GATHERING
WELCOME
Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness ELW 843 verses 1, 2
1 Praise the One who breaks the darkness with a liberating light; praise the One who frees the pris’ners, turning blindness into sight. Praise the One who preached the gospel, healing ev’ry dread disease, calming storms and feeding thousands with the very bread of peace. 2 Praise the One who blessed the children with a strong yet gentle word; praise the One who drove out demons with a piercing, two-edged sword. Praise the One who brings cool water to the desert’s burning sand; from this well comes living water quenching thirst in ev’ry land. Text: Rusty Edwards, b. 1955 Text © 1987 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, whose compassion endures forever. Amen. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
In the name of God; Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator, ☩ Christ, and Charism Giver, Source, ☩ Savior, and Sustainer, our sins are forgiven. Rest in God’s love. Receiving this blessing, we dare to confess our sin to God, who loves us. Silence is kept for reflection. We pray… Compassionate God, we confess to you all our sins. Our burden is heavy, and we cannot free ourselves. In your mercy, call us back to you. Your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Restore us to dwell in peace in you, having received the forgiveness only you can give. In the name and hope of Christ we pray, Amen.
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
We pray together:
Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance. Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. Amen
WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service ELW 712, verses 1, 4 1 Lord, whose love in humble service bore the weight of human need, who upon the cross, forsaken, worked your mercy’s perfect deed: we, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but heart; consecrating to your purpose ev’ry gift which you impart. 4 Called by worship to your service, forth in your dear name we go, to the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show; hope and health, good will and comfort, counsel, aid and peace we give, that your servants, Lord, in freedom may your mercy know and live. Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984 Text © 1961 Oxford University Press. Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
2 CORINTHIANS 7:8-12
Paul’s letter stirs feelings of sorrow, leaving space to see how God works to create healthy, loving relationships.
Here I Am, Lord ELW 574, verses 1, 3
1 “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. 3 “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 Text: Daniel L. Schutte, b. 1946 Text © 1981 OCP Publications, Inc., 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
SERMON Deacon Jennifer
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord, you are good to all, your compassion is over all your works. (Psalm 145:9)
CHOIR ANTHEM God Be With You ’til We Meet Again
MEAL
OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION
AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH
We have prayed. We have sung. We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LORD’S PRAYER
And now, join me in praying as Jesus taught us… 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
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
SENDING
.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAREWELL AND GODSPEED
BLESSING
SPECIAL MUSIC: Soul on Fire Debbie Attwood
OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION
You are the body of Christ. We are the body of Christ in the world! So go in peace To explore the faith Live in peace To express our faith to others Share the peace By inviting others to join us on this journey. WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD, SO LET’S TELL EVERYBODY: WE HAVE GOOD NEWS! HEAVEN HAS COME NEAR! THANKS BE TO GOD.
Confession and Forgiveness, Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day, and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit their Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR TODAY
Isaiah 55:1-5 — Eat and drink that which truly satisfies
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 — You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Ps. 145:16)
Romans 9:1-5 — The glory of God’s people Israel
Matthew 14:13-21 — Christ feeding five thousand
Prayer is important to us. We are a people of prayer, and our prayer leads us to know God more completely. Knowing God reassures us that God’s love is sufficient for all we need. Knowing God leads us to action, to working for justice and peace. We dedicate ourselves to making our little corner of the world a better place. We dedicate ourselves to welcoming all of God’s people. We dedicate ourselves to trusting God in all phases of life.