Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz, Pastor
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 29, 2025
We have no good apart from God. That makes Jesus’ call to follow him an invitation to freedom. This is freedom to revel in the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, and patience. This is freedom to not be imprisoned by anything that would keep us from the fullness of the life God has given us. This is the path of life.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Tribute to America
arr. Mark Hayes
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
In the name of the Father,
and of the + Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Baptized into Christ, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Merciful God,
you free us to love others,
but we neglect our neighbors and follow our own way.
You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace,
but we turn away from the abundant life you offer.
You surround us with patience, kindness,
and generosity,
but we grow weary in doing what is right.
You call us to practice justice and mercy,
but we remain entangled in systems of oppression
that we do not always see.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Heal us, free us from sin,
and show us the path of life.
Amen.
You belong to Christ, and through faith, you are united in God’s mercy.
In the cross of Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit,
your sins are forgiven.
Clothed in Christ, renewed by grace, you are made whole for the life of the world.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Bring Forth the Kingdom
W&P 22
You are salt for the earth, O people:
Salt for the Kingdom of God!
Share the flavor of life, O People:
Life in the Kingdom of God!
Refrain
Bring forth the Kingdom of mercy,
Bring forth the Kingdom of peace;
Bring forth the Kingdom of justice,
Bring forth the City of God!
You are a light on the hill, O people:
Light for the City of God!
Shine so holy and bright, O people:
Shine for the Kingdom of God! Refrain
You are a seed of the Word, O people:
Bring forth the Kingdom of God!
Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice,
Grow in the Kingdom of God! Refrain
We are a blest and a pilgrim people:
Bound for the Kingdom of God!
Love our journey and love our homeland:
Love is the Kingdom of God! Refrain
APOSTOLIC 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.
KYRIE Now the Feast and Celebration
In peace, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
For the Reign of God,
and for peace throughout the world,
for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
For your people here, who have come to give you praise,
for the strength to live your Word,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, and defend us, O God.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Now the Feast and Celebration
Refrain
Now the feast and celebration,
all of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom;
praise and glory forevermore!
Now is the feast of the Lamb once slain,
whose blood has freed and united us
to be one great people of God. Refrain
Power and riches, wisdom and might,
all honor and glory to Christ forever. Refrain
For God has come to dwell with us,
to make us people of God;
to make all things new. Refrain
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together.
Sovereign God, ruler of all hearts, you call us to obey you, and you favor us with true freedom. Keep us faithful to the ways of your Son, that, leaving behind all that hinders us, we may steadfastly follow your paths, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21
15 Then the Lord said to [Elijah,] “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.”
19 So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. 20 He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” 21 He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 16 (Read Responsively)
1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;
I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”
2 All my delight is in the godly that are in the land,
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 But those who run after other gods
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4 I will not pour out drink offerings to such gods,
never take their names upon my lips.
5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;
it is you who uphold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
indeed, I have a rich inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
my heart teaches me night after night.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;
my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor let your holy one see the pit.
11 You will show me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
SECOND READING: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Now the Feast and Celebration
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 9:51-62
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
51 When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; 53 but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 Then they went on to another village.
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The word of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
HYMN OF THE DAY
Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW 358
Great God, your love has called us here
as we, by love, for love were made.
Your living likeness still we bear,
though marred, dishonored, disobeyed.
We come, with all our heart and mind
your call to hear, your love to find.
We come with self-inflicted pains
of broken trust and chosen wrong,
half-free, half-bound by inner chains,
by social forces swept along,
by powers and systems close confined
yet seeking hope for humankind.
Great God, in Christ you call our name
and then receive us as your own
not through some merit, right, or claim,
but by your gracious love alone.
We strain to glimpse your mercy seat
and find you kneeling at our feet.
Then take the towel, and break the bread,
and humble us, and call us friends.
Suffer and serve till all are fed,
and show how grandly love intends
to work till all creation sings,
to fill all worlds, to crown all things.
Great God, in Christ you set us free
your life to live, your joy to share.
