Prelude
Sounds of Creation: Kumeyaay traditional bird song with gourd rattle
Recorded in San Diego County Jon Mesa, Kumeyaay bird singer
Welcome and Announcements
*Greeting, Confession, and Forgiveness
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 bright light and dull darkness, in the energy of each
day and the rest that comes with night
We remember the goodness of God
In the heavens high above our heads, in waters that run deep
around the world
We remember the goodness of God
In solid land and flowing seas, in vivid flowers and fruit laden-trees
We remember the goodness of God
In the rising and setting of the sun and the cycles of the seasons, in
the patterns of the shining stars
We remember the goodness of God
In oceans teeming with fish, in skies filled with birds
We remember the goodness of God
In a world filled with animal life and in ourselves as human beings
We remember the goodness of God
In rest and reflection, in wonder and worship
We remember the goodness of God. Amen
All Creation is full of God’s praise, and we are called to join in with
joy, righteousness and peacefulness. Yet as we look around us, we
see conflict and destruction. We acknowledge that we ourselves are
the cause of conflict and destruction, and often fail to walk the path
of peace. Everywhere on the planet, humans cause great harm, even
as we know that the scope of destruction varies, and that everywhere
human beings are among the victims of our deep conflict with
Creation.
All too often, we fail to live as we have been called. We fail to be
ambassadors of peace, righteousness and reconciliation. Let us
confess our sins. Let us come before the Triune God and ask for
forgiveness and renewal.
Creator God, God of the oceans, God of the land and all that is
within it: You created this world with the power of your word. You
formed humankind with your own hands, and breathed your own
breath into us. You gave us these lands as a gift— a source of our
identity and sustenance. You empowered us to be the guardians
of what you have made. Loving God, we have failed you and
abused the gift you have given us. We have offended you and
defiled what you have made. Forgive us for betraying your trust.
Forgive us for our greed and arrogance. Forgive us for what we
have done to your Earth. Forgive us for what we have done to
your oceans. Forgive us for what we have done to your creatures
—on the land, in the sky, and in the depths.
May our God have mercy on us, forgive us our trespasses and give
us new Life. Indeed, in our baptisms and the waters of this font God
has promised grace and forgiveness to us: “My people will abide in a
peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”
(Isaiah 32:18) Let us rejoice and trust in our calling, live as we are
called to live, reconciled with the Father, ambassadors for Christ,
filled with the Holy Spirit. We rest in the proclamation of your grace,
sealed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
*Gathering Hymn We Dream of a Turning
*Prayer of the Day
Let us pray: God, the giver of life, whose Holy Spirit wells up
within your Church: by the Spirit's gifts, equip us to live the
gospel of Christ and make us eager to do your will, that we may
share with the whole creation, the joys of eternal life; through
Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: Micah 4:1-4
1 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s temple shall be
established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised up
above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, 2 and many nations shall
come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to
the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and
that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth
instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He shall
judge between many peoples and shall arbitrate between strong
nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and
their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against
nation; neither shall they learn war any more; 4 but they shall all sit
under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall
make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 67 repeat refrain after the cantor
Oh God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light
upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn
your saving help. Refrain
Let the nations be glad and exult for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth.
Refrain
Let the Peoples praise you, oh God; but all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us blessing till the ends of the Earth stand in awe.
Refrain
*Gospel Acclamation
congregation repeats alleluia after the cantor’s lead then repeats after the
cantor’s verse
Speak, O Lord, your servant is listening. You have the words of
eternal life.
*Gospel Reading Luke 12:32-40 (First Nations Translation)
Glory to you, O God
32 Do not fear, for even though you are a small flock, it makes your
Father's heart glad to give you the good road!
33"Share your possessions with the ones in need, and you will have
money pouches that never wear out, filled with possessions from the
spirit-world above. 34For where you store your possessions is where
your heart will be.
"Be ready at all times, with your torches burning bright. 36Be like the
ones who, waiting for their chief to return from a distant wedding
feast, are watching and ready to welcome him. "When he returns and
finds them ready, he will take off his chiefly garments, dress himself in
servant's clothes, sit them at his own table, and serve them a great
feast. 38He will do this whether he returns late in the night or early in
the morning.
39"Here is another way to see what I am saying. If the elder of a
family had known what night the thieves were coming, he would not
have let them break frt. 40 In the same way you must always be ready,
for the True Human Being will return at a time you do not expect."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Homily Pastor Manuel Retamoza
*Hymn of the Day In Sacred Manner vs. 1,3,5,6
5 In sacred manner may we live
among the wise and loving ones,
sit humbly, as at sages' feet,
by four-legged, finned, and feathered
ones.
The animals will teach.
The animals will teach.
6 In sacred manner may we walk
upon the fair and loving earth,
in beauty move, in beauty love
the living round that brought us birth.
We stand on holy ground.
We stand on holy ground.
Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, b. 1953
Text © 1990 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg Fortress
*Prayers of Intercession
Response to each petition:
God of grace, hear our prayer.
*Apostle’s 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.
Offering
Give online using the button above.
Music: Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace
Music- Šamotulský Kancionál 1561 arr. Engel
Lord of all nations, grant me grace
to love all people, every race;
and in each person may I see
my kindred, loved, redeemed by thee.- Olive W. Spannaus
*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.
*Exchange of Peace
The Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
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.
*The Great Thanksgiving
Blessed are you, Lord God, our light and our salvation; to you be
glory and praise for ever. From the beginning you have created all
things and all your works echo the silent music of your praise. In the
fullness of time you made us in your image, the crown of all creation.
You give us breath and speech, that with angels and archangels and
all the powers of heaven we may find a voice to sing your praise:
*Preface
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. Hosanna in the
highest.
*Sanctus
*Eucharistic Prayer
*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 We Sit in Shambles Choir
1. We sit in shambles we have built with no one else to blame,
so take our shards of sin and guilt; make beauty from our shame—
holding, folding, molding all the failed and flawed into your handiwork,
O God.
2. Yet far beyond the human realm your saving love extends; to owl and
orca, elk and elm, your arc of mercy bends--placing, spacing, tracing
every lead and hair into the blueprint of your care.
3. Yet saving living things alone is still too small a dream; each lake and
river, star and stone you labor to redeem--splitting, fitting, knitting
every scrap and trace into your tapestry of grace.
4. For all the cosmos has a goal your artistry has planned, and all
creation is made whole when guided by your hand--flowing, glowing,
growing into your design, a canvas for your love to shine.
Text: David Bjorlin, b.1984
Music: Mark A. Miller, b.1967
*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.
Lord of all Creation, as we have received the bread and wine,
Fruits of the earth and tokens of salvation, so with joy we
celebrate your goodness and commit ourselves to serve you on
your earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Sending Song O God, You Give Us Neighbors
*Blessing & Dismissal
Go in peace, dear friends, live in peace with Creation… And may the
blessing of the Most Holy Trinity accompany you: The Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the one God, to whom be glory, for
ever. Amen
Go in eager and refreshing hope. Work with Christ risen from the
dead, to fulfill the promise of a new creation. Thanks be to God.
Postlude God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens Holy
Manna by WIlliam Moore arr. Dale wood
God, who stretched the spangled heavens, | infinite in time and place,
flung the suns in burning radiance | through the silent fields of space,
we your children, in your likeness, | share inventive powers with you.
Great Creator, still creating, | show us what we yet may do.
- Catherine Cameron
Sanctuary Flowers were given by
Suzanne Pew "In memory of God’s
gift, my sister Betsy, a joyful, loving
soul."
Today's Servants
Pastor
Guest Preacher
Music Director,
Organist
Tenor Sax
Violin
Cantor
Lector
Assisting Minister
Choir
Tech Team
Ushers
Greeter
Fellowship Snacks
The Reverend Kurt Christenson
The Reverend Manuel Retamoza
Bill Engel
Earl Vaults, Jr.
Peleiah Baesa
Paul Engel
Joe Slevcove
Beth Slevcove
David Pohl, Deacon Randy Sensmeier,
Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel, Billie
Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Jan
Neuhaus
Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard,
Melodie Baker
Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Kersten
Sutter
Paula Gutterud
Kersten Sutter
Announcements
Council Corner: Strategic Ministry Plan
The Council will engage in a Fall Retreat October 25th, mainly to confirm FLC’s
Strategic Priorities. It’s been almost five years since our last deep dive, and as the
backdrop of the world continues to evolve, we agreed it is again time to prayerfully
examine and revise, if needed. Deacon Margy volunteered to frame a series of
questions we’ll discuss as a congregation in small
groups following worship on both October 12th and
19th. In addition, we’ll offer these discussions virtually
on October 20th at 5:30, October 21st at noon, and
October 22nd at 5:30. We’re asking you attend one of
these five sessions to offer input. RSVP is required!
Use the link in HB to register. Limited
seats are available in each session.
We’ll collect the notes from these discussions to guide the Council Retreat. Council
President Troy will discuss this during worship on September 21st. Our strategic
alignment as a church family continues to enable us to be the Heart of Christ in the
Heart of the City!
Next Sunday after worship: Christina
Bagaglio Slentz PhD
Pastor Jim Friedrich will lead worship
celebrating the Voice of the Psalmist. Our
special guest that day will be from our
Ecumenical partner in the Season of
Creation Dr. Christina Bagaglio Slentz, PhD.
Dr. Slentz is a former Navy intelligence
officer. She is a member of Sacred Heart
Parish in Coronado, and on staff of the Dan
Diego Roman Catholic diocesan Office for
Life, Peace and Justice on July 15 as
associate director for Creation Care Ministry.
Today after worship: Rev. Manuel
Retamoza of the Cherokee Nation
Rev. Manuel Retamoza, Lead Pastor at
St. Andrew’s in La Mesa, is with us to
share his faith experience and challenges
as a member of the Cherokee Nation.
Pastor Manuel is also currently the lead
Pastor for Border Church, a leader in our
National Youth Ministry Network, VP of
American Indian and Alaskan Native
Association of the ELCA Board, and
member of the Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary advisory board.
Please join us in the lobby after worship.
October 6: FLC Night at TACO
Fellow FLC volunteers, October 6 is
the first Monday of the month and
our evening to assist with serving
dinner at TACO. Please consider
giving 2 hours of your time for this
worthwhile and heartwarming
experience. If you can give of your
time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on
Monday October 6, please let Joann
Masters know, either at church or by
email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and
she'll take care of signing you up.
Come join the fun! Looking forward
to seeing you there.
New FLC Class on Christianity and Politics
As Christians, what can we do without violating
a legitimate respect for our government? Pastor
Kurt and Jim Boyd would like to address these
issues in a theologically sound and actionoriented
study. Our question: Would you attend
such a study? It would most likely have to be a
brown-bag lunch on Saturday. If this is of
interest to you, please complete the survey
here.
Oct 18: Bike the Bay the
“TACO Way”
Enjoy a fun and challenging ride
around San Diego Bay to benefit
the wonderful work that TACO
does every day! This is a 25 (or 50)
mile long, mostly flat familyfriendly
ride—everyone can do it!
Check out the TACO website or
Heartbeat for more information.
We have several teams signed up,
and riders will be entered into a
raffle for prizes! We still need help
with:
• Preparing rider packets
• Aid station supplies: pumps,
tubes, etc.
• Large water jug for riders at FLC
Let Erin know if you can help!
Volunteer Award Nominations
Our volunteer appreciation celebration will take place
on November 9 after worship in the lobby. Everyone is
invited to help us celebrate our faithful volunteers who
keep the ministry of FLC alive!
This year, we will be collecting nominations for the
coveted "Volunteer of the Year" Award! Make your
nomination using the link in Heartbeat.
TACO Bites
Our partner ministry, Third Avenue
Charitable Organization (TACO), “is a
community drawn together to support the
dignity, health, and well-being of people
among us experiencing homelessness and
poverty.”
The Lucky Duck Foundation will be
matching up to $30K of donations
to TACO through October 31! Now
is a great time to get the most out of
your donation to TACO.
Please do not bring any clothing
donations until further notice while
the closet is cleaned out!
Shower trailer help: TACO is looking
for a dedicated helper to tow the
shower trailer from Santee to FLC and
back on the 2nd and 4th
Wednesdays. Can you help?
Thanks to your generosity, TACO is
back on its “financial feet” and
working to keep the momentum
going!
Welcome!
First Lutheran Church of San Diego is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation committed
to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Since 1989 we’ve been explicitly and
vibrantly welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender
expressions, races, and ethnic backgrounds. Being so, enriches and greatly strengthens
our faith community.
About Us
The heart of Christ in the heart of the
city
A congregation of the Pacifica
Synod/Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America
Proclaiming Christ’s name in
downtown San Diego since 1888
Feeding God’s blessed hungry ones
since 1975
First Lutheran Church worships and
works on the unceded territory of the
Kumeyaay People.
How to contact us
Pastor Kurt 619-234-6149 ext 2. pastorkurt@firstlutheransd.org
Church Administrator (Erin) 619-234-6149 ext 1 administrator@firstlutheransd.org
*Please contact the Church Administrator if you would like to be added to our weekly e-newsletter.
Find more information,
news, and events on our
website:
www.FirstLutheranSD.org
First Lutheran Church San Diego
@firstlutheransd
@FLCSanDiego
