13th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 51:1, Psalm 138:1-2 P: Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. C: We give thanks to God with our whole heart. We give thanks for God’s steadfast love and faithfulness! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Confident in God’s ever-gracious, never-failing help, we come before the Lord, confessing our sin and seeking forgiveness. Silence is kept for reflection P: Forgiving God, C: we confess that we are conformed to this world. We conform to this world’s frantic pace, too hectic to notice all the blessings you provide. We conform to this world’s reckless waste, exploiting what you entrust to our care. We conform to this world’s shallow values, oblivious to the giftedness of people different from us. We conform to this world’s impatient attitudes, preferring the latest instead of the lasting. Forgive our conformity and transform us, O God. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. P: Hear the Good News: The steadfast love of the Lord never ends. In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven + and now live, confident, in God’s grace. C: Amen. HYMN “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” singing starts at :45 LYRICS 1 Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ, our head and cornerstone, chosen of the Lord and precious, binding all the church in one; holy Zion’s help forever and our confidence alone. 2 To this temple, where we call you, come, O Lord of hosts, and stay; come with all your lovingkindness, hear your people as they pray; and your fullest benediction shed within these walls today. 3 Grant, we pray, to all your faithful all the gifts they ask to gain; what they gain from you, forever with the blessed to retain; and hereafter in your glory evermore with you to reign. 4 Praise and honor to the Father, praise and honor to the Son, praise and honor to the Spirit, ever three and ever one: one in might and one in glory while unending ages run! PRAYER OF THE DAY P: We thank you for forming us into the church, the body of Christ in the world. Help us to live as he taught us: loving you, loving our neighbor, living unified in Christ, using our varied gifts and skills in the service of ministry, until all things are transformed into what is good and acceptable and perfect. In Christ’s name, we ask it. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6 God speaks words of comfort to those in exile. What looks like “waste places” or a barren future will spring forth growth. 1Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. 3For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. 4Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. 5I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. 6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended. Epistle Reading: Romans 12:1-8 God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians, but all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ. 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20 3Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “Built on a Rock” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. P: Inspire your church to pursue righteousness in its ministry. Equip us to share your compassion that unites us as one family of faith. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Remind us that from the beginning of creation, you knit together a world meant for harmony. Protect and restore the wasted places to joy and gladness. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Stir the leaders of nations and towns, to respond to your teachings. Let your call for justice reach all people and bring deliverance where there is oppression. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Show your steadfast love and faithfulness to those in despair. Increase their strength, care for all who feel low, keep safe any in the midst of trouble, and protect vulnerable people from harm. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Encourage those who offer their gifts and talents in service to your church. Energize this congregation’s Pastor and lay leaders, so they may be transformed in sharing your grace. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of all the saints, sustain us in hope until we come at last to our heavenly home. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: 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. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: God has given us gifts to share: prophetic acts and acts of service, teaching and leading, encouragement, diligence, and cheerfulness, giving without strings attached. Freely, then, we open our hearts, hands, and resources to a world in need. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: Gracious God, we thank you for the measure of faith you have given to each of us. Increase in us generosity, compassion, and prophetic courage so we may continue to be your body in and for the world. With thanksgiving, we pray in the name of Christ. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Performed in English and Omaha BENEDICTION P: May the Lord who made heaven and earth, the Christ + who lived and died for all, and the Spirit who renews our minds and hearts abide with you and all God’s people, now and forever. C: Amen. HYMN “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” CHARGE Romans 12:2 One: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed to live as the body of Christ in the world. All: Amen. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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12th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 67 and Isaiah 56:7 P: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. C: May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe. P: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples, says the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS based on today’s readings P: God declares: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come and my deliverance be revealed. Confident in our deliverance, let us confess our sins before God and one another. Silence is kept for reflection P: Holy God, C: we confess we have not been obedient to your will for us. We have sought justice for ourselves but neglected justice for others. We have insisted on our rights but have not lived rightly in our relationships. We have desired mercy for our sins, but we have not offered mercy to those who have sinned against us. By the power of your Holy Spirit free us from the prison of our disobedience. Help us to love as you have loved us that our lives may testify to your abounding grace though Jesus Christ. Amen. P: Hear the Good News: the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Receive the gift of forgiveness and share that gift with others, + in the name of Jesus Christ. C: Amen. HYMN “Earth and All Stars” (A song for the start of school) PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Almighty God, whose compassion embraces everyone, gather the outcast and the lost, heal the wounds of fear and distrust, and make us a community of reconciliation that we may embody your merciful love and rejoice in your astounding grace in Jesus Christ. C: Amen. READING Gospel: Matthew 15:10-20 10[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:11it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19For out of the heart come evil reasoning, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “All Are Welcome” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. P: O God, your Spirit gathers the church. Shepherd those who are newly baptized and newly ordained in the proclamation of the gospel. Breathe life into ecumenical and inter-religious endeavors, and support missionaries throughout the globe. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: You created the earth and all its inhabitants and declared it good. We pray for those working to clean polluted skies, seas, and soil. Bless the labor of our farmers as they steward the earth. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: You provide for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Help us to better embrace people who have been rejected because of mental illness or differences. We pray that you would help guide us in healing trauma caused by racism or prejudice. Shield any who are persecuted, console the dying, and heal the sick (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Donald, Dale, and Jim). Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: We give you thanks for those who now rest from their labors. Motivate us by their lives of dedication to the gospel, until that day when we join with them in our eternal home. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: 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. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: Gracious Lord, you have given us more mercy and more blessings than we deserve. Receive the gift of our offering as a token of our gratitude to you, that your mercy may be multiplied and your blessings abound to embrace all those in need. