27 Aug BULLETIN – SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2022
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Page 56
ENTRANCE HYMN Give to Our God Immortal Praise! #520
1 Give to our God immortal praise!
Mercy and truth are all his ways;
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.
2 He sent his Son with pow’r to save
from guilt and darkness and the grave.
Wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.
3 Give to the Lord of lords renown;
the King of kings with glory crown.
His mercies ever shall endure
when lords and kings are known no more!
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-60
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING PROVERBS 25:6-7
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
PSALM 112
Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord and have great delight in God’s commandments!
Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. The righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
Wealth and riches will be in their house, and their righteousness will last forever.
Light shines in the darkness for the upright; the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
It is good for them to be generous in lending and to manage their affairs with justice.
For they will never be shaken; the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance. The righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their heart is established and will not shrink, until they see their desire up-on their enemies.
They have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever; they will hold up their head with honor.
The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away; the desires of the wicked will perish. The righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
SECOND READING HEBREWS 13:1-8, 15-16
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
GUEST SPEAKER Tawney Miller
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
GOSPEL LUKE 14:1, 7-14
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY Jesus, the Very Thought of You #316
1 Jesus, the very thought of you
fills us with sweet delight;
but sweeter far your face to view
and rest within your light.
2 No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the mind recall
a sweeter sound than your blest name,
O Savior of us all!
3 O Hope of ev’ry contrite soul,
O joy of all the meek,
how kind you are to those who fall!
How good to those who seek!
4 O Jesus, be our joy today;
help us to prize your love;
grant us at last to hear you say:
“Come, share my home above.”
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.
For the church, its leaders, and congregants we pray. Uphold all who serve and support your people. Awaken in your church a spirit of invitation that reaches generously ever outward in love, mission and service to members, guests, and those who can’t give in return. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For the well-being of creation and its inhabitants, we pray. Stir in us reverent awe for the beauty of the natural world, for oceans and lakes, rivers and streams, deserts, fields and ponds, woods, mountains, rocks and valleys. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For the nations and peoples of the world, we pray. Sustain the efforts of those who pursue justice and equity for all. Turn citizens into advocates and active voters. Defend and accompany people in lands traumatized by exploitation of resources or persecuted due to battles for power. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, we pray. Be present with those who live in isolation or fear, especially those who are incarcerated or detained. Comfort all who are sick or grieving (especially those on our prayer list). Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For this congregation and its ministries, we pray. Help us discern purposes and reasons for being within and beyond our walls. Sustain children, teachers, and parents throughout this new year of learning. Embolden our witness to invite others. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
For all the saints who confessed God’s name and worked hard to instill faith, we give thanks. Help us cling to the promises of our risen Savior and look forward to resurrection of the righteous. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Receive our prayers, for you are a merciful God, and have sworn to hold us forever in your steadfast love through Jesus Christ, our Lord, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY Page 75
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING Page 74
CLOSING HYMN O God Our Help in Ages Past” #320
1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
2 Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.
6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last
and our eternal home!
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 Bruce and Diane Keister in memory of George & Catherine Geise
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Casara Kieffer
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 Sunday August 28th, and again on September 4th. 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.
GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS.
In 2013, the Evangelical Church in America celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a “God’s Work. Our Hands” event which was held on the second Sunday in September. ELCA congregations, groups, and members were invited and encouraged to do some good work on that day “…using our hands to do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities to Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world.”
This year as we approach Sunday, September 11th, the Councils of Messiah and St. Peter invite you to take part in this church-wide outreach by bringing socks and reusable water bottles with you. Containers will be located at Messiah and St. Peter for this outreach. Donated items will be given to help the residents of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Lebanon, PA.
Let us continue to find new opportunities to do good works – in Jesus’ name!
NEEDED ASAP: Three-person Couch or 3 Bean Bag Chairs
Pastor Brody is looking for someone to donate either a sofa that seats three or 3 bean bag chairs for use during confirmation classes. Please contact her if you have something to offer at (443)-974-5558. Comfortable seating is the primary objective, portability would be a plus. Thank you!
SEEKING FEMALE COMPANIONSHIP
Don’t worry. It’s not what you think. The Weaver family is searching for a companion – preferably female- who’s willing to spend a few occasional Saturday hours (from 3-8pm) with Betsy’s 91yo mother. Another possibility would be to stay with her for a day, here and there. The pay would be hourly. Betsy’s mom has pretty substantial vision, hearing and short-term memory loss. She manages to get around with a cane, play games and perform activities of daily living somewhat independently and better with assistance. Please contact Betsy by email at pweaver168@comcast.net or phone call (717-896-9128). Please leave a voice message if no answer.
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. Thanks!
2022 SCHOOL KITS
Each of the congregations of our conference has been asked to contribute items to make this project possible. Our two churches have been asked to provide 700 SPIRAL notebooks (70-sheet, wide- or college-ruled, approximately 8 x 10½”; no loose-leaf paper, please). Please consider donating notebooks for this project. Donation boxes will be located at each church in AUGUST. Thank you for your kindness!
Note: To date we collected approximately 410 notebooks toward our goal of 700 needed.
PERSONAL CARE KITS
When natural disasters strike or war drives families from their homes, as we see over and over in the news, our hearts ache with compassion. But what can we do? Making Lutheran World Relief (LWR) kits is a simple, tangible way to offer comfort to those suffering and express love to our neighbors in need.
Messiah ladies are again collecting personal care kits to be shipped to and distributed by Lutheran World Relief. These kits provide the basic needs for personal hygiene.
Each kit includes the following items:
- One light weight bath-size towel (52X27”), dark colors are recommended
- 2 bars of bath-size soap (4-5oz each)
- 1 adult toothbrush in the original packaging, or sealed in a business envelope—no plastic wrap
- 1 study comb
- 1 metal nail clipper
Please consider purchasing the needed items for one or more kits. There are baskets at the front of the church for each item—no need to remove tags or wrappings. Please have your kit items to the church by September 18th. We will be assembling the kits September 25th during the adult Sunday School hour. Thank you for participating in this LWR ministry!
TEEPEE TROT
The 2nd annual TeePee Trot 5K run/walk will be held on October 1st at 8:00 AM 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.
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 SEPTEMBER
4 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 AM Worship Service @ St. Peter Pavilion, with Holy Communion
10 AM Worship Service @ Messiah with Holy Communion
5 – Labor Day
7 – 6:30 PM Messiah Council Meeting
8 – 1 PM St. Peter Council Meeting @ St.
Peter’s Pavilion, weather permitting
LET US PRAY
Prayer knits the waiting, expectant community together. It isn’t just for those being prayed for. It’s an act of faith where others are lifted up and entrusted to God.
New prayer requests
Please fill out prayer request cards from now on and provide your name, the person for whom you are requesting prayer, their contact information and a few details.
Continuing to add names verbally will lead to persons being left off the prayer list. And without written notes, the pastor cannot remember/connect names with specific needs for prayer.
Filling out a card will allow the pastor to make contact, initiate pastoral care, and request permission to place a person’s name on the prayer list. Alternatively, you may email or text as long as you provide the same details. Following this plan will assure consistency, improve communication and help those for whom we pray. Please email concerns and/or requests including your name and theirs, contact information, and a few specifics to: elsiebbrody@gmail.com Or text (443)-974-5558. Thank you.