Give us your Spirit's liberty
to turn from guilt and dull despair,
and offer all that faith can do
while love is making all things new.
APOSTLE’S CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the 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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Drawn into the embrace of the holy Trinity, we lift our prayers for the wholeness of the church, the world, and all creation.
A brief silence.
Protect this world, O God. Watch over fields and fruit trees, foxes and birds, the pleasant land beneath us, and the sun and moon above. Keep us mindful of the rich inheritance you have given us in the natural world. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Counsel our leaders, O God. Make them steadfast in seeking justice and unable to be shaken as they pursue peace. Lead them by your Spirit to listen and respond appropriately to the people they govern. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Uphold all who suffer, O God. Give refuge to those of us who know rejection, and shelter to those of us who have nowhere to lay our heads. Bring any who are sick into your healing presence especially those we name before you now, whether silently or aloud, including: Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Barbara, Ann, Julie, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Barbara, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Tom & Leona, Avery, Doris, John, Tim, Arleen, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Mary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max & Michelle. Give all your fullness of joy. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Set free this assembly, O God. Grow your Spirit’s fruits within us, and the ministries of our congregation and community, especially Volunteers in Service to the Elderly. Help us live in the freedom to which you have called us.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Embrace all your saints, O God. We thank you for the faithful departed. Let us rejoice that you do not abandon us to the grave but lead us on the path of life.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Gather all our prayers in your mercy, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The 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.
OFFERTORY
Like As The Hart
by Vincent Novello
OFFERING SONG
As the Grains of Wheat
ELW 465
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.
As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain
Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you. Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER
Creator God,
in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good
and the harvest is plentiful.
Strengthen us at your table with these gifts of the earth
and our labor,
that we may work for the good of all;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Now the Feast and Celebration
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 Now the Feast and Celebration
Holy, holy, holy are you,
God of power and might;
heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in your name,
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,
who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
who preached good news to the poor,
and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
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.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,
and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,
the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
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
The kingdom of God is set before you.
Eat and rejoice.
Thanks be to God.
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 communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are 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.
LAMB OF GOD Now the Feast and Celebration
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you break the chains of hatred and fear:
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you are the way of justice and peace:
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you are the way of mercy and love.
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace, grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMN
Be Thou My Vision
ELW 793
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art:
thou my best thought both by day and by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my soul's shelter, and thou my high tow'r,
raise thou me heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Light of my soul, after victory won,
may I reach heaven's joys, O heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Mothering God,
you gathered us to your table
and we drank deeply of your grace.
Send us out by your Spirit
to love our neighbors as ourselves
and proclaim your love in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW 679
For the fruit of all creation,
thanks be to God.
For these gifts to ev'ry nation,
thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth's safekeeping,
thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labor,
God's will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor,
God's will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God's will is done.
For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION
The love of God abound in you;
the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ fill your hearts;
and the life of the Spirit
bless you and give you peace.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. The Spirit of Christ is with you.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
James Ellor, arr. Mary McDonald
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.
Tribute to America, Arr. Mark Hayes, b. 1953, Arr. © 2002 Shawnee Press, Inc. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Bring Forth the Kingdom, Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b.1950, Text and music © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Now the Feast and Celebration, Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Great God, Your Love Has Called Us, Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936. Text © 1977, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company. Music: Norman Cocker, 1889-1953. Music © Oxford University Press. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Like as the Hart, Music: Vincent Francis Novello, 1781-1861, Arr. H. Elliot Button, 1861-1925. Music © 2010 Hal Leonard Corporation. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved
Be Thou My Vision, Text: Irish, 8th cent.; vers. Eleanor H. Hull, 1860-1935, alt.; tr. Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1931. Music: Irish traditional. Public domain.
For the Fruit of All Creation!, Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Text © 1970 Hope Publishing Company Music: Welsh traditional, arr. Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1872-1958. Arr. © Oxford University Press., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, Tune: James Ellor, 1819-1899, Arr. Mary Elizabeth McDonald, b. 1956, Arr. © 2024 Lorenz Publishing Co. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
