11 Aug BULLETIN – SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS
Come near to God and God will come near to you. Wash your hands from sin and purify your hearts, lest you become full of sin and double-minded (James 4:8, paraphrased).
I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope (Ps. 130:5).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope (Ps. 130:5).
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope (Ps. 130:5).
I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Time of brief silence. And you forgave the guilt of my sin (Ps. 32:5).
I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope (Ps. 130:5).
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).
I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope (Ps. 130:5).
We have sinned, done wrong, rebelled and turned away from your commands and laws (rephrasing of Daniel 9:5).
I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope (Ps. 130:5).
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3: 23-24).
As we turn to the LORD our God, God will have mercy on us and freely pardon (Isaiah 55:7).
Having made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called (1 Timothy 6:12) and know that you are entirely forgiven of all your sins in the name of the [+] Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As it is written in Isaiah 43:25, “For I, even I, am the God who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and remembers your sin no more.
Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN
When Morning Gilds the Skies #546
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.
KYRIE Pages 57-59
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 and online their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 58-59
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his 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
O God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING 1 KINGS 19:9-18
At [Horeb, the mount of God,][Elijah] came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
PSALM 85:8-13
I will listen to what the Lord God is saying; for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.
Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, that your glory may dwell in our land. I will listen to what the Lord God is saying.
Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness shall go before the Lord and shall prepare for God a pathway. I will listen to what the Lord God is saying.
SECOND READING ROMANS 10:5-15
Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
GOSPEL MATTHEW 14:22-33
[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less #293
PROFESSION of FAITH Apostles’ Creed Page 65
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 decended 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 INTERCESSION
Confident that God cares enough to share our joys and respond to our concerns, let us offer prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. A brief silence.
God of grace, your faithfulness is never-ending. Make the church a righteousness body of believers through the work of Jesus Christ. May we truly represent the gospel and your Son’s healing presence by meeting people in need wherever they are. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of sky, sea, and everything upon the earth. All things depend upon you. Prosper the work of ecologists as they teach us new ways to exist and care for the environment. Bring relief to areas recovering from natural disasters and manmade devastation. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of peace and justice, you call humanity to live as one beloved community. Instill in political and civic leaders at local, regional, national, and global levels a desire to work for toward equity, inclusion, and diversity. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of care and compassion, you bring assurance when we are afraid. Bring calm to any who are anxious or fearful. Bless the work of therapists, nurses, social workers, other teachers and care providers. Comfort all who grieve and soothe any who are sick (especially those on our prayer list). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of wonder, you accompany us in both joys and sorrows. We pray for all preparations for a new school year. Make your presence known in our work and play, in lively conversation and in quiet rest. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of new life, you send people to renew both church and society. We give you thanks for their lives of faithful service (especially nursing pioneers Florence Nightingale and Clara Maass, whom the church remembers today) as examples of following your call. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING & OFFERTORY Page 75
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit.
LORD’S PRAYER
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 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.
BENEDICTION Page 74
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
O God, Our Help in Ages Past #320
DISMISSAL Page 74
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE