Order of Worship- Pentecost 9 – Aug 10, 2025
PENTECOST 9
08-10-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Spirit +
OPENING SONG: “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS” Tan #158
THE OPENING RITE:
L Our soul waits for God, who is our help and our shield.
C Our hearts are glad, because we trust in God’s holy name and steadfast love.
L The God who once called an old man, Abraham, and an old barren woman, Sarah… and used them to do something
good among the people of this earth… calls us in the midst of our daily lives.
C We come with our fear and our faults, seeking to respond with faith.
L The author of Hebrews tells us today that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
C In changing and challenging times, may our faith be full of trust, hope, and conviction.
L And this week Jesus tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
And therefore we pray…
C Loving God, you are the source, the guide, and the goal of our lives.
Guide me to invest my life in your Kingdom,
to have a heart that is centered in Jesus Christ…
to practice a faith that is alive, “woke”, real, and active…
to invest my life in loving and serving others,
and to be prepared to die because I have learned how to live. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: GENESIS 15:1-6
[FAITH is living between trust and anxiety.]
PSALM RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 33:12-22
[FAITH is humble trust in God rather than trust in armies and mighty “horses”.]
SECOND READING: HEBREWS 11:1-3, 8-16
[FAITH is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen.]
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.”
THE HOLY GOSPEL: LUKE 12:32-40
[FAITH is being alert and ready, grateful and generous, and focused on what truly matters in our life’s journey.]
SOLO SELECTION (?)
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “THROUGH IT ALL
(1) I’ve had many tears and sorrows, I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there have been times I didn’t know right from wrong.
But in every situation God gave blessed consolation
that my trials come to only make me strong.
Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
(2) I’ve been to lots of places, and I’ve seen a lot of faces,
there have been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours, yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know that I was His own.
(3) I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through;
For if I’d never had a problem I wouldn’t know that He could solve them.
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
OFFERING OF OUR TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is God’s pleasure to give us the kingdom.” We are to sell what we have and give alms to the poor. We are to make purses for ourselves that do not wear out, investing who we are and what we have in the treasure in heaven where no thief steals it and no moth destroys it.
Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and
their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away might: mail a check or money
order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a
recurring weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution. God has blessed us to be a blessing!
SOLO SELECTION (?)
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:
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… We prepare to celebrate the LORD’S SUPPER with humble joy!
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
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and the option of wine or grape juice. Praise the Lord for this meal that celebrates Christ’s presence, peace, power, and promises in or lives and in our community of faith!
COMMUNION SONGS: Tan #156 Tan #377
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Mission +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… We are sent forth to be and become and BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “THE LORD IS MY LIGHT” Tan #160
LOVE, NOT HATE. PEACE, NOT VIOLENCE.
MERCY, NOT GREED. JUSTICE, NOT ABUSE.
HUMILITY, NOT ARROGANCE. GOD’S TRUTH, NOT LIES. THE WAY OF JESUS, NOT JUST “MY WAY”.