FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST July 13, 2014 9:00 am WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD God s Word is a seed scattered and sown among his people. By faith we receive it and, nurtured by his grace, bear good fruit. May the good news penetrate our hearts this day and make us grow in his grace. Small children are welcome in worship Busy bags for young children are available in the Good Shepherd room adjacent to the worship space near the doors. That room also has a speaker to hear the worship service. GATHERING Welcome Confession and Forgiveness Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: In the presence of God, who sees our hearts and our minds, let us confess our sin. (silence for reflection and self-examination) Pastor: All: God, our strength, we confess that we are captive to the power of sin that dwells within us. We put ourselves first and others last. What we think will make us happy leaves us longing for more. Even when we want to do what is good, we find ourselves doing the opposite. Rescue us from death's grip on our lives, and raise us up day by day, that we may be alive to God in Christ Jesus. Amen. Pastor: Sisters and brothers, all have fallen short of the glory of God; therefore we are justified by God's grace as a gift. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in + Christ Jesus, in whom we have forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation. People: Amen 1
Processional Hymn This Is My Father s World Greeting Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People: And also with you. 2
Hymn of Praise Prayer of the Day Pastor: All: Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 3
SERVICE OF THE WORD First Reading Isaiah 55:10-13 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed. Second Reading Romans 8:1-11 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Alleluia Verse Holy Gospel Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 13 th chapter. People: Glory to you, O Lord. 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear. 18 Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, O Christ. 4
Children s Message Hymn of the Day A Sower s Seed Fell on the Path Sermon 5
Apostles Creed All: 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. Amen Blessing of Wilderness Escape Volunteers (all youth and adult volunteers are invited to come forward) Prayers (response after each petition) Pastor: Hear us, O God. People: Your mercy is great. Sharing of the Peace Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And also with you. Offering Offertory Prayer Pastor: People: Let us pray. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT Prayer of Thanksgiving Pastor: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have had mercy on those whom you created and sent your only-begotten Son to take on our humanity and to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the sacrifice of Christ s body and blood on the cross. Remembering his life and death and resurrection and gathered in his name, we ask you, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with your Spirit. Help us faithfully to eat his body and drink his blood as he invites us to do with his own word and promise. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in his kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To you alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. Words of Institution 6
Lord s Prayer All: 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 Agnus Dei ( Lamb of God ) Communion Distribution Scripture says, Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther s Small Catechism says, Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink. All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who share our belief that the body and blood of Jesus are truly present in the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion may come forward for a blessing. As you approach the table down the center aisle, receive an empty cup from the cart. (Non-alcoholic white grape juice is in pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink wine. These cups are marked in the rack) Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar. After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace. As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables. 7
Hymns During Distribution Build Us Up 8
Bread of Life From Heaven SENDING Dismissal Pastor: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace. People: Amen Thanksgiving Prayer Pastor: Let us pray. May the seed of your Word be strengthened in our hearts, O Lord, by the body and blood of Jesus that you have given us in this bread and wine. You have promised that wherever your Word is sown, it will bear good fruit for your glory. May this be true of us, gracious God; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. 9
