Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians: We GATHER with songs and prayer, We HEAR God’s word, We SHARE a meal of bread and wine, We are SENT into the world to love and serve. Let us know how this format works for you.
TODAY IS THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
A little faith goes a long way is our Lord’s point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in water and the word (holy baptism), bread and wine (holy communion), the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving.
GATHERING SONG
“Tis so Sweet”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Benevolent, merciful God: When we are empty, fill us. When we are weak in faith, strengthen us. When we are cold in love, warm us, that with fervor we may love our neighbors and serve them for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 Injustice and violence in the time leading up to the Babylonian exile move this prophet to lament: How can a good and all-powerful God see evil in the world and seemingly remain indifferent? God answers by proclaiming that the wicked will perish, but the righteous will live by faith.
Psalm 37:1-9 Commit your way to the Lord; put your trust in the Lord. (Ps. 37:5)
Timothy 1:1-14 This message written from Paul to Timothy is a personal message of encouragement in the face of hardship and persecution, Timothy is reminded that his faith is a gift of God. He is encouraged to exercise that faith with the help of the Holy Spirit.
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL
Luke 17:5-10 On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus instructs his followers about the power of faith and the duties of discipleship. He calls his disciples to adopt the attitude of servants whose actions are responses to their identity rather than works seeking reward.
PASTOR JUDY’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “Luke 17:5-10”
Coming soon!
SONG OF THE DAY
“We Walk By Faith”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Please stand in body or in spirit. Led by the Holy Spirit, we offer our prayers, trusting in God’s mercy, wisdom, and love. Each petition will end “Lord in your mercy,” to which the congregational response is “Hear our prayer.”
Increase the faith of your church. Give us courage when we are reticent in sharing the good news of your grace. Renew in us a zeal to respond to your love with lives marked by joy, gratitude, and service. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Tend the garden of your creation, that our world may continue to teems with all kinds of life. Inspire us to fulfil our responsibilities as caretakers of animals, plants, land and waters, mindful of our holy obligation to you and to the generations to come. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Draw to yourself all the people of the world, emboldening us to strive for peaceful and just solutions to conflict. Help us be advocates and allies of the marginalized, and champions of just causes. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Watch over our loved ones and who are in need. Bless all through whom you bring healing and hope to the hurting, the ill, the dying, and the grieving. We lift up to you members of this community of faith and those dear to them who have asked for our public prayers: Anna Bero; Dennis Bero; former member John Boyd; Fred Corwin; Linda Ernst; Phyllis Hahn; Darlean Hanner; Audrey Harris; Ruth Huehnerhoff; Eileen Johnson; Priscilla Kanestrom; Jeanne Lawson; Jim Lyon; Marlys Paulson; Marilyn Van Brero; Sandra, daughter of Dick and Darlean Hanner; and Spike, son of Wanda Nelson. Lord in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy and grateful for you love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COMMUNION SONG
“Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”
On 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 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 for all to drink, saying: 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.
All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVITATION TO COMMUNION – At Cross of Christ and throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we practice Open Communion. You will hear the Assisting Minster make this open invitation with the words, “All are welcome at the Lord’s Table. Christ is the host; we extend his invitation to all.” Please be invited to join us. Please also feel comfortable if you decide to not receive Holy Communion today. Most Sundays we come forward to receive the bread and the wine. If you would like to receive Communion where you are seated, please let the ushers who are assisting know your preference. We would be happy and honored to bring the Communion elements to you.
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION ON BREAK – This week for “Fall Break” and next week for a Town Hall presented by the Endowment Board regarding changes needing congregational approval to their guiding documents. Adult Faith Formation resumes October 20 as we continue our study on the book of Acts, between services, from 10:15 to 10:55 am, in the Library.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY – All kids age 4-10 are invited to join Miss Kristie for a fun time of learning from 10:15 to 10:55 am, in the Youth Room.
PAGETURNERS BOOK CLUB TOMORROW – 3 pm at Hildegard Schmidt’s house to discuss the book “Educated” by Tara Westover (a memoir). Our November book is “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. For questions call Hildegard, 425-747-5249.
