ORDER OF WORSHIP
12th Sunday after Pentecost
August 20, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER TIME will begin studying I & II Thessalonians on September 7th, 2023, 9:30-11:30. Come visit and see what we are about! Let Rozanne or Lee Peterson (605-691-4729) know if you plan to attend so we can reserve a seat for you.
-CORRECTION ON THE POTLUCK HAMBURGER COOKOUT. Fellowship/Outreach has decided at their committee meeting on August 13th to sponsor the upcoming event and it will be a picnic, not a potluck. On Sunday August 27, 2023 following the worship service, Fellowship/Outreach will supply ALL the food and drinks--hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings plus watermelon. We will be eating in the Fellowship Hall in the basement. Plan on joining together for fellowship and a great meal!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come.
God will bring us to the holy mountain, a house of prayer for all people.
God gathers all the outcasts together, and makes us joyful!
*HYMN: #487 (Blue) ‘When Morning Gilds the Skies’
When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth's wide circle round in joyful notes resound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let air and sea and sky from depth to height reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
CALL TO CONFESSION
We call to God, saying, “Have mercy on us!”
We call to God, saying, “Lord, help us!”
We call to God even in the midst of our sin, knowing that God is gracious and just.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all goodness, We do not want to face all that is in our own hearts. We want to focus on the good—on the love, the compassion, the care--and ignore the bad—the greed, the envy, the cruelty. But before you, God, we must face it. Forgive all the ways we have let evil take hold in our hearts. Cleanse us. Help us face our own demons, and empower us to live a Christ-like life. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
We have been disobedient to God, but we have received mercy.
Let us live our lives as those transformed by the abundant mercy of God!
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Sovereign God, let your Word rule in our hearts and your Spirit govern our lives
until at last we see the fulfillment of your realm of justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 133 (Read Responsively)
1 How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
John 14:1-6
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Gospel Acts 4:12
12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
SERMON “Which Church Saves” Rev. Mark Volkers
*HYMN #485 (Blue) ‘To God Be the Glory’
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.
Refrain:
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 through 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 greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH—APOSTLES’ CREED (in unison)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
INVITATION TO OFFERING
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. Romans 12:1
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God, your promise of a new life in Heaven seems so distant, so obscure! Spectacles of violence and self-indulgence defile our consciousness. Sensitize us to the mosaic of personal and community struggles that envelope our brothers and sisters around the world. Multiply these gifts for ministries that empower people to trust your holy Word. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Matthew 15:21-28 David S Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Robert (Robby’s father)
-Susan H (MK’s daughter)
-Sharon H
-Maxine D
-Andrew N (friend of Ella)
-Barb (Bob O’s sister)
-Anthony B (Teri’s son)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim (Dianne L’s husband)
-Paige F
-Nelda H
-Betty G
-Richard C and Dolores as caregiver
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Darwin L and Jeanne as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele and Brookings)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard C, Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Jeannie & Tom M, Maria M, Mike & Judy M
Those who mourn: We pray for the Riedesel, Eich, Ohnstad, VanderWaal, Broksieck, Canaday, Barnett, Fee, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (in bulletin and on screen)
I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small!
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
where-by Thy grace to claim;
I will wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb. [Refrain]
And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2022-2023 Year A Vo.56.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2023 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org.
12th Sunday after Pentecost
August 20, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER TIME will begin studying I & II Thessalonians on September 7th, 2023, 9:30-11:30. Come visit and see what we are about! Let Rozanne or Lee Peterson (605-691-4729) know if you plan to attend so we can reserve a seat for you.
-CORRECTION ON THE POTLUCK HAMBURGER COOKOUT. Fellowship/Outreach has decided at their committee meeting on August 13th to sponsor the upcoming event and it will be a picnic, not a potluck. On Sunday August 27, 2023 following the worship service, Fellowship/Outreach will supply ALL the food and drinks--hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings plus watermelon. We will be eating in the Fellowship Hall in the basement. Plan on joining together for fellowship and a great meal!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come.
God will bring us to the holy mountain, a house of prayer for all people.
God gathers all the outcasts together, and makes us joyful!
*HYMN: #487 (Blue) ‘When Morning Gilds the Skies’
When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth's wide circle round in joyful notes resound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let air and sea and sky from depth to height reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
CALL TO CONFESSION
We call to God, saying, “Have mercy on us!”
We call to God, saying, “Lord, help us!”
We call to God even in the midst of our sin, knowing that God is gracious and just.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all goodness, We do not want to face all that is in our own hearts. We want to focus on the good—on the love, the compassion, the care--and ignore the bad—the greed, the envy, the cruelty. But before you, God, we must face it. Forgive all the ways we have let evil take hold in our hearts. Cleanse us. Help us face our own demons, and empower us to live a Christ-like life. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
We have been disobedient to God, but we have received mercy.
Let us live our lives as those transformed by the abundant mercy of God!
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Sovereign God, let your Word rule in our hearts and your Spirit govern our lives
until at last we see the fulfillment of your realm of justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 133 (Read Responsively)
1 How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
John 14:1-6
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Gospel Acts 4:12
12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
SERMON “Which Church Saves” Rev. Mark Volkers
*HYMN #485 (Blue) ‘To God Be the Glory’
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.
Refrain:
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 through 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 greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH—APOSTLES’ CREED (in unison)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
INVITATION TO OFFERING
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. Romans 12:1
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God, your promise of a new life in Heaven seems so distant, so obscure! Spectacles of violence and self-indulgence defile our consciousness. Sensitize us to the mosaic of personal and community struggles that envelope our brothers and sisters around the world. Multiply these gifts for ministries that empower people to trust your holy Word. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Matthew 15:21-28 David S Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Robert (Robby’s father)
-Susan H (MK’s daughter)
-Sharon H
-Maxine D
-Andrew N (friend of Ella)
-Barb (Bob O’s sister)
-Anthony B (Teri’s son)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim (Dianne L’s husband)
-Paige F
-Nelda H
-Betty G
-Richard C and Dolores as caregiver
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Darwin L and Jeanne as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele and Brookings)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard C, Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Jeannie & Tom M, Maria M, Mike & Judy M
Those who mourn: We pray for the Riedesel, Eich, Ohnstad, VanderWaal, Broksieck, Canaday, Barnett, Fee, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (in bulletin and on screen)
I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small!
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
where-by Thy grace to claim;
I will wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb. [Refrain]
And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2022-2023 Year A Vo.56.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2023 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org.