The Service in PDF format is at: June 27,2020 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Saturday, June 27, 2020
AS WE GATHER…When Jesus was calling disciples, He had to warn them (and us!) that some of their own family members would actively oppose their following the Lord. We will hear about that today in our Gospel reading from Matthew 10. In the same moment, Jesus encouraged His disciples that if they followed Him, they would gain reward.
OPENING SONG: “Shelter in the Storm”
Words & Music by Joel Raney, Utilizing Precious Lord, Take My Hand by Thomas A. Dorsey ©1938 (Renewed) Unichappell Music Inc.
L: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING UP TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER
L: As Christians, we do not make the claim that we know everything that there is to know about God. Much of who God is and why God acts is a mystery. One aspect of God that we do know, however, is that God is loving, merciful and forgiving. Each week we celebrate this known attribute of God by confessing our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness. Today is no different. Let us take a few moments of silence to reflect upon our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silent Reflection
L: We confess.
C: Lord, forgive us today for our arrogant ways. We think that we can live life without You and Your grace. We have lived as if You did not matter and as if we mattered the most. Let Your amazing love have its way with us today. Strengthen our faith through this forgiveness; we want to do better.
L: God is merciful. God never fails to help those who call upon Him in faith. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our sin is no longer a weight that holds us down. We are free to live in victory, free from the sin of our self-deceit. Praise God for His goodness.
C: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 28:5-9
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, 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. Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 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.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 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. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 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. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 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. 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.”
L: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
MESSAGE Pastor Jeremy Lucke
L: Let us pray.
L: Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for Your great goodness in bringing Your sons and daughters 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, bringing forth the fruits of faith, they may continue steadfast and victorious to the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Heavenly Father, many in this world have rejected Your Son and His grace. Soften their hearts, Lord, that they hear You and receive You with joy and gladness. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Lord, raise up faithful leaders who are committed to liberty and justice. Oppose all those who would use others for their own ambition and pride. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Lord, give hope to all those who are isolated and lonely. Bring them into the presence of the loving community of Your Church that they find help, hope and freedom among Your people. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Lord, look with favor upon all who are sick, injured, and recovering, (especially…). Have mercy upon them and heal them according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
L: Go in peace and joy. The almighty and most merciful God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you, and bless and strengthen you for faithful service in His name.
C: Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HONORING OUR CONFIRMANDS & GRADUATE: Due to this Sunday Service for our confirmands being kept for their immediate families to attend, we would love to see you come out and honor these young people by participating in the drive by parade in the church parking lot. Make signs have balloons wave and honk your horn in support of their journey in faith. Our graduate will be honored at this time as well. So please come out and help them feel special. It will start 10:15 am in the church parking lot and will end at 11:00am. There will be a basket to place gifts and cards for all of these young people.
PORTALS OF PRAYER AVAILABLE: Portals of Prayer are in the outside plastic bin by the front door of the church. Please grab one for yourself and let me know if anyone needs one delivered or mailed.