09/26/2026
18th Sunday after Pentecost
10:30am Worship Service Bulletin September 27, 2026
Welcome to worship!
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Order of Service:
ELW Setting Six, p. 165 - 174
GATHERING
Blessing
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
P: In the name of ☩ the One
who was, who is, and who is to come.
C: Amen.
Welcome
Confession and Forgiveness
P: 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.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God,
C: we confess that we struggle to embody your goodness
in the world and in our own hearts. Creation groans from overuse. Jealousy and bitterness strain our relationships.
Indifference keeps us from seeking justice. Divisions disrupt your call to show genuine love to others. Turn our hearts back to you. Restore our world and reconcile us to one another.
Renew us to live as your holy people, following the way of Jesus Christ. Amen.
P: Hear this good news:
We have peace with God through ☩ Jesus Christ, in whom there is no condemnation,but only forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. Receive freely this healing gift of grace.
C: Amen. Gathering Hymn
Jesus, Name Above All Names
Jesus, Name above all names, Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord,
Emmanuel, God is with us, Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.
Jesus, loving Shepherd, Vine of the branches, Son of God,
Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Lord of the Universe, Light of the World.
Praise him, Lord above all lords, king above all kings, God’s only Son,
The Prince of Peace, who by his Spirit, Comes to live in us, Master and Friend.
Apostolic Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
ELW pp. 165 - 166
This is the Feast
ELW pp. 169 – 170
Salutation
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
P: Let us pray. God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen. WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
First Reading
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
A reading from Ezekiel, chapter 18.
1 The word of the LORD came to me:
2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?
3 As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.
4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins who shall die.
25 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
26 When the righteous turn away
from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed, they shall die.
27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall
save their life.
28 Because they considered and turned away from all the
transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die.
29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise
iniquity will be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.
Word of God, Word of Life.
C: Thanks be to God. Psalm:
Psalm 145:1-8
Refrain: Remember oh Lord your passion and love.
1 To | you, O LORD,
I lift | up my soul.
C: My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph | over me.
3 Let none who look to you be | put to shame; rather let those be put to shame | who are treacherous.
C: Show me your | ways, O LORD, and teach | me your paths.
Refrain: Remember oh Lord your passion and love.
5 Lead me in your | truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all | the day long.
C: Remember, O LORD, your compas- | sion and love, for they are from | everlasting.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth and | my transgressions;
remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your good- | ness, O LORD.
C: You are gracious and up- | right, O LORD; therefore you teach sinners | in your way.
9 You lead the low- | ly in justice
and teach the low- | ly your way.
Refrain: Remember oh Lord your passion and love.
Second Reading
Philippians 2:1-13
A reading from Philippians, chapter 2.
1 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy,
2 make my joy complete: be of the
same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name,
10 so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear
and trembling,
13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and
to work for his good pleasure.
Word of God, Word of Life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Children’s Sermon
Gospel Acclamation
ELW p. 171 Gospel
Matthew 21:23-32
P: The Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
23 When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I
do these things.
25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human
origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why, then, did you not believe him?’
26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went.
30 The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him, and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him.”
This is the Holy Gospel, the Good News of our God.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
(Silence for reflection follows the sermon) Hymn of the Day
O Faithful God
Nicene Creed
P: With the whole church throughout time, let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed:
C: We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great. Offering
An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including care of those in need.
Offertory
Just As I Am 592
MEAL
The Great Thanksgiving
(Those attending on-line can prepare their communion elements)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Preface
P: 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:
Holy, Holy, Holy
ELW p. 173 Eucharistic Prayer
P: 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 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.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
C: 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.
Peace
(Those attending on-line can greet share the peace of the Risen Christ in the comments)
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Lamb of God Invitation to Communion
P: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Communion Blessing
P: May the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ☩ bless you and keep you in his grace. May you live in forgiveness, claim your wholeness, and rest
in Christ's peace.
C: Amen.
Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray. O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
C: Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING
Announcements
Blessing
P:The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.
C: Amen.
Sending Song
The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing 531
Dismissal
A: Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.
C: Thanks be to God.
MEAL
The Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Preface
P: 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:
Holy, Holy, Holy
ELW p. 173 Eucharistic Prayer
P: 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 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.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
C: 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.
