Sunday, July 12, 2020
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: The Lost Chord (Adelaide Proctor & Arthur Sullivan)
Welcome and Announcements
Gathering Hymn: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – LBW # 499,
vs 1- 3
Confession & Forgiveness
Greeting & Kyrie
Canticle of Praise: “Glory to God…”
Prayer of the Day
First Reading, Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm # 65:1-14
Second Reading, Romans 8:12-17
Holy Gospel, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Sermon
Hymn of the Day: “The Old Rugged Cross” – words in bulletin
Apostle’s Creed
Prayers of the Church
The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
Dismissal
Sending Hymn: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” - LBW # 320, vs
1 – 6
Postlude: Voluntary on “Ebenezer”
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Service Supplement
(Congregational
responses are in bold print)
Prelude The Lost Chord (Adelaide Proctor & Arthur
Sullivan)
Welcome and Announcements Pastor John
Gathering Hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
LBW # 499, vs 1 – 3
Come,
thou Fount of ev'ry blessing, Tune
my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of
loudest praise. While the hope of endless glory Fills my heart with joy and
love, Teach me ever to adore thee; May I still thy goodness
prove.
Here
I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thy help I’m come; And I hope, by thy good
pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me
when a stranger, Wand’ring from the fold of God; He,
to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood.
Oh,
to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to
be; Let that grace now like a fetter Bind my wand'ring
heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it; Seal it for thy
courts above.
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… Richly inspire us, O Lord, to consider and accomplish what you see is
good. For we know that we cannot live without you, but that with you, we shall
prevail. And so, we pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First
Reading Isaiah 55:10-13
Isaiah declared that God will
rescue the Israelites from exile and bring them home. God’s Word is true and
will not return empty, the prophet declared. It will accomplish all that the
Lord has in mind, as the journey home will be a path through the desert
transformed into paradise.
10“For as the
rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the
earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to
the eater, 11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it
shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and
shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12For you shall go
out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their
hands. 13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of
the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an
everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” This is the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.
Psalm # 65:1-14
The psalmist praised the Lord
for providing such abundance. The creation is evidence of God’s generosity:
rivers, pastures, and wagon tracks overflow with the abundance of God. Hills,
meadows, and valleys raise a shout and sing for joy.
You are to be
praised, O God, in Zion; to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem.
To you that
hear prayer shall all flesh come, because of their transgressions.
Our sins are
stronger than we are, but you will blot them out.
Happy are
they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there! they will be
satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple.
Awesome things
will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation, O Hope of all
the ends of the earth and of the seas that are far away.
You make
fast the mountains by your power; they are girded about with might.
You still the
roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples.
Those who
dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs; you make
the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.
You visit the
earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; the river of God is
full of water.
You prepare
the grain, for so you provide for the earth.
You drench the
furrows and smooth out the ridges; with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless
its increase.
You crown
the year with your goodness, and your paths overflow with plenty.
May the fields
of the wilderness be rich for grazing, and the hills be clothed with joy.
May the
meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with
grain; let them shout for joy and sing.
Second Reading: Romans 8:12-17
Paul
reminded the Roman church that they were adopted as children of God and thus
are heirs of the kingdom — joint heirs with Christ. Having been led by the
Spirit, they find hope that can sustain and uphold them even in the face of
suffering. They are children of God who follow the Lord and listen to his
leading.
12So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the
flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the
body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are
sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall
back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom
we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit himself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs —
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.
Holy
Gospel: The
Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 13th Chapter. Glory to
you, O Lord. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23: In this
familiar parable, Jesus compared the variety of ways that hearers respond to
the good news of the kingdom of heaven being near. He presented the fate of
seeds sown on different types of soil to demonstrate how God’s Word is received
by various hearers. The parable helps the disciples understand how there can be
such different responses to the news of the coming kingdom.
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat
beside the sea. 2And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got
into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And
he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4And
as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured
them. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have
much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6but
when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they
had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and
the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil
and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9He
who has ears, let him hear.”
18Jesus said to the disciples, “Hear then the parable of
the sower: 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not
understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his
heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20As for what was sown
on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it
with joy, 21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while,
and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately
he falls away. 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one
who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23As for what was sown on
good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed
bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in
another thirty.” This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon Pastor
John
Hymn of the Day “Old Rugged Cross”
On a hill far away stood an old rugged
cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the
dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
(Refrain): So
I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will
cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by
the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his
glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. (Refrain)
In that old rugged cross, stained with
blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for 'twas on that old cross Jesus
suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me. (Refrain)
To that old rugged cross
I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he'll call me
some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I'll share. (Refrain)
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.
(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): Lord God, you call us together as the one, holy,
catholic, and apostolic church; not just as an individual congregation, but as
people from around the world who are one in Jesus Christ. We thank you for the
opportunity you give us to serve together with one another. Bless our
cooperative ministries and the ministries of our brothers and sisters in
Christ. Strengthen our work as the body of Christ. Lord
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): Most gracious God, you have promised to be with us
always. To those whom you have given many years, grant that they may continue
to join in thanking you for all the bounty of your overflowing love. Continue
to uphold them, Lord, with strength and dignity. Abide with them, that they
might continue to bear witness to your unending presence. We give thanks
for the elders in our congregation who have taught us and supported us in the
faith. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): We give
thanks, everlasting Father, for your servants who have departed this life in
faith and now share the joys of your heavenly kingdom. We humbly ask that, with
them, we may live in Christ and die in him, and at the last awaken in his
likeness in the resurrection to life everlasting. We pray also for those who
are suffering in mind, body, or spirit. 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
Let us
pray the prayer our Savior taught us…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
Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks
be to God.
Sending Hymn “O God, Our Help in
Ages Past” LBW # 320, vs 1 – 6
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope
for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of your
throne Your saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is your arm alone, And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in
order stood, Or earth received its frame, From
everlasting you are God, To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in your
sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before
the rising sun.
Time, like an
ever-rolling stream, Soon bears us all away; We fly forgotten,
as a dream Dies at the op’ning day.
O God, our help in ages
past, Our hope for years to come, Still be our guard
while troubles last And our eternal home.
Postlude
Voluntary on Ebenezer
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Youth Clothing Drive is still on and
will be collecting items until tomorrow. Call the church office to drop off
your final donations.
2020 Virtual VBS: “Jesus’
Instruction Book of Life” will start on Monday, July 13th
and run for 5 weeks on Facebook. The lessons will be on our private “St Matthew
Lutheran Church Sunday School” page. To register for the VBS please visit our
website www.stmatthewbq.org and click on the
“Ministries” tab at the top of the page, and visit our “Parish Education” page
for information on our virtual VBS this Monday on Facebook. To receive an
invite for our private Facebook page, please contact the office at
(410)335-4210.
Current weekly services:
Please visit the “Messages” page of our
website at www.stmatthewbq.org for latest on our
services or listen for our “One Call” announcements for updates and events.
Not receiving the “One Call”? Please call
the office and provide a good number for our list. Thank you!