20 Aug BULLETIN – SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Twelfth 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).
May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us (Ps. 67:1).
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).
May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us (Ps. 67:1).
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us (Ps. 67:1).
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).
May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us (Ps. 67:1).
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).
May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us (Ps. 67:1).
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
Blessing and Honor #525
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
God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 56:1, 6-8
Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus, says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
PSALM 67
May God be merciful to us and bless us; may the light of God’s face shine upon us.
Let your way be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations on earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has brought forth its increase; God, our own God, has blessed us.
May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
SECOND READING ROMANS 11:1-2a, 29-32
[Paul writes:] I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
GOSPEL MATTHEW 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service #423
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, we offer prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. A brief silence.
God, your Spirit gathers the church. Sustain the faithful and invite active participation in ministry. Shepherd those in training, the baptized and called, including the ordained to proclaim the gospel, breathing life into ecumenical and inter-religious endeavors, supporting your mission throughout the globe. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe. (Ps. 67:7)
You declared the goodness of earth as created, along with all its inhabitants. Hold humanity accountable for polluted skies, seas, and soil. Provide nourishment to plants and animals. Erase the harmful effects of overconsumption and over-trafficking upon the earth. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
You call leaders to bridge differences and practice generosity. Inspire all in authority to protect people in harm’s way, deliver those in bondage, support fair elections, provide care for military personnel and veterans, and show mercy. Remind all those in power of their awesome responsibilities. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
You provide for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Embrace people who have been rejected because of difference, heal trauma caused by racism or prejudice, shield any who are persecuted, console the dying, and heal the sick (especially those on our prayer list). May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
God, you journey with us in all of life’s transitions. Guide those preparing for change, aiming to continue along the same path or grow, including our church councils, committees and congregations with their visioning and ministry endeavors. Safeguard those who travel. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
We give you thanks for those who now rest from their labors. Motivate us by their lives of dedication to the gospel, until that day when we join with them in our eternal home. May God give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray and ask for your blessing, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, Jesus Christ our Savior so that the ends of the earth will stand in awe of your mercy, power and love. 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
Let All Things Now Living #557
DISMISSAL Page 74
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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 Bruce & Diane Keister in memory of George & Catherine Geise.
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Alice Funk in memory of loved ones.