Worship Outline and Sermon

Worship Outline: July 13, 2025 - Time after Pentecost (Service of the Word)

Introduction to the day

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind is to reflect God’s mercy in responding to one’s neighbor. That mercy found its most profound expression in the “gospel that has come to you”—namely the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That gospel mercy comes to us again today: at the font, at the table, and from the pulpit. It is very near to you.

(*=stand, as able)

Time for Quiet Reflection and Prayer

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

*Opening Song Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (# 858)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TORx7hd9AXs

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Let all who hear

Now to his temple draw near,

Joining in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigning

And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.

Have you not seen

All that is needful hath been

Sent by his gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

Surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew

What the Almighty can do

If with his love he befriend you.

Praise to the Lord! Oh let all that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the amen

Sound from his people again.

Gladly forever adore him!

(Text: Joachim Neander; tr. Catherine Winkworth, alt. Music: ‘Ernewerten Gesangbuch’, Part II, Stralsund, 1665. Text and music: public domain.)

*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.

*Canticle of Praise Praise My Soul, the God of Heaven

(# 864, st. 1,4)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Wu__OV1c8

Praise my soul, the God of heaven;

Joyfully your tribute bring.

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Evermore God’s praises sing.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praises everlasting ring!

Angels sing in adoration,

In God’s presence, face to face,

Sun and moon and all creation,

All who dwell in time and space.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise with us the God of grace!

(Text: Henry F. Lyte, alt. Walter R. Bouman. Music: John Goss. Text and music: public domain.)

Prayer of the Day

O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn our hearts to love our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Moses calls the people who are about to enter the promised land to renew the covenant God made with their ancestors. Through this covenant God gives life and asks for obedience. God’s commandment is neither burdensome nor too far off, but dwells in the people’s hearts.

9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, 10 when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 “Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 14 No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me (# 767)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5RpGUTccXA

Lord, take my hand and lead me

Upon life’s way;

Direct, protect, and feed me

From day to day.

Without your grace and favour

I go astray;

So take my hand, O Saviour,

And lead the way.

Lord, when the tempest rages,

I need not fear;

For you, the Rock of Ages,

Are always near.

Close by your side abiding,

I fear no foe,

For when your hand is guiding,

In peace I go.

Lord, when the shadows lengthen

And night has come,

I know that you will strengthen

My steps toward home,

Then nothing can impede me,

O blessed Friend!

So, take my hand and lead me

Unto the end.

(Text: Julie von Hausmann; tr. ‘Lutheran Book of Worship’. © 1978, Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved. Music: Friedrich Silcher, public domain.)

Second Reading: Colossians 1:1-14

The letter to the Colossians was written to warn its readers of various false teachings. The first part of the letter is an expression of thanks for the faith, hope, and love that mark this community, including a prayer for strength and courage.

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. 7 This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation (said)

Alleluia. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself. Alleluia. (Luke 10:27)

*Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

The Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus is challenged to explain what is involved in obeying the greatest commandment. He tells a parable rich in surprises: those expected to show pity display hard hearts while the lowly give and receive unexpected and lavish mercy.

25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon – Pastor Matthew

*Hymn of the Day Healer of Our Every Ill (# 612)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvMkqg4JsRU

Refrain:

Healer of our ev’ry ill,

Light of each tomorrow,

Give us peace beyond our fear,

And hope beyond our sorrow.

In the pain and joy beholding

How your grace is still unfolding,

Give us all your vision, God of love.

Refrain:

Give us strength to love each other,

Ev’ry sister, ev’ry brother;

Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.

Refrain:

You who know each thought and feeling,

Teach us all your way of healing;

Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.

Refrain:

Offering (please be seated)

As the gifts are collected and brought forward, please join in singing:

Offertory Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (# 708, st.1-3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dpx7Opu6qo

Refrain:

Jesu, Jesu,

Fill us with your love,

Show us how to serve

The neighbours we have from you.

Kneels at the feet of his friends,

Silently washes their feet,

Master who acts as a slave to all.

Refrain:

Neighbours are wealthy and poor,

Varied in colour and race,

Neighbours are nearby and far away.

Refrain:

These are the ones we will serve,

These are the ones we will love;

All these are neighbours to us and you.

Refrain:

Offering Prayer

Creator God, in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good and the harvest is plentiful. Strengthen us that we may work for the good of all; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

*Prayers of Intercession

In solidarity with all creation, we join our voice to the voice of the whole church and pray for the needs of the world.

A brief silence.

Saving God, awaken our national church to rejoice in hope as we follow your path of love. Bless our new national Bishop, Larry Kochendorfer, in his ministry. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Prosper the harvests of fruit-bearing bushes, trees, and plants. Uphold farmers and farm workers as they labor through summer days, and bring relief to lands that are parched with heat. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Instill in leaders of the world a strong love for their neighbors. Compel them to govern with equity and to give aid and protection to people who are vulnerable, especially strangers, migrants, and asylum seekers. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Draw near to people in need of help, comfort, and healing. Those we remember include … God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Listen to our silent prayers … God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Go with all who travel and protect them from harm. Put in their paths people who offer aid, including first responders. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for all who have gone before us and have made your love known … Help us to follow their witness as we await our share in the inheritance of the saints. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Trusting in your lovingkindness, we place our prayer and hope in you, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

*Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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.

