ORDER OF WORSHIP
Nineth Sunday after Pentecost
July 26, 2026
As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek more deeply to know the treasures of faith. In today’s gospel, Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first!
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Be Thou My Vision
Irish traditional
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,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin to God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Most merciful God,
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.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin,
and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved.
In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.
Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit,
that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Gather Us In
ELW 532
Here in this place the new light is streaming,
now is the darkness vanished away;
see in this space our fears and our dreamings
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken,
gather us in, the blind and the lame;
call to us now, and we shall awaken,
we shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a myst'ry,
we are the old who yearn for your face;
we have been sung throughout all of hist'ry,
called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty,
gather us in, the proud and the strong;
give us a heart, so meek and so lowly,
give us the courage to enter the song.
Here we will take the wine and the water,
here we will take the bread of new birth,
here you shall call your sons and your daughters,
call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion,
give us to eat the bread that is you;
nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Not in the dark of buildings confining,
not in some heaven, light years away—
here in this place the new light is shining,
now is the kingdom, and now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever,
gather us in and make us your own;
gather us in, all peoples together,
fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
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 (WOV page 12)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy. By your Spirit,
give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: 1 Kings 3:5-12
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you, and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or for the life of your enemies but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 119:129-136 (We will read the Psalm responsively by half verse.)
129 Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore I obey them with all my heart.
130 When your word is opened it gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Order my footsteps in your word;
let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Rescue me from those who oppress me,
and I will keep your commandments.
135 Let your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your teaching.
SECOND READING: Romans 8:26-39
26 The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (WOV page 17)
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 13th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
31 [Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field;32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
What Is the World Like
ACS 1047
What is the world like when God's will is done?
Mustard seeds grow more than we can conceive:
roots thread the soil; branches reach for the sun.
This is how God moves us each to believe.
What is the world like when God's will is done?
Witness the wandering child coming home;
watch as the parent breaks into a run.
This is how God longs for us when we roam.
What is the world like when God's will is done?
No more is neighbor just ally or friend;
peace thrives in places where once there was none.
This is how God works when rivalries end.
What is the world like when God's will is done?
Ready for feasting, we watch through the night,
tending our lamps till the new day's begun.
This is how God readies us for the light.
These are the stories that Jesus imparts,
filled with the Spirit who joins us as one.
Born through our voices, our hands, and our hearts,
this is a new world where God's will is done.
APOSTLES' CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of 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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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
Trusting in God’s steadfast love for all God has made, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
God our wisdom and our song, we pray for bishops, candidacy committees, those preparing for seminary, those awaiting call as deacons or pastors, and all who seek to lead your disciples in any way. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suárez, and our synod staff. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our breath and our heartbeat, help us to recognize signs of your presence among us. Protect and support diverse ecosystems, from national parks to family farms, from ranches to wild places. We pray for communities across the world facing dangerous heat, wildfires, drought, floods, and polluted skies. Renew in us a reverence for the world you declared good. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our peace and our guide, help civic leaders hear all their peoples’ stories with compassion and curiosity, and remind us of your love from which we can never be separated. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our intercessor and our lawgiver, dismantle the barriers to care and recognition of all who live with chronic illness, mobility struggles, pain, and uncertainty. We pray especially for Mary, Anne, Barbara, Mabel, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Philip, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Rich, Wil, Amy, Al, Sharon, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, Michael, Art, John, Abby, Colline, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Natalie, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our redeemer, may we trust your love above and beyond all else that distracts, annoys, frightens, exhausts, or divides us. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God who seeks, finds, and saves, for our community’s part in the ongoing gift of creation, and for the riches of faith and hope which came before, we give you thanks. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Grateful for your abundant provision and trusting in your goodness, we cast all our cares upon you, through the abundant grace of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
GREETINGS OF PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
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
More Love to Thee, O Christ
William H. Doane
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
(WOV page 21)
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed, 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,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
OFFERING PRAYER
Loving God,
we offer at your table the gifts of our hearts.
