St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Order of Service, Sunday Worship, September 6, 2020, 10:30 a.m.

THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The color green, used for the vestments and paraments in the season after Pentecost, represents growth and life in the Holy Spirit.

The readings today all work together to explore the theme of Christian community. Love and truth in Christ is the heart of the community. When division threatens to destroy the church, the Word itself judges and heals.

The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon after the fall of Judah in 586 B.C. His task was to call the people to a continued faithfulness to Israel’s God in the midst of many foreign gods, insisting that God still had a future for those who repented. The call to speak truth was not dependent upon how God’s people would respond.

In Romans, Paul continues to expand upon the theme of the Christian response to God’s grace in Jesus. He urges mutual love of the members of the community, for this mutual love is the summation of the commandments – love itself is the fulfilling of the law. As well, in view of the coming revelation of Jesus to the world, Christians should put away all dishonorable passions in order to live honorably. People do dishonorable things under cover of darkness, literal or metaphorical; honorable behaviors are done openly. Disciples are to demonstrate their faith in the coming ‘day’ of Jesus by living as if that day were already fully upon them.

In Chapter 18 of St Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus instructs the disciples about living together in community. The idea of unity and truth-telling are fully intertwined in the teaching of Jesus. The offender is not someone to be cast out in anger but to be won back, if possible, with gentleness. The presence of Christ in the community is a comfort, but it is also to give ‘teeth’ to the word of the Church. When Jesus’ instruction has been followed, when the Word has been discerned, the forgiveness offered by the Church is God’s himself, with the offender free to accept it or reject it.

Preparation for Worship

Upon reaching your place, you may wish to read Psalm 84 in silence:

¹ How dear to me is your dwelling, O | Lord of hosts!*

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh rejoice in the | living God.

² The sparrow has found her a house

and the swallow a nest where she may | lay her young,*

by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,

my King | and my God.

³ Happy are they who dwell | in your house!*

They will always be | praising you.

⁴ Happy are the people whose strength | is in you,*

whose hearts are set on the | pilgrims' way.

⁵ Those who go through the desolate valley

will find it a | place of springs,*

for the early rains have covered it with | pools of water.

⁶ They will climb from | height to height,*

and the God of gods will reveal him- | self in Zion.

⁷ Lord God of hosts, | hear my prayer;*

hearken, O | God of Jacob.

⁸ Behold our defend- | er, O God;*

and look upon the face of | your anointed.

⁹ For one day in your courts

is better than a thousand in | my own room,*

and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God

than to dwell in the tents | of the wicked.

¹⁰ For the Lord God is both | sun and shield;*

he will give | grace and glory;

¹¹ no good thing will the | Lord withhold*

from those who walk | with integrity.

¹² O | Lord of hosts,*

happy are they who put their | trust in you!

You may pray the following prayers:

Holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God: hear our prayer and send your holy angel from heaven to guard, protect, visit, and defend all those who assemble together in this house; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Most gracious God, incline your merciful ears to our prayers and enlighten our hearts by the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may approach your Holy Mysteries with believing hearts and love you with an everlasting love.

OPENING MUSIC Praise to the Father

Improvisation- J.M. Strobel

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:

1 Praise to the Father for his lovingkindness,

tenderly caring for his erring children;

praise him, all angels; praise him in the heavens;

praise to the Father!

2 Praise to the Savior for his deep compassion,

graciously caring for his chosen people;

young men and women, aging folk and children,

praise to the Savior!

3 Praise to the Spirit, comforter of Israel,

sent from the Father and the Son to bless us!

Praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Praise to the triune God!

Text: Elizabeth R. Charles, 1828-1896

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

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.

Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:8-9)

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are in bondage 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 you, and for his sake the Father forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows and them the Holy Spirit.

Amen

THE HOLY COMMUNION

APOSTOLIC 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.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

KYRIE ELEISON

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen

HYMN OF PRAISE

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

(Luke 2:14)

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:

We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Father, look upon the Church you gather in Christ,

and confirm her in unity and truth.

Encourage the fervent, enlighten the doubtful,

and bring back the wayward.

Bind us together in mutual love,

that our prayer in Christ’s name may be pleasing to you;

through the same Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit;

one God, now and forever.

Amen

CALL TO THE WORD
Teach us, O LORD, the way of your statutes.

Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Psalm 119: 33

Sit

First READING Ezekiel 33: 7-11

⁷So 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. ⁸If 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. ⁹But 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.
¹⁰Now 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?” ¹¹Say 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?

