20 Jul BULLETIN – SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS Page 56
ENTRANCE HYMN
God Himself Is Present #249
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-59
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Faithful God, most merciful judge, you care for your children with firmness and compassion. By your Spirit nurture us who live in your kingdom, that we may be rooted in the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 44:6-8
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.
PSALM 86:11-17
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your name forevermore.
For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the pit of death.
The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of violent people seeks my life; they have not set you before their eyes.
But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
Turn to me and have mercy on me; give your strength to your servant, and save the child of your handmaid. Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame; because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
SECOND READING ROMANS 8:12-25
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for 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. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
GOSPEL MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43
[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” #407
PROFESSION of FAITH/APOSTLES’ CREED Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
Confident that God cares to share our joys and respond to our concerns, we offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. A brief silence.
God, you call your church to announce the gospel of reconciliation and truth both near and far. Guide your church as it seeks your wisdom and shares it, trusting your Spirit bearing witness among us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You bring forth and sustain what is good and created. Direct policymakers to protect land, water and the atmosphere from harm. Balance everything needed to grow food for every creature. Protect areas impacted by natural disasters. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You desire peace among nations and peoples. Guard neighborhoods, villages and cities from hatred, watch over officers of the law, rescue and military personnel. Teach us to advocate for those who live in fear of threat to not getting what they need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You are gracious and merciful, Comfort those who suffer any affliction (especially those on our prayer list). Sustain people living with chronic illness, provide shelter for all who are unhoused, and release any who are unjustly imprisoned. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You name each of us as your children. Guide ministry to welcome all hospitably, education to equip everyone honestly, and social services to empower the disenfranchised so that the gospel is apparent in our community. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You send faithful people to proclaim freedom from bondage and to renew your church. Encourage us by the witness of the faithful departed so that we live into that same hope. 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
Create in me… Page 75
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION Page 74
CLOSING HYMN
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing #559
DISMISSAL Page 74
POSTLUDE