13 Aug BULLETIN – SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday August 14, 2022
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Page 56
ENTRANCE HYMN God Himself Is Present #249
1 God himself is present;<
let us now adore him
and with awe appear before him!
God is in his temple;
all within keep silence,
prostrate lie with deepest rev’rence.
Him alone God we own,
him, our God and Savior;
praise his name forever!
2 God himself is present;
hear the harps resounding;
see the hosts the throne surrounding!
“Holy, holy, holy!”
Hear the hymn ascending,
songs of saints and angels blending.
Bow your ear to us here:
hear, O Christ, the praises
that your church now raises.
3 Light of light eternal,
all things penetrating,
for your rays our soul is waiting.
As the tender flowers,
willingly unfolding,
to the sun their faces holding:
even so would we do,
light from you obtaining,
strength to serve you gaining.
4 Come, celestial Being,
make our hearts your dwelling,
ev’ry carnal thought dispelling.
By your Holy Spirit
sanctify us truly,
teaching us to love you only.
Where we go here below,
let us bow before you
and in truth adore you.
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-60
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, judge eternal, you love justice and hate oppression, and you call us to share your zeal for truth. Give us courage to take our stand with all victims of bloodshed and greed, and, following your servants and prophets, to look to the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING JEREMIAH 23:23-29
Am I a God nearby, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? Says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed!” How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? They plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal. Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
PSALM 82
God stands to charge the divine council assembled, giving judgment in the midst of the gods:
“How long will you judge unjustly, and show favor to the wicked?
Save the weak and the orphan; defend the humble and needy;
rescue the weak and the poor; deliver them from the power of the wicked. Arise, O God, and rule the earth.
They do not know, neither do they understand; they wander about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Now I say to you, ‘You are gods, and all of you children of the Most High;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.’ ”
Arise, O God, and rule the earth, for you shall take all nations for your own. Arise, O God, and rule the earth.
SECOND READING HEBREWS 11:29–12:2
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
GOSPEL LUKE 12:49-56
[Jesus said:] “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so, it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY How Firm a Foundation #507
1 How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
2 “Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismayed,
for I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3 “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
4 “Throughout all their lifetime my people shall prove
my sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
and then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.”
PROFESSION of FAITH/APOSTLE’S CREED Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
Trusting in God’s extraordinary love, let us come near the Holy One in prayer. A brief silence.
Arise, O God, and sustain your church. We pray for all who dedicate their lives to serving people. Renew commitment to our siblings in faith around the globe, and bless the work of ecumenical and interfaith partners. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Arise, O God, and sustain your creation. We pray for all places affected by natural disasters. Transform the devastation of floods and fires into fertile ground for new life and growth. Fill heaven and earth with your life-giving Spirit. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Arise, O God, and sustain the nations. We pray for all elected officials. Kindle in them a desire to administer your justice. Strengthen their resolve to defend those who are vulnerable and to stand publicly against all forms of oppression. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Arise, O God, and sustain those who are oppressed. We pray for people harmed by discrimination, favor or prejudice based on physical appearance, ability, identity or place of origin. Rescue us from all systems that degrade our fellow human beings. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Arise, O God, and sustain this assembly. We pray for this community, celebrating with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. In our joy and in our tears, you are near us. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, we remember the saints who have gone before us. May we act faithfully and even run with perseverance until we find our rest in you. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Receive the prayers of your children, merciful God, and hold us forever in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ, our source of holy wisdom.
Amen.
PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY Page 75
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING Page 74
CLOSING HYMN For the Fruit of All Creation WOV #760
1 For the fruit of all creation,
thanks be to God.
For these gifts to ev’ry nation,
thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
thanks be to God.
2 In the just reward of labor,
God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor,
God’s will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.
3 For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
DISMISSAL Page 74
POSTLUDE
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Ross and Nicole Miller in celebration of their 4th anniversary.
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Ron and Carol Stoneroad in memory of D J Kent.
START THINKING MUSICAL THOUGHTS!
By the end of August, Music Director Greta will be gathering children, adults, and bell ringers to meet to sing and make music! Please consider joining us, and asking your kiddos if they are ready to give Youth Choir a try! We will not be asking for a weekly commitment at this time. Please call or text Greta if you’re willing to give it a try – 717-350-5072.
