Prelude True Colors / Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly
All the Colors of the Rainbow, Abbot’s Leigh/ Cyril Taylor
arr. Bill Engel
Welcome & Announcements
Along with our special guest artists this morning, we welcome The Rev. Bishop Dave Nagler of our Pacifica Synod to preach and preside over worship. There is never a good Sunday to be away from First, but Pastor Kurt is grateful for the Bishop’s presence so that he may be away with family. Bishop Nagler is a long-time friend of First and great supporter of TACO.
*Opening Prayer
The boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Let us pray together:
Loving God, the time is now, the kingdom of God is here, and you call us together as your people. Open our ears so that we may hear your call. Open our hands that we may give them to your service. Open our hearts that we may love all whom you create. Strengthen us by your Spirit that we may serve your world in the grace of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
*Gathering Hymn All Are Welcome vs. 1-3
*Thanksgiving for Baptism
The time is now.
The kingdom of God has come near.
Today, we reaffirm the baptismal promise of God’s love that was marked on many of our foreheads with water, Spirit, and oil. For many of us, this sign of God’s love happened when we were too young to remember it, before anyone could know who we would become, the choices we would make, how our bodies would transform, or whom we would love. Others were older and able to bring the fullness of themselves to the baptismal font and experience the unconditional love of God.
Regardless of how old a person is when they are baptized, these waters create a loving and eternal covenant with God and enable the gathered faithful to commit to supporting, loving, and open relationship with all God’s creation.
Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for years, Jonah’s stubborn descent into the belly of a whale, and the simple fishermen who do their best to understand Jesus’ parables, our faith journey is full of ups, downs, and trying to do our best.
Today, in these baptismal waters we recommit ourselves to proclaiming a full welcome to all God’s children. We commit ourselves again to reconciling with the individuals and communities of all sexual orientation and gender identities who have led to believe that God’s promises were not available to them. May these swirling, cleansing waters now affirm the fullness of who you are and inspire you to proclaim God’s love and reconcile with others.
May this living water assure you and us that as individuals and families we are all affirmed and loved by God. May each drop from this font be a blessing from God on each and every cell of your whole body, which are most fearfully and wonderfully made. Refreshed by these waters, let us prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
The time is now! The day has come. The kingdom of God is here!
Listen in stillness. Proclaim in song, All are welcome!
Reconcile your people. Open our doors, Gather us at your table.
For the time is now! The day has come. The kingdom of God is here!
*Processional Hymn All Are Welcome vs. 4-5
*Greeting and Prayer of the Day
The boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Let us pray together: God of Boundless love, you require each of us to love justice. May we follow Christ’s example to see, name, and care for all whom we encounter. May your love and grace fill our words and actions, turning us away from the sins of homophobia, transphobia, and racism, to live for you and serve our neighbor. Soften our hearts and expand our awareness today to share in the spirit of the Kingdom of God, making the church a place where community is planted and grown to experience your grace. In your name, we pray, Amen.
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 44:6-8
6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let them proclaim it; let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. 8 Do not fear or be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
Psalm “Three Quotes about Love” by acclaimed author of
The Color Purple by Alice Walker read by Bil Wright
“What About Love?” from The Color Purple
Eboni Muse and Erin Vanderhyde, Singers
by Stephen Bray, Allee Willis, and Brenda Russell
The Epistle Lesson Romans 8:12-25
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
*Gospel Acclamation
*Gospel Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Glory to you O Lord
24 Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field,25 but while everybody was asleep an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No, for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon The Rev. Bishop Dave Nagler
*Hymn of the Day Acceptance Hymn
*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.
*Exchange of Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
Offering
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Offering Music Jesus Loves Me Instrumentalists
*Offering Prayer
Let us pray together:
Many are the diverse gifts of the children of God. Give us eyes to see diversity as opportunity, blessing, and power for our community to broaden our understanding of your love. Bless now the time, talents, and financial gifts of those gathered here today. Amen.
*The Great Thanksgiving
God is here!
Immanuel is with us!
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them to our God!
Let us give thanks to our God, the One who sees us!
It is right to give our thanks and praise to God!
God of Rainbow promises who paints both the sunrise and the sunset with colors that reveal your glory, in the transition from day to night and back again, who formed us in their image and breathed into us the breath of life, raise to you for your faithfulness shown to us since creation, As we sing with all the creatures of the earth and heavens you have made:
*Sanctus
Holy, Mighty, Intimate God, the God who sees; who sees us and knows us intimately, you are a deep well of love, grace and mercy…keep us awake to your promises that we may hold fast to the ways of your mercy and grace and be sent forth to sin boldly for the sake of your justice and love.
Through Christ, who healed on the sabbath
In Christ, who proclaimed release to the captives
With Christ, who fed the multitudes
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
All honor and glory are yours, O God, Our Creator, Our lover, Our companion. Amen
*Lord’s Prayer for Pride worship
Let us pray together, using words inspired by Jesus . . .
Our Mother and Father, our beloved parent, in whom we move and breathe and have our being, the hallowing of your name shines forth in the diversity of your children. May your peace and love, justice and equality, inclusion and belonging reign here on earth as in heaven. Along with ourselves, grant that all God’s beloveds have their daily needs met—that they might find employment without discrimination; that they might have access to medical care without fear; that their rights and lives be protected, and that they might find a loving community to call their own. Forgive us for the ways that we have fallen short and failed so many of your children. Forgive us of the times we turned away, or did not care; for the times we laughed or judged unique expressions of your image; for the times we have misspoken, asked too much, or failed to hear as we forgive those who might have failed us. Lead us away from the temptation to be complacent in the face of injustice. But instead give us courage to stand up and stand with your beloved children. For your love and justice is to be made manifest now and forever. Amen.
Agnus Dei Lamb of God
Communion Distribution
Communion Hymn God of Many Faces
*Communion Blessing and Prayer
O God, through this meal you have strengthened us and appointed us to be your servants. Send us to do good and to share our possessions with all in need. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Blessing and Benediction The Blessing
by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes
Sending Hymn All the Colors of the Rainbow
*Blessing & Dismissal
We face the cross and the door, ready to enter the world bearing the Good News
May the Creator of all embolden us to be fiercely and authentically
human. May the Holy Protector guide us as we continue to discover the fullness of who we are. And may the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom guide us to seek justice for all. Amen.
Go now in peace, in affirmation, with resilience and pride, God’s reconciling force in the world!
Thanks be to God!
Postlude I am What I am / All Are Welcome
Jerry Herman / Marty Haugen, arr. Bill Engel
