Order of Worship
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
A Service of Holy Communion
July 16, 2023

+ GATHERING +

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO CONFESSION

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
who greets us in this and every season,
whose word never fails, whose promise is sure.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God
and of our neighbors.

Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned.
We have hurt our community.
We have squandered your blessings.
We have hoarded your bounty.
In the name of Jesus,
forgive us and grant us your mercy.

      Silence is kept for reflection.

Righteous God,
we confess that we have sinned.
We have failed to be honest.
We have lacked the courage to speak.
We have spoken falsely.
In the name of Jesus,
forgive us and grant us your mercy.

God is a cup of cold water when we thirst.
God offers boundless grace when we fail.
Claim the gift of God’s mercy:
you are freed and forgiven
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

PRELUDE 

Here I Am, Lord
Douglas E. Wagner

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come, let us sing to the Lord
Let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation 

Come, let us worship and bow down
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

For the Lord is our God
and we are the people of God's pasture
and the sheep of God's hand.

GATHERING HYMN

God Is Here!
ELW 526

God is here! As we your people
meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure
what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us,
all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of the Spirit
into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us
of our lifelong need of grace;
here are table, font, and pulpit;
here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
here in silence, as in speech,
here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome
in the Shepherd's flock and fold;
here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living
to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of church and kingdom,
in an age of change and doubt,
keep us faithful to the gospel;
help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day's dedication,
all we have to give, receive;
we, who cannot live without you,
we adore you! We believe!

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. 

HYMN OF PRAISE     (p. 121)

Assisting Minister
    Glory to God in the highest,
    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.

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
Let us pray.
Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

+ WORD +  

PSALM 103:1-22    (responsively by full verse)

¹Bless the LORD, O my soul,
 and all that is within me,
 bless his holy name.
 ²Bless the LORD, O my soul,
 and do not forget all his benefits —
 ³who forgives all your iniquity,
 who heals all your diseases,
 ⁴who redeems your life from the Pit,
 who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
 ⁵who satisfies you with good as long as you live
 so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
 ⁶The LORD works vindication
 and justice for all who are oppressed.
 ⁷He made known his ways to Moses,
 his acts to the people of Israel.
 ⁸The LORD is merciful and gracious,
 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
 ⁹He will not always accuse,
 nor will he keep his anger forever.
 ¹⁰He does not deal with us according to our sins,
 nor repay us according to our iniquities.
 ¹¹For as the heavens are high above the earth,
 so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
 ¹²as far as the east is from the west,
 so far he removes our transgressions from us.
 ¹³As a father has compassion for his children,
 so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
 ¹⁴For he knows how we were made;
 he remembers that we are dust.
 ¹⁵As for mortals, their days are like grass;
 they flourish like a flower of the field;
 ¹⁶for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
 and its place knows it no more.
 ¹⁷But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
 on those who fear him,
 and his righteousness to children's children,
 ¹⁸to those who keep his covenant
 and remember to do his commandments.
 ¹⁹The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
 and his kingdom rules over all.
 ²⁰Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
 you mighty ones who do his bidding,
 obedient to his spoken word.
 ²¹Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
 his ministers that do his will.
 ²²Bless the LORD, all his works,
 in all places of his dominion.

 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION   (ELW 174)

Alleluia. Alleluia.
Alleluia.  Alleluia.

GOSPEL:       Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
In Matthew’s gospel, both Jesus and his disciples “sow the seed” of God’s word by proclaiming the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near.” Now, in a memorable parable, Jesus explains why this good news produces different results in those who hear.

The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.  

¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ²Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. ⁶But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹Let anyone with ears listen!"
¹⁸Hear then the parable of the sower. ¹⁹When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. ²⁰As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. ²²As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. ²³But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

THE STORY OF MOSES

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY    

Here I Am, Lord  
ELW 574

"I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?"

Refrain
   Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
   I have heard you calling in the night.
   I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
   I will hold your people in my heart.

"I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?"    Refrain

"I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?"    Refrain

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
   creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
   who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
   was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, 
   he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
 I believe in the Holy Spirit,
   the holy catholic church,
   the communion of saints,
   the forgiveness of sins,
   the resurrection of the body,
   and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

O Lord, Hear My Prayer
ELW 751

O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer:
when I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer:
come and listen to me.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation.

     A brief silence.

