The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 13, 2026
Lord of Life LIVE!
The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Join us next Sunday!
The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
”A New Beginning … More than Expected!”
September 20th, 2026 - 9:30AM
Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!
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 Trusting a New Beginning in God’s Faithfulness & Grace
BASED ON PSALM 107
Friends, today we trust and celebrate anew, a new beginning in God’s grace is far more than we think, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for the Lord’s steadfast love endures forever. Our God has gathered us in from all the lands that we might trust in him.
People of God: At times we wander in the desert, losing our way. We thirst for our souls to be satisfied. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to trust alone in the Lord’s abundant mercy and forgiveness.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ, trust the new beginning that is more than you think, in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. You are anew! Celebrate! Believe! Be still; 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
We thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love. You bless us with a new beginning, that is far more than we think, in your abundant grace! Lead us in the straight and narrow, that we might come, and reach the promised land, just as we are!
Friends of Jesus: The Lord guards you and guides you through every darkness. In the midst of your every struggle, receive a new beginning; God’s grace is more than we thought possible. 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, we thank you and praise you, for your abundant grace is so much more than we ever dreamed. Bless us with a new beginning today, to let go of judging others, and to open ourselves to your love and salvation. By your Holy Spirit, we believe anew, we hope anew; you bless our souls again, to trust we are forgiven and we can forgive others, calling on your power and presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
GENESIS 50:15–21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
ROMANS 14:1–12
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So, then, each of us will be accountable to God.
(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
MATTHEW 18:21–35
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Stating Our Faith in God
BASED ON ROMANS 8:31–39
As God’s Word in grace gave Saul a new beginning to become the Apostle Paul, we, now boldly speak these words to renew 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.
Children are invited to join volunteers for Rainbow Time during today’s Sermon!
Faith Quest Meets Next Week!
Registration for Faith Quest 2026/2027 is now open! Join us September 13, 2026 for our first week of Faith Quest!.
Click the link below to register or learn more!
Blessing Of The Children, Parents, Educators, Schools, And Backpacks
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 come forward, or if you wish, raise your hand or stand up. 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 few gifts. (Pass out the gifts) One of the gifts is 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.
A New Beginning … Oh, You Think So?
GENESIS 50:15-21; ROMANS 14:1-12; MATTHEW 18:21-35
Some things just do not make any sense; even when it is so easy to say, `Oh, you think so!’ At times, we act so contrary, so ironically, to what history or our heart tells us. Just when we are trying to make positive changes in our life, we make a mistake. Just when we expected the one person we needed most to be on our side, we hear, `Oh, you think so,’ and they abandon us and we feel all the more ashamed. Thanks be to God there are those times when we are sure no one cares, that no one will be there for us, and then suddenly we are blessed to hear, `Oh, you think so,’ and we are surrounded or lifted up. In our faith journey, there is much that still does not make sense. Like, when we try to make God first, only to have him come in last. Like, when we are sure we have sinned too much or too deeply to ever be taken in by our Savior, only to have him say, `The debt is paid.' Like, when after receiving God's unconditional love and forgiveness, we turn around and mistreat or judge others, showing no compassion or mercy. Contrary to the extreme, ironic as it may appear, just when you think God would rightly say, `Oh, you think so?' God in Jesus forgives you once again. Even when it makes no sense, celebrate and trust a new beginning is given to you in God’s abundant mercy and grace!
1. Contrary to wishful and prayerful devotion, even a new beginning in grace does not mean we are not human. It doesn’t take much to cast judgment on someone else.
Matthew 18:28; Romans 14:4,10-12
A. `Oh, you think so;’ we would rather find fault in others than assume our own responsibility and accountability.
B. `Oh, you think so;’ we would rather cast blame than admit our own role.
2. Thanks to a new beginning in grace, it does not take much to tell someone you are truly sorry.
Genesis 50:17; Matthew 18:26; 28-35
A. Saying you are sorry simply requires you to be honest and complete in your confession.
B. What takes more effort, a little more grace, is to repent; to hear the Holy Spirit say, `Oh, you think so,’ and turn you around.
3. Thanks to a new beginning in grace, it does not take much once you are ready, to share the gift of forgiveness, to receive the gift of forgiveness.
Genesis 50:19; Matthew 18:21-22,27
A. It can take time and healing to be ready to say, "I forgive you."
B. `Oh, you think so?!’ Saying, "I forgive you," does not mean it was `ok.' It means you and I will be `ok,’ we are `ok,' now let's go forward in a new way.
C. Thanks be to God, we are blessed with a new beginning in God’s abundant mercy and grace! `Oh, you think so,’ indeed, we are forgiven to forgive one another in Jesus’ name!
A few simple math problems:
$10 x 8 hours = $80/day
8 hours/day x 5 days = 40 hours/week
40 hours/week=$400/week
$80/day/(1 denari) x 100 days (100 denari) = $8000;
$400/week x 50 weeks/year = $20,000/year;
$20,000 x 15 years (1 talent) = $300,000/talent
$300,000 x 10,000 talents = $3,000,000,000
4. Thanks to a new beginning in grace, it does not take much of God’s mercy to know the forgiving power of Jesus. Jesus could make it hard for us; could say to us, "Oh, you think so;" could have solidified an ending for us; and yet, we are graced with a new beginning! We know it took so much to provide us with forgiveness and new life! Let us not make too little of that. In Jesus, God's grace, compassion and mercy are for real. Let us be honest about who we are, accept what forgiveness is, and trust all that God is!
Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:27
Offering is available for our 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 Hope & Grace
There Is None Like You
LeBlanc
refrain:
There is none like You
No one else
Can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find
There is none like You
(repeat)
vs 1
Your mercy flows
Like a river wide
And healing comes from Your hands
Suffering children
Are safe in Your arms
There is none like You
(refrain with repeat)
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Give us a new beginning in your power 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. 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)
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 grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go anew in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, together, 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 13, we share, “Celebration Sunday!” as we also share, The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost! “A New Beginning … Oh, You This So?” 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!
Join us next Sunday, September 20th, as we share, The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost! “A New Beginning … More Than Expected!” 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!
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
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 a basket as you exit the building.
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Litany Trusting A New Beginning In God’s Faithfulness And Grace – written based on Psalm 107. “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 “Children of the Heavenly Father” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #98028 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “There Is None Like You” © 1991 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI #674545 “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.