Fourth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
PENTECOST 4
07-03-2022 10:00AM Hybrid Worship
+ We Seek and Rejoice in the Spirit +
THE OPENING RITE (based on today’s Gospel Reading and Second Reading):
L Let us gather this morning in the presence and the peace, the power and the promises of (+) Almighty God, Amen.
Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Luke 10:2)
C So let us not grow weary in doing what is right,
for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
L Jesus says, “See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” (Luke 10:3)
C Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all,
and especially for those of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
L Jesus says, “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me,
and whoever rejects me rejects the One who sent me.” (Luke 10:16)
C Do not be deceived: God is not mocked,
for you reap whatever you sow. (Galatians 6:7)
L And when we have served faithfully and loved fervently, Jesus says, “Do not rejoice that
the demons submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
C May I never boast of anything except the cross of our [+] Lord Jesus Christ,
by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)
OPENING SONG: “We’re Marching to Zion” Brown #135
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Almighty God, here we are, flesh and blood, spirit and life – created, redeemed, and empowered by your love. Today we confess that we are not always open to your assignment and to your Spirit. Sometimes we wander away, sometimes we worry too much, and sometimes we are too weary. Comfort and encourage us in our faith, and forgive us when we don’t really try. Lead us and guide us in our discipleship, and use our gifts and our love to bring your Kingdom to others.
Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 66:10-14 [Holding onto hope! When God’s nation is weary and worried.]
66:10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her–
66:11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom.
66:12 For thus says the LORD: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees.
66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
66:14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.
SECOND READING: GALATIANS 6:1-16 [Bearing one another’s burdens! Real Christians think Christ, say Christ, and live Christ for each other!]
6:1 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.
6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
6:3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.
6:4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride.
6:5 For all must carry their own loads.
6:6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
6:7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.
6:8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
6:9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.
6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
6:11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!
6:12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised–only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
6:13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh.
6:14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
6:15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!
6:16 As for those who will follow this rule–peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
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 10:1-11, 16-20 [“Like lambs in the midst of wolves.” Disciples are to travel light – in baggage and attitudes – to bear the light of Jesus Christ!]
10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.
10:2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
10:3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.
10:4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.
10:5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’
10:6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.
10:7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.
10:8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;
10:9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10:10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,
10:11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’
10:16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
10:17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!”
10:18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.
10:19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.
10:20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG SELECTION
AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH:
I believe that God created us,
loves us,
calls us to live as God’s children,
and forgives us as we turn back to God.
I believe that Jesus Christ – God’s Son – lived on this earth as a human,
told us and showed us the way of faith and love,
suffered and died for humanity’s sin,
rose up in victory over death and sin and Satan,
and has given us salvation and new life.
I believe that the Holy Spirit gathers us,
guides us,
and strengthens us to live faithfully and to love fervently.
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
THE OFFERING… Jesus tells us to travel light in our journey through life. Have we learned that unique joy of gratitude and generosity that enables us to offer ourselves, our time, and our possessions in love and service to others?
SONG 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:
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 Jesus Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and wine or grape juice. Praise the Lord for this community meal that renews our spirits, powers our faith, and reminds us of the future heavenly banquet that awaits us!
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #234 Brown #70 Brown #180
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: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Brown #296