INTRODUCTION

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Next week is All Saints Sunday; if you have a loved one who has died this

past year, please give the name to pastor who will read their name at the

service and you may light a candle in memory of them. 

PRELUDE Thy Strong Word    (Eithen)

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be God, the one who forms us,

 Jesus who bears the cross,

the Spirit who makes our joy complete. 

Amen.

Let us bow before God in humility, confessing our sin.

Steadfast and faithful God,

you have revealed the ways of justice, yet we fail to follow you. We are overwhelmed by the world’s violence and suffering. We are afraid to risk what we have for the sake of others. For the harm we have caused,

known and unknown, forgive us. For the unjust demands we place on others and your creation, forgive us. For the ways we turn away from you and our neighbor, forgive us. Lead us back to you and set us on the right path; in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Beloved in Christ, God’s justice stretches beyond all understanding. God’s compassion is beyond compare. In Jesus, God is always making a new way for us. In  Christ, you are already and always forgiven. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. 

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

* GATHERING SONG   A Mighty Fortress Is Our God  (ELW 504)

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:31-34

31The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

PSALM: Psalm 46

1God is our refuge and strength,

2Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,

3though its waters | rage and foam,

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

5God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;

6The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;

7The LORD of | hosts is with us;

8Come now, regard the works | of the LORD,

9behold the one who makes war to cease in | all the world;

10"Be still, then, and know that | I am God;

11The LORD of | hosts is with us;

  

SECOND READING: Romans 3:19–28

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.  20For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets,  22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,  23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;  24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,  25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed;  26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Then what becomes of boasting It is excluded. By what law By that of works No, but by the law of faith.  28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

* GOSPEL John 8:31-36

The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’”

 34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY  Built on a Rock (ELW 652)

*APOSTLES' CREED

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.

       

OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD

Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.

* OFFERING PRAYER

God of power, God of plenty,

all things belong to you.

We bring your gifts to the table,

that all might be fed.

Form us into the body of your Beloved,

Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

* PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Trusting in the transformative power of God’s loving Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

God our parent, you call us your children and have made us siblings through your son Jesus. Heal the church’s many divisions, bring understanding and peace where there has been contention and strife, and unite us in one body through the love of Christ. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our creator, your hands have made the heights of the mountains, the depths of the sea, and the life that animates all creation. Bring relief to areas harmed by wildfires, floods, storms, and human carelessness. Renew the face of the earth. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our ruler, the nations rage and the kingdoms shake, but your word stands fast forever. Let your justice and peace roll down like waters wherever there is strife, injustice, war, or religious conflict. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the people of Israel and Palestine, for those the Gaze strip who are suffering the ravages of war.   God of grace, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the Ukrainian people that they be surrounded by your love and protection against the attacks on their country.  Lift them up, and protect, them, end this war against them and let your peace reign.  God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our champion, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Draw near to all who suffer. Be their rest and comfort.  We pray especially for Dan, Sue, Jennifer, Ray, Ashton, Justin, Lois, Kathy and Rich McLaughlin, Carol, Connor, Ana, Helen, Jose, Hoon, Connie, Pat, Hazel, Deb, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Rick, Dick, Alisia, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, Jim and those we now raise before you in our hearts.  We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit.  Grant them healing and wholeness.  God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our reformer, you make all things new. Free us from complacency, open us to unexpected ways, and kindle zeal in us for the future. We pray for young people affirming their baptism. With them, stir in us a desire for your wisdom. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our savior, you made yourself known in the lives of all who have died in the hope of your grace. We give thanks for the witness of reformers like Martin Luther and for all whose example has brought us closer to you. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Gracious God, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your unending love and amazing grace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

* 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 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.

PEACE

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

* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.  We lift the to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  With all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name.

* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

* THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION 

All who hunger and thirst, come. - Taste and see the Lord is good.

COMMUNION SONG

CHOIR ANTHEM   By Grace We Have Been Saved    (Rundman/Houge)  

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Blessed be your name, O God,

for we have feasted on your Word,

Christ Jesus, the joy and delight of our hearts.

Strengthened by this food,

send us to gather the world to your banquet,

where none are left out and all are satisfied.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

*BLESSING

The God of glory,

 Jesus Christ, name above all names,

and the Spirit who lives in you,

bless you now and forever.

Amen.

* SENDING SONG  That Priceless Grace (ELW 591)

DISMISSAL  Go in peace. God is at work in you. Thanks be to God. 

POSTLUDE:  God's Word Is Our Great Heritage     (Eithun)

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of October by the Short family in memory of Virginia Lewis.

We hope that this service was meaningful for you and brought God’s peace and comfort into your homes.  Continue to wear a mask and wash your hands frequently and to love others as yourself.  Pray, trust, believe and wait. See you next week.

You are welcome to watch the live service at 10:15 am at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnslutheranfolcroft

Or you can watch live streaming on the St. John's website:  https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org

If you are having trouble accessing, please let us know.

The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!

With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Charlotte, Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.

Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON.  Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.

YOU CAN HELP!  You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done.  Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards.  Please see Ruth Weaver if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry.

Our Financial Response  (September)  

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month      $   8,510.68

Offering last month      $   5.158.29

Budget required to date (9 months)      $  76,596.12

Total received to date      $  52,618.90

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (9  months)      $   3,600.00

Total received to date      $   3,526.99

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month even if we are not all worshipping together inside our building.

Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.