SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 – 8:30 AM

GATHERING TOGETHER
Welcome to God’s grace – where the world’s labels don’t apply.

Step into God’s time and presence. Hear God’s gentle whisper: “Be still and know that I am God.”
Let your body and mind rest, and open your heart to God in worship and prayer. Welcome each
other in the love of Christ. Extend hospitality to those new in our midst. “This is the day the Lord has
made. Let us rejoice in it!”

GATHERING MUSIC & RINGING OF THE BELL

TODAY’S WORSHIP THEME
The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and
intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious
community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek
God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s
invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word,
water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, +one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting,
whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation. Amen
Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Reconciling God,
We confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your
presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our
own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We
abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and
do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought,
word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew
us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in
newness of life. Amen
Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace
with God through +Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace
upon grace. Our sins are forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does
not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit. Amen
STAND

GATHERING HYMN ELW #876 “Let the Whole Creation Cry”

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.
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KYRIE pg. 138
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
(Sung response) Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the
Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort,
and defend us,
gracious Lord.
Amen
Glory to God in the
highest, and peace to
God’s people on
earth.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for
yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that
we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you,
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
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SIT

HEARING THE WORD

God speaks to us in scriptures sung, read, and proclaimed.

SPECIAL MUSIC “This Is My Song” Diane Hansen, soloist

FIRST READING Zechariah 9:9-12
A reading from Zechariah
After the reading:
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 7:15-25a
A reading from Romans
After the reading:
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
STAND

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh
chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
After the reading:
The gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SIT

SERMON Pr. Randy Rasmussen

STAND

HYMN OF THE DAY ELW #611 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
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APOSTLES’ CREED
There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. United in Christ, let us
confess the faith we hold in common.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to
the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he
is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
the life everlasting. Amen

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for
our shared world.
A brief silence
We pray for the church. Sustain us as we share your word. Embrace us
as we struggle to find our common ground. Lift up leaders with powerful
and prophetic voices. Free us from stagnant faith. Hear us, O God. Your
mercy is great.
We pray for the well-being of creation. Protect the air, water, and land from
abuse and pollution. Free us from apathy in our care of creation and direct
us toward sustainable living. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We pray for the nations, especially the United States and Canada
celebrating their nationhood. Guide leaders in developing just policies and
guide difficult conversations. Free us from patriotism that hinders
relationship-building. Lead us to expansive love for our neighbor. Hear us,
O God. Your mercy is great.
We pray for all in need. For all who are tired, feeling despair, sick, or
oppressed. Take their yoke upon you and ease their burdens. Give your
consolation and free us from all that keeps us bound. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for this congregation. Bless pastors, deacons, and congregational
leaders. Energize children’s ministry volunteers, church administrators,
and those who maintain our building. Shine in this place that we might
notice the ways your love transforms our lives. Hear us, O God. Your
mercy is great.
Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen
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SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
We invite you to greet one another in the name of the Lord and share the gift of his peace.

SHARING THE MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

STAND

OFFERING PRAYER
God of goodness and growth,
All creation is yours, and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Water and word, wine and bread: these are signs of your abundant
grace. Nourish us through these gifts, that we might proclaim your
steadfast love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus
Christ, our strength and our song. Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all
places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our
Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his
glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all
the choirs of angels,
with the church on
earth and the hosts
of heaven, we praise
your name and join
their unending
hymn:
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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

ACCLAMATION OF FAITH
Together we acclaim our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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
SIT

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Friends of Jesus, come to the table. Receive nourishment for your journey.
SIT

COMMUNION
All are welcome to eat & drink at the Lord's Table. Jesus Christ is present in the bread & wine. Come and eat!
Holy Communion is served at two stations below the altar. Following the usher’s direction, please proceed
down the center aisle toward the altar. If you require a gluten-free wafer, please request one from the pastor.
Red wine and white grape juice are available in each tray of cups. After communing, you may return to your
seat down the side aisle. If you would like to receive the Lord's Supper where you are seated, please tell the
usher, who will ensure the gifts of God come to you.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

We thank you, living God, for the body and blood of your Son, which
sustains us in the wilderness and the garden alike. As Christ has loved us
in this feast, so send us to love Christ in our neighbors. In Jesus’ name we
pray. Amen
SIT

SENT FORTH TO SERVE

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
STAND

BLESSING
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things
to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God, the
creator, +Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, bless you and
keep you in eternal love. Amen
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SENDING HYMN ELW #726 “Light Dawns on a Weary World” vs 1,2

SENDING
Go in peace. Christ is with you.
Thanks be to God.