6^th Sunday after Pentecost

July 20, 2025, 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Classic Communion Service 

Guest Pastor: Pr. Maria Santa Cruz

We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.

Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.

In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.

GATHERING 

WELCOME 

            “We Are A Rainbow” 

We’re the light of all the world, we are a city on a hill, 

We’re a candle on a stand proclaiming light, 

We will not hide our lamp beneath a bushel any more, 

We will shine a ray of hope that’s burning bright.

Chorus:

We are a rainbow, sign of covenant and peace 

For the flood of tears will fin’lly cease to be, 

Come shine your rainbow, splash your hues across the sky, 

Paint the world in colors proud and bold and free.

We’re a coat of many colors, sewn from many diff’rent threads, 

Cov’ring all in warmth, in welcome and in grace, 

God said “Let there be light”, created ev’ry varied shade, 

In the rainbow each of us can find a place. Chorus 

Words and music by David Kai, copyright 2017

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

In the name of the Father,

and of the ☩ Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

We belong to Christ Jesus

and we are God’s children through faith.

In the cross of ☩ Christ,

and through the power of the Holy Spirit,

our sins are forgiven.

Clothed with Christ, we are a new creation.

Baptized into Christ, we dare to confess how we have failed to live as the body of Christ.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Merciful God,

you free us to love others,

but we neglect our neighbors and follow our own way.

You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace,

but we turn away from the abundant life you offer.

You surround us with patience, kindness, and generosity,

but we grow weary in doing what is right.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Do not give up on us.

Heal us. Break our bonds.

Show us the path of life and give us the will to follow.

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

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ, and you make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else, through Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. Amen.

WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE 

            “Open Your Ears, O Faithful People”               ELW #519

1    Open your ears, O faithful people,

      open your ears and hear God’s word.

      Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,

      God has come to you.

Refrain

God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!

      God has spoken words of wisdom, hallelujah!

      God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!

      God has spoken words of wisdom, hallelujah!

2    They who have ears to hear the message,

      they who have ears, now let them hear;

      they who would learn the way of wisdom,

      let them hear God’s word.  Refrain

Text: Hasidic traditional; Willard F. Jabusch, b. 1930, English version

Text © 1966, 1982 Willard F. Jabusch, admin. OCP Publications. 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

LUKE 10:38-42

During his visit to the home of Mary and Martha, Jesus reminds Martha that her concern for her many tasks distracts from the one thing that precedes all else: abiding in the presence of God.

                        “Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak”                  ELW #676

1    Lord, speak to us, that we may speak

      in living echoes of your tone;

      as you have sought, so let us seek

      your straying children, lost and lone.

2    Oh, lead us, Lord, that we may lead

      the wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;

      oh, feed us, Lord, that we may feed

      your hung’ring ones with manna sweet.

3    Oh, teach us, Lord, that we may teach

      the precious truths which you impart;

      and wing our words, that they may reach

      the hidden depths of many a heart.

4    Oh, fill us with your fullness, Lord,

      until our very hearts o’erflow

      in kindling thought and glowing word,

      your love to tell, your praise to show.

Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, alt.

SERMON                                                                                   Pastor Maria Santa Cruz

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Prayer Response:

For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

and through Christ, God is pleased to reconcile all things.

(Colossians 1:19-20)

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 in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever.

Amen.

DISTRIBUTION

POST COMMUNION BLESSING

SENDING

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING

                                                “Give Me Jesus”                ELW #770 vss 1, 3, 5

1    In the morning when I rise,

      in the morning when I rise,

      in the morning when I rise,

      give me Jesus.

Refrain

      Give me Jesus,

      give me Jesus.

      You may have all the rest,

      give me Jesus.

3    Just about the break of day,

      just about the break of day,

      just about the break of day,

      give me Jesus.  Refrain

5    And when I want to sing,

      and when I want to sing,

      and when I want to sing,

      give me Jesus.  Refrain

Text: African American spiritual

OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION

You are the body of Christ.     

We are the body of Christ in the world!

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.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD, SO GO IN PEACE. LIVE BY THE SPIRIT. THANKS BE TO GOD!  

Confession and Forgiveness, Reading synopsis, and Prayer of the Day (altered) from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.

Genesis 18:1-10a

The Lord visits Abraham and Sarah to tell them that the long-awaited promise of the birth of a child will be fulfilled for them in their old age.

Psalm 15

Lord, who may abide upon your holy hill? (Ps. 15:1)

Colossians 1:15-28

This letter offers a mystical teaching, that the great mystery of God is “Christ in you.” Because Christ is present in the church, Christians share in his life, suffering, and glory.