OctOber 11th 2020

NiNeteeNth SuNday after PeNtecOSt

Gathered to Share God’S Love leader

Please silence your cell phones, but please check-in with our Church App and via social media.

For Parents and Children Join us for virtual Sunday School! fccmoline.org/virtual-Sunday-School

Contact Becca@fccmoline.org for other children and youth events!

FCC Live Sunday worship is live streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube Live! Search for FCCMoline to connect with us, click like and subscribe to stay up to date!

Interested in Membership?Contact Pastor Michael, call (309)-762-0787 or email michael@fccmoline.org.

Open and Affirming: fccmoline.org/ona We are an ONA church, covenanting with all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression or identity. All people are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church, including the rites, sacraments, and leadership of the congregation.

Euodia & Syntyche

Euodia and Syntyche were two women who were leaders in the church founded by Paul in Philippi. They had a disagreement and Paul asked them to reach an accord.

You may remember that Lydia was the founder of the church at Philippi, and the first person baptized in Europe mentioned in the Bible. So in a church founded by women it is not surprising that some of the clergy were also women.

It is also not surprising that church leaders disagree, sometimes.

Here is a plaque from a wall in Skopje, North Macedonia. They are interested to make the point that Lydia was a Macedonian!

Pastor Michael

Welcome Today from the life of the church

• 3 •

Gathering of God’s PeoplePrelude

Greeting and Welcome

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.

And also with you.

*Call To Worship

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

*Opening Prayer

Let us pray, Loving God, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

*Opening Hymn Gather Us In (Music on the next page)

* Indicates when to stand in body or spirit

• 4 •

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TEXT: Marty Haugen, 1979; © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc.

MUSIC (GATHER US IN 10.9.10.10.D): Marty Haugen, 1979; © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc.

3

• 5 •

*Call to Confession

Let us confess our sins before God and one another.

*Prayer of Confession

Almighty and merciful God, you created and are creating still. In your presence our limits lie stark before us. We confess our unclean lips, our cold hearts, our turning away from neighbors, our broken promises, and our unrepentant hours. Forgive us, O Holy One. We confess that we have squandered the gifts you have given. We have neglected the land. We have grasped for goods. We have used each other. We have loved power more than people. Forgive us, O Holy One. Cleanse from us the illusion of innocence. Come into our hearts, and make us new again. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

*Declaration of Forgiveness

Almighty God, who is great in mercy and promises forgiveness of sin to all who truly repent and are sincere in faith, have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all sin, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and bring you to everlasting life.

Amen. Thanks be to God.

*Song of Praise Alleluia

Repeat

• 6 •

*Passing the Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Children’s Music

Children’s Time

Proclaiming the Good NewsPrayer for Illumination

Your word, O God, is a feast all its own. Let your Holy Spirit open our minds to your call to listen, for we know your holy Word heals and reconciles your people. Amen.

Scripture Isaiah 25:1-9

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name;for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin;the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt.Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled.

• 7 •

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations;he will swallow up death for ever.Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not be in want.

The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures

and leads me beside still waters.

You restore my soul, O Lord,

and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

• 8 •

Philippians 4:1-9

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Special Music

• 9 •

*Gospel Matthew 22:1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

The gospel of the Lord.Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon Rev. Monica Corsaro

*Hymn Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation (music on the next page)

• 10 •

Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation

• 11 •

Responding to the Good NewsPastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering Our Gifts

Invitation

Because God has given you a great banquet, let your thanksgiving overflow with joyous giving for the sake of others.

Offertory

*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,Praise God, all creatures here below;Praise God above, ye heavenly host;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

*Prayer of Dedication

God of compassion and generous love, we give you thanks for the riches of Earth, which sustain our lives and which you have created for our joy. We thank you for Jesus, whose life, death, resurrection, and ascension renews our strength and revives our hope. We give you thanks for the Holy Spirit, who comes among us, invites us to dine with each other and with you, and keeps us in faith. Bless these gifts for the sake of those in need and the work of your church. In peace, we pray our thanksgiving. Amen.

