October 22, 2023
TIME AFTER PENTECOST—LECTIONARY 29

INTRODUCTION
In today's first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.

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 God,
the one who forms us,
+ Jesus who bears the cross,
the Spirit who makes our joy complete.
Amen.

Let us bow before God in humility,
confessing our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Steadfast and faithful God,
you have revealed the ways of justice,
yet we fail to follow you.
We are overwhelmed
by the world's violence and suffering.
We are afraid to risk what we have
for the sake of others.
For the harm we have caused,
known and unknown, forgive us.
For the unjust demands we place on others
and your creation, forgive us.
For the ways we turn away
from you and our neighbor, forgive us.
Lead us back to you
and set us on the right path;
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

Beloved in Christ,
God's justice stretches beyond all understanding.
God's compassion is beyond compare.
In Jesus, God is always making a new way for us.
In + Christ, you are already and always forgiven.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Shine like stars | in the world,* holding fast to the | word of life. Alleluia. (Phil. 2:15, 16)

READINGS AND PSALM
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
Ascribe to the LORD honor and power. (Ps. 96:7)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

FIRST READING: Isaiah 45:1-7
The prophet announces that Cyrus the Persian emperor is the one the Lord has anointed to end Israel's exile. The Lord makes this choice so that the whole world will recognize this Lord as the only God. Persia had a god of light and a god of darkness; the Lord claims sovereignty over both light and darkness.

1Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him—and the gates shall not be closed: 2I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, 3I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. 4For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me. 5I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, 6so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the LORD do all these things.

PSALM: Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
Ascribe to the LORD honor and power. (Ps. 96:7)

1Sing to the LORD | a new song;
	sing to the LORD, | all the earth.
2Sing to the LORD, bless the name | of the LORD;
	proclaim God's salvation from | day to day.
3Declare God's glory a- | mong the nations
	and God's wonders a- | mong all peoples.
4For great is the LORD and greatly | to be praised,
	more to be feared | than all gods.   R
5As for all the gods of the nations, they | are but idols;
	but you, O LORD, have | made the heavens.
6Majesty and magnificence are | in your presence;
	power and splendor are in your | sanctuary.
7Ascribe to the LORD, you families | of the peoples,
	ascribe to the LORD hon- | or and power.
8Ascribe to the LORD the honor due the | holy name;
	bring offerings and enter the courts | of the LORD.   R
9Worship the LORD in the beau- | ty of holiness;
	tremble before the LORD, | all the earth.
[10Tell it out among the nations: "The | LORD is king!
	The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved
	will judge the peo- | ples with equity."
11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the | earth be glad;
	let the sea thunder and all that is in it;
	let the field be joyful and all that | is therein.
12Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your com- | ing, O LORD,
	for you come to | judge the earth.
13You will judge the | world with righteousness
	and the peoples | with your truth.]   R

SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Most likely this letter is the first written by Paul. Paul gives pastoral encouragement and reassurances to new Christians living in an antagonistic environment. Their commitment of faith, love, and hope makes them a model for other new Christian communities.

1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

GOSPEL: Matthew 22:15-22
After Jesus begins teaching in the temple, religious leaders try to trap him with questions. First they ask if God's people should pay taxes to an earthly tyrant like Caesar.

15The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [Jesus] in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" 21They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
Trusting in the transformative power of God's loving Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Faithful God, your Spirit animates the church throughout the world and binds believers near and far into the body of Christ. Equip us for the work of faith, and enlarge our hearts for the labor of love. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Creating God, the sea roars, the earth rejoices, and the heavens are glad at the wonder of all you have made. Bless the work of ecologists and conservationists and all those who safeguard the riches of creation. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, your rule and authority is over the cosmos. As you once worked through the ruler Cyrus for the good of your people, accomplish your purposes through the work of elected leaders and public servants (especially). Guide them with your wisdom and compassion. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Caring God, your arms enfold all who are lonely, oppressed, despairing, sick, and suffering (especially). Pour out your abundant mercy on all whom this world has neglected, abandoned, and forgotten, that they may know your joy. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Almighty God, all our life belongs to you. When earthly idols threaten to lead your church astray, remind us that you alone are the source of our eternal hope. Direct the work of church treasurers, councils, and all how who manage financial matters. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Everlasting God, the saints of every age have sung your praise and shared your word. We give you thanks for their witness and pray that we may join them as citizens of your unending kingdom. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Gracious God, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your unending love and amazing grace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
God of power, God of plenty,
all things belong to you.
We bring your gifts to the table,
that all might be fed.
Form us into the body of your Beloved,
Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Jesus invites you to this table.
Come, eat and live.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Blessed be your name, O God,
for we have feasted on your Word,
Christ Jesus, the joy and delight of our hearts.
Strengthened by this food,
send us to gather the world to your banquet,
where none are left out and all are satisfied.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.

BLESSING
The God of glory,
+ Jesus Christ, name above all names,
and the Spirit who lives in you,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace. God is at work in you.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.