Benediction Pastor: 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. People: Amen Pastor: Go in peace. Christ lives in you. People: Thanks be to God. Closing Hymn On What Has Now Been Sown SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY Worship leader and preacher Jon Marxhausen Elder Chris Fallert Piano Mary Dinesen Lector Allen Warren Ushers Jerry Corson & Byron Epland Greeters Ken and Doreen Rubbert Acolyte/Crucifer Parker McMorrow DON T FORGET YOUR 3-MINUTE MINISTRY! Challenge: try to greet someone you DON T know before visiting with those you do! 10
An Independent Lutheran Congregation 420 Hayward Ave. North Oakdale, MN 55128 651.730.4900 Email: grace@graceofgodlutheran.com www.graceofgodlutheran.com www.facebook.com/graceofgodlutheran Jon Marxhausen, Pastor WELCOME, VISITORS! Thank you for worshipping with us today. Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway. Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God. You are always welcome at Grace of God. Join us for coffee and treats after worship in the gathering space! SUMMER SABBATH will take place: Sunday, July 20 at 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00 pm Worship will be a new musical setting for worship and communion written by Pete Erickson of Stillwater, Minnesota with music led by Caleb Marxhausen and Gabe Gazzola. ALL ARE WELCOME 11
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW MORNING at 9:00 am Help fund our VBS this year by adding your footprint to the display in the entryway! Each footprint represents a $25 gift to help us purchase materials and craft supplies. Add as many as you would like! We still need some JUICE BAGS! July 13-20, 2014 Sunday, July 13 9:00 am WORSHIP PENTECOST 5 Blessing of VBS Volunteers 10:15 am Fellowship Monday, July 14 Friday, July 18 9:00 11:30 am WILDERNESS ESCAPE VBS Sunday, July 20 9:00 am WORSHIP PENTECOST 6 Blessing of Mission Trip Participants 10:15 am Fellowship 7:00 pm Summer Sabbath If you have something to add to the church calendar, please send it to calendar@graceofgodlutheran.com OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S GRACE July 6, 2014 Attendance... 58 Summer Sabbath... 30 General Fund Offering... $5,137.00 Year-to-date Offerings... $115,533.51 Year-to-date Budget... $134,946.00 July 16-19 July 23-26 July 30 Aug. 2 CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE TEAM 3 Britt Lindemann/Rick Constable & Darla Senn TEAM 4 Roxanne Cleary/Jeff & Jill Olofson/Allen & Sally Warren TEAM 5 Randy & Janice Henderson/Audrey & Bruce Gilman/Janice Roth 12
SERVING IN WORSHIP DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS 7/13/2014 Chris Fallert Parker McMorrow Allen Warren Jerry Corson & Byron Epland Ken and Doreen Rubbert 7/20/2014 Chris Fallert Riley Benson Dan Evenson Kevin Mackie & Bruce Gilman Sally and Allen Warren 7/27/2014 Chris Fallert Kassidy Mackie Janice Henderson Allen & Sally Warren Tom Schoenberg 8/3/2014 Chris Fallert Leah Marxhausen Eileen Ocone Connor McMorrow Jordan Gollner Lori Ruppel CHICAGO 2014 Summer Youth Mission Trip Saturday, July 26 Friday, August 1 Next Mission Trip Meeting Monday, July 21 at 7:00 pm (youth and adult leaders only) LUTHERAN NIGHT AT TARGET FIELD Tuesday, July 22 Bus leaves from Our Saviour s Lutheran (674 Johson Parkway) at 4:50 pm for 7:10 game. Cost is $25 per ticket and includes the bus ride. Sign up by Sunday, July 13. Contact Kevin Bonine or Audrey Gilman for questions or more information at 651-738-1767. Sign up on the clipboard by the kitchen bulletin board. 13
Schedule of Special Anniversary Events Sunday, August 17 Sunday, September 7 Saturday, September 20 Friday, September 26 Sunday, October 5 Saturday, October 25 Sunday, October 26 Reunion Picnic at Walton Park Slide show from 2014 Youth Mission Trip after worship and photo display of past mission trips Living Stones interactive display revealed Potluck picnic after worship at Walton Park in Oakdale (at the corner of 15th and Hadley) Special time for all friends of Grace of God to gather Anniversary apparel for sale Kick Off Sunday The kick off of regular educational ministry at Grace of God Potluck lunch after worship with hamburgers and hot dogs! Special activities for kids! Golf Tournament and 5K Walk/Run at 9:00 am Golf Tournament at Eagle Valley Golf Course in Woodbury 5K Walk begins at Colby Lake Park and ends at Eagle Valley Golf Course Registration required LOST AND FOUND CONCERT at 7:00 pm Free concert for all Food trucks in church parking lot from 6-7 pm! Sponsored by Thrivent Financial and Crossroads Associates Amazing Grace Race Patterned after TV s The Amazing Race, groups of 4-6 Grace of God members and friends will race around town completing tasks and serving the community Pizza supper at the church afterwards Registration required Celebration Banquet at 6:00 pm Evening dinner in the space where we had our first worship service in Woodbury at the Eagle Valley Golf Course Clubhouse. Buffet dinner for $20/person Registration required Charter Sunday -=Anniversary Celebration Special Reformation Sunday worship at 9:00 am Free German-style 14 lunch for all after worship
Come join your friends at Grace of God Lutheran Church for a NEXT SUNDAY, July 20 at 11:00 am Richard Walton Park in Oakdale We ll gather up for a table prayer at 11:00 am at the picnic shelter (watch for the Grace of God banner) KICKBALL after lunch for those who would like to play! 15