6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / U.S. Independence Weekend
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / U.S. Independence Weekend
07-05-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Presence +
OPENING SONG: “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” Tan #540
THE OPENING RITE OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS: Pastor Gwen
L Brothers and sisters, God’s love calls out to us, seeks us, and tries to win us. But we hear other voices and stray far
from home. Let us confess our sin, which blocks love and keeps us separate from God.
C O Lord, I confess that I am a sinner with no excuses.
I don’t always think, speak, or act in a way that accepts and responds to your love.
Even when I want to do what is good, I find myself doing the opposite.
Who will rescue me from my sin? I know of no other solution to try, no other savior to turn to. Amen.
L The good news of our faith is this: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. All have
fallen short of the glory of God – each of us, all of us. But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, and God raised
him up from death, that we might walk in the newness of life. Let Jesus make it right in you! He knows your inner conflict.
He knows your burdens, addictions, weaknesses, and selfish desires. He offers you grace, forgiveness, and another
chance. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Almighty God, here we are, flesh and blood, spirit and life – created, redeemed, and empowered by your love!
Give us peace and give us rest, especially in those moments when we feel so weak and unworthy.
May we believe in you, call on you, know you, and serve you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: ZECHARIAH 9:9-12 Cecil Webb
[Hope grounded in God. No matter the present, the future is full of promise!]
SECOND READING: ROMANS 7:15-25a Mariah Morris ?
[The Christian’s inner battle with sin. Without Christ, we’ll always lose!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”
HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 11:16-19, 25-30 Charlotte Webb
[It’s no yoke – bearing Christ in your life will lighten your load. Jesus is a refreshing burden and will shoulder the weight!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “UNTIL I FOUND THE LORD” Tan #454
A PERSONAL AND PUBLIC CONFESSION OF FAITH (the late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu) :
Goodness is stronger than evil.
Love is stronger than hate.
Light is stronger than darkness.
Life is stronger than death.
Victory is ours through Him who loves us.
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world! Elaine Jones
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
OFFERING… Let us give gratefully and generously to ease burdens, to give rest, and to share good news of God’s love!
In the Sanctuary put your offering in the offering plate. Or you can mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138. Or you can contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the
instructions for your contribution. Give generously in the name of the One who gave us all!
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
OFFERING SONG: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG,
PRAISING MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG! [sing the chorus 2 times]
We are God’s people, we are Christ’s Church, called by God’s Spirit into the world.
We have God’s power from heaven above, we’ll share God’s justice, mercy and love!”
OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant: Regina Carter
Lord God, thank you for making a way out of no way in my life! During this summer may I dedicate
my leisure and my work, my rest and my travel, my service and my spending, my health and my
wealth, my worship and my witness to glorify You and to extend your Kingdom to others.
Someone somewhere is in need of your Good News. Amen.
THE PREFACE AND THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful… C … and set us on fire with your love! Alleluia!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice; we will also have a tray of pre-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. CHRIST IS GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART; IN HIM WE FIND REST FOR OUR SOULS.
COMMUNION SONGS: Tan #347 Tan #431
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant. Linda Gillum
+ We Rejoice in Our Mission +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor…We are sent forth to be and become the BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT” Brown #102
- There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord. There are sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
SWEET HOLY SPIRIT, SWEET HEAVENLY DOVE, STAY RIGHT HERE WITH US, FILLING US WITH YOUR LOVE.
AND FOR THESE BLESSINGS WE LIFT OUR HEARTS IN PRAISE.
WITHOUT A DOUBT WE’LL KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN REVIVED WHEN WE SHALL LEAVE THIS PLACE!
- There are blessings you cannot receive till you know Him in His fullness and believe.
You’re the one to profit when you say, “I am going to walk with Jesus all the way.”
- If you say He saved you from your sin, now you’re weak, you’re bound, and cannot enter in,
You can make it right if you will yield, you’ll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel.