An evening setting of Holy Communion St. David s Evangelical Lutheran Church Saturday, July 21, 2018 5:30 pm Liturgy of Word and Sacrament Pentecost 9 Interims: The Reverend Larry Hoover and Bishop Emeritus Gregory Pile Church: 479-4110; Fax: 479-2994 www.stdavidslutheran.org
Welcome to St. David's Lutheran Church! We are blessed by your presence and honored that you have chosen to worship with us today. Please take a moment to sign the friendship sheet that is located in the booklet at the end of each pew, near the center aisle. These sheets will be collected with the offering. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is offered to all who are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and who recognize the Sacrament as the true body and blood of our Lord. Baptized children are also welcome to the Lord s table at St. David s with the guidance and consent of their parents or guardians. Prayer Requests may be made by placing the request in the small wooden box at the rear, near the doors through which you entered. The acolyte will collect the requests and they will be included during the prayers of the congregation. For your comfort there is a restroom, equipped with a changing table and supplies and a water fountain located upstairs. Simply exit through the double doors back into the narthex. The restroom is straight ahead in the parlor, beside the grandfather clock, and the water fountain is to the right at the beginning of the hallway. Devotional The worship folder you are holding is also a weekly devotional booklet. The prayers and Scripture readings are appropriate for use at any time during the week. The liturgy itself is a Scripturally based order for daily prayer and devotion with Scriptural references noted where they apply. Even the hymns are appropriate tools for prayer and praise. Finally, there is a daily lectionary of Scripture readings for the rest of the week on the last printed page.
INTRODUCTION Mark s gospel makes clear how great was the press of the crowd, with its countless needs to be met, on Jesus and his disciples. Yet in today s gospel Jesus advises his disciples to get away and rest, to take care of themselves. Sometimes we think that when others are in great need we shouldn't think of ourselves at all; but Jesus also honors the caregivers need. We are sent from Christ s table to care for others and for ourselves. BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS The assembly stands. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Kneel/Sit Silence for reflection and self-examination. Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. The minister stands and addresses the congregation. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The assembly stands.
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. KYRIE In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, powerful and compassionate, you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. The assembly is seated.
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 23:1-6 A reading from Jeremiah the 23 rd chapter. {Jeremiah prophesied before the exile in 587 BCE. In this passage, he uses the metaphor of a shepherd to describe the bad kings who have scattered the flock of Israel. God promises to gather the flock and to raise up a new king from David s line to save Israel and Judah.} 1Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. 5The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: The LORD is our righteousness. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 23 (read responsively) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1) 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. 2The LORD makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. 3You restore my soul, O LORD, and guide me along right pathways for your name s sake. 4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. All: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)
SECOND READING: Ephesians 2:11-22 A reading from Ephesians the 2 nd chapter. {The author of this letter is reminding his audience that originally they were not part of God s chosen people. Through Jesus death, however, they are included in God s household of faith, whose cornerstone is Jesus Christ.} 11Remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called the uncircumcision by those who are called the circumcision a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The assembly stands. GOSPEL: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 The holy gospel according to Mark the 6 th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. {When Jesus sent his disciples out to teach and heal, they ministered among large numbers of people. Their work was motivated by Christ s desire to be among those in need.} 30The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON The assembly is seated. The assembly stands.
