus understands this and simultaneously upholds and reframes the law by drawing his listeners' attention away from the washing of hands to what truly defiles. In doing so, Jesus acts as a judge and offers an interpretation of the law that both upholds its original intent of purity and absolves the disciples of wrongdoing. At the same time, he exposes the prioritization of human precepts over God's command and reminds us of God's sovereignty and compassion.

Rules are simple, but our world is not. Through the incarnation, the Word made flesh, God meets us at the intersection of law and life. In Jesus, God the judge enters our world in a new way and interprets the law. And through Jesus, we come to understand God's will in a messy world. Therefore, if we as Christians truly want to live out the .

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.


Check us out on FACEBOOK -
https://www.facebook.com/OSLCclarkston
OSLC Livestreams are available on our YouTube channel (OSLC Clarkston)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last Sunday’s (Aug 25) General Fund Offering: $1063.00
General Fund Working Balance after Payroll & invoices: (-38,762.54)
August to Date Daycare Reimbursement: $4,319.39
Average Weekly Budgeted Expense: $4,821.44

ABOUT GIVING: WHERE DO I FIT? Each of us should give only that which the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus moves our hearts to want to give.
If we all do, the Lord will bring about the rich harvest of His blessing. To God be the Glory !!!

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Pastor Ole Gunderson
1115 13th Street, Clarkston, WA Phone: 509-758-7751
Pastor’s Home: 208-746-5234 e-mail: [email protected]
August 25, 2024, LECTIONARY 21, ELW Service of the Word

Welcome to Our Savior’s! If this is your first visit to worship at Our Savior’s, please take a moment to sign the guest book in the entry. We’re delighted you are here, and pray that the love and peace of God, Our Father, be with you always.
*(standing for those who are able)

Hymn of the Month (lavender handout), “Heaven Came Down”

*p. 211, Confession and Forgiveness

*HYMN 805, “Lead On, O King Eternal!”

*p. 213, GREETING AND KYRIE
*p. 213, Hymn of Praise, “Glory to God, glory to God…”

*PRAYER OF THE DAY, (congregation reads boldface type after the /)
Holy God, / your word feeds your people with life that is eternal. Direct our choices and preserve us in your truth, that, renouncing what is false and evil, we may live in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1ST READING: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 “The word of the Lord…Thanks be to God.”
In the Near East, covenant means agreement or alliance. It describes relationships and is the primary word used to characterize the relationship between God and Israel. By delivering Israel, God has already begun the relationship. Joshua calls upon the people to respond.

Psalm 34:15-22 (congregation reads boldface type)
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and God's ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to erase the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them and delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves those whose spirits are crushed.
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them from every one.
God will keep safe all their bones; not one of them shall be broken.
Evil will bring death to the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
O LORD, you redeem the life of your servants,
and those who put their trust in you will not be punished.

2ND READING: Ephesians 6:10-20 “The word of the Lord....Thanks be to God.
Like a general giving a rousing speech to troops before battle, this letter closes by calling on Christians to be equipped for spiritual warfare against evil. The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, the gift of salvation, and the word of God inspired by the Spirit.

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, “Sweet, Sweet Spirit….” (inside back hymnal cover)

*GOSPEL: John 6:56-69 “Glory to you, O Lord…... Praise to you, O Christ”
The "hard saying" that offends Jesus' disciples is his claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The followers who return to their old lives know something about how odd this sounds. Simon Peter, on the other hand, knows something about the scarcity of living, gracious words. He asks the most important question: "To whom shall we go?"

HYMN OF THE DAY 808, “Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song”

SERMON

*p. 217, THE APOSTLES CREED
*p. 218, THE PRAYERS “Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.”
*p. 218, Sharing of the Peace

OFFERING
*p. 219, Offertory, “Salvation belongs to our God,….”
*p. 220, Thanksgiving for the Word
*p. 221, THE LORD’S PRAYER
*p. 221, BLESSING

*CLOSING HYMN 774, “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine””

*p. 222, Dismissal “Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.”

In today's gospel many people take offense at Jesus' invitation
to eat his flesh and drink his blood; even many of Jesus' disciples peel off.
This is the backdrop in John's gospel for Peter's confession of faith.
"To whom can we go?" asks Peter, in words we sometimes sing
just before the gospel is read. "You have the words of eternal life."
In order to take such a stand, as Peter and Joshua did,
Paul tells us to arm ourselves with the word of God.
We pray in the Spirit that we might be bold ambassadors of the gospel.

