Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 13, 2020

First Lutheran Church 208 West Sandusky Avenue Bellefontaine, Ohio (937) 592-7699 Pastor Lawrence J. Novak www.flcbellefontaine.org

Mission Statement:Sharing God’s grace through prayer, witness, and service.

WELCOME to our worship service this morning, especially our visitors.

It is a pleasure to have you worship with us. We sincerely pray that the service is inspiring and challenging. If you find occasion to worship with us again, we want you to know that our doors are always open to you. Wherever you go, may God go with you and may the fruits of regular worship bring peace and joy to your heart.

As Lutheran Christians, we believe the body and blood of Jesus are truly present in the form of bread and wine. All who believe and

have been baptized are invited to partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion. All others are invited to come forward for a blessing.

Please listen to the worship assistant for prayer concerns.

The altar flowers were given by Don and Georgia Voorhies in dedication to the glory of God and in honor of their 56th wedding

anniversary and John and Krista Belser.

Thank you again, Carolyn Novak, for playing our music today

2

Remember those of our congregation in a care facility:

Green Hills of West Liberty: Tom Secrist- Inn #10

Logan Acres: Eleanor Ammon- Room #308 Catherine Chamberlain- Room #318 Rosemary LaBatt- Mill Creek, Room #404.

Jeanne Gamble – Room #322 Ted Hoy – Room #325

The Homestead: Bill Fent- Room #106 Mary Contner- Room #205

Campbell House: Mike Myers- Room #131 Don Johnson – Room #132

Lincoln Estates: Bob Taylor- Bldg #320 4100 West 3rd Street, Dayton Belle Springs: Lois Latimer – Room #110

3

Fifteenth Sunday after PentecostSeptember 13, 2020

10:00 a.m. Service in the Park

Sharing Announcements of Parish Life

+ + + WE ENTER INTO WORSHIP + + +

Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness P: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.

P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,whose steadfast love is everlasting,whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.C: Amen.

P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.C: Amen.

P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silence is kept for reflection

4

P: Most Merciful God,C: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart: we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen

P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

Gathering Hymn ELW# 798 “Will You Come and Follow Me

5

6

GreetingP: 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.

Prayer of the DayP: O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness. Replace our hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may delight in doing your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.

Please be seated

+ + + THE WORD PROCLAIMED + + +

First Reading: Genesis 50:15-2115Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” 16So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.Psalm: Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13

7

 1Bless the LORD, O my soul,  and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. 2Bless the LORD, O my soul,  and forget not all God’s benefits 3who forgives all your sins  and heals all your diseases; 4who redeems your life from the grave  and crowns you with steadfast  love and mercy;  5who satisfies your desires  with good things  so that your youth is renewed  like an eagle’s. 6O LORD, you provide  vindication  and justice for all who are oppressed. 7You made known your ways to Moses  and your works to the children of Israel.  8LORD, you are full of compassion and mercy,  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;  9you will not always accuse us,  nor will you keep your anger forever. 10You have not dealt with us according to our sins,  nor repaid us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heavens are high above the earth,  so great is your steadfast love for those who fear you. 12As far as the east is from the west,  so far have you removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion for his children,  so you have compassion for those who fear you, O LORD. 

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

8

Second Reading: Romans 14:1-121Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.  5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.  7We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.  10Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,  and every tongue shall give praise to God.”12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

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

Please stand

Holy Gospel and Response

P: The Holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 18th chapter. 9

C: Glory to you, O Lord.21Peter came and said to [Jesus], “Lord, if another member

of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.  23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”P: The gospel of the Lord.C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated

Sermon: Pastor Larry Novak 10

Special Music “Foregiveness” by Matthew West – Vocal Solo Carolyn Novak

+ Bible Presentation Service +

3rd Grader receiving a bible today: Brooks Bodin 6th Grader receiving a bible today: Sophia Porter 

P: I would like to invite forward Brooks, a 3rd grader this year & Sophia, who will be beginning confirmation as a 6th grader and their parents to receive God’s Holy Word. In Holy Baptism our Lord Jesus Christ received you and made you members of his Church. At that time your families made promises to bring you to the services of God’s house, to teach you the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, and to place in your hands the Holy Scriptures. As a community of God’s people, we work together to fulfill those promises. Today on behalf of each member of First Lutheran Church, we present you with a Bible. We seek God’s blessing upon you as you read these scriptures and grow in faith.

The minister hands the Bibles to the Parents.

P: Let us pray, blessed are you, O Lord our God. Be with us now and bless the fruits of those who read your word. Grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things, give us joy in them, and lead us to the building up of your kingdom; through you Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen.

The parents present the Bibles, living out the promises made at 11

their child’s baptism saying: “Today we fulfill our promise.”

P: We rejoice with you this day and continue to pray for you. Go in the peace of the Lord. May the almighty God + Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless and keep you now and forever. Amen.

+ Teacher Installation +L: Today it is also our privilege to recognize and support those who are engaged in the work of this congregation, especially those in the ministry of education.