FREEWILL OFFERING
At every Lutheran baptism, a church representative presents a lit candle and says, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” While Pastor Brody was researching the Instituto Metropolitano Estrella this verse (Matt 5:16) popped up as the webpage tagline. Local resident Tawney Miller will be in church during the worship service on August 28th to introduce herself and explain more about her desire to continue mission work in Mexico full-time and of her need to raise funds beforehand.
You may recall that Pastor Brody’s daughter, Bess was a youth missionary in Peru, South Africa and the Philippines. She knows firsthand how expensive these trips can be and how transformational the experience is to many lives. Please consider donating to Tawney’s upcoming trip through a freewill offering taking place on two consecutive Sundays, August 21st and August 28th. If you’d like to donate but won’t be around either of those dates, please let PB know. Tawney would like to make a 2-yr. commitment in Mexico City where she already spent a semester and very much hopes to return. Thank you in advance for giving God’s work your consideration.
Please check out the school’s webpage at https://imemexico.weebly.com/ or the sponsoring missionary agency at https://uwm.org/missionaries/31656/ to learn more in advance.
MESSIAH WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Messiah will have worship service on the third Sunday during the summer months outdoors in St Peter Pavilion. This will continue during the month of August.
MESSIAH SUNDAY SCHOOL ON BREAK
The Messiah Education. Committee has declared August as No-Show Sunday School Month ! ….. (meaning there will be none.) We will take a summer break until September.
TEEPEE TROT
The 2nd annual TeePee Trot 5K run/walk will be held on October 1st at 8:00 a.m. at Lake Tobias. Registration is $30 and includes a race T-shirt, designed by Pastor Brody’s husband Steve, as well as an admission pass to Lake Tobias! Anyone interested in participating or making a $30 donation to receive this year’s T-shirt can pick up a registration form at either church or visit the race website at sites.google.com/view/teepee-trot-5K/home.
Half of the race proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of J. R. Tobias. Last year the race made a little over $2,700! We are looking for donations and volunteers to help run the event. If interested please contact Katie Jury at KAJ1211@comcast.net.
Volunteers will be needed on the day of the race.
A GOOD HOME FOR UNUSED COVID TESTING KITS
Medical personnel are still being tested every shift before work. Hospitals will reimburse the cost, but employees must supply the kits. If you have any unused, unexpired COVID test kits, they can be donated so they don’t go to waste. This will save the health care system added expense and workers the burden of purchasing their own. Please bring to church asap.
LOWER SUSQUEHANNA SYNOD WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION
The 34th annual convention of the Lower Susquehanna, Synodical Women’s Organization will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church Shippensburg, PA, 8:15 am to 4 pm. Cost for registration is $30.00. There will be a continental breakfast & Lunch will be provided. The Theme for this year is “Let Your Light Shine” (based on Psalm 80:3). Speaker is Rev. Drahas Oslik.
Also participating is Rev. Beth Martini, Assistant to the Bishop, and Rev. Pam Illick, Chaplain, Pastor at St. Paul, Enola. Registration forms are in the Narthex of Messiah. Deadline for the registration is to be postmarked by Wednesday, July 20. In addition to the Speaker, there will be an election of officers & board members of the WELCA, Lower Susquehanna Organization. If anyone would like to be nominated for any of the offices or the board, please contact Sandy Dreibelbis, there is a nomination form to be completed. Open offices are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary & 5 Board Members.
MORE INFORMATION
Please visit our website: halifaxmessiah.church for weekly updates and archived materials, bulletins with hymn lyrics, articles, descriptions of various programs and ministries, newsletters, recorded services, text versions of sermons, a monthly calendar, and way to give online. Our 10am (and joint services) are available every week as a live streamed event via Facebook and available later in the day on YouTube. Please let us know if you watch online, have any questions, or would like to meet with the pastor in person.
We give thanks and feel blessed that you have chosen to worship with us today.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR AUGUST
14 – DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER ITEMS
17 – 6:30 PM Ladies Aid Meeting
20 – Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization 34th Annual Convention at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Shippensburg, PA
21 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Worship Service at St. Peter Pavilion
10:00 AM Worship Service at St Peter Pavilion