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 119: 33-40

The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.

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 law;*

I shall keep it with | all my heart.

³⁵ Make me go 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 watching | what is worthless;*

give me life | in your ways.

³⁸ Fulfill your promise | to your servant,*

which you make to | those who fear you.

³⁹ Turn away the reproach | which I dread,*

because your judg- | ments are good.

⁴⁰ Behold, I long for | your commandments;*

in your righteousness pre- | serve my life.

SECOND READING Romans 13: 8-14

⁸Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹The 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, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
¹¹Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹²the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; ¹³let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE

Alleluia. Rejoice in the Lord always;

again I will say, Rejoice. Alleluia. Philippians 4:4

Gospel Matthew 18:15-20

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] ¹⁵“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.

¹⁶But 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. ¹⁷If the member 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. ¹⁸Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹Again, 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. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY Where Charity and Love Prevail

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

1 Where charity and love prevail,

there God is ever found;

brought here together by Christ's love,

by love we thus are bound.

2 With grateful joy and holy fear,

God's charity we learn;

let us with heart and mind and soul

now love God in return.

3 Let us recall that in our midst

dwells Christ, God's holy Son;

as members of each body joined,

in him we are made one.

4 Let strife among us be unknown;

let all contentions cease.

Be God's the glory that we seek;

be his our only peace.

5 Let us forgive each other's faults

as we our own confess,

that we may love each other well

in Christian gentleness.

Text: Latin hymn, 9th. cent.; tr. Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997, alt.

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He 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,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

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 THE CHURCH

Made one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence is kept.

Almighty God, grant unity and peace to your people. Send us messengers of warning to turn us back to you; give us faith in the forgiveness of sins, and turn our hearts to love one another. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Heal your Church divided by race, false doctrine, human custom, and the sin which separates believer from believer. Bring us to mutual repentance, understanding, and forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Bless this faith family, that all who gather here may be bound together in love and truth; that we may agree in the one faith and the one life which is Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Be with all who teach and all who study, especially in this time of danger and new challenges in learning. Grant your blessing to healthcare workers, first responders, and all who care for others, that they may minister to others in safety and with charity. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Look with favor with all who labor, especially those for whom their daily work is dangerous because of pandemic. Grant them safety, industriousness, and a just reward for their work. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Send the Spirit of peace upon the world wracked by war; look with tenderness upon your persecuted people; be with all afflicted by natural disaster, all who are wasted by hunger and disease; and all who are victims of violence. Hear our prayers for our nation and its homeless and for the people of Lebanon. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Hear now our prayers for those whom we hold in our hearts:

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for those who are at rest with you, and we ask that we may follow in the ways of those who have lived and died in your grace; that with them we may receive the perfect peace of your Kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

We do not presume to come to your table, O Lord,

trusting in our own righteousness,

but in your manifold and great mercies.

We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table.

But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.

Grant us, therefore, O gracious Lord,

so to eat the flesh of your dear son, Jesus Christ,

and so to drink his blood,

that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.

Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading into the Sanctus:

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 him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord:

Who calls us to love you above all things and our neighbors as ourselves; and speaking the word of warning and forgiveness, binds us together in community with him and with each other.

And so with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory;

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest! (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

We praise and thank you, O God,

for in your infinite goodness you have created us

to receive and rejoice in your love and mercy.

In the fullness of time and according to your purposes

you sent your beloved Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ, born of Mary.

He came to proclaim the Kingdom;

He healed the sick and numbered Himself among sinners;

He poured Himself out in death,

giving His life as our ransom and our righteousness.

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.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Holy Father,

as we remember our Lord's life and passion,

His resurrection and ascension,

we give you our thanks and bless your holy name.

Because your Son has made us His fellow-servants,

a holy priesthood, a people set apart, we pray:

Send now His life-giving Spirit

upon this Bread of Life and this Cup of Blessing,

that we and all who partake

of Christ's body and blood

may find our unity in Him

and our lives defined by His cross,

as we await His final coming as Lord of love.

Through Him, with Him, in Him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father,

now and forever.

Amen

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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 (Matthew 6:9-15)

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

Where two or three are gathered in Christ’s name;

There Christ is in their midst.

(Matthew 18:20)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

Grant us peace.

(John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated, and please do not remove your mask until you have reached the table with the elements on it.

When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated. Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill

1 May we your precepts, Lord, fulfill

and do on earth our Father’s will

as angels do above;

still walk in Christ, the living way,

with all your children and obey

the law of Christian love.

