The Bulletin is at: 08-13-2017 – Bulletin
The Service in PDF format is at: 08-13-2017 – Service
or the service is as follows:
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
August 13, 2017
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
AS WE GATHER: We gather today surrounded by God’s wonderful creation! It is an opportunity to be reminded of God’s dedication to save us. In our Gospel reading, Peter sinks into the water, Jesus “reached out His hand and took hold of Peter.” Jesus reaches out to each one of us and saves at just the moment that we need Him the most. But we are also reminded today that we should live lives that actively trust in Jesus. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, doubt filled his heart. We lift up our eyes in worship and place them directly upon Jesus. Be renewed to trust your Lord completely!
STARTING WITH PRAISE Psalm 145:1-3
P: I will extol you, my God and King,
C: and bless your name forever and ever.
P: Every day I will bless you
C: and praise your name forever and ever.
P: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
C: and his greatness is unsearchable.
OPENING SONG “This is the Day”
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made,
That the Lord hath made.
I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it,
And be glad in it,
This is the day that the Lord hath made,
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made.
(Repeat)
OPENING UP TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER
P: Jesus invites you: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
C: Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
P: Let us come to Jesus in a time of silent prayer.
We reflect upon our need for Jesus’ rest and forgiveness.
P: Almighty God, heavenly Father,
C: We confess that we are burdened by our sin. What we want to do, we don’t do. What we end up doing, we know that we are not supposed to do. We feel trapped. Your Word teaches us that we cannot escape our sinfulness. Only in Your mercy is there rest for our souls and relief from the burdens of our hearts. Father, fill us again with the assurance of the cross and empty tomb so that we may receive again the victory that is ours through Jesus. Amen.
P: The burdens that are so heavy for you are light for Jesus! As you have now confessed your sins, it is my privilege and joy to announce to you that Jesus has taken away your burdens by His death and resurrection. According to His own command, I, as a servant of Jesus and Your pastor, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE “Jesus, Name Above All Names”
Jesus, name above all names,
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord,
Emmanuel, God is with us,
Blessed Redeemer, living Word.
Jesus, loving shepherd
Vine of the branches, Son of God
Prince of Peace, Wonderful counselor
Lord of the universe, Light of the world.
Jesus, Way of salvation,
King of kings, Lord of Lords,
The way the truth, and the Life,
Mighty creator, my Savior and friend.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us Pray. Almighty and most merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in body and soul,
C: May cheerfully accomplish what You want done;
P: Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
God puts Job in his place.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
“Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?
It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.
“Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.
Jesus invites Peter to walk to Him on the water.
Pastor: The Gospel saves us as surely as Jesus saved Peter on the water in today’s Gospel. But our response does involve actively trusting our Lord!
Pastor: Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said,
People: “It is a ghost!”
Pastor: and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him,
Reader: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
Pastor: He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out,
Reader: “Lord, save me.”
Pastor: Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying,
People: “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “Children of the Heavenly Father”
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in his bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God his own doth tend and nourish,
In his holy courts they flourish.
From all evil things he spares them,
In his mighty arms he bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord his children sever;
Unto them his grace he showeth,
And their sorrows all he knoweth.
Though he giveth or he taketh,
God his children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
SERMON “Taking the First Step”
C: I believe in God, who has created all things and continues to create new life within us.
I believe in Jesus, son of God, son of man, the Savior of the world. By His life, His death and resurrection, I can know the true depth of human possibility, and experience the true joy of an abundant life.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is present, now and always, calling us to faith, giving us gifts and empowering us for service. I believe that the community of believers called the church can experience the fullness of life through the word, the sacraments, and all that we do. Amen.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Rick & Kathy Durling, Trudy Ewing, Dan, Debbie, Justin & Joey Johnson,
Joe & Janette Payne, Lou Rank
P: Lord God, we thank and praise You for Your great goodness in bringing these children to the knowledge of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus, and enabling them both with the heart to believe and with the mouth to confess His saving name. Grant that they may continue strong in the faith in the fellowship of this congregation as together we await the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness. We pray these things through Jesus, Your Son.
C: Amen.
OFFERING
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.
OFFERTORY
P: Let us pray for all people in their various needs, for the Church around the world, and for those near and dear to us.
P: Our great God “laid the foundation of the world.” Let us ask His guidance and protection for all who tend His good creation, tilling the soil and protecting the environment; for all who connect resources with people in need of food, clothing, and shelter, providing dignity and hope; and for all who work for peace and justice in their positions of authority.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.
P: God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, be with Your servants who play music at Peace. The music at Peace brings us joy on earth so that we may catch a glimpse of Your beauty. Bring us to the fulfillment of that hope of perfection that will be ours as we stand before You face to face.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.
P: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Let us ask the Holy Spirit’s strength and encouragement for all who proclaim the Gospel in pulpits and hospitals, on battlefields and in refugee camps, offering the salvation that the Word of Christ announces; for all who put their faith into action, teaching the young, consoling the ill, comforting the grieving, and listening to the distraught; and for those near and dear to us, (including…), and those known only to our gracious God.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.
P: Jesus said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Let us ask our Savior’s gracious presence and protection for people of faith around the world, enduring persecution and standing with the weak; for the Church in our land, confronting injustice and resisting indifference wherever they are found.
C: Lord, hear our prayer.
P: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, gracious God, grant to us for the sake of the sufferings and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24-26
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
C: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee, Praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee, Earth and heav’n reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, All who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine!
P: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.