ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 118 State Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania PHONE AND INTERNET INFORMATION Church phones: Office: 234-0092 Kitchen: 234-0106 Email addresses: Church Office churchoffice@stmikehbg.com Pastor Hawkins pastor@stmikehbg.com Web site: www.stmikehbg.com Seventh Sunday After Pentecost July 23, 2017 10:00 a.m. 16 1
Welcome to St. Michael Church PRAYERS BEFORE WORSHIP God of power, you uphold us in times of persecution and strengthen us to meet the trials of faithful witness. As you delivered us from death through our baptism in Christ and the victory of his resurrection, send us forth to proclaim that glorious redemption, so that the world may claim the freedom of forgiveness and new life in you. Amen Holy God, you call us to be like you in holiness. You call us to live in the light and to be light to others. You call us to be fearless and compassionate, to lose our life in you and to proclaim truth. Grant that we will accept the resources you give us in this worship that will sustain us to accomplish all you ask of us. Amen dren 12 and under may enter for free. For more information or questions, please contact Wayne Noss. Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless. Then your light will shine in the dark; your darkest hour will be like the noonday sun. Isaiah 58:10 (CEV) Our next Family Promise hosting week begins Sunday night, August 13. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Will you share Jesus love with others? There are opportunities for dinner and breakfast hosts, overnight hosts, and van drivers. Sign up today! We are also accepting financial gifts to cover the cost of lunches and healthy snacks the host church must provide. Please speak with Lindsay or Angela if you would like to contribute so the cost does not come out of our congregation s budget. THANK YOU! SPECIAL MUSIC the piano/organ duets were performed by Kevin Laudenslager and Sally Cummins. Thank you for ministering to us. WORSHIP NOTES Worship Leaders It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy. Persons with impairments - St. Michael offers to anyone with a hearing difficulty a small, remote personal speaker. We invite our guests who may need this to ask an usher for one. We welcome any comments concerning St. Michael's efforts to accommodate persons with impairments or disabilities. An enlarged copy of the bulletin is available. Please see an usher if you would like to use one. Presiding Minister Director of Music Assisting Minister Eucharistic Minister Lector Acolyte Greeters Ushers Altar Guild Offering Counters The Reverend Larry Hawkins Kevin Laudenslager Kevin Hepler Ken Umbenhauer Norma Ickes Clair Gunnet, Jr. Bob Gerberich and Norma Ickes Shirley and Lloyd Kramer Susan and John Wesley Gary Lehman and Guy Kehler 2 15
UPDATE - REFORMATION 500 PROJECT It's exciting to report that all the original tags that had been placed on the Reformation Door have been taken and new tags have been put in place. We have 33 backpacks and many of the needed items to fill them. If you have not had the opportunity to take a tag please stop by "The Door" to check out what is still available. The more tags taken the more backpacks will be filled. This project will continue through the summer months and conclude on Reformation Day, October 29th. Please see any member of MTS for questions. Stewardship Snippet July 23, 2017 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever." Psalm 86:12 Ever notice how generous people are often people with thankfulness in their hearts? Gratitude and generous giving do go hand in hand. Becoming a good steward begins with taking stock of all we have and thanking God for it with your whole heart. Make and keep a list of all you are grateful for. Pray over it often and add to it as your life changes. ST. BARNABAS SUMMER CAMP WEEK On Tuesday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 26, St. Michael will be participating in the St. Barnabas Summer Day Camp Program. This year we will be responsible for providing breakfast and lunch both days for 110 children and camp staff. The Camp is located at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 248 Seneca Street, Harrisburg. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please see Cheryl Smith, Susan Wesley or Wayne Noss. PRIDE FESTIVAL OF CENTRAL PA - 2017 This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Pride Festival of Central PA. St. Michael is proud to again be participating in this important event as a Reconciling in Christ Lutheran Church. We will be sharing a booth with at least one other RIC church, with the possibility of several more joining us. Our goal is to share, spread and show God's love to those who are unchurched and to those who feel abandoned by their faith. The event will be held on Saturday, July 29th in River Front Park beginning at 11:00 am until 6:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 for adults, chil- 14 A CELEBRATION OF WORD AND SACRAMENT +++GATHERING+++ PRELUDE The Heavens are Telling by Haydn CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, full of compassion and mercy, abounding in steadfast love. Amen. Trusting God s promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sin against God and one another. Silence for reflection and self-examination. Eternal God our creator, in you we live and move and have our being. Look upon us, your children, the work of your hands. Forgive us all our offenses, and cleanse us from proud thoughts and empty desires. By your grace draw us near to you, our refuge and our Strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. In the mercy of almighty God, Christ died for us while we still were sinners; and for his sake, God forgives you all your sins. Amen. GATHERING HYMN Sing to the Lord of Harvest Elw 694 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. 3
