In a world of competition and resume building, it s easy to lose touch with that which matters most: our character. In this series, we consider five traits the Bible claims as necessary to building a strong inner character, discovering what St. Paul says is a life that really is life (1 Timothy 6:19). Part 2: Self-Discipline The Season after Pentecost July 15, 2018 11 am St. John s Lutheran Church Salisbury NC
Welcome to St. John s! For more information about today s worship, please refer to the pew card found in the hymnal. The congregation s responses are in bold. Gathering Welcome Please sign the Friendship Pad and pass it to your neighbor in the pew. Prelude Prayers of Confession, turning to face the cross of Christ. As we gather for worship, we make the sign of the cross as a reminder of our baptism. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Apostle John writes this: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 Silence for reflection and self-examination. Gracious God, Have mercy on me according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Amen. Psalm 51:1-3,10-12 A prayer written by King David after his affair with Bethsheba was made known. God s Promise of Forgiveness In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen. Entrance Hymn 532 Gather Us In 2 GATHER US IN
Kyrie. A centering prayer asking for God s mercy and peace. 3
Hymn of Praise Tune: Let All Things Now Living Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the creator triumphantly raise, who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, who still guides us on to the end of our days. God s banners are o er us, God s light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining forth in the night, till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished, as forward we travel from light into light. Let us pray. God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Please be seated Word First Reading Jeremiah 18:1-6 The potter and the clay 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words. 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Second Reading Psalm 25:1-9 Prayer for guidance and deliverance from sin 1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 4
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. 6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD! 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Response Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am Sing as led 5
The Holy Gospel Mark 12:28-34a To be rooted in love 28 One of the scribes came near Jesus and asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 33and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Response Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am Sermon Pastor Rhodes Woolly Please stand Hymn 612 Healer of Our Every Ill HEALER OF OUR EVERY ILL Choir will sing verses 1-3, congregation will join on refrains and verse 4 Apostles Creed Gathered as God s people across time and space, let us confess our faith using the words of the 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, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 6
Prayers of Intercession. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer. Sharing the Peace of Christ The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Please be seated Meal Collection of our tithes and offerings and preparation of the Lord s Table Offertory Solo Offertory Hymn O Lord, You're Beautiful Ondria Durocher-Witt, Soloist Keith Green As the gifts are presented, the congregation stands and sings the Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen Let us pray. Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. Eucharistic Prayer, followed by the Lord s Prayer 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. 7
The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God! Please be seated Distribution of Holy Communion, see pew card for instructions. Communion Hymns Lamb of God, p. 154, front of red ELW 466 In the Singing 461 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly 208 Praise to You, O God of Mercy Prayer and Blessing Benediction Sending God sends us out to help advance his kingdom Sending Hymn 632 O God, Our Help in Ages Past ST. ANNE Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God! Postlude Unless otherwise indicated, today s service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and is reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #26999. St. John s is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 8