First Be a Follower
Ruth 1:11-16 (Ruth Chooses to Follow)
The world celebrates people who know how to get a job done, but servant-hearted leaders first learn to follow Jesus' example of service, prayer, and worship.
Upside Down Leaders celebrates that God calls everyday people to rise as humble, authentic, servant-hearted, and generous leaders in a world hungry for hope. Beginning with Samuel's awakening to God's voice, we discover during this series that real leadership begins when we embrace the identity God lovingly gives us. Through the journeys of people like Samuel, Ruth, and Jesus' disciples, we are reminded that true strength shines brightest when we follow first, walk in humility, and bring our whole, honest selves before God. This series invites you to set into Jesus-shaped leadership - serving others, empowering the weary, and building communities transformed by love.
9:00 AM Service
Bulletin
PRELUDE
“Home” (Ola Gjeilo)
Tim Graf
WELCOME
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.
OPENING HYMN
“Let Streams of Living Justice” (St. 1-2)
ELW # 710
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Merciful God,
you have given us a heritage of faith; an unbroken line in the story of your people. Illumine our paths therefore that we may work for justice and peace for all people and that we may walk in your saving love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
READING
Ruth 1:11-16
But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. So she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you, to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
“First Be a Follower”
Pastor Kristin
SERMON OUTRO
“Wherever You Go”
Tim
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
MINISTRY MOMENT/OFFERING INTRO
OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” (arr. Tim Graf)
Canticle Choir, Rebecca Hammond (Soloist)
OFFERING PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
AGNUS DEI
MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“In the Bleak Midwinter” (arr. Karen Buckwalter)
Bells of Joy, Tim Graf (Director)
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BENEDICTION
HYMN
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” (St. 1-2)
ELW # 815
SENDING
Go now in peace. Follow the Leader!
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
“Minuet (from Royal Fireworks Music)” (Handel, arr. Dennis Janzer)
Barb Carroll, Tim Graf
Musicians for today’s worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
10:30 AM Service
Bulletin
GATHERING MUSIC
OPENING WORSHIP
WELCOME/CALL TO WORSHIP
SONG
“I Will Follow/Open Up on the Doors”
PRAYER
READING
Ruth 1:11-16
But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. So she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you, to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God.”
MESSAGE
“First Be a Follower”
Pastor Kristin
MESSAGE OUTRO
“Wherever You Go”
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
OFFERING INTRO/STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
Pastor Matthew
OFFERING/OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Walk in Love”
Rebecca Hammond, Worship Band
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION SONG
“I Will Follow” (Jacob Sooter, Jon Guerra)
Rebecca Hammond, Tim Graf, Worship Band
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BLESSING
STAND
CLOSING SONG
“I Will Follow” (Tomlin) (reprise)
Musicians for today’s worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
Prayers
As a community of faith, we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!
Prayers of Mourning
We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:
- Darlene Filsmeyer – our camp cook on the death of her brother
- Trudy, Tom, Turner, and Tatum Gunderson on the death of dad/grandpa, Gary Presser
- Jerry, Jeremy, and Jeff Peterso, after the death of Sharon, their wife and mother
- Family and friends of Yvonne Kemple
- Prayers for Mike Howes (Kris) and family on the death of his father, Michael Howes
- Prayers for Penny Meier and family on the death today of her mother, Mavis
- Ramona Larson and family on the death of her husband, Douglas
- Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
–Psalm 130:1–2 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
–Romans 8:38–39 - Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’
–John 11:25–26
Prayers of Healing and General Prayers
As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:
- Carol Peterson
- Kelly Shephard
- Jane & Curt Goke’s niece, Nicole
- Jonathan King
- Stacy Trenda
Long Term Prayers
- Donna Jones and her family
- Collin Buzzel
- Crosby Urlick
- Nicholas Priest
- Madelyn Astry
- Paul Skoog’s Brother, Dan
- Jim Hornbacher
- Julie Bergquist
- John Rostad
- Kathy Hoagland
- Ron Wolfbauer
- For the people of Haiti, who are enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence.
- For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine, non-violence and peace.
- All those in the military who are serving our country.
- Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you.
–Psalm 55:22a - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
–Matthew 11:28
Names will remain listed until more are added unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.