ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD LITTLETON, COLORADO July 22, 2018 10:30 am NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/WORSHIP IN THE PARK Shepherd of Righteousness AS WE GATHER The Old Testament Reading for today speaks of Israel s failed shepherds. They scattered the flock and failed to care for their people, yet Jeremiah records God s promise of a righteous branch who would reign as King. That righteous one is the Good Shepherd, Jesus. In the Gospel, He fulfills the words of Psalm 23 by making the crowds of five thousand sit down in the green grass to be fed with five loaves and two fish. Jesus is the promised righteous Shepherd.
GATHERING SONGS LORD, I LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH Founds Lord, I Lift Your name on high; Lord, I love to sing Your praises. I m so glad You re in my life; I m so glad You came to save us. You came from heaven to earth to show the way, From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay. From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky; Lord, I lift Your name on high OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART/HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, I want to see You Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, I want to see You To see You high and lifted up Shining in the light of Your glory Pour out Your power and love As we sing holy holy holy Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, I want to see You Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, I want to see You Holy holy holy Holy holy holy Holy holy holy I want to see You Holy holy holy Holy holy holy Holy holy holy I want to see You I want to see You Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty Early in the morning Our song shall rise to Thee Holy holy holy Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty All Thy works shall Praise Thy name In earth and sky and sea Holy holy holy Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity Baloche/Dykes
PREPARATION PASTORAL GREETING OPENING SONG JESUS MESSIAH Tomlin He became sin, who knew no sin; that we might become His righteousness; He humbled Himself, and carried the cross. Love so amazing, love so amazing. CHORUS: Jesus, Messiah; Name above all names; Blessed Redeemer; Emmanuel. The Rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven; Jesus, Messiah, Lord of all. His body, the bread; His blood, the wine; Broken and poured out, all for love. The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn. Love so amazing, love so amazing. CHORUS All our hope is in You, all our hope is in You; All the glory to You, God, the light of the world. CHORUS Jesus, Messiah, Lord of all. The Lord of all! The Lord of all. INVOCATION In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Beloved in the Lord, we have not lived a life worthy of our righteous Shepherd. We have all built dividing walls of hostility. Let us then confess our sins to God, our heavenly Father. Silence for reflection. Heavenly Father, we confess that we have been divisive and have failed to live at peace with one another. At times, we have treated others as inferior because of differences of language and race, intelligence and appearance, gender and age. Forgive us for our prejudice, and break down the walls that divide us from one another and from You. You were once foreigners and strangers to God, but now you have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He Himself is our peace. Jesus Christ died and was raised for you so that you might be reconciled with God and with one another. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His
authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Through Christ we are no longer strangers, but we are members of the household of God. WORD Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (God warns lazy, divisive shepherds of their future and promises a righteous branch to reign as King over His flock.) "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD. "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Epistle: Ephesians 2:11-22 (Christ makes peace and breaks down all dividing walls by His cross.) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Congregation, please rise for the Gospel. Gospel: Mark 6:30-44 (Jesus feeds the five thousand.) The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the sixth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote
place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five--and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. CHILDREN S MESSAGE Jenna Lawrenz SONG OF THE DAY MIGHTY TO SAVE Morgan/Fielding Everyone needs compassion, Love that's never failing. Let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Savior. The hope of nations CHORUS: Savior, He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save. He is mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation. He rose and conquered the grave. Jesus conquered the grave. So take me as You find me, All my fears and failures. Fill my life again. I give my life to follow, Everything I believe in. Now I surrender. CHORUS Shine your light, And let the whole world see. We're singing for the glory of the risen King. Jesus, Shine your light, And let the whole world see. We're singing for the glory of the risen King. CHORUS SERMON Weak Faith Pastor John Larson TEXT: Matthew 14:22-33
A CONTEMPORARY STATEMENT OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, source of all life, source of all love, Creator of the Universe and all that is in it, including me. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, fully human, fully divine, the only begotten Son of the Father, the Author of salvation, whose death on the cross was so that all could be saved, including me. I believe in the Holy Spirit, He is the voice of the prophets, the true Author of Scripture, And the power to believe He holds together the Universe and all that is in it, including me. These three are but one God, indivisible, the ONLY true God, non-negotiable my God. I believe in the communion of saints, God s holy Bride, She exists not by human decision, but by God s action through water and the Word As God has loved and forgiven us, So we love and forgive others. Together we wait for the resurrection of the body, And the life of the world to come. Amen. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen. We greet one another with a word of reconciliation, such as Peace be with you. OFFERTORY GIVE THANKS! LSB 806 Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks. Give thanks.
