Worship Outline and Sermon 

Worship Outline:  July 6, 2025 - Time after Pentecost (Holy Communion)

Introduction to the day

God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’ invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In holy communion, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.

(* = please stand, as able)

Quiet Time for Reflection and Prayer

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

*Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Baptized into Christ, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Merciful God,

you free us to love others, but we neglect our neighbours and follow our own way. You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace, but we turn away from the abundant life you offer. You surround us with patience, kindness, and generosity, but we grow weary in doing what is right. In your mercy, forgive us. Do not give up on us. Heal us, break our bonds, and show us the path of life. Amen.

You belong to Christ Jesus and you are God’s children through faith. In the cross of ☩ Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven. Clothed with Christ, you are a new creation.

Amen.

*Opening Song We Come to the Hungry Feast (# 479)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOMJ5HX6Fws

We come to the hungry feast

Hungry for a word of peace.

To hungry hearts unsatisfied

The love of God is not denied.

We come, we come to the hungry feast.

We come to the hungry feast

Hungry for a world released

From hungry folk of ev’ry kind,

The poor in body, poor in mind.

We come, we come to the hungry feast.

We come to the hungry feast

Hungry that the hunger cease,

And knowing, though we eat our fill,

The hunger will stay with us; still

We come, we come, to the hungry feast.

(Text and music: Ray Makeever. © 1982, Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved.)

*Greeting (p. 98)

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 (p. 101, sung)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMZrlPTt4aI

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

Whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches, wisdom and strength,

And honour and blessing and glory are his.

Refrain:

Sing with all the people of God,

And join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honour, glory and might

Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

Refrain:                                                    

For the lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.

Refrain:

*Prayer of the Day

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life’s journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

First Reading: Psalm 66:1-9

All the earth bows down before you and sings out your name. (Ps. 66:4)

 1 Be joyful in God, all you lands;
  be joyful, all the earth.
 2 Sing the glory God’s name;
  sing the glory of God’s praise.
 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
  Because of your great strength your enemies cringe before  

      you.
 4 All the earth bows down before you,
  sings to you, sings out your name.”
 5 Come now and see the works of God,
  how awesome are God’s deeds toward all people.
 6 God turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through  

      the water on foot,
  and there we rejoiced in God.
 7 Ruling forever in might, God keeps watch over the nations;
  let no rebels exalt themselves.
 8 Bless our God, you peoples;
  let the sound of praise be heard.
 9 Our God has kept us among the living
  and has not allowed our feet to slip.

  The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer (# 618)

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

Guide me ever, great Redeemer,

Pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but you are mighty;

Hold me with your pow’rful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

Feed me now and evermore,

Feed me now and evermore. 

Open now the crystal fountain

Where the healing waters flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journeys through.

Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,

Shield me with your mighty arm,

Shield me with your mighty arm.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death, and hell’s destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs and praises, songs and praises,

I will raise forevermore,

I will raise forevermore.

(Text: William Williams; tr. William Williams and Peter Williams, alt. Music: John Hughes. Text and music: public domain.)

Second Reading: Galatians 6:7-16

In the close of his letter to the Galatians, Paul encourages them to live as people made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Here Paul offers practical advice about how believers exercise common concern for one other in “the family of faith.”

  7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.

  11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation is everything! 16 As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

     The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 

*Gospel Acclamation (p. 102, sung)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO3nbnAe3Do

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

*Gospel:  Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

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

Jesus’ ongoing presence with the disciples will be made known through the coming Spirit who will guide them and communicate to them Jesus’ will and glory.

  1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6 And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’

  16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

  17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 Indeed, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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

Sermon – Pastor Matthew 

*Hymn of the Day I Love to Tell the Story (# 661)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YgXvw4cJU

I love to tell the story

Of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and his glory,

Of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,

Because I know it’s true;

It satisfies my longings

As nothing else would do.

Refrain:

I love to tell the story;

‘twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,

How pleasant to repeat

What seems, each time I tell it,

More wonderfully sweet!

I love to tell the story,

For some have never heard

The message of salvation

From God’s own holy word.

Refrain:

I love to tell the story,

For those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting

To hear it like the rest.

And, when in scenes of glory,

I sing the new, new song,

I’ll sing the old, old story

That I have loved so long.

Refrain:

(Text: Katherine Hankey. Music: William E. Fischer. Text and music: public domain.)

*Apostles’ Creed (p. 105)

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.

*Prayers of Intercession

Drawn into the embrace of the holy Trinity, we lift our prayers for the wholeness of the church, the world, and all creation.

A brief silence.

