The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 7, 2025
Lord of Life LIVE!
The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Join us next Sunday as
we share the Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost!
The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
A New Beginning; For The Lost And Found!
September 14th, 2025 - 9:30AM
Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!
Registration available!
Next Sunday we continue, “God’s Work! Our Hands!”
Join us as we share our seasonal donation efforts to
our local food shelf, “The Drawer,” and local school supply efforts!
A wish list is available of local school supplies students often need!
Upcoming Events:
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering In Joy & Grace
I Will Celebrate
Baloche
I will celebrate sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord a new song
I will celebrate sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord a new song
With my heart rejoicing within
With my mind focused on Him
With my hands raised to the heavens
All I am worshiping Him
I will celebrate sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord a new song
I will celebrate sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord a new song
Litany Celebrating & Trusting God’s Faithfulness in a New Beginning
PSALM 66
Today we celebrate a new beginning; we trust anew the Lord blesses us to follow through on a new beginning in grace, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice. The Lord listens to me, and strengthens me in my searching; therefore, I will call on his name as long as I live.
People of God: Jesus takes up his cross, to follow through in grace to make us new. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and the times we have failed to stand firm, to follow through, to build on the Lord’s faithfulness.
(silence)
Friends in Christ, build on the truth and grace of the new beginning in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. When we say “O Lord, I pray, save my life,” trust the Lord is gracious and merciful, following through, to be still, to celebrate, to trust anew, the Holy One is here!
Song Anew In Grace
Be Still
Evans
vs. 1
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Today I celebrate the Lord loves me and protects me. Jesus is my rock and my salvation. Jesus has saved me. When I question the gift of faith, Lord, fill me with grace, and bless me once again!
Friends in Christ: Jesus builds you up in grace, to renew you, to follow through as you make God and neighbor first. Celebrate a new beginning! You are made new! Stand firm; be still; the Lord is moving in this, and every place!
Song Anew In Grace
Be Still
Evans
vs. 3
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
Loving God, like your disciples long ago, we have questions, too; how to build strong foundations of faith; how to be your students and disciples; how to follow through on our commitment to glorify you. Grace our hearts with a new beginning, build us up, to take a firm stand in you, to follow Jesus always, and to stay close to the One who follows through on our behalf every time. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Faith Quest is Back!
We’re excited to kick off a brand new year of Faith Quest, our Sunday School program at Lord of Life! Children ages 4 through 6th grade are invited to set out on an adventure of faith, discovering God’s love through Bible stories, crafts, music, and community projects.
Faith Quest takes place during the 9:30 am worship service, September through May. Each week, kids will be dismissed from worship to continue the journey together. New friends are always welcome, and enrollment is open all year long!
Blessing of the Children, Parents, Educators, Schools & Backpacks
PSALM 66
All who are students this year, from preschool to college, along with their parents, or those with them today, and anyone involved in education at any level; administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, bus drivers, aides, food service employees, custodians, coaches, staff, please raise your hand or stand up as you wish. Whether or not you brought a backpack with you today, we want to bless you as this school year begins.
Today you are receiving a gift. (Pass out the carabiners) They are a carabiner that you can attach to your backpacks. All of them have a compass on them. Maybe some of you are just beginning to discover the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Perhaps some of you know how to get to school, or a neighborhood park, or how to get home from a friend’s house, and yet you are not yet sure of directions. Those of you who are learning to drive, or will be driving soon, are perhaps for the first time acknowledging more and more, if your destination is to the north, south, east or west, of where you are coming from, and where you are going to.
As our faith quest is renewed for us every day, as Sunday School begins again today, as our spiritual courses continue, we are each invited to believe and trust anew The Holy Spirit, God’s grace, our Savior Jesus Christ, are blessing our journey, giving us direction, keeping us on track, pointing our way. “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” If we ever feel lost along the way on our faith quest, God will guide us and grace us again, for Jesus loves us this we know, for the Bible tells us so.
This year we encourage you to keep this carabiner on your backpack. May the compass help you grow in confidence as you learn your directions. May the compass and carabiner remind you, you are forever linked to God’s love for you in Jesus Christ, who is always with you, and that God will forever faithfully keep you faithful and on course, forever trusting the Lord of your life.
Remember from Psalm 121 `The Lord bless you and keep you, your going out and your coming in from this time on and forever more. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit. Amen.’