HOLY COMMUNION AT ASCENSION The Lord, our Host, invites to his Supper those who are baptized into the Christian faith, confess him as Savior, have been instructed and have examined themselves, truly repent of sins, believe the Risen Lord is present in the sacrament with his true body and blood, and resolve to live faithfully and obediently. For those with an intolerance to alcohol, the center ring of the tray contains grape juice. Gluten free wafers are available to those with wheat allergies. Children who have not been instructed, yet desire a blessing, are invited to come forward with arms crossed. When receiving the bread and wine, the communicant may respond with Amen!, a word of affirmation and belief. PREFACE SACRAMENT The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4:22 And also with you. Lift up your hearts. [Colossians 3:1] We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. [Psalm 136] It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Matthew 26:26 28; Mark 14:22 24; Luke 22:19 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23 25 Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. LORD S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9 13) 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. Amen. DISTRIBUTION SONGS HERE I AM, LORD Daniel Schutte I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry. All who dwell in deepest sin, My hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send? CHORUS: Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them, They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak My word to them Whom shall I send? CHORUS I, the Lord of wind and flame I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them, My hand will save Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give My life to them, Whom shall I send? CHORUS
DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME CHORUS: Do this in remembrance of Me. Do this in remembrance of Me. This is my body, this is my blood. Do this in remembrance of Me. This is My body given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. This cup s the new covenant, sealed in My blood. Do this in remembrance of Me. For whenever you eat this bread and whenever you drink this cup, as you do you proclaim the Lord s death until He comes. CHORUS Christopher GO MY CHILDREN Vajda Go, my children, with my blessing, Never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are my own. In my love's baptismal river I have made you mine forever. Go, my children, with my blessing - You are my own. Go, my children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure. Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure. Here you heard my dear Son's story; Here you touched him, saw his glory. Go, my children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure. Go, my children, fed and nourished, Closer to me; Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free. Here my Spirit's power filled you; Here his tender comfort stilled you. Go, my children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free. I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace; I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace; I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother. Go, my children; I will keep you And give you peace. GENERAL COMMUNION BLESSING
BENEDICTION 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. Numbers 6:24 26 Amen. CLOSING SONG SHINE, JESUS, SHINE Lord, the light of Your love is shining, In the midst of the darkness, shining; Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us, Set us free by the truth You now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me. CHORUS: Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with love and mercy; Send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light! As we gaze on Your kingly brightness, So our faces display Your like ness, Ever changing from glory to glory, Mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story. Shine on me, shine on me. CHORUS CONGREGATIONAL CONCERNS
Serving in Worship OFFICIANT and CELEBRANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES YOUTH PRAISE BAND Pastor John Larson Michael Zehnder Ashley Boeding, Brooke Boeding, Larry Boeding, Lilly Brinkman, Brian Johnson Kiersten Johnson, Christa Kirschner, Will Kopriva, Sam Riebling, Bob Shiflet ELDER Scott Luethy LECTOR 8:00 Mike Reimnitz 10:30 Margo Pasha ACOLYTE 8:00 Josh Federico USHERS 8:00 Hank Peepgrass, Members of the Congregation 10:30 Jason Dierking, Members of the Congregation SERVER 10:30 Les Young ALTAR GUILD Charmaine Rohde, Sharon Seible, Barb Williams FLOWERS Bob & Kathy Johnson, in joyful celebration of their 30 th anniversary. CCLI License #1903595