Pentecost 8 – Sunday August 3, 2025
PENTECOST 8
08-03-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Spirit +
THE OPENING RITE:
L The world calls out in a tempting voice: “Eat, drink, and be merry”…
C Relax, chill, kick back your feet, take your ease, and enjoy what you have accumulated.
L But Saint Paul urges us: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”…
Know the grace and glory of Christ, who is our Life, who gives each of us a new and better self.
L Saint Paul says that sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed are all the old ways of the old self;
C They are a life that is focused on destructive desires that are right here on earth.
L Anger, jealousy, hate, insults, lies, and curses directed at others are not of Christ or in Christ;
They are a sinful division between “us” and “them” that is unworthy of our baptism and Christ’s kingdom.
L Life is short, my sisters and brothers. Respond to God’s generous love while you still have a chance!
OPENING SONG: “AT CALVARY” Tan #246
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Almighty God, here we are, flesh and blood, spirit and life – created, redeemed, and empowered by your love.
Today we are alive… but it won’t always be.
While we still have breath… while we still have a mind… while we still have a moment… help us to measure the meaning and the direction of our own lives.
Teach us to love what is worth loving, to reject what is offensive to you, and to treasure what is precious
in your sight,
Lord, I want YOU to be the source, the guide, and the goal of my life. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: ECCLESIASTES 1:2, 12-14; and 2:18-23
[WARNING: Chasing after wealth is an empty life’s journey. But many chase!]
PSALM RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 49:1-12
[WARNING: No one, no matter how rich or powerful, will avoid seeing the grave.]
SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1-11
[WARNING: Because you are different, then live different! Your values, your ways, and your relationships should reflect Christ.]
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 12:13 – 21
[WARNING: A large barn makes a poor God. And heaven doesn’t have any personal storage vaults. Don’t become rich in things but poor in soul.]
SOLO SELECTION (?)
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil
CLOSING SONG: “I’VE DECIDED TO MAKE JESUS MY CHOICE” Brown #236
(1) Some folk would rather have houses and land. Some folk choose silver and gold.
These things they treasure and forget about their souls; I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice.
The road is rough, the going gets tough, and the hills are hard to climb.
I’ve started out a long time ago, there’s no doubt in my mind –
I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice.
(2) These clothes may be ragged that I’m wearing. Heavy is the load that I’m bearing.
These old burdens that I’m carrying, I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice
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 [God doesn’t bless us with goods to be proud or greedy, but to be grateful and generous.]
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 #230 Tan #345
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: “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Tan #157
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”.