The Service in PDF format is at: July 16, 2023 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health and safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer, and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors. Offerings may be placed in the plates by the doors as we exit the sanctuary.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Nora Stanley, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek
Today July 16, 2023
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Debbi Weiler
Flowers Janet Randall
AS WE GATHER…………………. Though you may be familiar with Jesus’ parable of the sower, you may be surprised to hear that you do not really know it yet! That’s because on the one hand, the Word of God does not change. Yet on the other hand, we need to keep hearing it again and again, because our circumstances are constantly changing. The parable of the sower tells of this mystery. The seed is God’s Word, God’s work of planting repentance and faith in ears who hear. We may think of the various kinds of soil Jesus mentions to be various sorts of people. Actually, however, He is describing each individual in their changing circumstances. There are times when we “are good soil,” that is, we understand God’s Word and take comfort in it. There are other times, however, when we either cannot or will not hear it. Sometimes we become hard paths, rocky or distracted by worries or fears. For this reason, God never ceases planting, speaking, and growing faith in the heart, and we return repeatedly to continue hearing, reading, learning, and receiving God’s Word because He never gives up on you.
RINGING OF THE BELL… After the ringing of the bell, we take a moment in silence to prepare our hearts for worship.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING UP TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER
Leader: Only God most high,
People: the earth is full of Your steadfast love, but we have turned away to the many passing loves that arrest our attention. Forgetting there is no god besides You, we often think we know what is best for ourselves and for others. But we don’t. And so we groan in pain with the consequences of our sins. Hear our cry for Jesus’ sake and have mercy on us.
SONG OF CONFESSION “White as Snow”
White as snow, white as snow,
though my sins were as scarlet
Lord I know, Lord I know,
that I’m clean and forgiven.
Through the power of your blood,
through the wonder of your love,
Through faith in you I know that I can be
…..white as snow.
(Repeat)
Leader: Beloved in Christ, God—the only God—hears your cry for mercy, blotting out your transgressions for His own sake and remembering your sins no more. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of Jesus and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE “How Great is Our God”
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves; © 2004 Rising Springs Music; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Wondrously Made Songs
The splendor of the King,
clothed in majesty,
Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice.
He wraps Himself in light,
and darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at his voice,
trembles at his voice.
Chorus: How great is our God, sing with me,
How great is our God, all will see,
How great, how great is our God.
Age to age He stands,
and time is in His hands,
Beginning and the end,
beginning and the end.
The Godhead, three in one:
Father, Spirit, Son,
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb.
Chorus
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Chorus x2
Leader: Let us Pray.
Leader: Lord God, by the power of Your Word alone, You created everything out of nothing, and You have caused us to be drawn to You in hope. Open our ears and our hearts to hear and believe Your Word this day anew that we may grow by Your grace in the faith and the love that are in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 55:10-13
God’s powerful Word for all
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Life through the Spirit
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Gospel Lesson Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The parable of the sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “All Creatures of Our God and King”
St. Francis of Assisi; William Henry Draper; Words: Public Domain ; Music: Public Domain
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice with us and sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam,
And silver moon with softer gleam:
Chorus: Oh praise Him! Oh praise Him!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O rushing wind and breezes soft,
O clouds that ride the winds aloft:
O praise Him! Alleluia!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice,
O lights of evening, find a voice.
Chorus
O flowing waters, pure and clear,
Make music for your Lord to hear.
O praise Him! Alleluia!
O fire so masterful and bright,
Providing us with warmth and light,
Chorus
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfolds rich blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The fruits and flow’rs that verdant grow,
Let them His praise abundant show.
Chorus
SERMON
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: We believe in God, the Creator of all things, the source of all goodness and love.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, true God yet true man. He was crucified, died and was buried for our sin that we might be free and know the joy of life. He was raised on the third day and ascended to heaven, and will come again in power and glory to judge both the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the power of God at work inside of us. We believe in the church of God, the people of faith throughout the world. We believe that our sin is forgiven and that we will live together with God for now and throughout eternity. Amen.
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: O God, You are merciful and gracious. The world and all it contains belongs to You, yet the sufferings of this present time remind Your people that we are not yet home. Help us to trust in Your mercy as we wait for You to fulfill all things. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, You are merciful and gracious. You set up and depose rulers according to Your will. Grant us wise and just men and women in all positions of public trust in this and every land. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, You are merciful and gracious. Together with Your whole creation people everywhere cry out in pain of body, mind, and spirit. Today we especially hold before You (………………..) along with all we name in our hearts (moment of silence). Sustain these and all who suffer afflictions, bringing them healing and wholeness in Your good time and ways. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Pour out on You faithful people the grace of unity that, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church. Today we thank you for the unity and partnership we share with the Lutheran Churches of Circuit 4: Our Savior, Waldport, All Nations, Newport, Shepherd of the Valley, Corvallis, Zion, Corvallis, Bethlehem, Lebanon, Holy Cross, Albany, Immanuel, Albany. Bless their gatherings today that they may be strengthened to serve You in all faithfulness. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, You are merciful and gracious. Each day we are reminded that we are not home yet. But according to Your promise, we are waiting for the new heavens and the new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Until that day, Lord, keep us from all evil, and keep our going out and our coming in from this time forth and forevermore. For all of these things and whatever else You know that we need, we ask through Your Son, Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns in communion and love with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 SONG “Amazing Grace”
Edwin Othello Excell; John Newton; John P. Rees; William W. Walker; Words: Public Domain ; Music: Public Domain
Amazing grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found;
Was blind but now I see.
.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
Leader: 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 X you peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “This is My Father’s World”
Text: Malbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901, Tune: Franklin L. Sheppard, 1852-1930, adapt.; © 1978 by Lutheran Chuch in America, The American Lutheran Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cananda, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
This is my Father’s world,
and to my list’ning ears
all nature sings,
and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
.
This is my Father’s world;
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world;
He shines in all that’s fair.
in the rustling
grass I hear him pass;
He speaks to me ev’ry where.
.
This is my Father’s world;
oh, let me not forget
that, though the wrong
seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring;
God reigns, let the earth be glad!
Leader: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
Peace’s Evening at the Corvallis Knights. The Peace family is going to the Corvallis Knights game on Wednesday, July 19. Game time is 6:35 pm. Let Pastor know if you would like to go – there are only a few tickets left.
Updating Pictures of the congregation. We will start taking pictures of the congregation to update the picture wall between the Narthex and Fellowship Hall and the church directory. Trudy will be taking the pictures.
ADULT SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL. We continue study for the summer on Jesus’ parables. Next Sunday, July 23, we will be discussing The Compassionate Employer, Matthew 20:1-16. All are welcome! We begin at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall.
Church Council Meeting. Our next church council meeting will be held next Tuesday, July 18 at 7:00pm.
