KOUNTZE MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

A CITY-WIDE CHURCH WITH A WORLD-WIDE MINISTRY

Olaf Roynesdal, Senior Pastor 2650 Farnam Street

H. Ashley Hall, Associate Pastor Omaha, NE 68131-3616

Inba Inbarasu, Visitation Pastor 402-341-7761

www.kmlchurch.org

September 1, 2019 9:00 & 11:00 AM

TWELFTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place

at the banquet table of the Lord. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love

continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.

2

GATHERING

PRELUDE “Elegy” James Biery

Kai Johnson, violin

Jean Johnson, organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(stand)

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the strength of our ancestors, the host of this meal,

the builder of the city that is to come.

C Amen.

P If we have died with Christ, we will also live with Christ. Let us confess our sin to the one

who is faithful.

Silence is kept for reflection and self-examination.

P God our helper,

C we confess the many ways we have failed to live as your disciples.

We have not finished what we began.

We have feasted with friends but ignored strangers.

We have been captivated by our possessions.

Lift our burdens, gracious God.

Refresh our hearts and forgive our sin.

Raise us to the new life you have chosen for us

in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

P There is rejoicing in heaven when sinners repent. Put trust in these promises: God will

never leave you or forsake you. You who were lost have been found. For the sake of + Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Rejoice with the angels at this good news.

C Amen.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” ELW 807

APOSTOLIC GREETING

P The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy

Spirit be with you all.

C And also with you.

3

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P O God,

C you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the

humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior

and Lord. Amen.

WORD

(sit)

FIRST READING Proverbs 25:6-7

The book of Proverbs is part of a collection of writings known as wisdom literature. Wisdom literature gave

directions to Israel’s leaders and people for the conduct of daily life. Today’s reading is about humility. o not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great;

7for it is

better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

PSALM 112 (read responsively) 1Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the LORD

and have great delight in God’s commandments!

2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3Wealth and riches will be in their house,

and their righteousness will last forever.

4Light shines in the darkness for the upright;

the righteous are merciful and full of compassion. 5It is good for them to be generous in lending

and to manage their affairs with justice.

6For they will never be shaken;

the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance. 7They will not be afraid of any evil rumors;

their heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8Their heart is established and will not shrink,

until they see their desire upon their enemies. 9They have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever;

they will hold up their head with honor.

10

The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away;

the desires of the wicked will perish.

D

4

SECOND READING Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 The conclusion of the letter to the Hebrews contains suggestions for the conduct of a holy life, all of which are shaped by

God’s love toward us in Jesus Christ.

et mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some

have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you

were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being

tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God

will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content

with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with

confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”

7Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their

way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips

that confess his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are

pleasing to God.

L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

C Glory to you, O Lord!

L

5

HOLY GOSPEL Luke 14:1, 7-14 Jesus observes guests ockeying for position at the table. He uses the opportunity to teach his hearers to choose

humility rather than self-explanation. Jesus also makes an appeal for hosts to mimic God’s gracious hospitality to

the poor and the broken .

n one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal

on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable.

8“When

you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case

someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited

both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you

would start to take the lowest place. 10

But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest

place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will

be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11

For all who exalt themselves

will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12

He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not

invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite

you in return, and you would be repaid. 13

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the

crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14

And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for

you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

P The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ. (sit) CHILDREN’S BLESSING (9:00 AM) Children (aged 3 years through 5

th grade) are invited to come forward for a blessing. Then, they may

either follow the teacher upstairs for an extended children’s sermon (joining us again later in time for

Communion) or they may return to their seat and use the Spark Bible and/or activity bags during the

regular sermon.

SERMON Pastor Hall

(stand)

HYMN OF THE DAY “Abide, O Dearest Jesus” ELW 539

O

6

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

P God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ.

Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

C 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. (stand)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Response: P Lord, in your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

(In our prayers today, during a time of silence, pray for those listed below and for others according to

their needs)

Thanksgiving: for the birth of Ruby Kathryn Ferry, daughter of Jake & Kelsey (Boe) Ferry

Illness: Richard Bock, Don Burton, Joe Doremus, Rev. Harry Fink, Junior & Marvel Green, Eunice

Grunberg, Dolores Hiatt, Marcie Lafleur, Joan Nelson, Jean Nippert, Gary Rodene, Jerry Warner,

family of Shirley Dietrich, Ed & Darlene White, Pr. David Zellmer

Other Prayers: Those serving in the military – Amy Dyer, Brennan Hron, Wyatt Johnson, Michael

McNeill, Daniel Milstead, Cody Ray, Sheldon Skovgaard, Michael Vutov, and Joel Woosley

Other Prayers: Those serving in mission – Rev. Chandran Paul Martin, India; Dr. Stephen & Jodi

Swanson, Tanzania; Krystle Moraska & Ignacio Madrussan, Argentina; Meghan Brown Saavedra,

Mexico; Our sister congregation, the American Church in Berlin; the Wittenberg Center and Dan &

Ginny Rath, international translators

7

WE SHARE GOD’S PEACE

P The peace of Christ be with you always. C And also with you.

MEAL (sit)

THE OFFERING IS RECEIVED We glorify God in our giving. Our offering is an act of worship that makes the ministries of this

congregation possible. We encourage everyone to give. If you are visiting with us today, please do

not feel obligated to participate in this portion of worship. If you would like, use the QR code

scanner on your smart phone to give online.

MUSICAL OFFERING “Cinema Paradiso” Ennio & Andrea Morricone

Kai Johnson, violin

THE TABLE IS PREPARED

(stand)

OFFERTORY HYMN “Giving God, We Pause and Wonder”

Giving God, we pause and wonder: What would happen if we tithed —

If we gave our gifts, Creator, Hearts and hands all opened wide?

We might learn, by gladly sharing, Not to trust in things we own

But to risk — it's part of caring — And to trust in you alone.

We could do abundant mission, Sharing Christ who claims and frees.

We could reach out with new vision In creative ministries.

No more bound by limitations Of what churches can't afford,

We could learn with jubilation Whole new ways to serve you, Lord.

Humbly on your strength relying, We could build a thousand schools;

We could feed a million orphans And give countless farmers tools.

As we gladly shared your blessings, Then the world might want to know:

"See! How loving are those Christians! Who's the One who makes them so?"

God, we know we cannot pay you For your love in Christ your Son.

Gifts and tithes are just a "thank you" — Ways to pass your blessings on.

We have learned that, in our sharing, We receive more than we give.

By your Spirit, make us daring In this joyful way to live. Biblical References: Malachi 3:8-10; Romans 15:25-26; 1 John 4:7-8 Tune: John Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, 1813 ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing")Text: Copyright © 2005 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.Copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009).

8

OFFERING PRAYER

P God our provider,

C we bring nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it. Accept the gifts

you have first given us, which we bring to your table, and with them the offering of

our lives. Nourish us now with the life that really is life, revealed to us in Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION

PREFACE FOR SUNDAYS

9

SANCTUS

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

P Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us all to pray:

C Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

10

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them.

C Come, take your place at the feast.

THE DISTRIBUTION All baptized Christians who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and his Real Presence in, with and under the bread and

wine, are welcome to the Lord’s Supper. We believe that this is the Lord’s table and is he who invites you. So you who

are strong in faith, come with gratitude. You who feel weak in faith, come to be strengthened. And you who feel you

have no faith, come so that the God of steadfast love will touch your heart with hope and joy. The form of

distribution is intinction, you will receive the consecrated bread and you may then dip it in the wine. Gluten free

bread is available; simply request it.

HYMNS DURING COMMUNION “Now We Join in Celebration” ELW 462

“Restore in Us, O God” ELW 328

(stand)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

P God of blessing,

C at this table we have seen you face to face, and in the gift of Christ’s body and blood,

our hearts have been refreshed. Send us now to shine with your goodness and bear

witness to the one we have received: Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

11

From Sundays and Seasons.com. ©2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SAS006828. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-705181. New Revised Standard Version Bible, ©1989, Division of

Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights

reserved. Evangelical Lutheran Worship ©2006 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual

License #26828. CCLI License #1511530.

SENDING

DISMISSAL OF EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

BLESSING

P Guard the good treasure entrusted in you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in you.

Almighty God, Father + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you with grace, mercy, and peace,

now and forever.

THREE-FOLD AMEN

HYMN “Let Streams of Living Justice” ELW 710

DISMISSAL

P Go in peace. Live in love as Christ loved us.

C Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

+ + +

KOUNTZESTAFFPr.OlafRoynesdal SeniorPastorPr.AshleyHall AssociatePastorPr.InbaInbarasu VisitationPastorKristinBoe ChristianEdCoordinatorDebbieBogue Of iceManagerSarahJewell AdministrativeAssistantNoniCambridge StaffTreasurerJudiBoe FinancialSecretaryJimSmejkal Bldg.Super./Dir.ofCong. ActivitiesSørenJohnson CustodianBarbaraCarlsen Dir.ofMusic&FineArtsDonnaMoessner Dir.ofChildren’sMusicMarkJones OrganistDavidGerard SaturdayAccompanistSheriLynnTipton NightSecurityManagerNormaPafford NurserySuperintendentJoycePalmer DirectoroftheWeberClinicSusannHenry FoodPantryDirector

WORSHIPASSISTANTS

SATURDAY,5:00PMLector DebraKellyUshers DuaneHovendick PennyHovendickComm.Set‐up PennyHovendickSUNDAY,9:00AMComm.Asst. LizPemberton JillGittlerLector LizPembertonUshers GlennAnderson DanCollett TedKaasch MarkMahaffey GaryWesterman BobWoodworth MarcyMadisonGreeters KarenWolf SharonAndersonCrucifer BrittenJohnsonAcolytes RahnJohnson JohnGroenjes SUNDAY,11:00AMComm.Asst. NormSackLector StephenUrlaubUshers LindaHoagland JulieO'DohertyGreeters JulieKingCrucifer TorinEdwardsAcolytes HadleyRief HenryRief

oinuseachSundayforahotbreakfastbuffetservedfrom8:00‐11:00AMpreparedbyJimWestandthekitchencrew.Thesuggesteddonationforthehotbreakfastis$5adults,$2.50children12andyounger.

JoinusonSundaymorningsintheFellowshipHallfrom10:10‐10:50AM.THISWEEK:NoForum(LaborDay)MeetingNEXTWEEK:RecapofELCAChurchwideAssembly

ALTARFLOWERSaregiventothegloryofGodinmemoryofEllenPesavento,givenbyPaulRevord

ETERNALCANDLEisgiventothegloryofGodinmemoryofEllenPesavento,givenbyPaulRevord

JOYFULSOUNDSCHILDREN’SCHOIRJoinuseachSundayfrom9‐9:30AM.Allchildren(K‐6thgrade)whowanttopraiseourLordbysinging,meetintheJoyfulSoundsStudioonthe2ndloor.

August31&September1,2019

KountzeMemorialLutheranChurchisavibrant,historicfaithcommunitythatwelcomesallandprovidesministriesforallagesandwalksoflife.Wearea“City‐wideChurchwitha

World‐wideMinistry”andhavebeenworshiping,growing,andservingindowntownOmahaforover160years.IfyouarenewtoKountzeMemorial,weinviteyoutovisittheWelcomeDeskinFellowshipHallformoreinformationaboutwhoweare

andwhatwedo.

2650 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68131 402-341-7761 www.kmlchurch.org

SpecialCongregationMeetingSunday,September15,2019,10:10AM

PastorOlafRoynesdaliscallingforaspecialcongregationmeetingonSunday,September15,2019,10:10AM.

Thesolepurposeofthismeetingistoelect/re‐electtwopeopletothecongregationcouncil,somethingPastorRoynesdalneglectedtoconductduringtheAugust25thmeeting.

September1SundayHomeboundCommunionNoSundaySchool8:00AM‐11:00AMBreakfast9:00AM&11:00AMWorship9:00AMNursery(0‐2yrs)9:00AMJoyfulSoundsChildren’sChoir(grK‐6)September2MondayLaborDayOFFICECLOSEDSeptember3Tuesday9:00AMStaffMeetingNoYesterday'sYouthSeptember4Wednesday12:15PMWorship7:00PMAdultChoirRehearsal

September5Thursday4:00PMHealingGiftFreeClinicSeptember7Saturday4:30PMBloodPressureChecks5:00PMWorshipSeptember8Sunday7:45AM&10:00AMAdultChoir8:00AM‐11:00AMBreakfast9:00AM&11AMWorship9:00AMNursery(0‐2yrs)9:00AMJoyfulSoundsChildren'sChoir(grK‐6)10:10AMSundaySchool(2yr‐8thgr)10:10AMYouthForum(gr9‐12)11:00AMMS/HSChoirRehearsal12:00PMBookGroup

