Blog

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

“O God beyond All Praising”
Setting by David Cherwien

Carolyn Koehl and Susan Bardes

Gathering

Confession and Forgiveness

Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

P:  In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Please kneel or sit as you are able. Silence is kept for reflection.

P:  Most merciful God,

C:  we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

P:  In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

Please stand as you are able.

Entrance Hymn #797 (blue hymnal)

“O God beyond All Praising”

1  O God beyond all praising, we worship you today
and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder at ev’ry gift you send,
at blessings without number and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you and wait upon your Word,
we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.

2  Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows be fill’d with good or ill,
we’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.

Greeting

P:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C:  And also with you.

Kyrie

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 28)

P:  Lord, have mercy:

C:  Lord, have mercy.

P:  Christ, have mercy:

C:  Christ, have mercy.

P:  Lord, have mercy:

C:  Lord, have mercy.

Hymn of Praise

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 29)

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

Prayer of the Day

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Let us pray.
Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ, and you make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C:  Amen.

The Word

Blessing of the Lector

P:  Let us pray.
God Almighty, we ask your blessing upon Sherry as she reads to us the scriptures. May the words of her mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated.

First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a

¹ The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. ³ He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. ⁵ Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” ⁶ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. ⁸ Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
 ⁹ They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” ^10a Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 15

The psalm is spoken responsively by the lectern side and pulpit side of the congregation. The lectern side will speak the odd-numbered verses (in italics) and the pulpit side will speak the even-numbered verses (in bold).

¹ LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
 Who may abide upon your holy hill?
² Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right,
 who speak the truth from their heart;
³ they do not slander with the tongue,
they do no evil to their friends;
 they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor.
⁴ In their sight the wicked are rejected,
but they honor those who fear the LORD.
 They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word.
⁵ They do not give their money in hope of gain,
nor do they take bribes against the innocent.
 Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-28

¹⁵ Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶ for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
 ²¹ And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²² he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—²³ provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.
 ²⁴ I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. ²⁵ I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospel Acclamation

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 31)

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
Alleluia. You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

P:  The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 10th chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

³⁸ Now as Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴² there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

P:  The Gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Silence for reflection and meditation.

Hymn of the Day #248 (green hymnal)

“Dearest Jesus, at Your Word”

1  Dearest Jesus, at your word
we have come again to hear you;
let our thoughts and hearts be stirred
and in glowing faith be near you
as the promises here given
draw us wholly up to heaven.

2  All our knowledge, sense, and sight
lie in deepest darkness shrouded
till your Spirit breaks the night,
filling us with light unclouded.
All good thoughts and all good living
come but by your gracious giving.

3  Radiance of God’s glory bright,
Light of light from God proceeding,
Jesus, send your blessed light;
help our hearing, speaking, heeding,
that our prayers and songs may please you,
as with grateful hearts we praise you.

4  Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
praise to you and adoration!
Grant us what we need the most:
your blest gospel’s consolation,
while we here on earth await you,
till in heav’n with praise we greet you.

Installation of New Church Council Members

P:  Kathy Crosby, Nick Huitger, Linda Miller, and Jim Sturgill have been elected by the congregation to positions of leadership. We give thanks for their willingness to serve. In baptism we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God; we rejoice now that these brothers and sisters will lead us in our common life and our mutual mission as a congregation.

  A reading from First Corinthians: There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

  You have been elected to positions of leadership and trust in this congregation.

  You are to see that the words and deeds of this household of faith bear witness to God, who gathers us into one together with the whole church.

  You are to seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support, so that the mission of Christ is carried out in this congregation, in the wider church, in this community, and in the whole world.

  You are to be faithful in your specific area of serving, that the Spirit who empowers you may be glorified.

  You are to be examples of faith active in love, fostering peace, harmony, and mutual understanding in this congregation.

  On behalf of your sisters and brothers in Christ, I ask you:

  Will you accept and faithfully carry out the duties of the offices to which you have been elected?

New Council Members: I will, and I ask God to help and guide me.

P:  People of God, I ask you:

  Will you support these, your elected leaders, and will you share in the mutual ministry that Christ has given to all who are baptized?

C:  We will, and we ask God to help and guide us.

P:  I now declare you installed as council members of this congregation.

  Almighty God bless you, and direct your days and your deeds in peace, that you may be faithful servants of Christ.

C:  Amen.

Please stand as you are able.

The Peace

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

The ministers and congregation may greet one another with a gesture of peace.

Invitation to Offering

Presentation of the Gifts

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 34)

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, Lord,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

Offertory Prayer

A:  Let us pray.

C:  God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

The Meal

Dialogue

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is right to give our thanks and praise.

P:  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 36)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

P:  In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

  Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Invitation to Communion

P:  In Christ’s presence there is fullness of joy. Come to the banquet.

Please be seated.

Agnus Dei

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 39)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.

Communion

P:  The Body of Christ, broken for you.

  The Blood of Christ, shed for you.

Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.

Communion Hymn #709 (blue hymnal)

“Eat This Bread”

  “Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in me and you will not thirst.” (Repeat)

Communion Hymn #699 (blue hymnal)

“Blessed Assurance”

1  Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood

Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior, all the day long:
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

2  Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Refrain

3  Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love. Refrain

Post-Communion Canticle

WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 40)

Thankful hearts and voices raise; tell ev’ryone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and bear Christ’s holy name.
Send us with your promises, O God, and lead us forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia.

Post-Communion Prayer

A:  Let us pray.
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Sending

Announcements for God’s Mission in the World

Please stand as you are able.

Blessing

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.

C:  Amen.

Closing Hymn #260 (green hymnal)

“On Our Way Rejoicing”

1  On our way rejoicing
gladly let us go.
Christ our Lord has conquered;
vanquished is the foe.
Christ without, our safety;
Christ within, our joy;
who, if we be faithful,
can our hope destroy?

Refrain
On our way rejoicing;
as we forward move,
hearken to our praises,
O blest God of love!

2  Unto God the Father
joyful songs we sing;
unto God the Savior
thankful hearts we bring;
unto God the Spirit
bow we and adore,
on our way rejoicing
now and evermore. Refrain

Dismissal

A:  Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Postlude

“Give Thanks Unto God”
E. L. Ashford

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Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director **away
Kate Wollenburg, Organist **away
Carolyn Koehl, Guest Organist
Addy Kruse, Hymn Leader
Susan Bardes, Cello
Terry McDowell, Assisting Minister
Sherry Bronner, Reader

Upcoming Events

Copyright Notices

O God beyond All Praising: Text by Michael Perry © 1982 Mrs. Beatrice Perry (admin. The Jubilate Group/Hope Publishing Company).

Eat This Bread: Text and music © 1984 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications Inc., agent. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.

Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.