St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Holy Communion on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 10:30 a.m.

October 3, 2021, 10:30 a.m.

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Creation of Eve and Adam (1792)

A Russian lubok woodcut.

Luboks were art prints created on a wide number of subjects, including the Bible,

that were affordable enough for the average Russian to enjoy.

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The color green, used for the vestments and paraments for the Sundays after Pentecost, represents growth and life in the Holy Spirit.

FIRST READING: While the first creation account from Genesis simply says that God created humankind male and female, this excerpt from the second account gives us this story. But this is not merely (nor, perhaps, even primarily) a descriptive account of the creation of Eve; rather, it is both a description and a prescription for human community in marriage. The woman and the man are alike, yet different; they are distinct, yet ‘one flesh,’ in many ways, physically, in sexual union and in mutual service; mentally, in creative partnership; spiritually, in prayer for the other.

SECOND READING: The letter to the Hebrews begins with a paradox: the Son of God, superior to angels, appears to be a lesser-than-angelic being because he became a human being, subject to service, suffering and death. But the writer to the Hebrews sees the fulfillment of Psalm 8 in the story of Jesus: he has become a little while lower than the angels in order to be exalted again above the angels and crowned with glory and honor. He does this in order to make human beings brothers and sisters and children of his heavenly Father.

GOSPEL: The Pharisees ‘test’ Jesus by asking him to rule on the religious legality of divorce. Perhaps they are not asking because they wish to divorce their wives: rather, they are trying to ascertain: is Jesus a law-abiding Jew? For the Law of Moses seems quite clear: divorce is permitted. However, Jesus quotes another section of the Law of Moses: that of the ‘marriage’ of Adam and Eve from Genesis 2. He shows that while the divorce regulations of the Torah may describe the sad reality, the marriage story gives a prescription for human life. Divorce is not the rule of God’s community; marriage is. The Church of Jesus counsels and offers forgiveness in the case of divorce; it does not bless it. However, it celebrates and blesses marriage in God’s name, and blesses the offspring of marriage.

OPENING MUSIC

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Stand

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

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.

Amen

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 for reflection and self-examination.

Most merciful God,

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

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his

sake, 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 X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

THE HOLY COMMUNION

I will go to the altar of God,

to the God of my joy and gladness. Psalm 43:4a

X HYMNS OF PRAISE Praise the Lord of Heaven!

1 Praise the Lord of heaven!

Praise him in the height;

praise him, all you angels;

praise him, stars and light!

Praise him, clouds and waters

which, above the skies,

when his word commanded,

did established rise!

2 Praise the Lord, you fountains

of the deeps and seas,

rocks and hills and mountains,

cedars and all trees!

Praise him, clouds and vapors,

snow and hail and fire,

stormy wind, fulfilling

only his desire!

3 Praise him, fowl and cattle,

princes and all kings;

praise him, men and women,

all created things;

for the name of God is

excellent alone

over earth his footstool,

over heav’n his throne!

Text: Thomas B. Browne, 1805-1874

Tune: French carol

My God, How Wonderful Thou Art

1 My God, how wonderful thou art,

thy majesty how bright!

How beautiful thy mercy seat

in depths of burning light!

2 How wonderful, how beautiful

the sight of thee must be--

thine endless wisdom, boundless pow'r,

and awesome purity!

3 No earthly father loves like thee;

no mother, e'er so mild,

bears and forbears as thou hast done

with me, thy sinful child.

4 Yet I may love thee too, O Lord,

almighty as thou art,

for thou hast stooped to ask of me

the love of my poor heart.

5 My God, how wonderful thou art,

thou everlasting friend!

On thee I stay my trusting heart

till faith in vision end.

Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863

Tune: Psalter, Edinburgh, 1615

APOSTOLIC GREETING and PRAYER OF THE DAY

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Creator God,

in Christ you call man and woman to the fullness of glory

for which you created them in your image.

Heal our hardened hearts,

renew our obedience to your spoken will,

and conform our lives to your gracious design.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

CALL TO THE WORD

Long ago God spoke in many and various ways by the prophets,

but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son. Hebrews 1:1-2a

Let us hear the Word of the Lord.