• 12 •

Sending in Mission*Hymn of Sending The Wedding Banquet

(Music on the next page)

*Benediction

*Postlude

The altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of

Beatrice Joy and Hilton Simpson

Given by: Kristi Bailey and family

• 13 •

The Wedding Banquet, by Sister Miriam Winters

CHORUS (congregation):I can not come!I cannot come to the banquet, don’t trouble me now,I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,I have fields and commitments that cost a pretty sum,Pray hold me excused, I cannot come!

VERSES (solos- Maureen / Pastor Michael):A certain man had a feast on his fine estate in town,He laid a festive table and wore a wedding gownHe sent invitations to his neighbors far and wideBut when the meal was ready, each one of them replied ! *Chorus*

The master rose up in anger, called his servants by name,Said, “Go into the town, fetch the blind and the lame,Fetch the peasant and the pauper for this I have willed--My banquet must be crowded and my table must be filled!” *Chorus*

When all the poor had assembled, there still was room to spare,So the master demanded, “Go search everywhere,To the highways and the byways and force them to come in,My table must be filled, before the banquet can begin!” *Chorus*

Now God has written a lesson for the rest of mankind,If we’re slow in responding, He may leave us behind,He’s preparing a banquet for that great and glorious day,When the Lord and master calls us, be certain not to say: *Chorus*

Used with permission. © 1965 Medical Mission Sisters, Philadelphia, PA

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The Reverend Doctor Monica K. Corsaro’s eloquence as a speaker and strong activism have made her a sought-out preacher across the nation. And while she has spent most of her adult life in Washington State she was raised right here on the Illinois Prairie and came home to serve these last three as the Director of Spiritual Life at Knox College. Serving students in higher education, helping them integrating their identities and finding their voice, is Rev. Dr. Corsaro’s passion. While a seminary student herself Rev. Dr. Corsaro began a student ministry to students at the Colorado School of Mines. And an associate pastor serving in Spokane, WA began a ministry to students at the Intercollegiate School of Nursing. From there she served in Seattle with Trinity United Methodist Church,

University Temple United Methodist Church, and as the first ever chaplain in the Planned Parenthood organization. Rev. Dr. Corsaro then served as the Ecumenical Campus Minister for the University of Washington.

Corsaro’s leadership style is characterized by strong communication, team builder and organizational excellence. From developing letter-to-the-editor and social media campaigns to doing national radio and television interviews, engages issues both intentionally and extemporaneously. Corsaro says, “I have learned over the years it is not only about having excellent communications skills but it also knowing how to use them.”

Specialties: Humor, bridge builder, leader, political are all words used to describe Rev. Dr. Corsaro. While she is very clear about what she thinks and why she thinks it she is always open to hearing all voices and finding ways to find common ground, especially in hard topics everyone argues about but no one really wants to talk about and with, sexuality, religion, and the unequal distribution of power.

Rev. Dr. Corsaro earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Illinois State University and Master of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology. And doctoral degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC.

• 16 •

Serving TodayGuest Preacher Monica Corsaro

Musicians Mason Moss Maureen Holmes

Lector Kelsy McCormick

Liturgist Careyna Wennekamp

FCCLive Zack Newcomb

First Congregational Church StaffRev. Michael Swartz Pastor michael@fccmoline.org

Maureen Holmes Chancel Choir Director maureen@fccmoline.org

Mason Moss Organist/Pianist mason@fccmoline.org

Gail Glockhoff-Long Campanella Ringers Director gail@fccmoline.org

Becca Peterson Director of Family Ministry becca@fccmoline.org

Harleigh Jones Nursery Coordinator nursery@fccmoline.org

Jennifer Dailing Office Manager & Bookkeeping jennifer@fccmoline.org

Amber Moore - Director of Marketing & Communications amber@fccmoline.org

Sara Otta Financial Manager sara@fccmoline.org

Amanda Peterson Red Wagon Preschool Director

Custodian Mike DeToye