An evening setting of Holy Communion

Transcription

1 An evening setting of Holy Communion St. David s Evangelical Lutheran Church Saturday, July 14, :30 pm Liturgy of Word and Sacrament Pentecost 8 Interims: The Reverend Larry Hoover and Bishop Emeritus Gregory Pile Church: ; Fax:

2 Welcome to St. David's Lutheran Church! We are blessed by your presence and honored that you have chosen to worship with us today. Please take a moment to sign the friendship sheet that is located in the booklet at the end of each pew, near the center aisle. These sheets will be collected with the offering. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is offered to all who are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and who recognize the Sacrament as the true body and blood of our Lord. Baptized children are also welcome to the Lord s table at St. David s with the guidance and consent of their parents or guardians. Prayer Requests may be made by placing the request in the small wooden box at the rear, near the doors through which you entered. The acolyte will collect the requests and they will be included during the prayers of the congregation. For your comfort there is a restroom, equipped with a changing table and supplies and a water fountain located upstairs. Simply exit through the double doors back into the narthex. The restroom is straight ahead in the parlor, beside the grandfather clock, and the water fountain is to the right at the beginning of the hallway. Devotional The worship folder you are holding is also a weekly devotional booklet. The prayers and Scripture readings are appropriate for use at any time during the week. The liturgy itself is a Scripturally based order for daily prayer and devotion with Scriptural references noted where they apply. Even the hymns are appropriate tools for prayer and praise. Finally, there is a daily lectionary of Scripture readings for the rest of the week on the last printed page.

3 INTRODUCTION When Amos told what he saw when God held up the plumb line of justice next to Israel that the poor were being trampled he was a threat to the power of priests and king. John the Baptist also spoke truth to power, and Herod had him beheaded. In Herod s fear that Jesus is John returned from the dead, we may hear hope for the oppressed: that all the prophets killed through the ages are alive in Jesus. We are called to witness to justice in company with them. BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS The assembly stands. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Kneel/Sit Silence for reflection and self-examination. Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. The minister stands and addresses the congregation. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The assembly stands.

4 GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. KYRIE 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 their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, from you come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. The assembly is seated.

5 FIRST READING: Amos 7:7-15 A reading from Amos the 7 th chapter. {Amos was not the kind of prophet attached to temples or royal courts. Rather, he was an ordinary farmer from Judah (the southern kingdom) called by God to speak to Israel (the northern kingdom). God s word of judgment through Amos conflicted with the king s court prophet Amaziah, whom Amos encountered at Bethel.} 7This is what [the Lord GOD] showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the LORD said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then the Lord said, See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; 9the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. 10Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land. 12And Amaziah said to Amos, O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom. 14Then Amos answered Amaziah, I am no prophet, nor a prophet s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15 and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

6 PSALM 85:8-13 (read responsively) I will listen to what the LORD God is saying. (Ps. 85:8) 8I 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. 9Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, that your glory may dwell in our land. 10Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase. 13Righteousness shall go before the LORD and shall prepare for God a pathway. All: I will listen to what the LORD God is saying. (Ps. 85:8)

7 SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:3-14 A reading from Ephesians the 1 st chapter. {In Jesus, all of God s plans and purposes have been made known as heaven and earth are united in Christ. Through Jesus, we have been chosen as God s children and have been promised eternal salvation.} 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God s own people, to the praise of his glory. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

8 The assembly stands. GOSPEL: Mark 6:14-29 The holy gospel according to Mark the 6 th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. {As Jesus and his disciples begin to attract attention, Mark recalls the story of John the Baptist s martyrdom. Like John, Jesus and his disciples will also suffer at the hands of those opposed to the gospel of salvation.} 14King Herod heard of [the disciples preaching,] for Jesus name had become known. Some were saying, John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him. 15 But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old. 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, John, whom I beheaded, has been raised. 17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother s wife. 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it. 23 And he solemnly swore to her, Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom. 24 She went out and said to her mother, What should I ask for? She replied, The head of John the baptizer. 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON The assembly is seated.

9 The assembly stands. Together we confess our faith: APOSTLES CREED 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 descended 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. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Growing in faith and discipleship, we give thanks for God s merciful compassion as we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Gracious God, we lift to you these prayers and the prayers of our hearts, trusting in your everlasting love and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The minister and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord. Peace be with you. Peace be with you. Please be seated, while the table is set. The assembly stands. OFFERING PRAYER Merciful God, you open wide your hand and satisfy the need of every living thing. You have set this feast before us. Open our hands to receive it. Open our hearts to embrace it. Open our lives to live it. We pray this through Christ our Lord. GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

11 EUCHARISTIC PRAYER All glory to you, Almighty God, heavenly Father: out of Your great love for us You gave Your only Son Jesus, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. It was your Son Jesus who freely surrendered Himself to suffer death on the cross for us and for our salvation. There, on that cross, He willingly offered Himself up as a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. By that gift of love and grace we are your people, born of water and word, served, fed, and forgiven at your Holy Table and called together by Your Holy Spirit. Therefore we offer ourselves as disciples who follow as witnesses to the world and as living memory of His gift of grace. Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the body and blood of your Son our Lord. Come, Lord Jesus. On the night in which He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

12 With this bread and cup we remember our Lord's passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Send your Holy Spirit upon us: as grains scattered on the hillside become one bread, so let your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth, that all may be fed with the Bread of life, your Son our Lord. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. THE LORD S PRAYER Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. 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 us 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.

13 LAMB OF GOD Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace. The assembly is seated. The Holy Communion is distributed with these or similar words: The body of Christ, given for you The blood of Christ, shed for you Following the Holy Communion the congregation stands: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Let us pray. Jesus Christ, host of this meal, you have given us not only this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled again by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of justice, may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. QUIET MEDITATION

14 DISMISSAL Go in peace. The Spirit sends us forth to serve. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL MESSAGE Strange Mercy First the back story. Zechariah was speechless, literally. The day the angel, Gabriel, paid a visit to deliver the absurd news that Elizabeth, his wife, getting on in years, would have a child, he was struck speechless for doubting it. That was the first link in a chain of dramatic events. Months passed. The baby was born. On the day of ritual circumcision everyone expected he would be named Zechariah, after his father. Not so! The new father, still unable to speak, scribbled the name John on a tablet. Amazingly, his tongue flew loose with a prophecy we still echo in song today: You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways (Luke 1:76). That very day a haunting question arose among the people: What then will this child become? (Luke 1:66). The macabre answer King Herod s daughter gave when asked how he could reward her for dancing at his party seems a grim ending to a promising beginning: Give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter (Mark 6:25). There could be precious little reason to find solace in Zechariah s words, By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us (Luke 1:78), when disciples recovered the baptizer s mutilated body and laid it in a tomb. Strange mercy. Hearing the news, Jesus withdrew to a deserted place. His disciples did too. Any attempt to justify all that is unjustifiable sinks beneath the weight of the truth. What is evil deserves no decoration. The gruesome execution of John at the hesitant but brutal hand of Herod foreshadows Jesus own fate, the strange mercy of God to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79).

15 Daily Readings for the Week July Sunday: Amos 7:7-15 Psalm 85:8-13 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29 Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Psalm 142 Amos 5:1-9 Acts 21:27-39 Psalm 142 Amos 9:1-4 Acts 23:12-35 Psalm 142 Amos 9:11-15 Luke 7:31-35 Psalm 23 Jeremiah 10:1-16 Colossians 1:15-23 Psalm 23 Jeremiah 10:17-25 Acts 17:16-31 Psalm 23 Jeremiah 12:1-13 Luke 18:35-43 Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.