09/03/2026
Everyone is Always Welcome at
Sion Lutheran Church
Sunday, September 6th, 2026
Pastor Andy Graves
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gathering Song What a Friend We Have in Jesus (ELW 742)
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.
KYRIE (ELW p. 184) & CANTICLE OF PRAISE (ELW p. 187)
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray.
O God, in whom we live and move and have our being, in Christ you created the worlds, and your Spirit breathes life into the universe. We praise you for your wondrous creation. Bless us and all your handiwork with your infinite light, and direct our lives to the care of this good earth, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Genesis 1:1—2:4a
When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. On the sixth day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
Psalm: Psalm 148
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights.
Praise the Lord,all you angels; sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.
Praise the Lord, sun and moon; sing praise, all you shining stars.
Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, who commanded, and they were created, who made them stand fast forever and ever, giving them a law that shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps;
fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God's will;
mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;
wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds;
sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world;
young men and maidens, old and young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven.
The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants,
the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Acts 17:22a, 24-28
Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps fumble about for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we, too, are his offspring.’
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (ELW p. 188)
Gospel: John 1:1-5
The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
Hymn of the Day Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart (ELW 800)
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 into hell.
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
Prayers of Intercession
We join with Christians far and near to worship God the Creator, praying for the earth and for all in need, responding to each petition with the words “Your mercy is great.”
O God of mystery, mercy, and might, for the church we pray: that churches around the globe collaborate in care for the earth, and that everyone takes care of your creation. Hear us, O God, source of life: Your mercy is great.
For the earth we pray: that this bounteous creation receive continued divine blessing, that the air be wholesome, that the waters be plenteous and clean, that the land be treasured, and that animals be protected. Grant that what on earth has been despoiled will be healed. Hear us, O God, our creator Your mercy is great.
For the nations we pray: that farmers, herders, foragers, ranchers, fishers, and grocers provide the food humans need, that legislators strive in all things for the common good, Hear us, O God, our stronghold Your mercy is great.
For our country we pray: that national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges be safeguarded, that all natural resources benefit the whole population, and that our children learn respect for nature. Hear us, O God, our guardian: Your mercy is great.
For those in need we pray: that humankind be sheltered from pandemic and from extreme weather, and that all who are sick or suffering receive medical attention and communal support. Give heed to those whose names we call out to you. Hear us, O God, our healer: Your mercy is great.
Into your hands, O God, our maker and keeper, we commend ourselves and your whole creation, trusting in your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE AND OFFERING
Offering Prayer
Let us pray. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING – DIALOGUE
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.
Preface
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, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures,
and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (ELW p. 190)
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
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.
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
COMMUNION SONG (ELW p. 191)
Song after Communion Let Us Break Bread Together (ELW 471) & Eat This Bread: Jesus Christ, Bread of Life (ELW 472)
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.
Sending Song Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (ELW 545)
Dismissal
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER REQUESTS
Continue to remember all who are experiencing health problems in our prayers: Scott Nelson, Pat Isaacson, Krista Olson Matthew, Robert Isaacson, Clayton Graves (Pastor Andy's dad), Todd Nelson, Bernie Reed, Colleen Kukowski, Debbie Groves, Kayla Thompson, Neil Peterson, Tucker Nelson
Please pray for the families of: David Langen, Tim Nordin, Paulino Bernal
We continue to pray for those serving in our Armed Forces, our Law Enforcement, our Fire Departments, our Highway Road Crews and our First Responder Units.
Dates to remember
09/09 – Confirmation Classes start
09/13 – Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Bronson will be celebrating its 125th anniversary. Worship will start at 11 am that date. Meal will be served after but you must make a reservation by August 31st. If you have not made a reservation but would like to attend, it is suggested that you contact Shelly Westerberg to see if that would be possible.
09/16 – Coffee at Sr Housing begins again for the season. First and Third Wednesdays each month. Come and enjoy fellowship and a treat; volunteer to make and serve.
10/25 – Lutefisk dinner. Details to follow.
Also coming in October – Family Fun Nite and Trunk or Treat! Keep watching for additional details!!
Readers and Servers:
09/06 – “P” Megan
09/13 – “S thru Z” No Reader Needed
09/20 – “A thru E” Ken
09/27 – “F thru J” Heidi
10/04 – “K thru N” Lorelei
10/11 – “O.Q.R” No Reader Needed
Isaiah 58:11 NIV
11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Cover photo courtesy of Jeremy Thomas. Final photo Geri Alper
