The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi 

GATHERING 

Prelude 

Welcome and Announcements 

Ringing of the Bell 

(Please Stand) 

Confession and Forgiveness 

L: Blessed be God, the one who forms us, Jesus who bears the cross, the Spirit who makes our joy complete. 

Amen. 

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

Silence is kept for reflection. 

L: Steadfast and faithful God, 

C: 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. 

Hymn #876 “Let the Whole Creation Cry” 

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

C: And also with you. 

Glory to God...

L: Let us pray: 

All: Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 

WORD 

Psalm Psalm 148: 7—13 Pg. 982 

Refrain: 

PS 148:1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. 

PS 148:2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 

PS 148:3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 

Refrain: 

PS 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 

PS 148:8 Lightening and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, 

PS 148:9 You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 

Refrain: 

PS 148:10 Wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 

PS 148:12 Young men and maidens, old men and children. 

PS 148:13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; 

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 

Refrain: 

Second Reading: Galatians 6: 14—18 Pg. 1816 

R: Word of God. Word of life. C: Thanks be to God. 

Children’s Sermon 

(Please rise for the Gospel) 

After the Gospel is announced, we sing 

The Gospel according to Matthew, the eleventh chapter. 

Gospel Reading Matthew 11: 25—30 Pg. 1513 

(After the reading of the Gospel, we sing) 

(Please be seated) 

Sermon The Rev. Judith Miller 

(Please Stand) 

Hymn “Prayer of St Francis” (insert) 

 

Prayer of St. Francis 

1. Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord. And where there’s doubt, true faith in you. 

2. Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness only light, And where there’s sadness ever joy. 

3. O Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled, as to console, To be understood, as to understand, To be loved, as to love, with all my soul. 

4. Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving of ourselves that we receive, And in dying that we’re born to eternal life. 

P: With the whole church, let us confess our faith: 

All: 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 Prayers 

L: . . . God of Grace C: Hear our prayers. 

Sharing of the Peace 

L: The peace of Christ be with you always. 

C: And also with you! 

L: Let us share Christ’s peace with one another. 

 

Offering 

Offering Hymn #744 “Lord Be Glorified” 

(As the last verse is sung, please stand as the offering is brought forward.) 

L: Let us pray. 

All: 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. 

The Lord’s Prayer: (Sung) 

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 

SENDING 

Benediction 

P: The God of glory, Jesus name above all names, and the Spirit who lives within you, bless you now and forever. 

Hymn # 835 “All Creatures, Worship God Most High!” 

L: Go in peace. God is at work in you. C: Thanks be to God. 

Postlude 

 

Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today: 

Our Reader—Jim Johnson 

Our Liturgist—Claire Roberts 

Organist—Ed Workmon 

Music Accompanist—Doris Menke 

Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann 

Visitation Pastor—Rev. Judith Miller