St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude: Meditation on Azmon

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “Where the Cross…” LBW # 429, vs 1- 4

Confession & Forgiveness

Greeting & Kyrie

Canticle of Praise: “Glory to God…”

Prayer of the Day

First Reading, Jeremiah 28:5-9

Psalm # 119:153-160

Second Reading, Romans 7:1-13

Holy Gospel, Matthew 10:34-42

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: “Just As I Am, Without One Plea” – LBW # 296, vs 1 - 6

Apostle’s Creed

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing & Response

Dismissal

Sending Hymn: “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” - LBW # 389, vs 1 – 4

Postlude: Voluntary on Webb

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Service Supplement

(Congregational responses are in bold print)

Prelude                                              Meditation on Azmon

 

Welcome and Announcements            Pastor John

 

Gathering Hymn “Where the Cross…”    LBW # 429, vs 1 – 4

Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan, above the noise of selfish strife, we hear your voice, O Son of man. 
 
In haunts of wretchedness and need, on shadowed thresholds dark with fears, from paths where hide the lures of greed, we catch the vision of your tears. 
 
From tender childhood's helplessness, from human grief, burdened toil, from famished souls, from sorrow's stress, your heart has never known recoil.
 
The cup of water given for you, still holds the freshness of your grace; yet long these multitudes to view, the strong compassion in your face. 

 

Confession & Forgiveness       

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

 

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve

you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

 

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

 

Kyrie         

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.  Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

 

Canticle of Praise  “Glory to God…”

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Day           

Let us pray… Lord of all power and might, you are the author and giver of all good things. Graft into our hearts a love of your name. Increase in us true faith, nourish us with what is good, and watch over all who are in your care. Grant this, we pray, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

First Reading                                      Jeremiah 28:5-9

The prophets, Jeremiah and Hananiah, disagreed over the nature of what was coming for the exiles and what was the true path to peace. While Hananiah predicted a rapid and easy peace, Jeremiah insisted that peace would only come through repentance and God’s forgiveness. Time would reveal the true prophet.

 

5The prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, 6and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. 7Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

 

Psalm # 119:153-160     

The virtues of following God’s laws and precepts are extolled as the psalmist asked for God’s reviving power in his life.

 

Behold my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.

Plead my cause and redeem me; according to your promise, give me life.

Deliverance is far from the wicked, for they do not study your statutes.

Great is your compassion, O Lord; preserve my life, according to your judgments.

There are many who persecute and oppress me, yet I have not swerved from your decrees.

I look with loathing at the faithless, for they have not kept your word.

See how I love your commandments! O Lord, in your mercy, preserve me.

The heart of your word is truth; all your righteous judgments endure forevermore.

 

Second Reading:                                Romans 7:1-13

Paul used the analogy of marriage to explain to the Roman church what it means to have died to the law through the body of Christ and now belong to Christ. The Law is holy, but knowledge of the law is what brings about an awareness of our sinfulness. In Christ, believers have died to the law and now live under grace.

 

1Do you not know, brothers — for I am speaking to those who know the law — that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. 7What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

 

Holy Gospel: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 10th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. Matthew 10:34-42: Jesus told the disciples that his ministry; and that of the disciples who will participate in it, will be fraught with opposition and division. Conflict will touch their closest relationships as the call placed upon each of their lives draws them closer to Christ and away from what once was important. Jesus also promised that those who welcome his disciples will be given a heavenly reward. Serving the lowliest of people is as simple as giving a cup of cool water.

 

34Jesus said to the disciples, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon                                             Pastor John

 

Hymn of the Day  Just As I Am…”       LBW # 296, vs 1 - 6

Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidd'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am, thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am; thy love unknown Has broken ev'ry barrier down; Now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Apostle’s Creed

Let us join together in confessing our faith with the saints who have gone before us, in the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

 

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Prayers of the Church    

(P): Strengthened by the Spirit who gives us words to speak and hearts that care, let us bring our hopes and needs to God who listens. A brief silence.

(W): Gracious Father, give speech and wisdom to those whom you have called to teach your sacred Word, especially pastors and teachers. Fill them with your Spirit and inspire them with your power that they may speak for you. Open the ears and hearts of all who hear the message of your love, that your promise would engender faith within them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Lord of creation, you are the source of all blessings. We ask that you grant favorable growing conditions to those who farm the land and provide food for your children around the world. Bring rain to areas of drought and sunshine to nurture growth and make farms fruitful. Protect all who work around heavy machinery, on farms, construction sites, and garages. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Gracious Lord, in Christ you have set us free from the power of sin and death and raised us to new life in him. Teach us to treasure the freedoms and independence which we are privileged to enjoy in this country. Help us to use them for the good of all. We remember today all those who have faithfully served our country in the armed forces, as well as our founding fathers who worked diligently for a free society. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): God of compassion, strengthen with your healing power those whose names we bring to you in prayer. Look upon those who are sick and surround them with your love. Send them men and women skilled in using your good gifts of medicine to bring wholeness of life. By your Spirit, move us to be among the instruments you use to bring joy to those who suffer. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(P): We lift our prayers to you, God of mercy, confident that all things are in your hands. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer:                            

Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray…Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

 

Blessing     

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

 

Dismissal    (WA)

Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Sending Hymn  Stand Up, Stand Up…” LBW # 389, vs 1 – 4

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, As soldiers of the cross, Lift high his royal banner; It must not suffer loss. From vict'ry unto vict'ry His army he shall lead, Till ev'ry foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey; Stand forth in mighty conflict In this his glorious day. Let all his faithful serve him Against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose.

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Stand in his strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, You dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor; Each piece put on with prayer. Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there.

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long; This day the din of battle, The next the victor's song. The soldiers, overcoming, Their crown of life shall see, And with the King of glory Shall reign eternally.

 

Postlude                                            Voluntary on Webb         

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Announcements

Youth Clothing Drive is still on and will be collecting items until July 12th. Call the church to schedule your drop off.

 

Current weekly services are as follows:

Daily Message with Pastor John: Monday through Saturday on Facebook @ Kathy Joy’s “St. Matthew Lutheran Church” page. Although there is not a set time for this, he usually does the video around 9am and can be viewed at any time. The link to the daily video is posted to the “Messages” page of our website by mid-day Monday through Friday at www.stmatthewbq.org. Saturday’s video is not posted to the website until 5pm.

 

Saturday Evening Conference Call Service: This is a Vespers service and can be joined by calling 425-436-6332 and use access code 779113. The service is at 6pm every Saturday night. The service is recorded and posted to our website shortly following its completion. To listen to the Saturday Night Conference Call Service, go to the “Messages” page at www.stmatthewbq.org and scroll down to the link at the end of the paragraph that talks about the call service.

 

Sunday Morning YouTube Service: This is a modified version of the Service of the Word service. To view this service, go to www.YouTube.com/channel/UC8a7C3r5VvjzfcIPTGxdvca on Sunday mornings at 8am, or view it on Facebook at 8am at Kathy Joy’s “St. Matthew Lutheran Church” page. A bulletin can be viewed on the “Messages” page of our website at www.stmatthewbq.org.

 

Sunday Morning modified “Service of the Word” gathering: Join us in person on Sunday mornings at 10am at 3301 Edwards Lane, Baltimore, MD 21220 through the month of June (weather permitted) for a modified “Service of the Word” service. As we gather to worship together in person, we are currently unable to pass the plate or distribute communion. An offering box will be available at the registration area.

 

Future services physically held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church: As of today, we will hold an indoor traditional worship service with communion at church on June 28th at 8am for those who have disabilities or are intolerant of heat. Please call the office by Wednesday, June 24th to request seating. Our capacity with social distancing is approximately 30 people. In the meantime, please enjoy one or more of our services stated above. Remember, all of our services have a link provided on the “Messages” page of our website at www.stmatthewbq.org.  

 

Listening for the Promise

Weekly Devotional

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - June 28, 2020

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

 

Within their immediate context, these words of Jesus have meaning for our family and friends. In the preceding verses, Jesus says that he did not come to bring peace but a sword. His law and gospel will produce division between people, and this is by design. Indeed, he says that he came to set family members against each other. Since our love for Jesus should exceed our love for all others, he tells us that we must choose him over family and friends in such cases. The one who finds his life (in his family and friends instead of Christ) will lose it.

 

However, the reverse is also true. The one who loses his life (among family and friends) for Christ’s sake will find it. Then, in the very next verse, Jesus tells us that our new life in him will include a whole new set of relationships. “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” While we will lose some relationships, we will gain others. Some will reject us, but others will receive us!

 

Many of us have experienced this reality first-hand. There are issues in our society that divide. Close friendships can be suddenly severed in anger and bitterness. Following Christ has never been easy, and as time goes on it seems that we still have to discern his holy will for his people since people with varying political views, scriptural views, and theological understandings don’t always agree or get along. What one calls “orthodox” another calls “heretical.” As Jesus told us, he did not come to bring peace but a sword. And his word is the sword that divides. (Hebrews 4:12)

 

In the theology of the cross, we view the events of our lives through the paradigm of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our conversion at baptism is a death of our old self and a rising of our new self. In our return to baptism, our old self is drowned through daily repentance so that our new self can arise. And since this has social implications as well, we must sometimes die to old relationships so that new ones can arise.

 

Prayer: For your sake, O Lord, we must sometimes lose family and friends. In such cases we pray that you might bring our estranged family and friends back to you and to us. Amen.