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spoken in Urdu BENEDICTION P: The God who forgives, reconciles, heals, and blesses + is with you today and forevermore. C: Amen. HYMN “Rise, Shine You People!” LYRICS 1 Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered our human story; God in him is centered. He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded, with grace unbounded. 2 See how he sends the pow’rs of evil reeling; he brings us freedom, light and life and healing. All men and women, who by guilt are driven, now are forgiven. 3 Come, celebrate; your banners high unfurling, your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling. To all the world go out and tell the story of Jesus’ glory. 4 Tell how the Father sent his Son to save us. Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us. Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation his new creation. CHARGE P: Go And...Share Your Story! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 11th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP P: God lifts us from death to life and preserves us for God’s purposes through the compassion of Jesus Christ our Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. With thanksgiving, praise the Lord! C: We come to praise God who gives us new life. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS based on today’s readings P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection P: Gracious God, you call us to step out in faith, trusting in you for all things. We respond to your command but then sink in doubt and fear. We hide from the challenges of bold discipleship. We are not able to fulfill your commandments, for our purposes are never in full accord with yours. Forgive us, we pray, when we confess with our lips but do not believe in our hearts. Help us to practice our faith in all circumstances. Lift us out of sin into the arms of your mercy. Though we are distracted by noise all around, allow us to hear your voice even when it is the sound of sheer silence. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. P: Our God sees all, knows all, forgives all, restores all through our Lord Jesus Christ. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. C: This is the good news we believe in our hearts and confess with our lips: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven! This is good news to share with all people! Amen. HYMN “When Peace Like a River” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Son of God, you walk on the waters of turmoil to meet us in the midst of the journey of our lives. Help us to recognize your presence, remember your promise, rely on your power, and receive your peace through every storm. C: Amen. READING Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. P: God of grace and faith, your faithfulness is never-ending, and your righteousness becomes ours through Christ Jesus. Send the church to proclaim the gospel both near and far, in church buildings and in every sector of our lives. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of sky and sea, the plants, animals, mountains, and plains proclaim your glory. Prosper the work of ecologists as they teach us new ways to care for the environment. Bring relief to areas recovering from natural disasters (especially Hawaii). And we pray for the farmers who are tending to your creation every day. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of peace and justice, you call us to live as your beloved community throughout the world. Instill in local, regional, national, and global political and civic leaders a desire to work for the well-being of all people. And help us to be peacemakers in the world. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of care and compassion, you bring assurance when we are afraid. Bring calm to any who are anxious or fearful. Bless the work of therapists, nurses, and other health care providers. Comfort all who grieve and soothe any who are sick (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Donald, Dale, and Jim). Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of wonder, you accompany us in both joys and sorrows. We pray for children and teachers preparing for a new school year. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of new life, you send people to renew both church and society. We give you thanks for their lives of faithful service as examples of following your call. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: 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. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: God of field and forest, sea and sky, you are the giver of all good things. Sustain us with the gifts of your creation, and multiply your graciousness in us, that the world may be fed with your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung in Hawaiian BENEDICTION P: May the steadfast love and faithfulness of God surround you; the peace of Christ + enfold you; and the Holy Spirit encourage you, now and forever. C: Amen. HYMN “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” CHARGE P: Go And...Share Your Story! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 10th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP Matthew 14 P: Are you hungry for a word of hope? C: We come to be fed and nourished. P: Are you yearning to see the bounty of God? C: We long to see and believe. P: Are you ready to witness the power of our God? C: We are ready. P: Come! Let us worship. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: The promise of our faith is this: for all who call out in truth, God is near. Therefore let us honestly confess our sin. Silence is kept for reflection P: God of justice and mercy, C: we admit that we are not always free of deceit. We are fooled by the false promises of the world into pursuing things that do not truly nourish us. Hear our cry and save us, dear God, in Jesus’ name. Amen. P: Here is good news for everyone: God is gracious, merciful, abounding in steadfast love, and gives us forgiveness and grace. We do not have to earn it because it is a free gift from a generous God! In the name of Jesus Christ + your sins are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN “Break Now the Bread of Life” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Life-changing God, you have taught us and transformed us to reach out to all who hunger for what only you can give. Keep our feet in your paths and bless us so that we may turn and multiply blessings to others, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Lord. C: Amen. Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. SERMON HYMN “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: 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. P: You gather your church together by the Holy Spirit. Inspire all the baptized to proclaim your abundant love throughout the world. Guide us in the mission of the gospel through word and deed. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: You cherish your creation, from the smallest microbe to the largest mountain. Protect fragile ecosystems, send favorable weather, supply food to nourish creatures, rain to nourish crops, and raise us up to care for all you have created. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: You desire peace and justice in the world. Instill a call for peace within all political leaders and provide relief for those in war-torn areas (especially Ukraine). Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: You comfort those who are hurting. Accompany those who are alone, heal those who are sick, provide for all who hunger or thirst, console the bereaved, bring joy to the sorrowful, and attend to all who call on you (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Donald, Dale, and Jim). Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: We live within communities that provide mutual support and love. Provide for feeding ministries and food banks in our area, that we would share your abundance with all who hunger. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: You have placed before us examples of faithful living…people who have witnessed to your promises throughout the ages. Awaken us to live lives of service and dedication, that we would be your hands and feet in this world. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: 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. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: God has been generous in providing for our needs. Let us give back a portion of what has already been given to us. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: Loving and generous God, you provide for us and even bless us in more ways than we can number. We give our tithes and offerings to tell of your wondrous and steadfast love so that those who do not yet know you may also come to your love. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spoken in Japanese BENEDICTION P: May God be gracious to you and give you peace, + now and forevermore. C: Amen. HYMN “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” CHARGE P: Go And...Share Your Story! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 |
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April 2024
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