Blessings to you this day!
I pray you have a happy and safe Independence Day.
Peace, Pastor Chris Lee
***
Upcoming Commemorations
Thomas, Apostle
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Though frequently remembered as “doubting Thomas,” this apostle also demonstrated a willingness to suffer and die with Jesus (John 11:16), and finally claimed the risen Christ as “my Lord and my God!” By tradition, he later worked as a missionary in India. Long commemorated on December 21, Thomas’s celebration is moved to July 3 in agreement with ecumenical calendars.
Order of Worship for Sunday, July 3, 2022:
Prelude: “When in Our Music God is Glorified,”- Young ( One License #106016)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meditation
God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’ invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In holy communion, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.
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 the holy Trinity,☩ one God, whose steadfast love endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Merciful God,
we confess that we have not followed your path but have chosen our own way. Instead of putting others before ourselves, we long to take the best seats at the table. When met by those in need, we have too often passed by on the other side. Set us again on the path of life. Save us from ourselves and free us to love our neighbors.
Amen.
Hear the good news! God does not deal with us according to our sins but delights in granting pardon and mercy. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. You are free to love as God loves.
Amen.
Opening Hymn: ELW 576- “We All Are One in Mission.”
Kyrie
Hymn of Praise
Prayer of the Day
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life’s journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Those who returned from the exile found that the hopes for the glorious restoration of Judah were not completely fulfilled. For these disappointed people, the prophet envisions salvation in the image of a nursing woman. Mother Jerusalem and a mothering God remind the community how they are sustained and supported.
10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her—
11that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom.
12For thus says the Lord:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.
13As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants,
and his indignation is against his enemies.
Psalm: Psalm 66:1-9
All the earth bows down before you and sings out your name. (Ps. 66:4)
1Be joyful in God, all you lands;
be joyful, all the earth.
2Sing the glory of God’s name;
sing the glory of God’s praise.
3Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
4All the earth bows down before you,
sings to you, sings out your name.”
5Come now and see the works of God,
how awesome are God’s deeds toward all people.
6God turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot,
and there we rejoiced in God.
7Ruling forever in might, God keeps watch over the nations;
let no rebels exalt themselves.
8Bless our God, you peoples;
let the sound of praise be heard.
9Our God has kept us among the living
and has not allowed our feet to slip.
Second Reading: Galatians 6:1-16
In the close of his letter to the Galatians, Paul encourages them to live as people made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Here Paul offers practical advice about how believers exercise common concern for one other in “the family of faith.”
1My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5For all must carry their own loads.
6Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
7Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
11See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Jesus commissions harvesters and laborers to go where he would go and do what he would do. Risking hardship and danger in exchange for the experience of great joy, they offer peace and healing as signs that the reign of God is near.
1After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are
16“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
17The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Sermon: Pastor Chris Lee
Hymn of the Day: ELW 546 “To Be Your Presence.”
Prayers of Intercession
United in Christ and guided by the Spirit, we pray for the church, the creation, and all in need.
Lord of the harvest, you send your church into the world to proclaim Christ’s new creation to all. Renew the church as it carries out your mission of peace and healing. We pray for missionaries who accompany your people. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Your creation abounds with flowing waters and diverse creatures. Guide the work of climate scientists as they develop and advocate ways to restore earth’s natural balance. Motivate humankind to adopt lifestyles that protect and sustain the earth. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You guard the nations; let no leaders exalt themselves, but lift up the most vulnerable and work for the good of all. Send your Spirit to eradicate classism and inequity, violence and war, poverty and hunger. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You desire abundant life for all. As we celebrate Independence Day, instill in us gratitude, generosity, and persistence in working toward freedom for all people. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Mothering God, you care for all people in need. Nourish those who are hungry. Restore employment to those who have lost work. Heal those who are sick, and comfort all who are dying or grieving especially Joyce Anderson; Julie Peters; Kenneth Bobb; Andrea Bobb; Chris Schaffter; Ruth Mortland; Richard Mowery; Melvin Neu; Gary Berg; Jeanna LaRue; Bruce and Sandy Wright; Julie Prenatt; Sheri Stoutt; Nan Hibbs; Richard Hotchkiss; Randy McIntyre; Karen Bemowski; Marilyn Hubbard; Helen Schubert, and all those we name before you now, aloud or in our hearts… , . God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We remember the saints who proclaimed your reign on earth and now rest in you especially Thomas the Apostle, whom we remember today. Make us faithful in our witness to Christ’s new creation. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of every time and place, in Jesus’ name and filled with your Holy Spirit, we entrust these spoken prayers and those in our hearts into your holy keeping.
Amen.
Peace
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymns:
ACS 984- “May the God of Hope Go With Us.”
ACS 985- “Let Us Enter In.”
Prayer after Communion
Life-giving God, through this meal you have bandaged our wounds and fed us with your mercy. Now send us forth to live for others, both friend and stranger, that all may come to know your love. This we pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Blessing
The God of peace, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, comfort you, and show you the path of life this day and always.
Amen.
Sending Hymn: ELW 538- “The Lord Now Sends Us Forth.”
Dismissal
Go in peace. Love your neighbor.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude: TFF 258- “I’ve Got Peace Like a River.”
Facebook link to Worship Service:
https://www.facebook.com/190629367619921/videos/498009778751492
Image credits: Wheat, by Pavlofox on Pixabay and Eagle, by Klappe on Pixabay
Music credits:
Brittany Anderson: Assisting Minister
Abbigail Lee: Lector
Pam Edwards: Pianist/ Organist
“When in Our Music God is Glorified.” ( One License #106016) Music – ©1994 Hope Publishing Company. Contributors: Gordon Young. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“We All Are One in Mission.” / KUORTANE – harmonization. Music – ©2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Contributors: Evangelical Lutheran Worship. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“To Be Your Presence.” Words – ©2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Contributors: Delores Dufner. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“May the God of Hope Go With Us.” Words – ©1993 Hope Publishing Company. Contributors: Fred Kaan 1993. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Let Us Enter In.” Words and Music – ©1983 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Contributors: Ray Makeever. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“The Lord Now Sends Us Forth.”/ Enviado soy de Dios – translation. Words – ©1998 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Contributors: Gerhard Cartford. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
TFF 258- “I’ve Got Peace Like a River.” Public domain.
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. 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. Reprinted/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.