CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 19:7-14

The teaching of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;

  the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;

  the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever;

  the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold,

  sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.

By them also is your servant enlightened,

  and in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can detect one’s own offenses?

  Cleanse me from my secret faults.

Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me;

  then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,

  O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

GATHERING SONG       “All Creatures of Our God and King”

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,

  abounding in steadfast love toward us,

    healing the sick and raising the dead,

     showering us with every good gift.

Amen.

Let us confess our sin

in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Just and gracious God,

  we come to you for healing and life.

Our sins hurt others and diminish us;

  we confess them to you.

Our lives bear the scars of sin;

  we bring these also to you.

Show us your mercy, O God.

Bind up our wounds,

  forgive us our sins,

    and free us to love,

      for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

        Amen.

The apostle Paul assures us:

"When we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ,

nailing the record of our sins to the cross."

Jesus says to you, + "Your sins are forgiven."

Be at peace, and tell everyone how much God has done for you.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Generous God, your Son gave his life 

that we might come to peace with you. 

Give us a share of your Spirit, 

and in all we do empower us 

to bear the name of Jesus Christ, 

our Savior and Lord. Amen.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Mark 9:38-50

The holy gospel according to Saint Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.

John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

"For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

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

SERMON “Ax or Water” Pastor Phil Wold

HYMN OF THE DAY    “Thine is the Glory”      #376

THE OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray. Holy God, you open the doors of heaven, giving us every generous and perfect gift from above. Lift our eyes from the food that perishes, and nourish us now with the food that endures for eternal life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HEALING HYMN                   "Hear Us As We Pray"

THE SERVICE OF PRAYERS FOR HEALING

In response to the Word of God, we pray for those in need,

and ask God's blessing on those who seek healing and wholeness through Christ our Lord.

a time for silent reflection

Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled,

that they may be made whole;

 hear us, O Lord of life.

Grant to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent,

the awareness of your presence;

 hear us, O Lord of life.

Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress

to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit;

 hear us, O Lord of life.

Bless physicians, nurses, and all who minister to the suffering;

grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience;

 hear us, O Lord of life.

Grant to the dying a peaceful, holy death, and

with your grace strengthen those who mourn;

 hear us, O Lord of life.

Restore to wholeness whatever is broken in our lives,

in this nation, and in the world;

 hear us, O Lord of life.

Hear us, O Lord of life:

 heal us, and make us whole.

Gracious God, in baptism you anointed us with the oil of salvation, and joined us to the death and resurrection of your Son. Bless all who seek your healing presence in their lives. In their suffering draw them more deeply into the mystery of your love, that following Christ in the way of the cross they may know the power of his resurrection; who lives and reigns forever and ever.  Amen

THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

The peace of the Lord be with you always.  And also with you.

NOISY OFFERING

THE 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.

THE 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

BLESSING

SENDING SONG          “Send Us Out”

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