The Service in PDF format is at: July 4, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Independence Day – United States of America
July 4, 2021
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 safety, if you have any questions about that, 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. However, 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. First Sundays are a drive in Communion Service and the Third Sunday is in the sanctuary. Guests, 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 come to the altar. 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.
AS WE GATHER… Our culture is fascinated with rebels. Characters such as Han Solo, Ferris Bueller, and Katniss Everdeen are not perfect, but we admire how they stand up to authority. Whether being a rebel is good or bad depends on whom one is rebelling against. When the authority is God Almighty, rebels are not looked upon so fondly. Israel rebelled against God, and Ezekiel told them just that. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, rebelling against their own hometown prophet. Sin is rebellion against God. Yet God forgives our rebellion through Jesus’ death and resurrection, turning our rebellion into reconciliation and rejoicing. Despite our weaknesses and inclination to rebel, God’s grace comes to us in Jesus, and He is sufficient for us.
OPENING HYMN: “Before You, Lord, We Bow” LBW 401
Charles Wesley, Francis Scott Key, Gilbert M. Martin, John Darwall © Words: The Sacred Music Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Music: The Sacred Music Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Before you, Lord, we bow. Our God who reigns above
And rules the world below, Boundless in power and love.
Our thanks we bring in joy and praise,
our hearts we raise to you, our King!
The nation you have blest may well your love declare,
from Foes and fears at rest, protected by your care.
For this bright Day, for this fair land –
of your hand – our thanks we pay.
May every mountain height, each vale and forest green, shine
In your Word’s pure light, and its rich fruits be seen!
May every Tongue be tuned to praise
and join to raise a grateful song.
Earth, hear your Maker’s voice; Your great Redeemer own;
Believe, obey, rejoice, And worship him alone.
Cast down your pride, your sin deplore,
And bow before the Crucified.
And when in pow’r he comes, Oh, may our native land
From all its rending tombs Send forth a glorious band,
A countless throng, with joy to sing
To heav’n’s high king salvation’s song.
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
OPENING WORDS Psalm 143
Pastor: Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy!
People: In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
Pastor: Enter not into judgment with your servant,
People: For no one living is righteous before you.
Pastor: I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done;
People: I ponder the work of your hands.
Pastor: Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails!
People: Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
Pastor: Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust!
People: Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul!
OPENING UP TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER
Pastor: God wants us to be certain about our standing before Him. In today’s passage from Ephesians, we are reminded of God’s good intentions for us personally: “He chose us in him before the foundations of the world.” This passage, however, does not give us the right to judge others and their standing before God. During our time of silence today, we reflect on the ways we have fallen short by being too quick to judge others.
Silence
Pastor: We confess.
People: Lord, we confess that we have missed the mark. Wanting us to claim our position before You…we have instead focused on where other people should be in their standing with You. Too often we have kept track of the shortcomings of others and their faults. Too often we have forgotten to keep track of the goodness You daily provide right before us. Give us a new heart today—one that trusts You to be the judge of all living things.
Pastor: God, our heavenly Creator, hears the prayers of all people and answers those prayers. Our prayer for forgiveness is answered in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who died for our sin that we might have new life. The distance between God and ourselves has been brought together by love made perfect in the sacrifice of Jesus. To those who believe God’s word of truth comes the power to be the people of God. Praise God for the gift of love to us.
People: Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE: “To God Be the Glory” TOSB 241 (v. 1 & 3)
To God be the glory—great things He hath done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
CHORUS:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory—great things He hath done!
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and great will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
CHORUS
Pastor: Let us Pray… Almighty God, Your grace is sufficient for us. When we are weak and suffering, point us back to You, our source of strength and comfort, that we rejoice in Your power, mercy, and grace, 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: Ezekiel 2:1-5
Ezekiel is sent to Israel, a nation of rebels, with God’s Word.
And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We rejoice in our weaknesses because they showcase
the power, mercy, and grace of Christ.
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: Mark 6:1-13
Jesus is rejected in His hometown but sends out the twelve disciples.
He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.
And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O, Christ.
SERMON HYMN “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” LBW 499
John Wyeth & Robert Robinson © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain
Come, thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
While the hope of endless glory Fills my heart with joy and love,
Teach me ever to adore thee; May I still thy goodness prove.
Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger Wand’ring from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be;
Let that grace now like a fetter Bind my wand’ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it; Seal it for thy courts above.
SERMON: “Freedom in Christ” by Pastor Walz
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.
Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God and all people according to their needs.
Almighty and most holy God, we thank and praise You for all You provide us freely by Your grace. We are especially thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and celebrate today as we gather to worship You. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We pray for the leaders of our nation, state, and community. We acknowledge that You have placed them in these positions to govern us and all people of this land. Grant them wisdom and lead them to make decisions that are in line with Your will for all people. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Amid the thorns of this life, we lean on Your grace, knowing that it is sufficient for us and in our weakness Your strength shines through. We ask for Your grace and healing for those who grieve. We ask for Your grace and healing for those struggling in body, mind, and spirit, [especially . . .]. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We live in a nation and in communities where we are thankful to have brothers and sisters in Christ, yet there are also many who have either disconnected from You and Your Church or who have never known You. Lead us to share Your grace with others. Guide our conversations and grow our relationships with those who do not share the hope we have. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: No matter where life takes us, we know we are in Your hands. So, we confidently come before You as Your children and place these prayers and all our concerns into Your gracious hands, in Jesus’ name.
People: Amen.
Pastor: 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: “God Bless Our Native Land” LBW 569
Text: Charles T. Brooks, John S. Dwight, Tune: Thesaurus Musicus © Public Domain
God bless our native land;
Firm may it ever stand
Through storm and night.
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Do thou our country save
By thy great might.
So shall our prayer arise
To God above the skies,
On whom we wait.
Thou who art ever nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye,
To thee aloud we cry:
God save the state!
Pastor: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PASTOR ON VACATION – Pastor Lucke will be enjoying some family time July 1 through July 8. If you have need of Pastoral Care please contact one of the Elders.
FELLOWSHIP – We will enjoy a light fellowship every other Sunday (2nd & 4th Sundays) throughout the summer. You can help by volunteering to plate food, serve and make coffee. Or bringing store bought goodies.
CAMP GOOD NEWS – Hosted by Child Evangelism Fellowship is July 26th-30th from 8am-5pm! It will be held at the Philomath Scout Lodge where we will have Bible lessons, memory verses, songs, games, crafts, lots of water fun (including some inflatables), and more. I have also attached the flier and paper registration for camp, online registration is also available at cefbentoncounty.org. If you or the families have any questions please feel free to reach out. Thank you so much for partnering with us to reach the children, our communities, and the world with the Good News of the Gospel!
JULY 11 – We will have the pleasure of hearing the Ministry Plans of Jordan Heater. Drop by the for the Bible Study time to learn about his move to Egypt. We will then head out to the Patio for an outdoor service.
SPECIAL FELLOWSHIP TIME – We will have an INCREDIBLY special Fellowship hour on July 11. ALL food has been taken care of, so stay for a little while after the service and help us enjoy the time put in to have such a lovely fellowship celebration.