(Each child is blessed, making a sign of the cross on their foreheads, saying):
“Jesus is with you wherever you go.”
Congregation, you are asked to raise an arm, to visually join in laying your hands on one and all, as we share the following blessing and prayer:
(Those with children today are invited to lay hands on them.)
Let us pray: God of all knowledge and wisdom, bless these children, these students, parents, teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, nurses, bus drivers, aides, food service employees, custodians, coaches, staff, and backpacks as a new school year has begun.
We pray your blessing on these children and upon all students, young and old, as their new year begins. Guard and protect students in their schools, on buses, in cars, on bikes, as they walk, everywhere, and as they go to and from school each day.
Help each student discover and develop the gifts you have given them. As they grow in knowledge, help them also grow in kindness and compassion. Bless all who serve the education of others, guide them in their vocation and calling, as they teach and nurture, support and validate each child, seeing them, too, as Your child.
By your Spirit, bless our schools, all students, all who go there, work and serve there, the classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, fields, and events to be places of safety, respect, learning and possibility. We ask your blessing on parents and all who love and care for these children. Strengthen our ministry and each of us as disciples; be our spiritual compass, give us direction, keep us on track, point the way. Bless each of us, too, as students of the faith, to teach God first, to make God and neighbor first, to surround all students with encouragement, support, and love, trusting even the most ordinary action is an extraordinary blessing to your Kingdom, as we believe and make known we are forever linked to you and your grace. In Jesus’ name, our faith quest continues, and we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
DEUTERONOMY 30:15–20
Moses summoned Israel and said, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away, and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you, life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song of Grace Anew
Children of the Heavenly Father
Sandell, Berg
vs. 1
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in his bosom gather
Nestling bird or star in heaven
Such a refuge ne’er was given
vs. 2
God his own doth tend and nourish
In his holy courts they flourish
From all evil things he spares them
In his mighty arms he bears them
vs. 3
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord his children sever
Unto them his grace he showeth
And their sorrows all he knoweth
vs. 4
Though he giveth or he taketh
God his children ne’er forsaketh
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy
Gospel
LUKE 14:25–33
Now large crowds were traveling with him; and Jesus turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
(New Revised Standard Version)
BASED ON ROMANS 8:31–39
God’s Word in grace gave Saul a new beginning to become the Apostle Paul. Paul’s words build up our faith, too, to share a new beginning, so we boldly state our faith.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Time to Follow Through on a New Beginning
DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20; PHILEMON 1-21; LUKE 14:25-33
What is something you want to last forever? What are you doing about it? Building something strong and sure, takes time and commitment. Marriages, families, careers, economic futures, churches - take laying a sure foundation, building on them, following through on all you set out to do. What about your faith? What about your relationship with the Savior? How long do you want this to last? For a while? For eternity? What foundation are you building this relationship on? Is it sure and strong? Could it crumble at any time? What are you doing to follow through on that relationship? How is God calling you to build on your faith journey? Today as we hear Jesus, we are reminded `taking up the cross and following Christ' is not about pain and suffering, it is not about passing a test; `taking up the cross' is about a faith quest, about making God and neighbors first, about foundation, building on, following through on our walk in faith. Trust and build upon the new beginning of grace in this truth: God sent Jesus to take up the cross, to follow through, to create a foundation, that will last and be built upon forever!
1. We all know the saying, `Anything worth doing is worth doing well.' When it comes to faith, `Lay a foundation on the foundation that will last forever.'
Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Philemon 4-5; Luke 14:27,29-31
A. Why build something if you do not want it to last? Why bother, if only in it for the short term?
B. How long do you want your foundation of faith to last? How long are you willing to be committed to Christ? Why bother if we do not want it to last forever? What are you doing, what do you see God doing, to help keep your foundation strong?
C. Hear again and trust forever: God has built a foundation through Christ in the cross that will last for eternity! You cannot find a stronger foundation than that!
2. Once the foundation is established, it is time to build and to follow through.
Deuteronomy 30:16-17; Philemon 20-21; Phil. 1:6; Luke 14:28-30
A. Is a foundation all you are looking for? Why construct or lay down a strong foundation, if you are not going to build on it?
