The Service in PDF format is at: July 19,2020 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
Peace Lutheran Church
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
July 18 and 19, 2020
As We Gather…We are among the many who have struggled to believe in a world where it seems our enemies triumph and our own wills fail us. But the promises of God are not only for the present. They point us to that which is to come. To know the Lord is to know His promises without having seen them fulfilled. Gathering today at church or online, we meet those promises. His voice speaks of what will be. To know the Lord in this way is to enjoy comfort in trial and to have hope that will endure the tests that come.
OPENING SONG: “Children of the Heavenly Father” LBW 474 (vs. 1,3 & 4)
Text: Caroline V. Sandell Berg, 1832-1903; tr. Ernst W. Olson, 1970-1958 Tune: Swedish folk tune. ©1978 by Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis and Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in his bosom gather,
Nestling bird or star in heaven
Such a refuge ne’er was given.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord his children sever;
From all evil things he spares them,
In his mighty arms he bears them.
Though he giveth or he taketh,
God his children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
P: In the name of the Father,
C: who created the ocean and the sky, the rivers and the clouds, the rain and the snow.
P: In the name of the Son,
C: who stilled the storm of the sea and quieted the thunder with his voice.
P: In the name of the Spirit,
C: who hovered over the waters of creation and was present in the winds of Pentecost. Amen.
P: At a time like this, we often don’t know where to go.
C: God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
P: At a time like this, we often wonder what is in store for us.
C: God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
P: At a time like this, we often feel afraid and alone.
C: God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
P: At a time like this, we often look to God for answers.
C: God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
P: At a time like this, we are enriched by the divine.
C: God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
P: At a time like this,
C: there is only One we can turn to.
P: At a time like this,
C: with confidence we seek the Lord.
OPENING PRAYER
P: Let us pray. O Lord, You are the great I AM whose promises never fail us and in whom alone salvation is to be found. Grant to us hearts to trust in Your mercy and courage in the face of doubt and fear that we not surrender hope to darkness and faith to unbelief; through Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 44:6-8
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Jesus put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
L: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
L: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
L: Lord, You have been the refuge and strength of Your people from generation to generation. Give to us the comfort of Your presence in time of trouble, Your grace to forgive our sins, and Your peace to govern our hearts. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Lord, Your power holds all things together, in heaven and on earth. Give wisdom to those who lead our nation and guidance to those who make, administer, and judge our laws, so that life be protected and justice administered. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Lord, Your Word speaks hope and life. Open our ears to hear Your voice and our hearts to believe in Jesus and follow Him as Savior and Lord. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: For this nation, for our cities and communities, and for the common welfare of us all, let us pray to the Lord:
Leader: Lord, Your mercy extends to all our needs and Your grace gives healing according to Your will. Hear us on behalf of (specific names……….) all who stand in need. Grant to them grace sufficient for all their needs and sustain them in the hour of trial. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Lord, You have given us the encouragement of the mighty saints of old and those who taught us the faith. Help us to leave a legacy of faithfulness to those who follow us, and sustain us in hope until we join the saints in Christ’s eternal presence. Lord, in Your mercy,
P: hear our prayer.
L: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus, our Lord.
C: Amen.
BENEDICTION
L: Now may the God of heaven and earth, of sky and sea, bless you and keep you. May his face shine upon you, his children, and be gracious unto you. May our Creator look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen.
CLOSING SONG: “Don’t Look Back”
Words: Joseph M. Martin & Elizabeth Mills, Music: Joseph M. Martin, based on Luke 9:62 ©2011 Timespann (BMI), a division of The Lorenz Corporation.
We’ll work till Jesus comes. We’ll work till Jesus comes.
We’ll work till Jesus comes and we’ll be carried home.
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back.
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back.
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back
and be strong in the work of the Lord.
O put you hand to the plow, don’t look back.
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back
and be strong in the work of the Lord.
Servant, be faithful in the calling.
Can you hear the Master call?
Trust God and He will lead the way,
Surrender all in faith, the harvest will be great.
Let service be your song of praise!
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back.
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back.
O put your hand to the plow, don’t look back
and be strong in the work of the Lord.
(repeat a variation of this until end)