09/06/2026
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, ELCA
Ministers: The People of Our Savior’s
PMA Susan Urbanec
15th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Worship Service & Holy Communion
Council Members: – Kaleb Eichberger, Cathy Hitz, Candi Johnson, Seth Noble, Dean Schlote, John Schlote, Tom Scranton, Lou Steinkraus, and Mike Wragge
THE GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as people of God.
PRELUDE
THEME FOR THE DAY
Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Jesus’ words in today's gospel are often used in situations having to do with church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel tells of warning the wicked to turn from their ways, and Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that he is present among us with gifts of peace and reconciliation.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please stand as you are comfortable.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who pours love into our hearts and healing upon the earth.
Amen.
Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God,
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.
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.
Amen.
THE GATHERING SONG #731 verses 1,2,4,5
“Earth and All Stars”
1 Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Refrain
God has done marvelous things.
I too sing praises with a new song!
2 Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
4 Classrooms and labs! Loud boiling test tubes!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band! Loud cheering people!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
5 Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Daughter and son! Loud praying members!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926
Text © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
THE 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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray together:
O Lord God,
enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Congregation may be seated as we listen to God’s holy word!
THE WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Ezekiel 33:7-11
God appointed Ezekiel as a sentinel for the house of Israel. Ezekiel must faithfully convey God’s warnings to the people. Remarkably, God—who is about to attack Jerusalem—gives a warning with the hope that repentance will make the attack unnecessary.
7 So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.
10 Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel: Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” 11 Say to them: As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 119:33-40
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes,
and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your teaching;
I shall keep it with all my heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for that is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your decrees
and not to unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from beholding falsehood;
give me life in your way.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
because your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for your commandments;
by your righteousness enliven me.
SECOND READING Romans 13:8-14
The obligation of Christians is to love one another and so fulfill the heart and goal of the law. Clothes make the person as we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and live today in light of the future God has in store for us.
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit s*x and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
The assembly stands to welcome the gospel
THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 142
Alleluia. Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
THE GOSPEL Matthew 18:15-20
The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 18th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus offers practical advice to his disciples on how individuals—and the church as a whole—should go about restoring relationships when one member has sinned against another.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
CHILDREN’S TIME
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY #836 verses all
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
1 Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird, and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.
3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine!
Text: Henry van D**e, 1852-1922
Please stand
THE APOSTLES’ CREED Page 105
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 again 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
Reminded of God’s gracious and abundant love, we offer our prayers, confident that God hears us.
A brief silence.
Proclaiming God, empower your church throughout the world to announce the words you give us. Open us to receive your word in unexpected ways. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Forming God, renew the cycles of your creation that provide for the needs of all. Protect grasslands, marshes, swamps, and all places of transition. Heal communities crying out after disaster. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Governing God, turn all who create, enforce, or interpret legislation away from selfish gain and toward your promise of good for all, especially the good of all who labor. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Attending God, wake us up to any around us who are in need. Restore broken relationships, failing health, frayed emotions, and the hurts we carry with us. (We pray especially for . Scott Lederer, Julie Altman, Paul Krause, Tim Gustman, Rita Pitt, Bud Rutledge, Jon Stanosheck, Dale Olnes, Jade Smith, Jason Smith, Molly Elwood, Laura Peterson, those in our community dealing with illness and loss, the senior members of Our Savior’s, and all who suffer in any way . Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Gathering God, resolve conflicts in this community through your righteousness and grace. Reconcile us to each other, making your good news known even through our imperfections. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Loving God, all who die in faith have life with you. We give you thanks for the nearness of your salvation for all who have gone before us. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Grant the prayers we have offered, what we have forgotten to ask, and whatever else you see that we need. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace
Congregation may be seated
THE MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
OFFERTORY
OFFERTORY HYMN #182
“Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful”
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Let us pray together.
God of creation,
you send rain and the earth springs forth abundantly. All blessings are from you; make us generous with what we have. Use our gifts, our abilities, and our hearts in service to you and in love to our neighbors, today and always. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
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.
We affirm with joy that Jesus said, “For when two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” We acknowledge Jesus with us now.
On August 2, 2026, the community gathered, and together with Pastor Janelle Siffring we recalled the great drama of salvation. We experienced Jesus in our midst and feasted.
The presence and promise of Jesus remain with us in, with, and under these elements of bread and w**e.
We gather with the saints of every time and place to offer our thanks for life and the reality of Jesus walking with us on our journey.
We give thanks.
Let us pray.
Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things:
you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being.
For your Word of life, O God,
We give you thanks and praise.
By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts:
freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you.
For your Word of life, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.
Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness:
forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love.
For your Word of life, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.
The Word gives life. Jesus is the Word made flesh.
Let us offer together the words of Jesus when he gathered with his friends in the upper room.
Gathered at the Lord’s table, our congregation remembered with thanksgiving that
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.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever.
Amen
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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
Christ invites you to this table.
All who are thirsty, all who are hungry, come!
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Sustaining God,
with this bread and cup, you nourish us with mercy and abundant life. By your Spirit, send us from this table to serve a needy world. Make us living signs of your liberation, healing, and love, following the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
BLESSING
The God of love draw you into full accord and one mind, in the body of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
The God of hope grant you strength and joy in all circumstances through the interceding of the Spirit.
Amen.
The God of grace ☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Please stand
SENDING SONG #543 all verses
“ Go, My Children, with My Blessing”
1 “Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river
I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.”
2 “Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story,
here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.”
3 “Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you,
here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.”
Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, b. 1919, alt.
Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
DISMISSAL
Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.
Thanks be to God.
“…we leave to share the grace God has given.”
Copyright © 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #. SAS003400New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.
************************************************************************************Thank you to all those assisting in worship today!
PRAYERS FOR HEALING
Scott Lederer, Julie Altman, Paul Krause, Tim Gustman, Rita Pitt, Bud Rutledge, Jon Stanosheck, Dale Olnes, Jade Smith, Jason Smith, Molly Elwood, Laura Peterson, those in our community dealing with illness and loss, the senior members of Our Savior’s, and all who suffer in any way.
If you are in need of a minister you can contact:
Pastor Terry Krueger from St. Mark's in Bloomfield (402 373-4371 or 402 992-3349) and
Pastor Amanda Jertson-Tally from Trinity in Hartington (402 302-4056)
Autumn Renewal will be October 1, 2026 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Deadline for registration is September 20th. See the information on the bulletin board by the front entry. Questions contact Cathy Hitz @ 402-841-0473.
COMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 6
9:00 am Worship Service & Holy Communion -PMA Susan Urbanec
SEPTEMBER 9
10:00 am Bible Study
2:00 pm WELCA meeting
7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study
SEPTEMBER 13
9:00 am Worship Service & Holy Communion - PMA Myron Hitz
SEPTEMBER 15
10:00 am Cluster Text Study at St. Mark’s in Bloomfield
SEPTEMBER 16
10:00 am Bible Study
7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study
7:30 pm Council Meeting
SEPTEMBER 20
9:00 am Worship Service & Holy Communion – Seminary Student Zac Schmidt
SEPTEMBER 23
10:00 am Bible Study
11:00am Chapel Service at Plainview Manor
7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study
SEPTEMBER 26
10:30am Food Distribution at UMC
SEPTEMBER 27
9:00 am Worship Service & Holy Communion -PMA SusanUrbanec
SEPTEMBER 30
10:00 am Bible Study
7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study