B. It can be easy to get excited about a new beginning, a new venture, a new journey, a new walk in faith, a new foundation - and then to stop there.
i. What do you have if you get started, lay down one row, and then stop or quit?
ii. The gifts, the power, the strength, the love, the hope, will be blessed with even more as we build on and follow through on our foundation in Christ.
C. God lays the most solid of all foundations, he builds on it in grace, following through, until he is finished!
i. God will complete what God has started.
ii. Jesus is The One who stands firm, The One who hangs on the cross, until "It is finished," so that a new beginning rises up, springs forth, forever is built on anew for you!
iii. Trust the new beginnings God’s grace builds on, each and every day!
3. Luke 14:27-31 - Let us celebrate a new beginning in faith, trusting God is tireless, until satisfied. God's power and grace and mercy are our sure foundation. The cross of Christ makes the foundation as strong and sure as it will ever need to be. God knows building takes work, he is not about to back down, take a break or quit. God forever follows through on all God begins, each and every day!
Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.
Song Anew In Faith & Grace
Cry of My Heart
Butler
refrain:
It is the cry of my heart
To follow You
It is the cry of my heart
To be close to You
It is the cry of my heart
To follow
All of the days of my life
vs. 1
Teach me Your holy ways O Lord
So I can walk in Your truth
Teach me Your holy ways O Lord
And make me wholly devoted to You
(refrain)
vs. 2
Open my eyes so I can see
The wonderful things that You do
Open my heart up more and more
And make me wholly devoted to You
(refrain twice)
All of the days of my life
All of the days of my life
Sharing our Needs and Joy with God in Prayer
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Give us a new beginning in your presence and hope and grace.
All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place during our service. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
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.
Song During Holy Communion
This is the Day
Garrett
This is the day
(This is the day)
That the Lord has made
(That the Lord has made)
We will rejoice
(We will rejoice)
And be glad in it
(And be glad in it)
This is the day
That the Lord has made
We will rejoice
And be glad in it
This is the day
(This is the day)
That the Lord has made
(repeat)
Let Us Break Bread Together
African American Spiritual
vs. 1
Let us break bread together
On our knees
Let us break bread together
On our knees
refrain:
When I fall on my knees
With my face to the rising sun
O Lord have mercy
On me
vs. 2
Let us drink wine together
On our knees
Let us drink wine together
On our knees
(refrain)
vs. 3
Let us praise God together
On our knees
Let us praise God together
On our knees
(refrain)
The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace, this day, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ, The Lord of life. Amen.
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, as you trust each new beginning in the living, life-changing grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
Going Anew in Light & Grace
This Little Light of Mine
African American Spiritual
vs. 1
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
vs. 2
Ev’rywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Ev’rywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Ev’rywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
vs. 3
Jesus gave it to me
I’m gonna let it shine
Jesus gave it to me
I’m gonna let it shine
Jesus gave it to me
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
(repeat first verse)
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
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Today, Sunday, September 7th, we share, “Celebration Sunday!”
Today, we share, The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost!
“Time To Follow Through On A New Beginning!” Today, Sunday, September 7th, Faith Quest Sunday School Resumes! Registration available!
This morning includes “Blessing Of The Children & Backpacks!”
This morning also includes, “God’s Work! Our Hands!” Join us as we share our seasonal donation efforts to our local food shelf, “The Drawer,” and local school supply efforts! A wish list is available of local school supplies students often need! Thank you!
Join us next Sunday, September 14th, as we share, The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost!
“A New Beginning; For The Lost And Found!”
Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday! Registration available!
Next Sunday we continue, “God’s Work! Our Hands!” Join us as we share our seasonal donation efforts to our local food shelf, “The Drawer,” and local school supply efforts! A wish list is available of local school supplies students often need! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.
We hope our worship will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.
From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org
We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love and grace!
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Litany Celebrating & Trusting God’s Faithfulness In A New Beginning – written based on Psalm 66. “Children Of The Heavenly Father,” “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “This Little Light Of Mine,” © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “I Will Celebrate” © 1990, & this arr. 1991 Maranatha! Music. CCLI #443123 “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music CCLI# 120824 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Children of the Heavenly Father” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #98028 4771887 “Cry of My Heart” © 1991, this arr. © 1997 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #844980 “This Is The Day,” © 2011 1980 Scripture In Song CCLI #32754 “Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees” © Words and Music Public Domain, OL #84125 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.