Sunday School Teachers Installed today:o Pre-K – 5th Grade and Music: Kris Swisher o Adult Lounge Class: Carolyn Novak/Cindy Weikarto Confirmation: Pastor Larry Novako Confirmation: Dick Griffith o Superintendent: Colleen Bodin

Colleen Bodin, Dick Griffith, Kris Swisher, Carolyn Novak, Pastor Larry, Cindy Weikart

L: Sisters and brothers, both your work and your rest are in God. Will you endeavor to pattern your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, in gratitude to God and in service to others, as you carry out the ministry of education in this congregation? R: I will, and I ask God to help me.

L: People of God, I ask you: Will you support your sisters and brothers in their service, and will you share in the mutual ministry that Christ has given to all who are baptized? R: We will, and we ask God to help us.

12

L: Let us pray. O God of wisdom, in your goodness you provide faithful teachers for your church. Bless those who serve as educators. Help us all to study your word and engage your world, that together we may grow in knowledge and love, pursue what is good. We give you thanks, O God, for all who respond to the call to serve in your name. Give them joy and fulfillment, care and guidance in their tasks. Help us all to give willingly and to receive thankfully the gifts of ministry, that your name may be glorified, your people live in peace, and your will be done; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.C: Amen.

Please stand

+ + +OUR RESPONSE + + +

Apostles’ Creed

A: Let us confess our faith, the faith in which we are baptized, using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.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.

Prayers of the Church

13

A: Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.A brief silence.

A: Lord, in your mercy,C: Hear our prayer.

P: All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy, through Christ, Our Lord. C: Amen.

PeaceP: The peace of Christ be with you always.C: And also, with you.P: Let us safely share the peace of the Lord with one another.

Lord’s Prayer

P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray together the prayer Jesus taught his disciples 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.

BlessingP: Almighty God,Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.C: Amen.

14

Sending Hymn: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Let there be peace on earthAnd let it begin with meLet There Be Peace on EarthThe peace that was meant to beWith God as our FatherBrothers all are weLet me walk with my brotherIn perfect harmony.Let peace begin with meLet this be the moment now.With ev'ry step I takeLet this be my solemn vowTo take each moment and liveEach moment in peace eternallyLet there be peace on earthAnd let it begin with me

DismissalA: Go in peace. Christ is with you.C: Thanks be to God.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20386.New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 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.

Serving in Worship this Sunday15

(Service in the Park)

Serving in Worship Next Week(In the Sanctuary)

16

Sept. 13 10:00 amUshers Max Bixler and Diane AndersonReader Carl GillespieGreeter Jean WrightNursery *open, but not staffedWorship Assistant Beth HarmanAltar Guild Kris Swisher and Colleen BodinSpecial Music Carolyn Novak

Sept. 20 10:00 amUshers Max Bixler and Diane AndersonAcolyte Sarah StarkeyCommunion Assistant

Jinny Fergus

Reader Chris TillmanGreeter: Marjorie MacGillivrayNursery: *open, but not staffedWorship Assistant: Chris Hildreth-BlairAltar Guild: Kris Swisher and Colleen BodinSpecial Music Jennifer McKenrick

Upcoming Events September 14-20

Sept 14 10:00 am12:00 pm 1:30 pm

Staff MeetingAA Rice HallBible Study

Sept 15 9:00 am12:00 pm

5:00 pm

Quilters- Rice HallLunch in the Park – Oakland SquareTai Chi – Myeerah Nature Preserve

Sept 16 12:00 pm 6:45 pm

NA Rice HallBible Study

Sept 17 12:00 pm NA Rice Hall

Sept 18 Office Closed on Friday

Sept 19

Sept 20 9:00 am10:00 am

Sunday SchoolWorship Servicewith Communion

17

IT’S TIME FOR FAITH CIRCLE TO RECONVENE !

Tuesday September 15, 2020 Faith Circle will reconvene for the 2020/2021 season on our usual third Tuesday of the month.As with everything else 2020 has shown us, Faith Circle will look a little different. As we strive to be more inclusive and diverse, we welcome ALL – women & men of all ages – to join us on Tuesday September 15th at Noon in conjunction with TUESDAY IN THE PARK, Oakland Square Park (weather permitting) In case of rain or cold, we will meet in Rice Hall *Bring your Lunch and Lawn Chair Carolyn has volunteered to share devotions with us. Offerings will be collectedfor our regular offering, Pennies for Habitat and Nickels (and other coins) for the Orphanage.

(I’ve even heard that there might be a dessert or goodies!) In our discussion we will be looking at our upcoming plans and events. Join us and Bring a Friend! “The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Workers are Few”

18

Don’t forget that Sunday School will be starting September 20th at 9:00am. We hope to see you there!

Quilt dedication is Sunday, September 20th during the worship service. The quilts will be displayed for you to see the hard work that was put

into making these beautiful quilts.

19

Mission - Affirming God’s love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.

Donation envelopes will be included in the Sunday, September 27th bulletins

20