*Blessing

The love of God abound in you; the grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ fill your hearts; and the life of the Spirit ☩ bless you and give you peace.

Amen.

*Sending Song Lord, Be Glorified (# 744)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlruY4I0NSs

In my life, Lord,

Be glorified,

Be glorified;

In my life, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In our song, Lord,

Be glorified,

Be glorified;

In our song, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In your church, Lord,

Be glorified,

Be glorified;

In your church, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In your world, Lord,

Be glorified,

Be glorified;

In you world, Lord,

Be glorified today.

Sermon: July 13, 2025 - Time after Pentecost

Text: Luke 10:25-37

The Rev. Christie Morrow-Wolfe, former Assistant to the Bishop of our church’s Eastern Synod. has written this sermon, which Pastor Matthew has adapted. Part of our church’s summer sermon series, it is for National Convention Sunday, ending today in Winnipeg.

“The story of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the most familiar stories in the Bible. The characters – the Priest, the Levite, the man in the ditch, the Samaritan, Jesus, and the expert in the law all have a role to play. Pastor Christie was most struck, this time, by the religious lawyer. In his questions the lawyer is looking for a roadmap for salvation. He wants to hear about the proposed route Jesus would take to maybe see how it compares the route with which he is most familiar. ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life, Jesus?’, ‘What is my road map for getting there?’”

The Scriptures tell us the lawyer was testing Jesus. It was his job to be well versed in the religious laws. He does indeed know his stuff, reciting the law without barely even thinking — “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” Jesus affirms his response: “You have given the right answer; do this and you will live.”

Yet the lawyer presses on: “and who is my neighbour?” This is when Jesus uses a parable to blow the conversation wide open. In doing so, he stretches the expert’s understanding of a very familiar and predicable law of one’s relationship to God and neighbour. He implores him to consider it through the lens of love and Gospel.

In the story Jesus tells, the road down to Jerusalem from Jericho was a dangerous stretch. You didn’t want to stop there. It wasn’t the place to pull over. In our modern day, this proposed route on our Google Maps might prompt us to opt for a different choice of paths to ensure our on-time arrival. If he could, the one in the ditch could attest to the fact that this was not the safest stretch of road.

Along come a Priest and a Levite. For whatever reason, they choose to ignore the beaten one. Maybe they were afraid it was a trap…maybe they were so bound by their own rules and institution that they will not risk getting bloodied and dirty by getting down in the ditch with the one in need. They cannot and will not bring themselves to any merciful action. They cross the road and proceed on their way.

Then along comes the Samaritan — an outsider and sworn enemy of the Jewish people. He becomes an unlikely hero, going above and beyond to offer care and love to the one in need. The Samaritan takes a risk by stopping on this dangerous road. He shows compassion and mercy to one outside of his community; someone not like him. He dresses the wounds of the man, and then he uses his own resources to ensure continuing care so healing can occur.

This expert in the law, with all his studying of the Torah and knowledge of the religious laws as they existed, saw the world in very concrete, predictable terms. Jesus in this parable changes the rules and veers off course. The once familiar road map of life and order has been turned upside down.

Maybe, wonders Pastor Christie, this is what our own journeys of faith are to resemble. In vulnerability our hearts are opened to see the other…and to meet the other where they’re at. It is on this faith walk we discover that we all share a common humanity, and see just how wide God continues to draw the circle. Pastor Christie writes this is where we move past the point of thoughts and prayers ONLY and where we are spurred on to a faith lived out through holy action and holy care and holy love.

But, then she recognizes that if this is so, ‘oh my, it can be so hard. Every day in our walk of faith, we are faced with the decision to take risk…to become vulnerable…to get down in the ditch to offer care, compassion, help and hope…. Some days we’re a really awesome Good Samaritan. Other days, we’re the Priest and the Levite, crossing the road and hurrying on our way. Yet, all days God’s love calls us to keep trying and to do as Jesus did and draw that circle wide and then wider still. Journeying in faith means letting go of certainty; giving up what might be easiest and safest and frequently means getting messy.

In his Evolving Faith Podcast, Jeff Chu says we all cling to clarity…but faith calls us to let go of clarity and seek trust and lean into trusting God. Doing so, he says, allows your mess to be messy; it allows your heart to wonder; and your questions to morph into half answers in their own good time because faith resists simple categories. What gets us through is growing to know and trust that we have God’s love. Through all the uncertainty, God’s love remains. God’s love is the thing that makes everything whole. This is not our doing. This is God’s work. It’s God’s love that creates grace for what’s still in process. Even when we cannot feel God’s love in its completeness — the promise of this love is enough and it helps us to embrace the uncertainty of faith.

Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus provides us with a map – the coordinates to the abundant and more intimate life that God desires with each of us. Getting there is guaranteed to be an adventure…it’s rarely a straightforward journey. Sometimes it’s risky; oftentimes it’s uncertain. Yet, its in these exact moments of vulnerability where we meet and know God most readily…where we encounter God’s Spirit already working. How blessed are we that Creator takes us along for the ride…along Jesus’ chosen route of love, hope, care and compassion. Amen.

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