CANTICLE OF PRAISE POSTLUDE Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS003333. 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. ONGOING MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Helping Hands Ministry Sunday, Thursday and Friday at 4:00 Loaves of Love Ongoing food collection Communion for the Pates Third Sunday of the month Community Aid Collection Box CALENDAR FOR WEEK OF JULY 23 Pastor s Day Off Monday The readings for Sunday, July 30, are 1 Kings 3:5-12, Psalm 119:129-136, Romans 8:26-39 and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. We remember the following members and friends of St. Michael in prayer this week: Barbara Border, Bonnie Schell, Lennie Whitcomb, Kevin Sheets, Clarence and Barbara Hawkins, Roy Smith, Art Cover, Jay, and Diana Pate. PRAYER OF THE DAY +++WORD+++ FIRST READING Isaiah 44:6-8 6 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. 7 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? 4 ALTAR FLOWERS are sponsored to the Glory of God by Clair Gunnet, Jr. in celebration of his life partner Doug Warner s birthday. FELLOWSHIP HOUR is sponsored to the Glory of God in celebration of Kevin Laudenslager's first Sunday as our Director of Music. Welcome to our St. Michael family, Kevin! COMMUNITY AID LESS IS MORE! It is Summer, and it is a good time to declutter your house or apartment. Knick-knacks and small appliances are appreciated at Community Aid. Please set them inside the side entrance with a note. Please don t forget gently used clothing. 13
SONG AFTER COMMUNION Thankful Hearts Let them tell us what is yet to be. 8 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. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM Psalm 86:11-17 The psalm is spoken antiphonally by the lector and assembly, beginning with the lector. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION BLESSING +++SENDING+++ May God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, grant you the gifts of faith and hope. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. SENDING SONG On What Has Now Been Sown elw 550 DISMISSAL Go in peace. The Spirit sends us forth to serve. Thanks be to God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to re- vere your name. I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your name for- evermore. 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 be- fore their eyes. But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and full of kind- ness and truth. Turn to me and have mer- cy 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 com- forted me. SECOND READING Romans 8:12-25 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 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. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 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! 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then 12 5
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. 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 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. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 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. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. may place it in the tray on the window sill as you return to your seat by the side aisle. COMMUNION SONG The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION COMMUNION HYMN Eat This Bread GOSPEL Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. 24 [Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, 6 11
In 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 all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his acts of healing, his body given up, and his victory over death, we await that day when all the peoples of the earth will come to the river to enjoy the tree of life. Send your Spirit upon us and this meal: 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. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen LORD'S PRAYER 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. COMMUNION Communion is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ's love. To receive communion the assembly approaches the altar rail by the center aisle in two rows. The pastor will come around and place the host (bread) in your hand, an assisting minister will have the wine. You may receive the wine either by common cup, or from the pouring chalice. To receive from the pouring chalice take a glass from the tray at the front of the center aisle. After you use the glass you 10 and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 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? 28 He answered, An enemy has done this. The slaves said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them? 29 But he replied, No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 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. 36 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. 37 He answered, The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY Come, Ye Thankful People, Come elw 693 APOSTLES CREED 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, 7
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION PEACE Lord, in your mercy, / hear our prayer. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The assembly shares the Lord s peace with those nearby. DIALOGUE 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 our thanks and praise. PREFACE...we praise your name and join their unending hymn: +++MEAL+++ OFFERATORY Chorale by Sibelius OFFERING HYMN THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Holy God, our Maker, Redeemer, and Healer, n the harmonious world of your creation, the plants and animals, the seas and stars were whole and well in your praise. When sin had scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills and to form us again into one. OFFERING PRAYER 8 9