21 Pent October 17

CALL TO WORSHIP - PSALM 91:9–16

Because you have made the LORD your refuge, and the Most High your habitation,

no evil will befall you, nor shall affliction come near your dwelling.

For God will give the angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.

Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion cub and viper; you will trample down the lion and the serpent.

I will deliver those who cling to me; I will uphold them, because they know my name.

They will call me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue and honor them.

With long life will I satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

GATHERING SONG “How Firm a Foundation” #796

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose name is majestic in all the earth, who rescues and heals in every time of trouble, who does all things well. Amen.

Let us come before God, seeking forgiveness and life.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Steadfast and saving God,

have mercy on us.

We confess to you all the ways

we turn from you and harm one another.

In your compassion,

forgive our sins and heal our hurts.

Bring forth from us a harvest of righteousness,

the fruits of gentleness and peacemaking,

the sheaves of wisdom and justice;

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

In the name of ☩ Jesus, the Son of God, receive mercy and find grace in your time of need.

Your transgressions are forgiven; God’s love is healing balm for your wounds.

Rejoice, for God raises you up to new life in Christ. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Sovereign God, you turn your greatness into goodness for all the peoples on earth. Shape us into willing servants of your kingdom, and make us desire always and only your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

ANTHEM "Open Your Ears, O Faithful People" #519

THE FIRST LESSON: Job 38:1–7

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Mark 10:32–45

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

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

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

HYMN OF THE DAY “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us” #789

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 SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

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

THE OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER

Risen Christ, receive these gifts, with our hopes, dreams, and prayers. Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread, that our eyes may be opened to see your presence among us, and our lives filled with the new life of your resurrection. Amen

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING

SENDING SONG “Let All Things Now Living” #881

SENDING

Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

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.

Postlude "Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks"