PENTECOST 4 Sunday Worship for July 6, 2025

PENTECOST 4 / U.S. Independence Weekend Sunday
07-06-2025 10:00AM “Hybrid” Worship

+ We Rejoice in God’s 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, in 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 (together) :
Almighty God, here we are, flesh and blood, spirit and life – created, redeemed, and empowered by your love.
In our worship and beyond our worship, in our lives and for our entire lives, may your Sprit guide us.
Help us to bear the marks of Jesus, to glory in the cross, and to not grow weary in doing good to all people.
May we be bearers of peace, mercy, and your love wherever we go. 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, God is like a nursing mother bringing soothing comfort.]
SECOND READING: GALATIANS 6:1-16
[Bearing one another’s burdens! Real Christians are CHRIST-centered as they forgive, encourage, reconcile, and build up.]
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: 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!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “THE GREATEST THING”
(1) The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You… the greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
I want to know You more… I want to know You more.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
(2) The greatest thing in all my life is loving You…
(3) The greatest thing in all my life is serving You…
AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH (together) :
I believe that God created me, loves me, calls me to live as God’s child, and forgives me when I turn back to God.

I believe that Jesus Christ – God’s Son – lived on this earth as a human, told and showed the way of true faith and
love, died for humanity’s sin, rose up in resurrection victory, and has given me salvation and new life.
I believe that the Holy Spirit gathers us, guides us, and strengthens us to live faithfully and to love fervently. Amen.
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 [Jesus tells us to travel light in our journey through life. Have we learned the unique joy of gratitude and generosity that
enables us to offer ourselves, our time, and our possessions in love and service to others?
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 who are 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!
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… 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 of peace and promise!
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #234 Brown #180
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: “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” Brown #296
Don’t love others as others love you. Love them as Jesus Christ

loves you.