The Service in PDF format is at: July 2, 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 Norm Metzler
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 2, 2023
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Carole Gutbrod
AS WE GATHER…………. In the popular show Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe would involve himself for a time with a job that would be considered dirty and often downright messy. It was entertaining for the viewer to watch but also caused the audience to wonder if they could do a job like that. As people called, gathered, and enlightened by the Holy Spirit and made God’s own, He has given us a job. It may not be considered dirty, but it is difficult. The job is to live as His people, to serve as His witnesses, and to follow Him where He leads. We don’t “go it alone!” Jesus goes with us wherever He places us to do His work for the sake of others now and for the sake of His kingdom to come.
RINGING OF THE BELL…………After the ringing of the bell, we take a moment in silence to prepare our hearts and minds for today’s worship.
OPENING HYMN “Here I Am to Worship”
Tim Hughes; 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness,
Opened my eyes let me see.
Beauty that made
This heart adore You,
Hope of a life spent with You.
Chorus: So here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God.
And You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted.
Glorious in heaven above.
Humbly You came
To the earth You created,
All for love’s sake became poor.
Chorus
And I’ll never know how much it cost,
To see my sin upon that cross.
And I’ll never know how much it cost,
To see my sin upon that cross.
Chorus
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Leader: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
~~~~ Silence for reflection ~~~~~
Leader: Most merciful God,
People: We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and 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 may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the
glory of your holy name. Amen.
Leader: God, our heavenly Creator, hears the prayers of all people and answers those prayers. Our prayer for forgiveness is answered in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sin that we might have new life. By the command of Jesus, I forgive you all of your sins—in the name of the Father, and of the Son X and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God. And for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
People: Amen
Leader: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
People: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever, Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, as we follow You, You call for devotion to Your kingdom apart from the things of this world,
People: help us to know lasting peace and find fulfillment and forgiveness in You;
Leader: through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 28:5-9
Prophets and peace
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord,
6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.
7 Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.
8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms.
9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Released from the Law and bound to Christ
7 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.
6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.
9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.
11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Division when following Christ
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “He Leadeth me: Oh, blessed thought!”
Joseph Henry Gilmore; William Batchelder Bradbury: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain
He leadeth me! O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
What-e’er I do, where’er I be,
Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me!
Chorus: He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Chorus
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me!
Chorus
And when my task on earth is done,
When, by Thy grace, the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me!
Chorus
SERMON
“Free From the Law” – Romans 7:6
Pastor Norm Metzler
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And was born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate.
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
Leader: Let us pray for the people of God and for all people according to their needs. Ever-gracious Lord, You have blessed us with time, talents, and abilities to serve others in various positions. You have also given us the privilege of serving You. As we continue in the joyful job of following You, grant us continued confidence in Your presence, Your promises, and Your ultimate peace. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Ever-present Lord, we know in this world we will have trouble. Our Savior speaks of divisions and disturbances even among those closest to us as we bear the name of Your beloved children. In times of trial, grant us a sure faith in Christ’s redemptive work accomplished for us. Your as the world divides, Your cross brings peace for those who believe that You have overcome this world. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Ever-providing Lord, You have given us all we need for this body and this life, and have placed authorities over us for order and peace. Even as peace in this world is challenged through wars, skirmishes, and cultural clashes, we have been given a peace beyond all understanding through You. For this nation, we give thanks for the freedoms we are blessed to have as we recognize Independence Day soon. Give safety to all who travel and peace for all who gather. Grant that we appreciate our citizenship here, while also awaiting our true citizenship in heaven. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Ever-comforting Lord, so many around us seek peace of mind, peace of soul, and peace of body, including those near and dear to us who have asked for our prayers, (especially…..). In times of fears, questions, and uncertainty, give Your peace, answers, and confidence according to Your will that hope and comfort be found in You alone. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
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
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION SONG “Jesus Loves Me”
By: Anna B. Warner, alt. & Wm. B. Bradbury; © 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publications Edina, MN 55435
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Chorus: Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, Loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill.
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree.
Chorus
Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heavens gates to open wide
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in.
Chorus
Jesus loves me he will stay,
Close beside me all the way.
That I might from sin be free,
I will henceforth live for thee.
Chorus
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 you peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “Prayer of St. Francis”
St. Francis of Assisi; Public Domain
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord.
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness…only light.
And where there’s sadness ever joy.
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To- be understood …as to understand.
To-be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are par-doned.
In giving to all men that we receive,
And-in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Leader: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
FREEZER MEAL Ministry. We have meals available in the freezer. Know that the meals are for anyone in need! The team is going to be getting together to make some more meals this summer and fill up our supply.
ADULT SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL. We continue study for the summer on Jesus’ parables. Next Sunday, July 9, we will be discussing The Unjust Steward, Luke 16:1-8. All are welcome! We begin at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY. Sandi Labahn has agreed to be Prayer Shawl Coordinator. Now she needs some prayer shawl makers If you or any of your friends are interested in making a prayer shawl please let her know. Ladies guild will buy the yarn.
Scholarships for camp lutherwood. The Ladies Guild is graciously offering $250 scholarships for camp Lutherwood this summer. Please see Peggy Krueger for an application.