HOLYCOMMUNIONAllwhoarebaptizedandtrustinChrist'spresenceinHolyCommunionareinvitedtocommuneattheLord'sTable.Childrennotyetcommuningwillreceiveablessing.Instructionswillbeprovidedduringworship.ItistheunderstandingoftheuniversalChurchthatthosewhowishtocommunewithbreadonly(especiallyforhealthreasons)havecommunedfully.CHILDRENINWORSHIPWebelievethatallarewelcomeinworshipandencouragefamiliestoworshiptogether.Quietactivitybags,children’sbibles,andbulletinsareavailable,aswellasaQuietRoom,justoffthewestsideofthemainsanctuary,thatincludesaTVandavarietyoftoys,games,andbooksforyoungchildren.NURSERY isavailablefrom9AM—noonforchildren0—2years.Pleaseaskanusherifyouareunsureastowhereournurseryisandwouldliketouseit.ATTENDANCECARDSAllthoseattendingworshipareencouragedto illoutthecardincludedinyourbulletinandplaceintheofferingplate.LARGEPRINTBULLETINSANDLISTENINGDEVICESPleasespeaktoanusherifyouwouldlikealargeprintbulletinoranassistedlisteningdevice.E‐NEWS&SOCIALMEDIAIfyouwouldliketoreceiveourweeklye‐newsandmonthlye‐newsletter,addyoure‐mailaddresstothecardinyourbulletinortextyoure‐mailaddressto22828.NEWMEMBERCLASSIfyouareinterestedinjoiningourcongregation,thenextclasswillbeSundays,September29&October6from12:15—2:00PM.Pleaseplantoattendbothsessions.Lunchwillbeservedandchildcareisprovided.NewmemberswillbereceivedonOctober13.Pleaseindicateyourattendanceplansonyourattendancecardorcallthechurchof icebySeptember22andletusknowifyouwillneedchildcarewhenyouregister.BLOODPRESSURECHECKSTrainedvolunteersprovidebloodpressurechecksfreeofchargeonthe1stSaturdayofeachmonth(September7)intheBride’sRoomneartheSanctuaryfrom4:30—5:00PM.Bloodpressurechecksarealsodoneonthe3rdSundayofeachmonth(Sunday,September15)from10:00—11:00AMintheFellowshipLounge.JOINADULTCHOIRComeandjoinouramazinggroupofmusicianswhosingpraisetoGodandhavefuntogether.TheAdultChoirwillhaveits irstrehearsalonWednesday,September4from7:00‐8:30PM.ThechoirwillreturntotheworshipserviceonSunday,September8.Pastsingingexperienceinhighschoolorcollegeisrecommended.Thedirector,BarbCarlsen,wouldliketohearyousingbeforejoiningthechoirjusttomakesurethatthisgroupwillblendwithyourtypeofvoice.IfyouwantmoreinformationaboutchoirorwouldliketoreserveatimetosingforBarbCarlsen,pleasecallthechurchof iceat402‐341‐7761.KOUNTZEMIDDLESCHOOL/HIGHSCHOOLCHOIRWewillsingfor:Sundayservices(every5‐6weeks).RehearsalswillbeheldonSundaymornings,11:00‐11:30AMbeginningSunday,September8intheAdultChoirroom.WehopeyouwilljoinusaswesingpraisestoGod,helpleadthecongregationinworship,andhaveagreattimemakingmusicandnewfriendships!FormoreinformationpleasecontactJanetCarlsenCampbellatJanet@kmlchurch.orgGOD’SWORK,OURHANDSSunday,September8.Thisisadaytore lectonhowwecanbetterserveour

KOUNTZEFOODPANTRYTheFoodPantryisexperiencingrecordnumbers;somuchsothatthefaithfulvolunteersareexhausted.PleaseconsiderhelpingonMondaymornings.Wecanreallyusepeopletosetupbeforethepantryopensat10:00AM,andwehavegreatneedofdoormonitorsfrom11:00AM—1:00PM.Thesevolunteerscontrolthe lowoftraf icandassistguestswithcarryingtheirbagstotheircars.PleasecontactSusieHenryat402‐596‐9397ifyouwouldliketogetinvolved.Wewouldlovetohaveyou!SUNDAYSCHOOLVOLUNTEERSNEEDED!ThechildrenofKountzeareinneedofyourleadership,enthusiasm,andtime.Wearelookingforvolunteersinthepre‐schoolroomonthe2nd,3rd,and5thSundaysofthemonth,between9:00and10:50AM.SundaySchoolleadersarealsoneeded.Wearelookingforacommitmentofone