Help us take heart in you and share freely of your love,
so that all creation can taste your abundance.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
through the Spirit abiding with us now and forever.
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (WOV page 22)
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 and salutary
that we should at all times and in all places
offer thanks and praise to you,
O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and ever-living 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, all creation, and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (WOV page 22)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow'r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
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 handed over,
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.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
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.
All baptized children of God are invited to the Lord’s Table, where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We partake at the communion rail; gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and we will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Anyone may remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer, following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
LAMB OF GOD (WOV page 25)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
By Your Hand You Feed Your People
ELW 469
By your hand you feed your people,
food of angels, heaven's bread.
For these gifts we did not labor,
by your grace have we been fed:
Refrain
Christ's own body, blessed and broken,
cup o'er flowing, life outpoured,
given as a living token
of your world redeemed, restored.
In this meal we taste your sweetness,
bread for hunger, wine of peace.
Holy word and holy wisdom
satisfy our deepest needs. Refrain
Send us now with faith and courage
to the hungry, lost, bereaved.
In our living and our dying,
we become what we receive: Refrain
We Eat the Bread of Teaching
ELW 518
Refrain
We eat the bread of teaching,
drink wine of wisdom,
are given here a taste of the kingdom.
Together joined, the greatest and the least,
we all are one at Wisdom's holy feast.
Wisdom calls throughout the city,
knows our hunger, and in pity
gives her loving invitation
to the banquet of salvation. Refrain
Simple ones whose hearts are yearning,
come and gain from Wisdom's learning;
bread and wine she is preparing,
know her loving in the sharing. Refrain
Enter with delight and singing,
for her richness now is bringing
us this joyful celebration;
eat and drink in jubilation. Refrain
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.
Compassionate God,
through the gifts of bread and wine
our hearts are filled
with the abundance of your love.
Strengthen us that we,
through this holy meal,
may share your love freely,
as you have shared with us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
through the Spirit nourishing us
now and forever.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen
ELW 548
Rise, O church, like Christ arisen,
from this meal of love and grace;
may we through such love envision
whose we are, and whose, our praise.
Alleluia, alleluia;
God, the wonder of our days.
Rise, transformed, and choose to follow
after Christ, though wounded, whole;
broken, shared, our lives are hallowed
to release and to console.
Alleluia, alleluia;
Christ, our present, past, and goal.
Rise, remember well the future
God has called us to receive;
present by God's loving nurture,
Spirited then let us live.
Alleluia, alleluia;
Spirit, grace by whom we live.
Service be our sure vocation;
courage be our daily breath;
mercy be our destination
from this day and unto death.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Rise, O church, a living faith.
BENEDICTION
May the mercy of our God,
+ Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
be with you now
and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
Blessed Assurance
Phoebe Palmer Knapp
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, With One Voice, All Creation Sings, and sundaysandseasons.com, © 1995, 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Be Thou My Vision, Tune: SLANE, Irish traditional, arr. Mary McDonald, b. 1956. Arr. © 2011 Lorenz Publishing Co. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Gather Us In, Text and music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950, Text and music © 1972 GIA Publications, Inc, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
What Is the World Like, Text: Adam M. L. Tice, b. 1979. Music: Sally Ann Morris, b. 1952. Text and music © 2009 GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
More Love to Thee, O Christ, Tune: MORE LOVE TO THEE, William H. Doane, 1832-1915, arr. Mary McDonald b. 1956. Arr. © 2017 Lorenz Publishing Co. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
We Eat the Bread of Teaching, Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916–1997. Music: Jerry Ray Brubaker, b. 1946. Text and music © 1998 World Library Publications. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
By Your Hand You Feed Your People, Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952, Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and music © 2002 GIA Publications Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen, Text: Susan Palo Cherwin,1953-2021. Music: Timothy J. Strand, b. 1958. Text © Susan Palo Cherwin, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music © 1997 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Blessed Assurance, Tune: ASSURANCE, Phoebe Palmer Knapp, 1830-1908. arr Mary McDonald, b. 1956. Arr. © 2011 Lorenz Publishing Co. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
