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9th Sunday after Pentecost

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, August 10, 2025

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NINTH SUNDAY AFTER

PENTECOST

August 10, 2025

10:00 a.m.

PRELUDE Aria James Kasen

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. 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. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive 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.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God 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 Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GATHERING HYMN Guide Me Ever Great Redeemer

GREETING

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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray: Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your

church. Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive

you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-6

God promises childless and aging Abram that a child of his own will be his heir and that his descendants will number as many as the stars. Abram trusts God’s promise, and through this faith he is considered righteous.

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4 But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5 He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 33:12-22 congregation repeats after choir the first time

Refrain

Your words, O God, are truth indeed, and all your works are ever faithful; you love justice and right, your compassion fills all creation. (R)

See how the eye of God is watching, ever guardian all who wait in hope, to deliver them from death and sustain them in time of famine. (R)

Exult, you just, in the Lord, for praise is the song of the righteous! How happy the people of God, the ones whom God has chosen! (R)

Our soul is waiting for God, for God is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O God, be upon us who place our hope in you. (R)

Psalm 33:1, 4-5, 12, 18-19, 20, 22 Marty Haugen 1969, ICEL, 1987 GIA Publications

SECOND READING: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Abraham and Sarah exemplify the vision of faith that people of God enact in every age. Their hope and trust in God’s promise allowed them to face an unknown future and to receive the promise of God.

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith, with Sarah’s involvement, he received power of procreation, even though he was too old, because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better homeland, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Keep awake | and be ready,* for you do not know on what day your | Lord is coming.

(Matt. 24:42, 44)

GOSPEL READING: Luke 12:32-40 Glory to you, O God

Jesus encourages disciples to invest their hearts and live fully into God’s reign. Instead of facing life with fear, those who know God’s generosity are always ready to receive from God and to give to others.

Jesus said: 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes during the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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

SERMON Pastor Kurt Christenson

HYMN OF THE DAY My Life Flows On In Endless Song

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Lord Listen to Your Children Praying

Response to each petition: God of grace, hear our prayer.

During the prayers when the Assisting Minister asks “and for what else do the people of God pray?” you are invited to pray aloud for whatever the Holy Spirit has laid on your heart. Please do not be concerned about waiting to speak until after another soul has finished their petition. Just say your prayer over the top, underneath or alongside the others. We will hear a marvelous mix of voices which God makes into a symphony of prayer.

Sung before and after prayers

APOSTLE’S CREED We share together in our ancient story of faith

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.

OFFERING

Give online using the button above.

Music Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus Setting Paul Manz

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray…Creator God, in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good and the harvest is plentiful. Strengthen us at your table with these gifts of the earth

and our labor, that we may work for the good of all; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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 our thanks and praise.

PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ;

who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

On the night our Lord Jesus was betrayed…

Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup, giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you as your priestly people.

Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church; gather into one all who share this bread and wine; fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith in truth, that we may praise and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever.

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

AGNUS DEI Lamb of God

COMMUNION MUSIC

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace.

Amen.

Gracious God, you gathered us to your table and we drank deeply of your grace.

Send us out by your Spirit to love our neighbors as ourselves and proclaim your love in Jesus’ name. Amen.

SENDING SONG My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

BLESSING & DISMISSAL Aaronic Blessing Numbers 6:23-27

Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Lead on, O King Eternal Lancashire Henry Smart arr. Joshua Evanovich

The Rev. Kurt R. Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone

Peleiah Baesa, Violin

Paul Engel, Cantor

Erin Pfaff, Lector

Eric Sloniker, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Deacon Randy Sensmeier,

Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Singers

Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Kyle Leslie, Sound, Video, & Computer

Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Kersten Sutter, Ushers

Paula Gutterud, Greeter

Martha Radatz, Fellowship Snacks

confession & forgiveness, prayer of the day, offering prayer, and dismissal

from Sundays and Seasons 2021, Year B

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

kyrie, preface, eucharist, sanctus, agnus dei, nunc dimittis

from Evangelical Lutheran Worship setting 2

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

hymn of praise

from Evangelical Lutheran Worship setting 3

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License A-710629.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Sunday after worship: Anti-Racism Workshop Continues

We will be meeting next Sunday at 11:30 in the lobby to continue our anti-racism discussion using the book So You Want to Talk About Race? by Ijeoma Oluo. Please read Chapters 9-11 and complete the homework (Choose at least 1 to send Erin before the session):

Examples from the media that may be cultural appropriation
Examples of songs, movies, podcasts, or TV clips that use the "N" word
A story about a time someone touched your hair, skin, or body without asking

ALSO! If you would like to submit an anonymous question for discussion about anything we have read to date, please complete the form linked in Heartbeat. As time allows, we will discuss as a group during the remaining sessions.