Sundayeachmonthfortheschoolyear.Thelessonsarescriptedandallthematerialsareprovidedaheadoftime.SundaySchoolisfrom10:10to10:50AM.ThankyouforconsideringgivingyourtimetothechildrenofKountze.Nomatterwhatyourexperienceorexpertise,wehaveaspotforyou!Tojoinourprogram,pleasecontactKristinBoeatkristin@kmlchurch.org.USHERSNEEDEDUshersareministersofhospitalitywhoembodyGod’swelcomeandremindallofustoseeGodinoneanother.Matthew’sgospelremindsusthatGodispresentespeciallyinthestrangerwhoiswelcomed:“Come,youthatareblessedbymyFather,inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld;for...Iwasastrangerandyouwelcomedme”(Matt.25:34‐35).Ushersgettobe

amongthe irsttowelcomeGod’speopletoworshipeveryweekandtheyserveanimportantroleineveryworshipservice.Bywarmlyandjoyfullygreetingandseatingthoseinattendance,passingoutbulletins,collectingtheoffering,andassistingwithcommunion,orsimplywelcomingothers,weareblessedtowelcomeGod’sveryself.WeareinneedofUshersatbothSundayservices.Ifyou’dlikemoreinformationorwouldliketobeapartofthisministry,pleasecontactJimSmejkalat402‐341‐7761orjim@kmlchurch.org.

ATTENDANCE&GIVINGSaturdayAttendance:50SundayAttendance:9:00:20811:00:124Midweek‐Noon:10Evening:0Total:392PantryGuestsServed:413MedicalClinicGuestsServed:20Offering:$9,046.50(Regular)$1,668.00(Specials)$1,465.00(Phase2)$(Me1465morials

communityandneighbors.Todoso,wewillbecleaningastretchoftheKeystoneTrailthroughKeepOmahaBeautiful.BringapicniclunchforyouandyourfamilytoStinsonPark,67thandCenter,between12:00and1:00PM.Wewilldotrailcleanupat2:00PM.Bags,gloves,andtrashgrabbersareprovided.Pleasejoinus!CONFIRMATIONAnorientationfornewcon irmationstudentsandtheirparentswillbeheldonWednesday,September11at6:30PM.Aletterwillbesenttothosestudentsweknowshouldbebeginningclass.AnRSVPisrequested.RegularCon irmationClasseswillbeginonWednesday,September18;supperat6:00PM,classfrom6:30‐7:30PM,andworshipat7:30PM.PastorOlafRoynesdalwillbeteachingtheclass.SundayCon irmationSchoolmeetswithMarciaRoynesdalfrom10:10‐10:50AM.BAPTISMSEMINARIfyouareinterestedinhavingyourchildbaptizedandhavenotbeenthroughaBaptismSeminarbefore,aBaptismSeminarwillbeheldat10:10AM,September22(pleasenotedatechange).WewillmeetintheNave.Thepurposeoftheseminaristointroduceparentstothetheologyofbaptism,walkthroughthebaptismalliturgy,discussschedulingforthebaptism,andaddressanyquestionstheparentsmighthave.Pleasecallthechurchof icetoregisterat402‐341‐7761.KMLCCHURCHPICNICWe’rehavingapicnicandwehopeyou’llbethere!SundaySeptember22,12:00to3:00PMintheKMLCgreenspace.Afuntimewillbehadbyall!LUTHERANCAMPUSMINISTRYNETWORK"Ifyouknowofsomeoneattendingcollegethisfallpleasegotothislinkto indoutifthereisaLutheranCampusMinistryoutreachattheircampus.Ifthereis,pleasereferthestudent'snametoussowecanreachoutandinvitethemintoourcommunity(www.luminelca.org).IfyouhavestudentsattendinganycollegesoruniversitiesintheOmahametroarea,pleasecontactPastorJimHolthusatlootrn@hotmail.comortexthimat218‐760‐2028.Thankyouforhelpingusministertoyouryoungadults!"

NEXTWEEK’SREADINGS:Deuteronomy30:15‐20;Psalm1Philemon1‐21;Luke14:25‐33

© 2018 Vibrant Faith Ministries. All rights reserved. Wri en by Pr. Greg Priebbenow and edited by Vibrant Faith Ministries.

Go to www.vibran aithathome.org for more faith‐forming ac vi es.

Jesusreversessocialstandards.ThesepassagesarerelatedtotheLectionarytextsforthisSunday

Sunday Luke14:1,7‐14 HumilityandhospitalityMonday Proverbs25:6‐7 WisesayingsofSolomonTuesday Hebrews13:1‐8,15‐16 ServicethatpleasesGodWednesday James2:1‐13 ShowmercyThursday Exodus2:16‐25 Moses leestoMidianFriday Luke1:46‐55 Mary’ssongSaturday Psalm112 BlessingsoftherighteousSunday Luke14:25‐33 Thecostofbeingadisciple“Butwhenyougiveabanquet,invitethepoor,thecrippled,thelame,andtheblind.Andyouwillbeblessed,becausetheycannotrepayyou,foryouwillberepaidattheresurrectionoftherighteous.”Luke14:13‐14(NRSV)APrayerfortheWeek:Godofundeservedkindness,helpustorejoiceinahumblelifeandnottoseekthepraiseofothers,throughChristwhohumbledhimselftogivegloryandhonortoyou.Amen.MealtimePrayer:DearGod,youwho illouropenmouthswithgoodthings,giveusheartstoreceivethisgiftoffoodwiththanksgiving.Amen.(Psalm81:10)ABlessingtoGive:MaytheGodwholiftsupthelowly illyourlifewithgraceandmercy.Discussinyourhome,smallgroup,oruseforpersonalre lections:Whatdoesitmeantoyoutobetreatedfairly?Whataresomeexpectedsocialstandardsofbehavioryoudon’tlike? InLuke14Jesuswaswillingtochallengesocialstandardsofbehavior.Whydoyouthinkhedidthat?Read:Luke14:1, 7‐14. Jesususescurrentsocialnormstomakeapointonhowto“behonoredinthepresenceofallwhositatthetablewithyou”(v.10b).Placeyourselfinahumblelocationintheseatingchartandthenbeinvitedtoahigherplace.Why?Because“allwhoexaltthemselveswillbehumbled,andthosewhohumblethemselveswillbeexalted”(v.11).ButthenJesusmakesadirectassaultonthesocialstandardsofhisday.Inaworldwherepeople“knowtheirplace”and“stickwiththeirownkind,”Jesussaysthatthosewhocanaffordabanquetarenottoinvitepeoplewhocandothesameforthem,buttheyareto“invitethepoor,thecrippled,thelame,andtheblind”(v.13).ThestandardofthekingdomofGodpraiseskindnessthatwillnotberepaid.ItisreminiscentofMary’ssongthatcomesatthebeginningoftheGospelofLuke:“Hehasbroughtdownthepowerfulfromtheirthrones,andliftedupthelowly;hehas illedthehungrywithgoodthings,andsenttherichawayempty”(Luke1:52‐53).HowarethewordsofJesusandhismothergoodnewsforyouandforothers?Pray:MercifulGod,giveusfaithtotrustthatourworthisfoundinyourcareandhonorofusandnottherewardsgivenbyearthlypowers,throughChristourLord.Amen.InHebrews13:1‐8,wearegivensomepracticaladviceonshowinghospitalitytostrangers.Hospitalityisbeingkindandwelcomingespeciallyguestsintoourhomes,evenwhenwedonotknowthem.Thinkofsomeoneinyourcongregationoratworkorschoolyoudonotknowverywell.Invitethemtoyourhomeforamealandgettoknowthemthroughcaringconversationsinarelaxedsettingwhereitisnotthefoodandwayyoudressthatmattersasmuchasthegenuinewelcome.JesususesaparableaboutaweddingtoshowhowGod’sprotocolforgoodmannersisadifferentwaytolookattheworld.AtGod’stableeveryoneiswelcome.Gather ivepaperplates.Writeawordtodescribefourpeoplewhoyouseebutdonotknowonthedifferentplates.Writeyournameontheextraplate.Placetheplatesatseatsaroundatable.TaketurnssittingineachplaceandthinkabouthowyoucouldmakeeachguestfeelwelcomeatGod’stable.