OUR SAVIOUR S Lutheran Church July 15, 2018
Time after Pentecost 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. Gathering Music Welcome Gathering The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. *Confession and Forgiveness 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. 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 Savior. Amen. Neither this world nor your life is so broken that God cannot restore it to wholeness. Trust and believe that, after separation, reconciliation is possible. Your sin is forgiven and God welcomes us to beloved community. Thanks be to God. *Opening Hymn When Morning Gilds the Skies #853 *Greeting The grace of our Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. *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, Savior and Sovereign. Amen. 4
Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song. -- Quiet reflection First Reading Amos 7:7-15 This is what YAHWEH showed me: God was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in hand. And YAHWEH said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then YAHWEH said, See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; the 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. Then 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. For thus Amos has said, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from its land. And Amaziah said to Amos, O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom. Then Amos answered Amaziah, I am no prophet, nor a prophet s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and God took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 5
Psalm 85:8-13 Refrain sing continuously Translation from Latin: Give us peace. Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Abba of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that before God we should be holy and blameless in love. God destined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ, that was God s good pleasure and will, to the praise of God s glorious grace freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God s grace lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight God has made known to us the mystery of the divine will, according to God s good pleasure set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the divine counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of God s glory. 6
In Christ 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; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God s own people, to the praise of God s glory. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. *Gospel Acclamation The holy gospel according to Mark, the 6 th chapter. Glory to you, O God. 7
*Gospel Reading Mark 6:14-29 King 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. But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old. But when Herod heard of it, he said, John, whom I beheaded, has been raised. 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. For John had been telling Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother s wife. And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When Herod heard John, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 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. And he solemnly swore to her, Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom. She went out and said to her mother, What should I ask for? The mother replied, The head of John the baptizer. 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. The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John s head. The soldier went and beheaded John in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. 8
Then the girl gave it to her mother. When John s disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. This is the Good News. Praise to you, O Christ. Children s Sermon After the children s sermon, children may go with their teacher to children s church. Or, families may decide to keep children in worship. We love all ages in worship and leave it to the families to decide. Sermon *Hymn of the Day When Pain of the World Surrounds Us #704 *Prayers of the People (Each petition will conclude with, Hear us, O God and the congregation responds, Your mercy is great. ) Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Meal God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. *Peace (The people greet each other: Peace be with you. ) The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. 9
Gathering our Gifts All present, even those who contribute through automatic payments, are invited to lay hands upon the collection plate symbolizing their contributions. *Offertory 10
*Offering Prayer Let us pray. Be known to us, O Christ, in the breaking of the bread, as you were made known to the disciples. Receive these gifts, and the offering of our lives, that we may be your risen body in the world. Amen. *The 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 our thanks and praise. It is our duty and delight we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 11
*Sanctus *Eucharistic Proclamation and Prayer 12
*Lord s Prayer (re-translation of the Aramaic) O Breathing Life, your Name shines everywhere! Release a space to plant your Presence here. Imagine your possibilities now. Embody your desire in every light and form. Grow through us this moment's bread and wisdom. Untie the knots of failure binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others' faults. Help us not forget our Source, yet free us from not being in the Present. From you arises every Vision, Power and Song from gathering to gathering. Amen - May our future actions grow from here! Invitation to Communion Distribution All are welcome at the table. After you have received the bread, you may dip it into one of the cups: the dark liquid is wine, the light liquid is grape juice. Or, you may eat the bread and then drink from the last cup which is a common cup of wine. A gluten free wafer is also available. Those who do not yet commune may come forward for a blessing. 13
Come to the Table Faith of Our Fathers #812 *Blessing *Prayer 14
*Post Communion Canticle Announcements Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. *Blessing *Sending Song Send Me, Jesus #549 *Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve. Thanks be to God! Postlude 15
Ministers: Presiding: Preaching: Assisting: Reader: Accompanist: Altar Guild: Hospitality Leads for July: Today s Worship The Members of Our Saviour s Lutheran Church Martha Schwehn Bardwell Laurie Eaton Mike Troutman Bruce Pederson Catherine Preus Susan Erickson, Lucy Sealander and Marie Svang Kim Smith and Jeanne Asp Portions of the liturgy and clip art are taken from Sundays and Seasons.com 2017 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission under license # 45191. Sanctus 1988 Guillermo Cuellar, trans. Bret Hesla, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission under OneLicense.net # A-704050. Come to the Table 2003 Daniel Pederson. Used by permission. Illustration on this page by Daniel Erlander. Used by permission. 16
Announcements Today: Summer Potluck. Join us after Worship today for our summer salad potluck. Everyone welcome, with or without food. Thanks to the July service team led by Kim Smith and Jeanne Asp who are helping put it on! Next Sunday: Come Together Join in prayer and conversation with others longing to create peace and put an end to violence in our communities. 4:00pm Worship and conversation 4:45-5:15pm Possible peace walk in our neighborhood 5:30pm Refreshments Announcements for the July 22 Worship Folder. Please send announcements for next week s worship folder to Mary Preus. Thank you! Comment on the Minneapolis Draft Comprehensive Plan by July 22. Our city is currently working on a comprehensive plan that will shape how Minneapolis will grow and change for years to come. The city is inviting input and feedback on the plan through July 22. Take some time to visit the website to learn and comment so that our voices can be heard! https://minneapolis2040.com/ Gather at the River - July 29, 3-6pm. The EcoFaith network of the Minneapolis Area Synod (ELCA) of which we're a part is hosting a great, free event on the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling State Park. From 3-6 pm, we will gather with folks from other congregations to hike Pike Island to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers; listen and learn about the indigenous story of the sacred sites nearby; do water quality testing of both rivers and discuss human impact; play, share stories, and sing about water. There is also a fellowship dinner as part of the event. Please RSVP to Grace Corbin by July 22 if you plan to attend: g.corbin@mpls-synod.org. Grace is one of our LVCers in the Winona House! CES Volunteer Opportunity! Saturday, August 4; 9 11am at CES. Pack groceries for future delivery. All ages welcome. Contact Maryellen with questions and to sign up. (skan@umn.edu or 612-623-7805) July Mission of the Month: Curran Hospital, Liberia. Curran Hospital relies on generators for electricity. Fuel is difficult to transport and costly to have delivered. As a result, the hospital often must shut down their power system for periods of 17
time to conserve fuel. Vaccines are jeopardized and operations become more risky with intermittent or no power. Help bring reliable, clean and renewable solar energy to Curran. Note Curran on your check or envelope. Calendar Sun Jul 15 10 10:30am Coffee (HC) 10:30 11:30am Worship (S) After Worship Summer Pot Luck (HC, K, back yard) Mon Jul 16 9 11am Archives Committee (basement) Tue Jul 17 12:30 2pm Staff Meeting (CR) 6:30 8:30pm MCFF mtg (off site) Wed Jul 18 10:15am 12pm Bible Study (CR) Thu Jul 19 Fri Jul 20 Sentinel Deadline 7 9am Women's Brkfst @ Birchwood 6:30 7:30pm Long Range Planning Team (CR) 7:30 9pm Staffing Team Mtg (CR) Office Closed 7 10pm Narcotics Anonymous (HC) Sat Jul 21 Sun Jul 22 10 10:30am Coffee (HC) 10:30 11:30am Worship (S) 11:30am 1pm ISAIAH Mtg (CR) After Worship Hospitality (HC) 3 4pm Set-up (S) 4 6pm Come Together -- Prayer and Worship Service (S, HC) 18