The Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost - Sunday, October 24, 2021 St. Mark Lutheran Church
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Sunday, October 24, 2021
The Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost
St. Mark Lutheran Church
1515 S. Harris Rd.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
stmarkypsi.comCan we pray the way Bartimaeus prays? People try to hush him up because by addressing Jesus as “Son of David” he is making a politically dangerous claim that Jesus is the rightful king. Could our prayers ever be heard as a threat to unjust powers that be? Bartimaeus won’t give up or go away quietly, but repeats his call for help more loudly. Do we ask so boldly? And are our prayers an honest answer to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” PRELUDE: The Lord Is Good (MM 302) Copyright CCLI 738292 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy. Amen. Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin. Silence is kept for reflection. God, our provider, help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen. Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, ☩ the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life. Amen.
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
OPENING SONG: I Will Seek Your Face, O Lord (CWB 71) Copyright CCLI 738292
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Eternal light, shine in our hearts. Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal
compassion, have mercy on us. Turn us to seek your face, and enable us to reflect your goodness,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:7-9
This passage speaks not only of the southern kingdom, Judah, and its homecoming from exile in
Babylon, but also of the northern kingdom (“Israel” or “Ephraim”) and its restoration. The northern
tribes of Israel had been lost in exile to Assyria more than a century before Jeremiah prophesied.
7
Thus says the LORD:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
“Save, O LORD, your people,
the remnant of Israel.”
8
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
9
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 126
Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. (Ps. 126:5)
1
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
then were we like those who dream.
2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are glad indeed.
4
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the watercourses of the Negeb.5
Those who sowed with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6
Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
SECOND READING: Hebrews 7:23-28
Human priests of old offered sacrifice for their own sins and served only until their death. In
contrast, Jesus is God’s Son, the holy, sinless, resurrected high priest. Death did not terminate
his priestly service, but through his death he has interceded for our sins.
23
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from
continuing in office; 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
25
Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he
always lives to make intercession for them.
26
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated
from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did
once for all when he offered himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject
to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has
been made perfect forever.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: Mark 10:46-52
Bartimaeus comes to Jesus with faith, asking that he might see again. Recognizing Jesus’
identity, Bartimaeus is the first person to call him “Son of David” in the Gospel of Mark.
46
As [Jesus] and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus,
a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he
began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many sternly ordered
him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus
stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get
up, he is calling you.” 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus
said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me
see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his
sight and followed him on the way.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Beth Birkholz
SERMON HYMN: Great Is the Lord (WOV 765) Copyright OneLicense
CREED: The Creed (CWB 19) Copyright CCLI 738292
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Set free from sin and death and nourished by the word of truth, we join in prayer for all of God’s
creation.A brief silence.
Risen One, we give you thanks for congregations and ministries throughout the world that serve
as centers of prayer and action. Empower missionaries, teachers, healers, evangelists, and all
who are sent to share your song of joy. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Holy One, we give you thanks for generous land that produces abundant harvests. Strengthen
and protect all soils, from rooftop gardens to prairie farmlands, to patio planters to fertile valleys,
and bless all who lovingly tend them. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Ruling One, we give you thanks for leaders of nations who work to build up the common good.
Strengthen efforts of reconciliation among all nations, that peace extends in every direction. Hear
us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Healing One, we give you thanks for all who labor for the health of others. Comfort and strengthen
all who struggle with chronic pain. Send healing and relief to all who are sick.
(A time of silence as we lift up those on our prayer list.)
We lift up especially Beth Hall, Sissy Howard, Louise Conklin, Christina
Wallman, Pastor Lauren Kirsh-Carr, Mick Boone, Nickole Calmeyn, Maurice
Stovall, Chloe Bray and her parents, Tina Karns, Misty Calmeyn, Jim Ohl,
Stephanie Pooley, Ian Locke, Margie Blackwood, Gary Hall, Augie Wallman,
Kent O’Clair, and Sandy Engel.
