July 30th, 2017 THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Time after Pentecost, Lectionary 17a PRELUDE Chorale Prelude on Lord Our God, with Praise We Come Wells
Holy Communion (ELW 3) WELCOME

CONFESSION OF SINS AND PROCLAMATION OF FORGIVENESS

INTRODUCTION In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In todays gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of Let us pray.
God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us
expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek from our sin to live in your love. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we
the riches of Gods reign, the great surprise is that Gods grace finds us may confess our sin, be reconciled with you, and live abundantly in Jesus
first! Christ, the Savior and Lord of all. Amen.

CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags Silence for reflection and self-examination.
and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed.
An usher will gladly provide you with assistance. Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and
all cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service. 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 ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so holy name. Amen.
that we may record your presence with us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW Lord, have mercy.

Sovereign of the universe, your first covenant of mercy was with every God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made
living creature. When your beloved son came among us, the waters of the us alive together with Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are
river welcomed him, the heavens opened to greet his arrival, the animals of forgiven. By grace you have been saved. Almighty God give you faith through
the wilderness drew near as his companions. With all the worlds people, the Holy Spirit that the love of Christ may shine in your hearts and show forth
may we who are washed into new life through baptism seek the way of in your lives. Amen.
your new creation, the way of justice and care, mercy and peace; through
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. GATHERING SONG: Lord Our God, with Praise We Come (ELW 730)

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!
CANTICLE OF PRAISE 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.

Please be seated.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

FIRST READING Genesis 29:15-28

The young shepherd Jacob met his match in the old shepherd, Laban, his
father-in-law. Laban gave Jacob his older daughter, Leah, when he had
promised to give him Rachel. Jacob worked fourteen years to earn his favorite
wife, Rachel, but the years seemed like a few days because of his love for her.
15Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore
serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be? 16Now Laban had
two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger
was Rachel. 17Leahs eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and
beautiful. 18Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, I will serve you seven years for
your younger daughter Rachel. 19Laban said, It is better that I give her to you
than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me. 20So Jacob served
seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the
love he had for her.
21Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for

my time is completed. 22So Laban gathered together all the people of the
place, and made a feast. 23But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and
brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. 24(Laban gave his maid Zilpah to
his daughter Leah to be her maid.) 25When morning came, it was Leah! And
Jacob said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with
you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me? 26Laban said, This is not
done in our countrygiving the younger before the firstborn. 27Complete the
week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me
another seven years. 28Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave
him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.
PSALM: PSALM 105:1-11, 45b love poured out in Jesus Christ. Nothing, not even death itself, is able to
separate us from such incredible divine love.
Refrain: 26The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God,
who searches the heart, 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. 29For 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. 30And those whom he predestined he also
called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified
Tone: he also glorified.
31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is
against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of
us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any
1Give thanks to the LORD and call up- | on Gods name; charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is
make known the deeds of the LORD a- | mong the peoples. Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God,
2Sing to the | LORD, sing praises,
who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
and speak of all Gods | marvelous works. Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
3Glory in Gods | holy name;
sword? 36As it is written,
let the hearts of those who seek the | LORD rejoice. For your sake we are being killed all day long;
4Search for the strength | of the LORD;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.
continually | seek Gods face. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
5Remember the marvels | God has done,
us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor
the wonders and the judgments | of Gods mouth, things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor
6O offspring of Abra- | ham, Gods servant,
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in
O children of Jacob, Gods | chosen ones. R Christ Jesus our Lord.
7The
LORD| is our God, The word of the Lord.
whose judgments prevail in | all the world, Thanks be to God.
8who has always been mindful | of the covenant,

the promise made for a thousand | generations: Please stand for the reading of the gospel.
9the covenant | made with Abraham,

the oath | sworn to Isaac, GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

10which God established as a stat- | ute for Jacob,

an everlasting cove- | nant for Israel,

11saying, To you will I give the | land of Canaan

to be your allotted inheritance. 45b| Hallelujah! R

SECOND READING: Romans 8:26-39

These words celebrate the depth of Gods actions for us. Through Christs
death for us and the activity of the Spirit praying for us, we are fused to Gods
 GOSPEL: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 HYMN OF THE DAY: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (ELW 631)
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently praying, APOSTLES CREED
May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on my lips, and As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
in my heart. words born of the Virgin Mary, until the words he descended to the dead.

The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Glory to you, O Lord.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by
Throughout Matthews gospel, Jesus and his disciples proclaim the good news the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
that the kingdom of heaven is near! Here, Jesus offers several brief parables was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the
that explore the implications of this announcement for peoples lives. 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.
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; 32it is the
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of
smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life
becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its
everlasting.
branches.
33He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was
leavened.
44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone Generous, compassionate God, we gather before you to pray for the church, the
world, and all in need.
found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that
field. Please sit or kneel as you are able.
45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine
Each petition ends with:
pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had
Lord, in your mercy,
and bought it.
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea hear our prayer.
and caught fish of every kind; 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down,
Into your hands we place all our prayers, spoken and unspoken, trusting in the
and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49So it will be at the end of
mercy of Christ Jesus. Amen.
the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the
righteous 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be
RITE OF ANOINTING FOR HEALING
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51Have you understood all this? They answered, Yes. 52And he said to The order for healing is an expression in worship of the churchs ministry of
healing. Each person may come to receive a word of blessing and prayer for
them, Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven
healing and forgiveness, along with laying on of hands and an anointing.
is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and
These signs, first given in baptism, tell us again that we are sealed by the Holy
what is old.
Spirit and marked forever with the cross of Christ, who is health and salvation
for the world.
The Gospel of the Lord!
Praise to you, O Christ.
In its ministry of healing, the church does not replace the gifts of God that
Please be seated.
come through the scientific community nor does it promise a cure. Rather the
church offers and celebrates gifts such as these: Gods presence with strength
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
and comfort in time of suffering, Gods promise of wholeness and peace and
Gods love embodied in the community of faith.
Please stand for the hymn.
Brothers and sisters, James writes: Is any one of you sick? Let him call the
elders of the church to prayer over him and anoint him with oil in the name of
the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the
Lord will raise him up. I invite you to come forward for anointing and prayer
in the name of the Lord.
OFFERING PRAYER
Worshippers may come forward.
The minister will anoint each with the sign of the cross, praying: Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your
goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: ourselves, our time, and our
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit uphold you, fill you with grace, possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, to show your love to this
and heal your every ill. Amen. beautiful and broken world, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
When all have returned to their seats, please stand to greet one another.
DIALOGUE
PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MUSIC AT THE OFFERING Paraphrase on Amazing Grace Wells

OFFERTORY HYMN:

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

 LAMB OF GOD

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lords body and
blood, each time the words Do this for the remembrance of me, are spoken.

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and
forever. Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER
COMMUNION
Risen 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 The body of Christ, given for you.
done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.
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 SONG DURING DISTRIBUTION:
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (ELW 596)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are all through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us
who are called to this table. through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another;
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and your for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
servant shall be healed.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. BLESSING
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
All baptized people are welcome to the table to receive Christs body and
Amen.
blood. If you have not been baptized, you are also welcome to the table as
Gods guest; we are honored by your presence. We recognize the Body of
SENDING HYMN: Go, My Children with My Blessing (ELW 543)
Christ as the community of the baptized, so if you would like to become part of
the Body of Christ, we encourage you to seek baptism. If you cant or dont DISMISSAL
wish to receive today, we encourage you to hold your hands over your chest for Go in peace. Share the good news.
a blessing as you come forward. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Prelude in C J. S. Bach