8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 07-19-2026 10:00AM Worship
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
07-19-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Presence +
OPENING SONG: “MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY” Brown #297
THE OPENING RITE OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:
L People of God, we have survived another week! Now let us prepare for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit by being
honest before God and one another about the reality of sin in our own lives. It is so tempting to observe, judge, and
condemn what we perceive as sin in others. But it is humbling to see and confess our own sin. Maybe today we are
willing to be honest about ourselves. I invite you to join me in confession…
C O Lord, I confess that I too 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 right, I find myself doing the opposite.
Every day is an opportunity, every day is a challenge, and sometimes I am losing the battles.
I pray for your mercy, I seek your grace.
I know of no other solution to try, and no other savior to turn to, than Jesus Christ. Amen.
L My fellow children of God, do not panic, do not fear, for the Bible reminds us again and again that our God is gracious
and full of compassion, slow to anger and full of kindness and truth. 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 and addictions, your 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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O God – both the Sower of the Field and Lord of the Harvest – continue to be gracious and patient with us,
that we might ripen into the good seed of your Kingdom and bear your justice, mercy, and love.
And, dear Lord – because WE ARE NOT GOD – help us to not be so eager to judge and destroy others that
we believe to be sinners beyond your justice, mercy, and love. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 44:6-8
[There is only ONE GOD solid enough to worship and serve in your life. Get “the ROCK”!]
SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:12-25
[God’s hasn’t finished with me yet – choosing “the Spirit” over “my flesh” and suffering my way into hope for God’s promise!]
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 13:24-30, 36-43
[Wheat and weeds growing together – a patient, loving, and just God will do the judging. We have a different role to play.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS” Brown #192
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 +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
OFFERING… May the Spirit of God within us guide us to grateful, generous, and fruitful discipleship!
In the Sanctuary, place your offering in the offering plate or scan the QR code on the screen.
At home, mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 or scan the QR code on the screen. You can also 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. Thank God, praise God, and serve God with your faithful giving.
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:
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
OFFERS US PEACE, POWER, AND PROMISE FOR FAITHFUL LIVING AND FERVENT LOVING!
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #119 Brown #249
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ 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: “SATAN, WE’RE GONNA TEAR YOUR KINGDOM DOWN” Brown #207