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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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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