SERVICE OF THE WORD PRELUDE Come Down, O Love Divine Michael Burkhardt WELCOME Good Morning. Welcome to Salem Lutheran Church. We welcome all of you to worship today, especially those of you who are visiting, or are worshiping with us on Big Dog radio 98.9, KHUB 1340, or viewing on Spectrum cable. Please join us for coffee and fellowship following the service today. Please keep Rosella Brei, Shirley Bengston, Ruth Miller, Vivian Lubker, Alan Reeh, and Kirk Reeder in your prayers. Whether it's your first time in worship with us or your hundredth time, we hope that you ll find here questions that stretch you, people to befriend you, and inspiration to love boldly, live justly, and welcome radically. HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth ELW #879
DIALOG Holy is the Lord, the Almighty. He was, he is, and he is to come. He is worthy of glory and honor and power. He created all things. By his will they came to be. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain; worthy to take the scroll and break its seals. By his blood he purchased for God people of every race and tongue, of every folk and nation. Christ made of them a kingdom and priests to serve our God. And they shall reign on earth forever. Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. APOSTLES CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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. THE OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE Refrain Listen! You nations of the world: listen to the Word of the Lord. Announce it from coast to coast; declare it to distant islands. The Lord who scatted Israel will gather his people again; And he will keep watch over them as a shepherd watched his flock. Refrain With shouts of joy they will come, their faces radiant and happy, For the Lord is so gen rous to them; he showers his people with gifts. Refrain Young women will dance for joy, and men young and old will make merry. Like a garden refreshed by the rain, they will never be in want again. Break into shouts of great joy: Jacob is free again! Teach nations to sing the song: The Lord has freed his people! Refrain
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY Holy God, your word feeds your people with life that is eternal. Direct our choices and preserve us in your truth, that, renouncing what is false and evil, we may live in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. FIRST READING: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 In the Near East, covenant means agreement or alliance. It describes relationships and is the primary word used to characterize the relationship between God and Israel. By delivering Israel, God has already begun the relationship. Joshua calls upon the people to respond. 1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. 2a And Joshua said to all the people, 14 Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. 16 Then the people answered, Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18 and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God. The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 34:15-22 R: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. 15 The eyes of the Lord are up- on the righteous, and God s ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to erase the remembrance of them from the earth. R 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them and delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spir- its are crushed. R 19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them from every one. 20 God will keep safe all their bones; not one of them shall be broken. R 21 Evil will bring death to the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22 O Lord, you redeem the life of your servants, and those who put their trust in you will not be punished. R SECOND READING: Ephesians 6:10-20 Like a general giving a rousing speech to troops before battle, this letter closes by calling on Christians to be equipped for spiritual warfare against evil. The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, the gift of salvation, and the word of God inspired by the Spirit. 10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. GOSPEL: John 6:56-69 The hard saying that offends Jesus disciples is his claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The followers who return to their old lives know something about how odd this sounds. Simon Peter, on the other hand, knows something about the scarcity of living, gracious words. He asks the most important question: To whom shall we go? Jesus said, 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever. 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. 60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, This teaching is difficult; who can accept it? 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see
the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father. 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, Do you also wish to go away? 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. SONG Speak, O Lord Keith Getty verse 1 CHILDREN S MESSAGE SONG Speak, O Lord Keith Getty verse 3 SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Matt Wilson HYMN OF THE DAY I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say ELW #611
INTRODUCTION SERVICE OF HEALING HEALING SERVICE Our Lord Jesus healed many as a sign of the reign of God come near and sent the disciples to continue this work of healing with prayer, the laying on of hands, and anointing. In the name of Christ, the great healer and reconciler of the world, we now entrust to God all who are in need of healing. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and especially for all who are suffering or are in any affliction. Silent prayer may follow. Merciful God, you sent your Son to be our peace. Help all those who suffer any pain or grief, hopelessness or anxiety. In your great mercy, hear us, O God. Mighty God, mercifully grant strength to the weak and comfort to those who suffer, that their sickness and pain may be turned into health. In your great mercy, hear us, O God. God of peace and reconciliation, bring an end to the sickness of the world, especially violence, terrorism, war, and their causes. In your great mercy, hear us, O God.
Holy God, Holy One, your Son prayed that your people may be one. May the gift of baptism be a power for healing the church s brokenness, and bless all efforts for renewal and Christian unity. We pray especially for our brothers and sisters at St. Peter s in Pilger, Nebraska. In your great mercy, hear us, O God. Loving God, mend broken relationships and bring peace to our families, our congregation, this community, and the world. In your great mercy, hear us, O God. Other petitions may be offered, including particular needs and requests for healing. Eternal God, we thank you for all the faithful departed [including name/s and those whom we remember before you... ]. Heal the pain of all who grieve. In your great mercy, hear us, O God. The presiding minister concludes the prayers. O God, we bring these intercessions before you, knowing that you will hear us as you have promised, and will answer according to the mercy shown in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. LAYING ON OF HANDS The presiding minister may address the assembly in these or similar words. Sisters and brothers, I invite you to come and receive a sign of healing and wholeness in the name of the triune God. Those who wish to receive laying on of hands (and anointing) approach and, as conditions permit, they may kneel. The minister lays both hands on each person s head and may use one of these forms or similar words. The minister may
also anoint the person s forehead with oil, making the sign of the cross. Receive this oil as a sign of forgiveness and healing in Jesus Christ. Response: Amen. SONG Sung by the choir You Are Mine ELW #581
After all have returned to their places, the presiding minister continues. Let us pray. Living God, through the laying on of hands and anointing, grant comfort in suffering to all who are in need of healing. When they are afraid, give them courage; when afflicted, give them patience; when dejected, give them hope; and when alone, assure them of the support of your holy people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. BLESSING The presiding minister concludes the order for healing. Almighty God, who is a strong tower to all, to whom all things in heaven and on earth bow and obey, be now and evermore your sure defense, and help you to know that the name given to us for health and salvation is the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace and may say Peace be with you or similar words. OFFERING For the Beauty of the Earth John Carter OFFERTORY Take My Life ELW 685 verses 1, 6
LORD S PRAYER Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS Please share your abundance from your garden with The Table. You may bring your contribution any time the church office is open. Please be certain to attend the Mid-Quarterly Meeting on today here in the sanctuary following the worship service. A potluck dinner will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is encouraged to attend, as important decisions regarding Salem s future will be discussed. The September edition of the newsletter is available in the Narthex. Please pick one up as you leave the sanctuary today.
Please take time to read the bulletin insert and the newsletter to discover what opportunities there are for you to love the people of God through the ministries Salem offers. BLESSING The God of all consolation bless you in every way, grant you hope all the days of your life, restore you to health and grant you salvation, fill your heart with peace, and lead you to eternal life. Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. SENDING HYMN I m So Glad ELW #860 QUARTERLY MEETING DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.