Christ the Rock Lutheran Church

5401 Hood Mesa Trail

Farmington, NM 87401

(505) 324-9739 | ChristTheRockLutheran.com

Pentecost 17

September 27, 2020

Christ the Rock’s Mission:

To grow in faith and boldly proclaim Christ crucified and risento all people of the Four Corners.

WELCOME BACK TO CHRIST THE ROCK!

We are glad you are here in God’s house today.

· Out of consideration for others and to comply with state guidelines, please wear a mask and observe social distancing. If you do not have a mask, please take one from the box on the table in the entry.

· For the time being Quiet Activity Bags will not be available

· Restrooms are located through the double doors and to the left.

SERIES THEME: People of Faith

In this series of teachings from the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus opens the Scriptures to help us to take his teaching to heart. We realize what it means to be his disciples and concentrate on our calling to serve Him in loving response.

SERVICE THEME:

People of Faith: Forgive as we are forgiven

The Church forgives as God forgives. Anytime we try to imitate God, we quickly realize our inadequacy. Yet today God tells us to model our forgiveness on his: a boundless, free, and loving forgiveness based on the sacrifice of Christ. How could our sinful hearts ever forgive like that? The Prayer of the Day asks that the mercy and grace of God precede us and follow after us, that we might love God with undivided hearts—hearts always ready to forgive as God does: sins are forgiven, forgotten, forever.

SERVICE OF WORD

HYMN “Not unto Us”

Christian Worship # 392

Minister:The grace of our Lord † Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Congregation:And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M:We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C:Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

M:God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C:Amen.

M:In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

OH, TASTE AND SEE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M:Let us pray.

Lord, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us that, loving you with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:Amen.

BE SEATED

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Genesis 50:15-21

God accomplished good from the sinful actions of Joseph’s brothers

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 

16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 

17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 103

Praise the Lord who forgives sins

Refrain

I will hear what the Lord proclaims: peace to his people.

Praise the LORD, O my soul;*

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

He forgives all your sins*

and heals all your diseases;

he redeems your life from the grave*

and crowns you with love and compassion.

Refrain

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,*

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He does not treat us as our sins deserve*

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,*

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,*

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Refrain

As a father has compassion on his children,*

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,*

he remembers that we are dust.

Our days are like grass, like a flower of the field;*

the wind blows over it and it is gone.

But the LORD’S love is with those who fear him*

from everlasting to everlasting.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

SECOND LESSON Ephesians 4:29 - 5:2

Imitate God by building each other up

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

VERSE OF THE DAYRomans 15:4

Alleluia. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Alleluia.

STAND

GOSPEL Matthew 18:21-35

God’s people forgive as our Father forgives us

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 

24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 

25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 

27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 

31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 

33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 

34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

C:Praise be to you, O Christ!

BE SEATED

HYMN OF THE DAY “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”

Christian Worship #493

SERMON Genesis 50:15-21

Am I in the place of God?

STAND

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

BE SEATED

THANKSGIVING

OFFERING

Please visit ChristTheRockLutheran.com and click on “Online Giving” to give an offering.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

M:Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Brief silence

Almighty God, as once You kept Joseph from evil and brought good from his suffering in Egypt, deliver us by Your grace so that we may learn patience in trials. Teach us to be slow to judge, quick to forgive, and steadfast in love for You and for one another. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Merciful Lord, You have shown great compassion to us; teach us to show such compassion to others, that we may welcome the stranger, love our neighbor in need, and be attentive to those new to the faith or vulnerable to temptation. Help us to serve the refugee seeking safety, and give us opportunity to share Your gifts with those who live in poverty and want. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Gracious God, bless those who preach and teach Your Word, and give the hearers willing ears to hear and willing hearts to learn the Scriptures well. Bless those now training to be pastors and church workers. Grant to all the baptized the aid of Your Holy Spirit so that, receiving Your Gospel with joy, we may share it freely with those outside the household of faith. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Mighty God, give wisdom and courage to our elected and appointed leaders, that they may pursue justice, seek peace and protect life from its natural beginning to its natural end. Bring an end to the threats of terror and violence among the peoples, and open all nations to the voice of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Holy Lord, lead us to pursue reconciliation, that we may stand before You forgiven and united in faith. Give us unity of doctrine, and help us to walk together in harmony of life. Prepare us to receive Your own Son’s body and blood with faith, and bring to fruition in our lives the precious gift of grace we receive in this communion. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Blessed Father, You know our weakness of body and soul. Give to the troubled in mind Your peace, to the suffering relief, to the sick healing, to the grieving comfort and deliver the dying into everlasting life. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Giving Lord, all good things come from You. Open our hearts to be generous with the poor and to bring You the tithes and offerings You are due, that Your Church and all her agencies may serve Your gracious purpose and suffer no lack of people or resources to do the work of Your Kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:hear our prayer.

M:Almighty and everlasting God, deliver us from temptation and the powers of evil, that we may be faithful unto death and receive from Your hand the crown of everlasting life. Whether we live or die, we belong to You, and we pray You to comfort us with this promise, that we may join the company of the saints on the day You have appointed and enter into the heavenly places to worship at Your throne on high; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forevermore.

C:Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

C: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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

M:O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:Amen.

M:Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and † give you peace.

C:Amen.

CLOSING HYMN “We Thank You for Your Blessings”

Christian Worship #615

Service Acknowledgements: Service of the Word © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. “Not unto Us” Text: Kurt J. Eggert, 1923–93, alt. © 1975 Kurt J. Eggert. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Psalm 103 Refrain Tune: From The Psalmody for the Day, Series C. © 1976 Fortress Press. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress. “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive” Text: Rosamond E. Herklots, 1905–87, alt. © Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Used by permission

“We Thank You for Your Blessings” Text: Unknown, alt Cover artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright 2013 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. paramentics.com

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