Sit

FIRST READING Genesis 2:18-24

¹⁸The Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” ¹⁹So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. ²¹So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. ²²And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.”
²⁴Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 8

Choir sings first, then all:

You crown us with glory and honor.

Sung responsively between the choir and people.

¹ O | Lord our Lord,*

how exalted is your name in | all the world!

² Out of the mouths of in- | fants and children*

your majesty is praised a- | bove the heavens.

³ You have set up a stronghold against your | adversaries,*

to quell the enemy and | the avenger.

⁴ When I consider your heavens, the work | of your fingers,*

the moon and the stars you have set | in their courses,

⁵ what is man that you should be mind- | ful of him,*

the son of man that you should | seek him out?

⁶ You have made him but little lower | than the angels;*

you adorn him with glo- | ry and honor;

⁷ you give him mastery over the works | of your hands;*

you put all things un- | der his feet:

⁸ all | sheep and oxen,*

even the wild beasts | of the field,

⁹ the birds of the air, the fish | of the sea,*

and whatsoever walks in the paths | of the sea.

¹⁰ O | Lord our Lord,*

how exalted is your name in | all the world! R

SECOND READING Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

¹Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. ³He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
^2:5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. ⁶But someone has testified somewhere,
“What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
⁷You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
⁸subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,⁹but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
¹⁰It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.

For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, ¹²saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE

Hebrews 2:12 Setting by Paul D. Weber

Sung by the Choir

Alleluia. I will proclaim your name to my people; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. Alleluia.

Gospel Mark 10:2-16

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

Glory to you, O Lord.

²Some Pharisees came, and to test [Jesus] they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” ³He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” ⁴They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” ⁵But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. ⁶But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ⁷‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
¹⁰Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; ¹²and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
¹³People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

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

Sit

Sermon

Stand

X HYMN OF THE DAY Renew Me, O Eternal Light

1 Renew me, O eternal Light,

and let my heart and soul be bright,

illumined with the light of grace

that issues from your holy face.

2 Remove the pow’r of sin from me

and cleanse all my impurity,

that I may have the strength and will

temptations of the flesh to still.

3 Create in me a new heart, Lord,

that gladly I obey your word.

Let what you will be my desire,

and with new life my soul inspire.

4 Grant that I only you may love

and seek those things which are above,

till I behold you face to face,

O Light eternal, through your grace.

Text: Johann F. Ruopp, 1672-1708; tr. August Crull, 1846-1923

Tune: As Hymnodus Sacer, Leipzig, 1625

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again 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

Father in heaven, you have spoken to us through your incarnate Word, Jesus, who teaches us in Spirit and truth, blessing us as brothers and sisters. Hear our prayers we offer in his name for his people, the Church, and for all the people of the world.

A brief silence

Give your people grace to receive your Kingdom with innocence and serve you in your people. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Give your blessing to all married couples, that they may grow in faithfulness and holy love. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Give your blessing to children, that they may grow up learning to trust you for all things, and that they may always find a home among your people. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Grant to those who hold civil authority wisdom and discernment as they seek to ensure liberty and justice for all. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Grant a home to all refugees from war and terror, and remove the scourge of war from their lands, that they may return in joy to the places of their birth. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Grant to all who are sick and suffering the grace to bring their burdens before you. Answer them and reveal yourself to them. In obedience to your command, we name before you those who have asked us to pray for them.

The pastor reads those names which have been submitted for prayer.

The people are invited to offer petitions and thanksgivings.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Grant us grace, that we may believe in the resurrection of the body, and so believing, wait with confidence and hope for the day when we and all who have gone before us shall see all the prophecies of your kingdom fulfilled. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

OFFERTORY Psalm 34:8-10 Setting by Richard W. Gieseke

Sung by the Choir

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy are those who take refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

As the grain once scattered in the fields

and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside

are now reunited on this table in bread and wine,

so, Lord, may your whole Church be gathered together

from the corners of the earth into your kingdom.

Amen

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord;

He is the reflection of your glory and the exact imprint of your very being, made for a little while lower than the angels; he is the pioneer of our salvation, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death.

And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest!

You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God;

you are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.