ASSISTING MINISTERS
Music Director: Mark Newman Assisting Minister: David Browne
Usher: Mike Weger Greeters: Eleanor Asbe and Shar Schenk
Live Stream Tech: Mary Browne Slides: Dennis Ohrtman

Our Altar Flowers this morning are given by Ernie & Debbie Stoops
in celebration of Debbie’s birthday on the 27th.

Worship Attendance last Sunday - 52

PRAYER CONCERNS We continue our prayers for the those affected by the fires, natural disasters and unrest in the world; for the family and friends of Rodger Rawson’s mom, Sandra Rawson, for Beth Larson, Gayle Foster; and for Wes Clizer; for Christine Marquis, and for Kevin Thorson and his family; for Phil Newbry, and Stephen Ashley; for Becky Christner; Jan Durham, and for Brian Curran and family; for Shilo’s mom, Janice, and for Brielle Fuller; for Renee Galaski, and Suzanne Robinson; for Ron Gilliland; Nancy Briscoe, Edna Estlund; and Louise Solem; for Ada Benscoter; Kajaah Miller; Melanie Stellman; and Pete and Nancy Broyles; for Chris Wolf King; Heidi & Xavier, Wilma Van Tine, Jo Earl; Linda Van Tine; and Donna Allers.
(Please, help us keep our prayers up to date! We don’t always know the current status of those in our prayers.
We will honor your prayer requests by publishing them in the bulletin for at least one month.
If you would like your request to be renewed after that time, please let the office know.)

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
Aug 21 & 28 - Area School District Classes begin
Aug 25- WELCA LWR Quilting, following Worship in the Fellowship Hall
Aug 27- Window Upgrades re-scheduled to Begin
Sept 2 - Labor Day, Office & Daycare Closed on Holiday
Sept 3 - Pre-school classes begin at OSLC
Sept 7 – Roundup Parade, 9:59
Sept 9 - ELCA’s ”God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
Sept 12 – Ole’s Knee Surgery
Sept 15 - Worship Leader, Dennis Ohrtman
Sept 16th ish - Flooring upgrades scheduled to begin (a plan, not a promise)
Sept 18 - Council Meeting, 6:30 pm
Sept 22 - Worship Leader, Ernie Stoops
Sept 24 - Thrivent/2nd Harvest Mobile Food Bank, 11-1 pm @ OSLC, Drive-thru,
workers start at 8:30am.


WELCA LWR Quilting on Thursdays at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall

August 25, 2024, LECTIONARY 21
Questions Remain
Throughout his time on earth, Jesus taught the disciples what it means to follow him, delving deeper into difficult concepts with each step toward the cross. Jesus' thought-provoking and life-changing words challenged existing wisdom, stretching the boundaries of belief, forcing each person who heard them to reevaluate everything they thought they knew. How could they eat this bread and live forever?
Is it any easier for us to wrap our minds around Jesus' teachings? How do we open our hearts to the mystery of flesh given for us, blood shed for us, and bread come down from heaven when our culture insists that there is a simple black-and-white answer to every question? Who takes time to slow down and reflect on challenging Bible passages? Can we allow those words we do not understand to just be, to percolate and take root in the fertile soil of Christ's presence until the Spirit can coax a shoot of understanding to spring forth and grow into the light?
Too many unanswered questions weighed heavily on some of Jesus' followers. They wanted out; it was too difficult. They turned back to the safety of familiar routines and comfortable ideologies, prompting Jesus to wonder if all the disciples would abandon him. "Do you also wish to go away?" he asked the twelve (John 6:67). He asks the same question of us today whenever the circumstances of our lives challenge our faith, whenever our hearts are broken and our bodies exhausted, whenever it feels like we cannot take another step. Will we trust in Jesus' promise that his words are spirit and life? Do we believe he is the Holy One of God?
Questions remain, but the good news is that God's love is stronger than our doubts and fears, calling us back to worship, filling us with strength and giving us peace in the midst of uncertainty.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

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OSLC Livestreams are available on our YouTube channel (OSLC Clarkston)

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Last Sunday’s (Aug 18) General Fund Offering: $3,826.00
General Fund Working Balance after Payroll & invoices (24,312.20)
August to Date Daycare Reimbursement: $4,319.39
Average Weekly Budgeted Expense: $4,821.44

ABOUT GIVING: WHERE DO I FIT? Each of us should give only that which the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus moves our hearts to want to give.
If we all do, the Lord will bring about the rich harvest of His blessing. To God be the Glory !!!