2 So may we join your name to bless,

your grace adore, your pow’r confess,

to flee from sin and strife.

One is our calling, one our name,

the end of all our hopes the same,

a glorious crown of life.

3 Spirit of life, of love, and peace,

our hearts unite, our joy increase,

your gracious help supply.

To each of us the blessing give

in Christian fellowship to live,

in joyful hope to die.

Text: Edward Osler, 1798-1863, alt.

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Almighty Father, you gave your Son

both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life.

Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving,

and to conform our lives to his;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

BENEDICTION

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 X give you peace.

Amen (Numbers 6:24-26)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!

CLOSING MUSIC 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 Dyke, 1852-1933

Please maintain social distance and remain masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving the building.

OUR STEWARDSHIP of GOD’S GIFTS

Last Weekend’s Attendance: 8 + 16 = 24

Offering: 8/30/2020

Towards Budget: $ 1,818.00

Itemized Non Budget:

Lutheran World Relief: $ 20.00

Total: $ 1,838.00

The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God by Juel and Charlotte Engebretson in honor of their wedding anniversary.

V IN YOUR PRAYERS

Linda Armento, at home

Mary Jo Bondi, at home

Ruth Duessel, at Concordia, Rebecca

Pastor Carl Hendrickson, at home

Elsie Kemmler and Bill Roth at Concordia, South Hills

David Noel, at Kane Rehab, Scott Township

Geneva Schrag, at Consulate Health Care, Canonsburg

William Wetzel at Concordia, Cabot

A FEW REMINDERS AS WE RESUME PUBLIC WORSHIP SERVICES:

· If you wish to attend worship, you will need to pre-register every week by either calling the office or sending an email.

· Registration ends Saturday at 12 noon.

· Masks are required to be worn while in the building.

· Upon entering and leaving the church, you must sanitize your hands or wash them with soap and water.

· Everyone must sign in when entering the church. This way we can keep track of who was in the church and when.

WORSHIP SERVICES are held every Saturday evening at 6:30 PM and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Pastor Frontz also livestreams Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. These can be accessed on the church’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ststephenpittsburgh).

FOOD BANK SUNDAY is TODAY. Thank you for bringing

non-perishable food items to church to be donated to the food pantry of St Andrew Lutheran Church in East Carnegie. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please make your check payable to “St. Stephen Lutheran Church” with a notation of ‘Food Bank’ in the memo line. Thank you.

PLEASE HELP! During the month of September, we will be taking a special offering for Lutheran World Relief to bring aid to the people of Beirut, Lebanon. Specific information on this effort are included in the September Newsletter that was mailed to your homes this past week. As you send in your offerings, please consider including a gift for Lutheran World Relief’s efforts in Beirut. Thank you.

OPERATION SAFETY NET Also during the month of September, our church will be taking an ingathering of gifts for ‘Operation Safety Net’, a local ministry submitted to us by Joan Derrick, our Outreach Committee chair. Please see the poster in the narthex and the September Newsletter for ideas on how you can help. Thank you.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING will be on Sunday, September 20, at 7 PM. Please pray for the council.

ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER are available in the Narthex.

THE GARDEN needs to be weeded again. Imagine that! If you have time, please stop by the church and pull a few weeds. You need not do it all. You’ll feel good and the garden will look nice!

KINDLY REMEMBER TO PAY FOR THE FLOWERS you ordered for the weekend Altar and for the special occasions. Altar flowers are $20/vase. Checks can be made out to St. Stephen Lutheran Church with a notation “flowers” and placed in the offering plate

DAILY DEVOTIONS, including THE WORD IN SEASON, PORTALS OF PRAYER AND CHRIST IN OUR HOME (July, August, and September 2020) are available on the table in the Narthex. Take one or more to share with family and friends. If you are able, a donation would be welcomed to help defray the cost to the congregation for these resources. Thank you!

2020 ‘DAILY TEXTS’ are available in the Narthex. A donation of

$10 per book would be appreciated to help cover the cost of the books. Thank you.

PLEASE ALERT Pastor Frontz anytime you are hospitalized by calling him on his cell: (570) 447-8758. Hospitals DO NOT contact the church.

ST STEPHEN COUNSELING CENTER: A site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute/PPI). For marriage, family, teen and individual counseling – for first appointment call PPI at 412-661-1239. St. Stephen Center is

412-279-5452. Counseling opens doors to hope. Counselor: Caroline Graham-McGuire.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language,

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Order of Service, Sunday Worship, September 6, 2020, 10:30 a.m.