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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

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 #377 (green hymnal)

“Lift High the Cross”

Refrain
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.

1  Come, Christians, follow where our captain trod,
our king victorious, Christ, the Son of God. Refrain

2  Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
the hosts of God in conqu’ring ranks combine. Refrain

3  All newborn soldiers of the Crucified
bear on their brows the seal of him who died. Refrain

4  O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw us all to thee. Refrain

5  So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory! Refrain

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

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 57)

P:  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

P:  For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

P:  For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

P:  For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

P:  Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

C:  Amen.

Hymn of Praise

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 58)

P:  Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

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

Prayer of the Day

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 62)

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Let us pray.
Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, 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 Kathy 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: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

¹⁵ See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. ¹⁶ If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. ¹⁷ But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, ¹⁸ I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. ¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, ²⁰ loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Psalmody: Hymn #1 (maroon hymnal)

“Happy Are They: Psalm 1”

Refrain (Leader)
Happy are they who trust in the Lord.
Oh, happy are they who trust, trust in the Lord.

Refrain (All)
Happy are they who trust in the Lord.
Oh, happy are they who trust, trust in the Lord.

¹ Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel | of the wicked,*
  nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats | of the scornful!
² Their delight is in the law | of the Lord,*
  and they meditate on his law | day and night.
³ They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that | do not wither;*
  everything they | do shall prosper.

Refrain

⁴ It is not so | with the wicked;*
  they are like chaff which the wind | blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when | judgment comes,*
  nor the sinner in the council | of the righteous.
⁶ For the Lord knows the way | of the righteous,*
  but the way of the wick- | ed is doomed.

Refrain

Second Reading: Philemon 1-21

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
  To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, ² to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
 ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 ⁴ When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God ⁵ because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. ⁷ I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
 ⁸ For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, ⁹ yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. ¹⁰ I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. ¹¹ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. ¹² I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. ¹³ I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; ¹⁴ but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. ¹⁵ Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
 ¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospel Acclamation

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 62)

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

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 63)

P:  The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 14th chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

²⁵ Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, ²⁶ “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? ²⁹ Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ ³¹ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. ³³ So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”

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

“‘Take Up Your Cross,’ the Savior Said”
Tune: BRESLAU

1  “Take up your cross,” the Savior said,
“if you would my disciple be;
forsake the past, and come this day,
and humbly follow after me.”

2  Take up your cross; let not its weight
pervade your soul with vain alarm;
his strength shall bear your spirit up,
sustain your heart, and nerve your arm.

3  Take up your cross, nor heed the shame,
nor let your foolish heart rebel;
for you the Lord endured the cross
to save your soul from death and hell.

4  Take up your cross and follow Christ,
nor think till death to lay it down;
for only those who bear the cross
may hope to wear a golden crown.

Commissioning and Blessing of Teachers

P:  A reading from First Corinthians: Now 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 Cor. 12:4-7)

  Brothers and sisters, you have volunteered your time, your energy, and your gifts to the children, youth, and family ministries of this congregation. Will you offer your giftedness to this ministry in the confidence that it comes from God?

Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P:  A reading from Proverbs: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

  Will you carry out this ministry centered in Christ’s call, striving to trust God as your guide and inspiration?

Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P:  A reading from Ephesians: I pray that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through God’s Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)

  Will you trust in God’s care, seek to grow in love for those you serve, strive for excellence in your skills, and honor the gospel with a faithful life?

Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P:  Participants in Sunday School: will you seek to love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind, to honor and respect your teachers, and open yourselves to be formed by the Holy Spirit?

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

Please stand as you are able.

P:  I now ask you, people of St. Paul Lutheran Church: Will you today renew your commitment to our youngest brothers and sisters, our children and youth who look to you for guidance, support, and examples of righteous living?

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

P:  People of St. Paul: Will you claim these gifted people as those called by God to help carry out our congregation’s ministry to children, youth, and families? Will you support them and enthusiastically celebrate the work they do?