SAINT ANDREWS’ MEN’S RETREAT FRIDAY & SATURDAY – The men of Cross of Christ are invited to this overnight Men’s Retreat this week at Valley Camp in North Bend. The retreat topic is “Our Prodigal God: A deep dive into Jesus’ parable in Luke 15.“ and will be led by Pastor Paul Hoffman, former lead pastor of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle, is a nationally-recognized author and speaker who works with the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA. More information can be found online at www.salc.church/mens-ministry-saint-andrews-men-sam Brochures are available at the Partners and Community News bulletin board in the Narthex.
SOPHIA WAY LUNCHEON NEXT TUESDAY – October 15, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Bellevue. Sophia Way is hoping to host 700 people this year! Save your place online at https://sophiaway.org/luncheon-2019/ or contact your table host, Dorinda Otto. Come by yourself or bring a group of friends.
LARKS PLAN VISIT TO MOLTON WORKS GLASS NEXT WEDNESDAY – On October 16 at 11 am, the Larks will visit Molten Works Glass Studio in Woodinville and see how many artists we have Cross of Christ. The cost is $35 per person for the class and any materials for the project you would like to create. Sign up at the Information Desk or Contact Heidi Fine.
FUN CHURCH POTLUCK OCTOBER 27 – Our next Congregational Fellowship Event takes place on Reformation Sunday. Please join us for “Reforming Through the Decades” potluck immediately following the combined and very festive 10 am service. There will be games, themed decorations, and of course, wonderful potluck food representing the dishes popular in the decades since Cross of Christ’s founding. A signup sheet is available in the Narthex. Contact Fellowship Chair Linda Capron (425-898-0263, capron@comcast.net) for more information.
HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT – The Larks are planning a trip to the Seattle Symphony for the Holiday Pops concert with the University of Washington Chorale under the direction of Jacoma Bairos, conductor. The concert is December 7 at 2 pm and the cost is $47 per person. We have three parking passes and plan to carpool from Cross of Christ. We are taking orders now – a signup sheet is available at the Information Desk in the Narthex. For more information please contact Heidi Fine or Sharen Stoll.
SENIOR LUNCHEON TOPICS – Join us for these free sessions on the third Mondays in October and November, from 11:30 am-1 pm, in the Library. Friends, neighbors and family members are welcome. RSVPs are helpful. Sign up at the Information Desk. Contact Pastor Judy if you have any questions.
October 21- Senior Living 101 – sponsored by Sunrise of Bellevue
November 18 – Crisis File Presentation: How to prepare for a senior care crisis before it happens – sponsored by Aegis of Bellevue.
SUPPORT DAYS FOR GIRLS – A group has formed at Cross of Christ to support the Days for Girls (DFG) organization. DFG increases access to menstrual care and education so girls can stay in school. The DFG group at Cross of Christ is partnering with Operation Bootstrap Africa to send funds to Tanzania to purchase kits for students at the MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School. The goal this fall is to purchase 425 kits at $6.50/kit from a local DFG enterprise organization in Arusha, Tanzania. There are multiple benefits to this approach – no need to organize a sewing project, elimination of overseas shipping costs, and it supports a local business which helps their economy. The Cross of Christ DFG group already has raised $2,100 to get started in their support. They would like to encourage others to consider contributing to this ongoing ministry. If contributing by check, please make your check out to Cross of Christ and note “DFG” in the memo line. Contact Carol McCandless to learn more.
ROOF TRUSS UPDATE – We were informed this week that there will be a delay in starting the project due to a backlog of work with one of the subcontractors. At this point it looks like the project will begin sometime this month. We will keep you posted as we receive updates. They project is expected to take about four weeks, and it appears that we will have use of the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall on weekends – although if need be, alternative arrangements have been made for worship. Please keep this project in your prayers.
NAME TAGS ARE SIGNS OF WELCOME – You’re encouraged to wear your Cross of Christ name tag to worship each Sunday. This simple act helps people get to know one another, is welcoming for guests, and is greatly appreciated by the pastor (who, try as he might, occasionally temporarily forgets names!). If you have misplaced your name tag, or haven’t received one but would like to, Office Administrator Judy Giseburt would happily make you one. Contact Judy in the office at 425-746-7300 or at office@cofclc.net.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, and Marilyn Van Brero.
BENEDICTION
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.
SENDING SONG
“God of Grace and God of Glory”
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