You so loved the world that you gave your only Son,

that whoever believes in him may not perish

but have eternal life.

Having come into the world, he fulfilled for us your holy will

and accomplished our salvation.

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.

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command,

his life-giving Passion and death,

his glorious resurrection and ascension,

and his promise to come again,

we give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

not as we ought, but as we are able;

and we implore you mercifully

to accept our praise and thanksgiving,

and, with your Word and Holy Spirit,

to bless us, your servants,

and these your own gifts of bread and wine;

that we and all who share in the body and blood of your Son may be filled with heavenly peace and joy,

and, receiving the forgiveness of sin,

may be sanctified in soul and body,

and have our portion with all your saints.

All honor and glory are yours, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

in your holy Church, now and forever.

Amen

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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

Approach with the fear of God and with faith.

Receive the body of Christ. Taste the fountain of life.

Thanks be to God.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Sit

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated.

When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.

CHOIR O Lord, We Praise You

Text/German folk hymn, 15th cent,

st. 1; Martin Luther, st. 2-3;

Music/J. G. Walther

1 O Lord, we praise you, bless you, and adore you,

in thanksgiving bow before you.

Here with your body and your blood you nourish

our weak souls that they may flourish.

O Lord, have mercy!

May your body, Lord, born of Mary,

that our sins and sorrows did carry,

and your blood for us plead

in all trial, fear, and need:

O Lord, have mercy!

2 Your holy body into death was given,

life to win for us in heaven.

No greater love than this to you could bind us;

may this feast of that remind us!

O Lord, have mercy!

Lord, your kindness so much did move you

that your blood now moves us to love you.

All our debt you have paid;

peace with God once more is made.

O Lord, have mercy!

3 May God bestow on us his grace and favor

to please him with our behavior

and live together here in love and union,

nor repent this blest communion.

O Lord, have mercy!

Let not your good Spirit forsake us,

but that heav’nly-minded he make us;

give your church, Lord, to see

days of peace and unity.

O Lord, have mercy!

HYMN For the Bread Which You Have Broken

1 For the bread which you have broken,

for the wine which you have poured,

for the words which you have spoken,

now we give you thanks, O Lord.

2 By this promise that you love us,

by your gift of peace restored,

by your call to heav'n above us,

hallow all our lives, O Lord.

3 With the saints who now adore you,

seated at the heav'nly board,

may the church still waiting for you

keep love's tie unbroken, Lord.

4 In your service, Lord, defend us;

in our hearts keep watch and ward;

in the world to which you send us

let your kingdom come, O Lord.

Text: Louis F. Benson, 1855-1930, alt.

Tune: Gross Catolisch Gesangbuch, Nurnberg, 1631

After all have returned to their places, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

POST COMMUNION HYMN Praise and Thanks and Adoration

1 Praise and thanks and adoration,

Son of God, to you we give,

for you chose to serve creation,

died that Adam’s heirs might live.

Dear Lord Jesus, guide my way;

faithful let me day by day

follow where your steps are leading,

find adventure, joys exceeding!

2 Hold me ever in your keeping,

comfort me in pain and strife;

through my laughter and my weeping,

lift me to a nobler life.

Draw my fervent love to you;

constant hope and faith renew

in your birth, your life and passion,

in your death and resurrection.

Text: Thomas H. Kingo, 1634-1703; hymnal tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

SENDING

Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

Amen

Dismissal

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by

Joan Derrick in honor of Joseph’s 46^th birthday on October 3.

Serving

Guest Organist/ Essi E. Pinkerton

Assisting Minister/ Carrie Hoffman

THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

Sun/ Oct 3 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Food Bank

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM Mon/Oct 4 Morning Prayer (livestream or in-person) 8:30 AM

New Members’ Class 6:30 PM

Wed/ Oct 6 Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM

Bible Study (over Zoom) 7:30 PM

Fri/Oct 8 Morning Prayer (livestream or in-person) 8:30 AM

Sat/ Oct 9 NA Meeting 11 AM

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 6:30 PM

Sun/ Oct 10 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

Creation of Eve and Adam, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57386 [retrieved September 28, 2021]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_and_Eve_Lubok.jpg.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org