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

P:  Will you pray for these leaders and the young people they serve, celebrating our children and youth as the ones Jesus blessed and welcomed?

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

A:  Let us pray.
Gracious God, for Jesus’ sake, empower these ministers to care for the young ones in our family of faith. Help them to teach faithfully, lead patiently, and guide confidently. Stir up in these servants the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.

C:  Amen.

People in the assembly may raise their hands in blessing as the assisting minister continues.

A:  Almighty God, who has given you the gifts and the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.

C:  Amen.

P:  On behalf of St. Paul Lutheran Church, we now commission you for ministry, grateful for your gifts and your willingness to serve.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
 the Father, the Almighty,
  maker of heaven and earth,
  of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
 the only Son of God,
 eternally begotten of the Father,
 God from God, Light from Light,
 true God from true God,
 begotten, not made,
 of one Being with the Father.
 Through him all things were made.
 For us and for our salvation
  he came down from heaven;
  by the power of the Holy Spirit
   he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,
   and was made man.
 For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
  he suffered death and was buried.
  On the third day he rose again
   in accordance with the Scriptures;
  he ascended into heaven
   and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
 He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
  and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
 who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
 With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
 He has spoken through the prophets.
 We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
 We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
 We look for the resurrection of the dead,
  and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

A:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

After each petition:

A:  Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

After the last petition:

A:  Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

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

Offertory

“Before You I Kneel (A Worker’s Prayer)”
Keith & Kristyn Getty

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

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 68)

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

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 69)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
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.

The Lord’s Prayer

P:  Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

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.

Invitation to Communion

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

Please be seated.

Agnus Dei

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 72)

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.

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 #705 (blue hymnal)

“As the Grains of Wheat”

Refrain
As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
so may all your people from all the ends of earth
be gathered into one in you.

1  As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain

2  Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you. Refrain

Communion Hymn #487 (green hymnal)

“Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus”

Table Blessing

P:  The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

C:  Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 72)

Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell ev’ryone what he has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. 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

♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 74)

P:  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.

C:  Amen.

Closing Hymn

“God’s Work, Our Hands”

1  God’s work, our hands: working together,
building a future, repairing the world,
raising up homes, planting new gardens,
feeding the hungry and shelt’ring the cold.
Bless, God, our hands as we work in your name,
sharing the good news of your gospel.

2  God’s work, our feet: trav’ling together,
following Jesus to places unknown,
walking as friends, marching for freedom,
running the race with God’s future the goal.
Bless, God, our feet as we follow your way,
sharing the good news of your gospel.

3  God’s work, our voice: singing together,
praising, proclaiming to all who will hear,
praying for peace, shouting for justice,
claiming God’s love for the lost and the least.
Bless, God, our voice as we speak in your name,
sharing the good news of your gospel.

4  God is at work in and around us:
seedlings are sprouting and bread’s on the rise!
Washed and set free, humbled and honored,
gifted by grace, we respond in God’s love.
Bless, God, our lives as we answer your call,
sharing the good news of your gospel.

Dismissal

A:  Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Postlude

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Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Cindy Mayhugh, Assisting Minister
Kathy Hirt, Reader

Upcoming Events

Copyright Notices

Will You Come and Follow Me: Text by John L. Bell © 1987 Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.1358.

Lift High the Cross: Text by George W. Kitchin and Michael R. Newbolt and music by Sydney H. Nicholson © 1974 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Happy Are They (Psalm 1): Refrain © 1999 Augsburg Fortress; tone © 1996 Augsburg Fortress.

Before You I Kneel: Text and music by Keith and Kristyn Getty © 2012 Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.); © Seek 1st (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.); © Townend Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

As the Grains of Wheat: Text and music by Marty Haugen © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358.

Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus: Text and setting © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

God’s Work, Our Hands: Text by Wayne L. Wold © 2019 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music by David N. Johnson © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

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.