We continue to pray for Richard, Terry, Charlene, Melissa, Pam, Chuck, Ted,
Dr. Jim, Denny, Mary, Ben, and Dusty.
We ask that you comfort the grieving family and friends of Carol Hartman, aunt
of Onda Cymes.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Providing One, we give you thanks for all who provide for others. Inspire generosity in your people,
so that we carry out the work of making disciples of all nations. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is
great.
Living One, we give you thanks for the saints who have increased our faith. Give us courage to
follow in hope until you gather us all around your table of abundance. Hear us, O God. Your
mercy is great.
Confident that you hear us, O God, we boldly place our prayers into your hands; through Jesus
Christ, our truth and life.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Share the peace. You are invited to call or text someone and simply say “peace!”
INVITATION TO OFFERING
OFFERING SONG: Everybody’s Got Something to Offer (CWB 86) Copyright CCLI 738292OFFERING PRAYER Jesus, Bread of life, you have set this table with your very self, and called us to the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown among us, and strengthen us in this meal. Make us to be what we receive here, your body for the life of the world. Amen. Thank you for continuing to give to the work God is doing through St. Mark Lutheran Church. You can give by mailing your gift directly to the church. You can also give your gift by going online to www.stmarkypsi.com. Your gifts continue to sustain and nourish our ministries here at St. Mark, so thank you. 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. Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age. Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. Praise to you for your faithfulness in all generations. Praise to you for claiming us as your children and gathering us in this worship through sacred story and the presence of Jesus. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this bread is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Drink this all of you. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. And now, I invite you to lift a hand of blessing toward those communion elements that you have brought to this table as we pray: O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine which we bring to this worship that they may hold
the presence of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, and so that, through these gifts, we might be empowered to live with courage and compassion in this world. All praise and glory to you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father in Heaven (CWB 44) Copyright CCLI 738292 COMMUNION Take and eat; take and drink; and as you do, know that you are indeed receiving the body of Christ and the blood of Christ, transcending time and space, with divine love poured out for you. COMMUNION SONG: Shine on Us (CWB 81) Copyright CCLI 738292 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray: Wellspring of joy, through this meal you put gladness in our hearts. Satisfy the hunger still around us. Send us as joyful witnesses, that your love may bring joy, safety, and peace to the hearts of all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BLESSING The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, ☩ be upon you now and forever. Amen. SENDING SONG: To Be Alive (CWB 65) Copyright CCLI 738292 DISMISSAL Go in peace. You are the body of Christ. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE: Blessed Assurance Public Domain ENCIRCLED WITH PRAYER Recognizing the power of prayer, please join us in praying at home throughout this week for those whose needs are known to us and those whose cares we do not know. We lift up especially Beth Hall, Sissy Howard, Louise Conklin, Christina Wallman, Pastor Lauren Kirsh-Carr, Mick Boone, Nickole Calmeyn, Maurice Stovall, Chloe Bray and her parents, Tina Karns, Misty Calmeyn, Jim Ohl, Stephanie Pooley, Ian Locke, Margie Blackwood, Gary Hall, Augie Wallman, Kent O’Clair, and Sandy Engel. We continue to pray for Richard, Terry, Charlene, Melissa, Sandy, Pam, Chuck, Ted, Dr. Jim, Denny, Mary, Ben, and Dusty. We ask that you comfort the grieving family and friends of Carol Hartman, aunt of Onda Cymes. Please contact us at office@stmarkypsi.com if you need prayer for yourself or those dear to you. ANNOUNCEMENTS Preaching today will be Pastor Beth Birkholz. Worship Services: In addition to our livestream service every week, we offer in-person worship every other week. Today’s worship is online. See our website for a schedule of services and further details. Holy Communion: Each of our services includes Holy Communion. For those worshiping from home, please take a moment to gather communion elements from what you have on hand: bread or crackers, wine or juice, for use later in the service.
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