GATHERING
WELCOME
Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart ELW 800
1 Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart,
and make me love you as I ought to love.
2 I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no op’ning skies;
but take the dimness of my soul away.
3 Have you not bid me love you, God and King;
all, all your own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind?
I see your cross; there teach my heart to cling.
Oh, let me seek you and, oh, let me find!
4 Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the baptism of the heav’n-descended dove,
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.
Text: George Croly, 1780-1860
PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
We confess our sin before God, who removes our guilt
and blots out all our offenses.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
We have fallen for worldly delights that deceive us and dishonor you.
Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
We desire self-reliance instead of hungering for your word.
Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
We fail to recognize your coming reign, and hinder the work of the Spirit.
Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
We draw from the well of self-serving ambition, and disdain the living water Christ offers.
Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
We disregard voices of those on the edges of society,
and distrust the signs of your healing and hope in the world.
Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
We dwell in tombs of self-pity and discontent, and disregard Christ’s call to come forth to new life.
ALL: God’s steadfast love, grace, and forgiveness abound. In faith, through grace, the free gift of God, we have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.
The Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead
dwells in us, pours God’s love into our hearts,
and gives us life and peace. Amen.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
We pray together:
O God, our leader and guide, in the waters of baptism you bring us to new birth to live as your children. Strengthen our faith in your promises, that by your Spirit we may lift up your life to all the world through your Son, Jesus, the Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
All Things Bright and Beautiful WOV 767
Refrain
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
1 Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
God made their tiny wings. Refrain
2 The purple-headed mountains,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky. Refrain
3 The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them ev’ry one. Refrain
4 God gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. Refrain
\ Text: Cecil F. Alexander, 1818-1895, alt.
Luke 6:27-38
Jesus addresses his disciples. He invites his followers to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even on enemies and outsiders. Living in harmony with God’s intent brings the reward of overflowing blessing.
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service ELW 712
1 Lord, whose love in humble service
bore the weight of human need,
who upon the cross, forsaken,
worked your mercy’s perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship
not of voice alone, but heart;
consecrating to your purpose
ev’ry gift which you impart.
2 Still your children wander homeless;
still the hungry cry for bread;
still the captives long for freedom;
still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
healed the sick and freed the soul,
by your Spirit send your power
to our world to make it whole.
3 As we worship, grant us vision,
till your love’s revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness
dawns upon our quickened sight,
making known the needs and burdens
your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to ardent service,
your abundant life to share.
4 Called by worship to your service,
forth in your dear name we go,
to the child, the youth, the aged,
love in living deeds to show;
hope and health, good will and comfort,
counsel, aid and peace we give,
that your servants, Lord, in freedom
may your mercy know and live.
Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984
Text © 1961 Oxford University Press.
SERMON Pastor Karla
CHOIR ANTHEM “Cradle Me Lord”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Prayer Response:
We lift our eyes to the hills; from where does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)
MEAL
OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION
AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH
We have prayed. We have sung. We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LORD’S PRAYER
And now, join me in praying as Jesus taught us…
All: 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
DISTRIBUTION
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
SENDING
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The Lord Now Sends Us Forth ELW 538
The Lord now sends us forth
with hands to serve and give,
to make of all the earth
a better place to live. Repeat
The angels are not sent
into our world of pain
to do what we were meant
to do in Jesus’ name;
that falls to you and me
and all who are made free.
Help us, O Lord, we pray,
to do your will today. Repeat
Text: Anonymous, Central America; tr. Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923
English text © 1998 Augsburg Fortress.
OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION
You are the body of Christ.
We are the body of Christ, indeed!
So go in peace
To explore the faith
Live in peace
To express our faith to others
Share the peace
By inviting others to join us on this journey.
All: Go in peace. Believe the good news. THANKS BE TO GOD.
Confession and Forgiveness, Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day, and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit their Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR TODAY
The blessing of God upon Abram
I lift up my eyes to the hills; my help comes from the Lord. (Ps. 121:1, 2)
The promise to those who share Abraham’s faith
The mission of Christ: to save the world (i.e. not to condemn it)