Guide your church, O God, to sow seeds of forgiveness and righteousness on good soil. Direct your people to proclaim your love in this congregation and throughout the world. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Sustain your creation, O God, by sending favorable weather, causing trees and fields to grow, protecting waterways from pollution, and instilling in all people the need to be good stewards. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Maintain peace among all people, O God, and raise up lawyers to work for justice in the courts, advocates to speak for the downtrodden, and politicians to work on behalf of the common good. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Heal those who are sick, O God (especially). Guide health care workers to care for those who suffer, scientists to conduct lifesaving research, and counselors to care for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Answer the prayers of those gathered in worship, O God. Protect those who travel near and far, accompany visitors to this congregation, and nurture our faith. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

    Other petitions may be offered.

Inspire us by the faithful departed, O God, examples of your embodied love, whose confidence in the resurrection guides us in living lives worthy of the gospel. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

  + MEAL +  

OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service.  Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option.  Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.

MUSICAL OFFERING

Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Dounglas E. Wagner

OFFERING SONG  

Praise God, From Whom All Blessing Flow
ELW 885

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 
Amen.

    HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

PREFACE    

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; 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 all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS    (ELW 192)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 
Lord God of pow'r and might, 
Heav'n and earth are full of your glory.  
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE 

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal: you we praise and glorify, you we worship and adore. You formed the earth from chaos; you encircled the globe with air; you created fire for warmth and light; you nourish the lands with water.  You molded us in your image, and with mercy higher than the mountains, with grace deeper than the seas, you blessed the Israelites and cherished them as your own.  That also we, estranged and dying, might be adopted to live in your Spirit, you called to us through the life and death of Jesus.

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 or 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.
Together as the body of Christ, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup we remember your Son, the first-born of your new creation.  We remember his life lived for others, and his death and resurrection, which renews the face of the earth.  We await his coming, when, with the world made perfect through your wisdom, all our sins and sorrows will be no more.
Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and compassionate, send upon us and this meal your Holy Spirit, whose breath revives us for life, whose fire rouses us to love.  Enfold in your arms all who share this holy food.  Nurture in us the fruits of the Spirit, that we may be a living tree, sharing your bounty with all the world.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Holy and benevolent God, receive our praise and petitions, as Jesus received the cry of the needy, and fill us with your blessing, until, needy no longer and bound to you in love, we feast forever in the triumph of the Lamb: through whom all glory and honor is yours, O God, O Living One, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, now and forever.
Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER
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.

DISTRIBUTION 
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the head of the aisle where we receive the host. Then to Pastor’s side  is first, a chalice for intinction and second, a common cup for drinking, and a third chalice of juice. Gluten free bread is available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.

AGNUS DEI   (page 112)

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.

HYMN DURING COMMUNION

BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.  
Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son. By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Now, Lord (pg. 113)

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared
in the sight of ev'ry people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace.

+ SENDING +  

SENDING HYMN      

To Be Your Presence
ELW 546

To be your presence is our mission here,
to show compassion's face and list'ning ear,
to be your heart of mercy ever near,
alleluia!

To be your presence is our mission bold,
to feed the poor and shelter homeless cold,
to be your hands of justice, right uphold,
alleluia!

To be your presence is our mission blest,
to speak for all the broken and oppressed,
to be your voice of hope, your love expressed,
alleluia! 

We are your heart, O Christ, your hands and voice,
to serve your people is our call and choice,
and in this mission we, the church, rejoice, 
alleluia!

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL
Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE  

Little Prelude and Fugue in G Major
J.S. Bach

---

Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

God Is Here!, Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000, Text © 1979 Hope Publishing Company. Music: Cyril V. Taylor, 1907-1991  Music © 1942, ren.1970 Hope Publishing Company.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Celtic Alleluia, Music: Fintan O'Carroll and Christopher Walker,  Music © 1985 Fintan O'Carroll and Christopher Walker, admin. OCP Publications Inc.  Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Here I Am, Lord, Text and music: Daniel L. Schutte, b. 1946. Text and music © 1981 OCP Publications, Inc., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

O Lord, Hear My Prayer, Text: Taizé Community, adapt.  Music Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994.  Text and music © 1982, 1991 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Praise God, From Whom All Blessing Flow,  Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.. Music: Louis Bourgeois, attr. , c.1510-1561.  Public domain.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: A Community Mass, Richard Proulx, b. 1937.  Music © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Text: Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960, Music: William M. Runyan, 1870-1957. Text and music © 1923, ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

To Be Your Presence, Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939. Text © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.  Music: Charles V> Stanford, 1852-1924.  Public domain.