Together we confess our faith: APOSTLES CREED 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. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Growing in faith and discipleship, we give thanks for God s merciful compassion as we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence. God, you are our cornerstone, giving your people a strong foundation of faith. Help us to seek meaningful change in the world, and lead us to places of rest where you renew us for mission. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. God, you are our shepherd, leading us to green pastures and still waters for our use and pleasure. Renew the face of the earth. Guard the land and seas, the mountains and valleys, cultivated farmland and untamed wilderness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. God, you are our righteousness, proclaiming peace to those who are far off and to those who are near. Remove hostility that divides nations. Make us no longer strangers or aliens but fellow citizens with all your saints. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, you are our compassion, bringing rest to all who seek treatments and diagnoses and are left without answers or energy. Restore the aching souls and bodies of those who seek comfort (especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. God, you are our creativity, creating joy and purpose through all artists in the church: composers, writers, visual artists, musicians, poets, and dancers. Open our hearts to experience your truth in new and beautiful ways through their work. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Here other intercessions may be offered. God, you are our future, leading us through the valley of the shadow of death and preparing a table for us with all of your saints (especially Mary Magdalene). Let your goodness and mercy follow us until we dwell in your house forever. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Gracious God, we lift to you these prayers and the prayers of our hearts, trusting in your everlasting love and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The minister and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord. Peace be with you. Peace be with you. Please be seated, while the table is set. The assembly stands. OFFERING PRAYER Merciful God, you open wide your hand and satisfy the need of every living thing. You have set this feast before us. Open our hands to receive it. Open our hearts to embrace it. Open our lives to live it. We pray this through Christ our Lord.
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 him thanks and praise. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER All glory to you, Almighty God, heavenly Father: out of Your great love for us You gave Your only Son Jesus, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. It was your Son Jesus who freely surrendered Himself to suffer death on the cross for us and for our salvation. There, on that cross, He willingly offered Himself up as a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. By that gift of love and grace we are your people, born of water and word, served, fed, and forgiven at your Holy Table and called together by Your Holy Spirit. Therefore we offer ourselves as disciples who follow as witnesses to the world and as living memory of His gift of grace. Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the body and blood of your Son our Lord. Come, Lord Jesus.
On 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 many for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. With this bread and cup we remember our Lord's passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Send your Holy Spirit upon us: 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 our Lord. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.
THE LORD S PRAYER Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. 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. LAMB OF GOD Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace. The assembly is seated. The Holy Communion is distributed with these or similar words: The body of Christ, given for you The blood of Christ, shed for you Following the Holy Communion the congregation stands: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Let us pray. Jesus Christ, host of this meal, you have given us not only this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled again by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of justice, may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. BLESSING 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. QUIET MEDITATION DISMISSAL Go in peace. The Spirit sends us forth to serve. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL MESSAGE The Shores of Wilderness Work colleagues wandered into one another s offices, often at the most overwhelmed and exasperated intersections of their days, to exhale fragments of frayed and patched agendas and deadlines. What are we doing that matters? Today s gospel describes a busy, even frantic scene. Great crowds. All that they had done. Rushed. Taught. Healed. No leisure even to eat. Hurried. The sick. Sheep without a shepherd. Marketplaces. Great crowds. Then, Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile (Mark 6:31). Jesus leads the way away to a deserted place, to the shores of wilderness where we can be close to ourselves, where we can receive rest. Come away to rest with Jesus in a deserted place where what we do and who we are meet. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where giving and receiving bask in love for one another. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where the still small voice and the voice crying in the wilderness grace our silence. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where visions beyond and dreams within awaken one another. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where the tree withers to bear new fruit. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where yesterday s hour and tomorrow s hour are blessed in now s moment. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where extravagant abundance gladdens scarcity. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where knowing lies down quietly as believing rises. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where shepherd and sheep come together. Come away to rest with Jesus in the deserted place where it matters. And they did. They went away in the boat to a deserted place (Mark 6:32).
Daily Readings for the Week July 22-28 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23 Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Psalm 100 Jeremiah 50:1-7 Hebrews 13:17-25 Psalm 100 Zechariah 9:14 10:2 Acts 20:17-38 Psalm 100 2 Samuel 5:1-12 Luke 15:1-7 Psalm 145:10-18 1 Kings 19:19-21 Colossians 1:9-14 Psalm 145:10-18 2 Kings 3:4-20 Colossians 3:12-17 Psalm 145:10-18 2 Kings 4:38-41 John 4:31-38 Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006303. 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.