Peace
(Those attending on-line can greet each other with peace be with you or similar words in the comments)
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Lamb of God Invitation to Communion
P: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Communion Blessing
P: May the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ☩ bless you and keep you in his grace. May you live in forgiveness, claim your wholeness, and rest
in Christ's peace.
C: Amen.
Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray. O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot
see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
C: Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only
that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING
Announcements
Blessing.
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.
C: Amen.
Sending Song
The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing 531
Dismissal
A: Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.
C: Thanks be to God.
===+===+===+===+===+=== Please pray for:
Mel Birch, Tom Camasi, Mary Chidester, Richard Comer, Sonja Campbell, Laura Cameron and Jennefer Ernst, John & Kaydence Bass, Sam & Tangerine Gomez,
Liz Greig, Kevin McCulloch and Brad Richards.
Prayer Partner Church: Shishmaref Lutheran Church
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Announcements
Preaching schedule for October: Pastor Curt Matz October 4th,
Ruth Carson October 11th.
Interim Pastor Shelley Wickstrom’s 1st Sunday with us is October 18th.
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• Have an Announcement to share today? Please help us support those in the congregation with hearing aids and our folks listening online. To make your announcement, please come to the front to speak into the microphone or raise your hand and we will provide a handheld mic at your seat. Thank you!
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• Adult Education Class meets in the Conference Room at 9:30am before worship. Tim Ott is our teacher.
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• Call Committee Meeting today after worship. The committee is working on updating our congregational profile and will begin distributing surveys in October.
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• LOOK for Post It Notes – in narthex. Finish this phrase “The Most Important Things for a new pastor are…” then post your note on the wall!
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• Monday is our Foodbank ministry. Sign up to help take orders from clients from 10am – 12 noon. Sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the hallway by the office. Then, come at 12:15pm to help offload the food boxes.
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• Mary, Martha Bible Study group meets on Mondays at 6:15pm.
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• On Tuesday, the pastors meet for text study at 9:00am.
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• Wednesday, Garage Sale group meets at 10:30am to sort and pack items.
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• Worship Team rehearses on Wednesdays at 5:30pm.
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• Thursday is the service for Raven Landing at 6:45pm.
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• Like to be a part of our governing Council? Looking for volunteers to join our team in leading the congregation. Younger & Older potential volunteers would need to be a member of the church. Any questions, reach out to any of
the Council members or attend the next meeting this Tuesday, October 20th at 6:15pm.
……….. • Anyone driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks beginning NOW through October 12th? We would like to help Interim Pastor Shelley get her personal things here before she arrives on Thursday, October 15th NOTE: Look for a Parsonage Wish List – COMING SOON! Thx, Brenda Doggett, 813-230-4156
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⛪️ Join us for worship each Sunday for 10:30am service. Guests - Please sign the
Guestbook in the Narthex. We would love to follow up with you.
Children - Children are always
welcome. Please help yourself to
an activity bag found in the back of the sanctuary. We also have a
“prayground” for quiet play in the
front of the sanctuary and a
nursery located near the restrooms.
Communion is open to all - guests, members, friends, children. All who believe in Christ’s presence in this meal are invited. You are ready if you believe Christ died for you.
Anyone holding out a hand will receive Communion. If you have difficulty coming forward, please let an usher know. We will gladly bring the sacraments to you.
W**e is red, Grape juice is white, Gluten free wafers are available.
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👏Thank you to our Worship Leaders today:
Presider: Ruth Carson
Assisting Minister: Al Holmberg
Reader: Danita Swenson
Ushers: Lynn Holmgren
Communion Setup: Kathy Tenney
Videographer: Bev Higdon
Altar Flowers: To God be the glory! by Bev & Greg Higdon
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Council Members:
Sam Gomez, Heather Guess, Chris Lease, Jim Lewandoski,
Jennifer Putnam, Alice Rhee, Diane Tanner
Accompanist: Jim Spontak
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FairbanksLutheran Church
ELCA
www.fairbankslutheranchurch.org
1012 Cowles Street1
Fairbanks, Alaska 9970
(907) 452-3425
Fax: (907) 452-3422
[email protected]
Admin. Assist.: Sandy Mayfield
[email protected]