September 5: Art Show Reception & Staged Reading at FLC

To accompany the Season of Creation in September, we will be hosting an art installation called "Coastal Approach" by renowned artist and actor Bruce Turk. We will kickoff the show with an opening reception and performance by Bruce Turk & Katie MacNichol, who have regularly graced the stage at the Old Globe theater, North Coast Rep., and Off Broadway shows.

Refreshments will be provided, and a donation of $15 is suggested. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Surfrider Foundation, whose mission is the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network.

ThursDIY Efforts (no DIY this Thursday the 14th)

We’ve been making real progress with our DIY helpers. The parking lot to patio steps have been painted with safety stripes; missing and broken ceiling tiles have been replaced, storage closets have been cleaned and arranged, pictures have been rehung in the library, irrigation pipes have been repaired, a Pride float built, a bathroom fan was repaired, floors cleaned, and soon we’ll be tackling some painting, back room and chair repair. These folks are making a real difference. Many thanks for their efforts and an invitation to join them. Speak directly with Pastor or Erin if you are interested or have any questions. This is not overly heavy work and tools and know-how are provided.

August Book Group News

This month’s selection takes us into the heart of Northern Ireland and a real-life whodunit. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe investigates the mystery of a missing mother-of-ten. Combining the skills of an investigative reporter with the story telling power of a suspense novelist, the author "sweeps us into the heart of one of the world’s bitterest conflicts and, with unusual compassion, walks us back out again along the road to reconciliation.” Please join us for fellowship, and for discussion of this gripping story on Thursday August 21, 4:00PM in the church library. Martha Radatz and Erin Pfaff will host.

Tapestry Retreat September 19-21

Tapestry is a ministry of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), dedicated to inspiring and educating LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. Through our retreat weekends, we foster community and deepen our understanding of Christ from a Queer perspective. Participants leave these retreats empowered to serve as beacons of faith, providing support and connection to those seeking a safe space to express their spirituality.

Opportunity to Help from Home: Letter Polishing

You may have noticed that there are many letters missing from the “First Lutheran Church” signage on the exterior brick wall facing Third Ave. This is on purpose. While we wait for two new letters to arrive, an “A” and a “U,” there is a window to polish the old ones. The aluminum letters have been on that wall for 66 years. It’s about time for them to get a little love. Pastor Kurt will loan his dremel tool with felt polishing pads and can also provide polishing compound. You are free to perform this work at home. Please talk to Pastor Kurt if you’re interested.

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration: November 9

Please join us for our 3rd Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration on November 9 after worship! We will take some time to honor our beloved volunteers and award one special volunteer with the FLC Volunteer Award! If you would like to nominate someone for the Volunteer Award, please email Erin with your nominee and a brief recommendation.

Bible Study

Over the remaining weeks of August, the Sunday morning Bible Study will be taking a long look at the books of Galatians and Colossians. These two relatively short letters written by St. Paul invite us to consider what it means to live as disciples of Jesus. Galatians in particular was a favorite of Martin Luther’s. In its verses he found comfort, inspiration and the knowledge that he wasn’t saved so much by how good he was but by how good God Is! Galatians has been referred to as the “Magna Carta” of Christian Freedom.

TACO Bites

“Bike the Bay the TACO Way” has been postponed to October 18. You can support TACO by riding the 30-mile coastal route or donating to someone who will be! TACO will be looking for volunteers to help with clerical, onsite, and supply tasks. More information is available on the TACO website. Contact Pastor Kurt if you can help.
New website: Have you checked the TACO website recently? Lane has been doing some wonderful updates and adding new content. Make sure to check it out! (tacosd.org)

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lobby 4:00 TACO meal and clinics
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet; showers
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library 6:30 TACO board meeting in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Saturday	6:30 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 11:30 Anti-Racism Forum (Chapters 9-11) 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship