08/29/2026
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Sunday, August 30, 2026 9am
14th Sunday after Pentecost
37 West Genesee Street
Skaneateles, NY 13152
The Rev. Jessica Nipp, Pastor
315 685 3121
A warm welcome to everyone this morning! If you are visiting or new to our church, we invite you to sign the
Guest Book in the narthex (entryway of the church). Restrooms (including a changing table) are located
downstairs and are accessed through the lift or the stairway door in the narthex. Hand sanitizer is also
available in the narthex. We hope that you are blessed by God’s word and by our hospitality for this morning’s
worship.
Holy Trinity Lutheran is located on the original and ancestral homelands of the Onondaga Nation, and we give thanks for their presence here since time immemorial. We also recognize and honor all our Indigenous siblings
who have called and continue to call this land their home.
Prelude and Announcements
GOD GATHERS US
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his
heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives
in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not
repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our
suffering world.
Please stand, as you are able.
Confession and Forgiveness
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose compassion endures forever. Amen.
Let us confess our sin to God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God, we confess to you all our sins. Our burden is heavy, and we cannot free ourselves. In your mercy, call us back to you. Your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Restore us to dwell in your peace. In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” In the name of God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven. Rest in God’s love.
Amen.
Gathering Hymn
For the Beauty of the Earth (ELW 879) verses 1,4,5
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.
Hymn of Praise
verse 3
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Psalm: Psalm 26:1-8 (read in unison)
Your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you. (Ps. 26:3)
1Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered.
2Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and my mind.
3For your steadfast love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you.
4I have not sat with the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful.
5I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down with the wicked.
6I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, that I may go in procession round your altar,
7singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds.
8LORD, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides.
Second Reading: Romans 12:9-21
Paul presents benchmarks for faithful relationships with Christians and non-Christians. Love is the unflagging standard of our behavior. When we encounter evil, we do not resort to its tactics but seek to overcome it with good. While Christians cannot control the actions and attitudes of others, we seek to live at peace with all people.
9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
13Contribute to the needs of
the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Please stand, as you are able, to welcome the gospel.
The Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 16th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
After Peter confesses that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (16:16), Jesus reveals the ultimate purpose of his ministry. These words prove hard to accept, even for a disciple whom Jesus has called a “rock.”
21From that time on, [after Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah,] Jesus began to show
his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
27“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
The Sermon
Please stand as you are able
Hymn of the Day
Will You Come and Follow Me (ELW 798)
verses 1,2,5
Apostles’ 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 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 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
Individual congregation members are invited to pray aloud on behalf of the congregation one of the following printed prayer petitions:
With bold trust in God’s unfailing provision, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
A brief silence.
For the church in every land, that its mission and ministry is anchored in the love of Christ. When threats or challenges arise, teach us to take up our cross and follow you in faith. We especially pray for our Presiding Bishop Curry; our Synod Bishop Lee Miller II, his spouse Heather, and the Synod staff; companion synods of Zambia and Zimbabwe; Pastor Katie Yahns and all leaders and staff of St. Peter in Verona; Pastor Steve Jackson and all leaders and staff of St. Andrew’s Methodist Church; Father Vasile Colopelnic and Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Auburn; Pastor Jessica, her family and the congregation and preschool of Holy Trinity.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For the well-being of your creation, that all that lives and grows on the earth may thrive. Bring relief to areas ravaged by droughts, floods, fires, storms, and other disasters.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For the nations and all in authority, that they seek to live in peace with one another. Bless the work of international and diplomatic organizations and all who work to bring peace to a world scarred by violence.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For all those in need, that they be satisfied. Ensure all your children have safe access to food, water, shelter, and medical care. Bring healing to all who bear wounds in body, mind, and spirit, especially those named on our prayer list, along with those we name now either aloud or silently in our hearts. (pause)
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For the congregation gathered here to serve you, that they remain strong in faith and united in purpose. Guide our committees, study groups, and other meetings toward honesty and humility, always seeking genuine love. Bless our new pastor and her family, as they join us in our family of faith.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For the faithful departed, that their witness continues to strengthen and guide the church. Renew our hope in your promises in this life and the life to come.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Receive our prayers and answer, O God, as you have promised. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GOD FEEDS US
God invites ALL God’s beloved children to be fed at His table of grace. Children who have not received First
Communion instruction may also come forward to receive a blessing. For those who have medical restrictions or
other special concerns about the elements: the bread is made from wheat flour; the wine contains alcohol. White grape juice is also available. We are assured of Christ's full presence in bread alone, as Christ forgives us and
strengthens us for the journey ahead. Upon instruction from the usher, please come forward to the altar by the
center aisle and return to your seat using the side aisle.
The Peace
The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Please share the peace with those around you by either bowing to one another, or placing your hand over your heart as you say the words.
Please be seated.
The Offering and Offertory
Please stand, as you are able.
The Offering Response
Offering Prayer
Let us pray. Loving God, we offer at your table the gifts of our hearts. Help us take heart in you and share freely of your love, so that all creation can taste your abundance. We ask this in the name of Jesus, through the Spirit abiding with us now and forever.
Amen.
The 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.
The Preface
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy……we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Words of Institution
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
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, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Please be seated.
Lamb of God
Communion and Communion Music
Please stand, as you are able, after the entire assembly has received Holy Communion.
Post Communion Blessing
May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray. Compassionate God, through the gifts of bread and wine, our hearts are filled with the abundance of your love. Strengthen us that we, through this holy meal, may share your love freely, as you have shared with us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, through the Spirit nourishing us now and forever.
Amen.
GOD SENDS US
Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you with grace and mercy. May the Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.
Amen.
Sending Hymn
Let Streams of Living Justice (ELW 710)
verses 1,3
Dismissal
Go in peace. Be a blessing in the world.
Thanks be to God!
Postlude
