Worship Bulletin
Welcome! We hope that this worship service will be an experience that is spiritually meaningful for you so that you would know more deeply that you are God's beloved (no matter what!) and that you would hear God calling you to new ways of living defined by counter-cultural love for all.
THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY
Welcome
Centering Song
WHEN I RISE (Sung as a call and response)
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When I rise
let me rise
like a bird
joyfully.
And when I fall
let me fall,
like a leaf
gracefully.
And while I live
let me live
like a river
flowing free.
And when I stand
let me stand
like a tree
strong and tall.
Opening Prayer
GOD'S WORD FOR US TODAY
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Message
Reflection Music
GOD'S MERCY IS SHOWN
Confession & Forgiveness
Loving God, you are always ready to forgive us, yet we are often much less ready to forgive others. So often when we have something against our friends, family, or strangers, we escalate the conflict rather than seeking understanding and compassion. We resist your call to work for reconciliation and peace. We wish we could turn the other cheek, but it feels so much more satisfying to demonize the other side. Forgive us for all the ways we seek our own way of doing things instead of seeking your way of radical love for all.
Moment of silence
God of grace,
Forgive us and heal all who we have hurt.
Make our ways more like your ways, O God.
Deliver us from a spirit of judgment, criticism, and contempt.
Help us hear you through the people around us.
Help us see everyone as you see them: beloved and needed, especially those who are hardest to love.
Forgive us, renew us, and work in us so that there would be more of your grace and love extended through us for the healing of the world. Amen.
Sharing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Holy Communion & The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
SENT OUT TO CARE FOR OTHERS
Prayers for the World
The leader will offer a short prayer on a variety of issues with a moment of silence after each one. During this silence you are invited to offer your own prayer related to that issue.
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When the leader says, "God in your mercy," please respond with "Hear our prayer."
Announcements
Benediction​
Sending Music
The service concludes as the sending music begins. Go in peace to care for God's beloved creation.
Offering
We offer money as one way of practicing our faith as we place our trust in God above our trust in wealth. As we do so, we also support the work that God is doing in our communities through organizations like Lutheran Campus Ministry at Minot State University (LCM).
If you choose to make an offering to LCM, just click the button above or place money into the basket on the altar.
Come Again!
Join our email list to be sure to know when we'll gather again.