You send your church into the world with a message of peace. Center the whole church in this peace, and strengthen our faith by the example of all those who creatively and faithfully proclaim your good news. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

All the earth sings out your name. Inspire your people to drink deeply from the beauty of all your creation. When ecosystems are wounded, bring your healing. When our actions endanger the survival of other species, curb our greed and waste. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

You provide times of rest and renewal. Send your peace to all those at Luther Village this summer, as they receive these gifts from you. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

You call us to work for the good of all. Give resolve to those who lead, that they do not grow weary in doing what is right. Guide them to seek peace between nations and freedom for all people. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

As a mother comforts her child, so you comfort us. Bring this comfort to those in any pain. Carry your people when grief is heavy, and lift burdens of shame and self-doubt. Those we remember include … God of grace,

hear our prayer.

You are with us when we are with others and when we feel all alone. Listen now to our silent prayers … God of grace,

hear our prayer.

You have written our names in heaven, O God, and we rejoice. We thank you for those who have lived and died in your love ... Accompany us on our life’s journey and draw us at last to life forever in you. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Gather all our prayers in your mercy, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

Amen. 

*Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Our Offerings are brought forward (please be seated)

As our offerings are being collected by passing plates down the pews, please join in singing:

Offertory For the Beauty of the Earth (# 879, st. 1,2, 5)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2glg4GToQ5I

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies:

Refrain:

Christ, our God, to thee we raise

This our sacrifice of praise.

For the wonder of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale and tree and flow’r,

Sun and moon and stars of light:

Refrain:

For each perfect gift of thine,

Peace on earth and joy in heav’n;

For thyself, best gift divine,

To our world so freely giv’n:

Refrain:

(Text: Folliott S. Pierpoint, alt. Music: Conrad Kocher. Text and music: public domain.)

Offering Prayer

Creator God, in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good and the harvest is plentiful. Strengthen us at your table with these gifts of the earth and our labour, that we may work for the good of all. Amen.

*Great Thanksgiving (p.107, sung)

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 indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG49pxojgjk

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

In 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 all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

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.

Invitation to Communion

Come to the banquet, for all is now ready. The body and blood of Christ given and shed for you.

If watching online, when the presiding minister says, ‘The body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you,’ we welcome all to take and eat a piece of bread, remembering and giving thanks for the promises given us in Christ Jesus. Please also do so, taking a glass of wine or another beverage.

During Communion, please join in singing: 

Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (# 886, st. 1-3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BVAfug-Pi8

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and king,

The triumphs of his grace!    

My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honours of your name.

The name of Jesus charms our fears

And bids our sorrows cease,

Sings music in the sinner’s ears,

Brings life and health and peace.

(Text: Charles Wesley, alt. Music: Carl G. Gläser; arr. Lowell Mason. Text and music: public domain.)

Prayer after Communion

God of abundance, you gathered us to your table and we drank deeply of your grace. Send us out by your Spirit to love our neighbours as ourselves and proclaim your love in Jesus’ name. 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 Rise Up, O Saints of God! (# 669)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQil4RTBXeU

Rise up, O saints of God!

From vain ambitions turn;

Christ rose triumphant that your hearts

With nobler zeal might burn.

Speak out, O saints of God!

Despair engulfs earth’s frame;

As heirs of God’s baptismal grace,

The word of hope proclaim.

Rise up, O saints of God!

The kingdom’s task embrace;

Redress sin’s cruel consequence;

Give justice larger place.

Give heed, O saints of God!

Creation cries in pain;

Stretch forth your hand of healing now,

With love the weak sustain.                   

Commit your hearts to seek

The paths which Christ has trod;

And, quickened by the Spirit’s pow’r,

Rise up, O saints of God!

(Text: Norman O. Forness. © 1978, Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved. Music: William H. Walter, public domain.)

*Dismissal

Go in peace. Live by the Spirit. 

Thanks be to God!

From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Sermon: July 6, 2025 - Time after Pentecost

Text: Luke 10:1

Only Luke shares the account of a second commissioning of disciples, a group beyond the 12 disciples, for duty as evangelists. Many suggest that we hear this not as a one-off event. Rather it is a preview of the mission to the whole world announced after Jesus’ resurrection and seen in the events recorded in the book of Acts. This in turn reminds us that even today Jesus intends all followers, including you and me, to go to every town and place. The call to be out in the world with the light of Christ continues.

As exciting at first as this might sound,  Jesus quickly brings the would-be messengers, and us modern witnesses, down to earth.  In our American Lutheran partner church’s World Hunger blog for today, writer Kristin Thomas Sancken observes that this week’s Gospel reading is about “showing up when you’re called, even when the job orientation sounds (frankly) terrible.” ‘In  v.2, Jesus says, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone on the road.” Can you imagine, [asks Sancken,] volunteering for a job where the leader tells you, “There’s a ton of work, very few people to help, you might be eaten alive, and by the way, I’m not giving you any tools. Just … stay wary”? Who signs up for that?’ ‘Yet, Jesus sends them - not armed, but vulnerable. They go out with nothing, completely dependent on others for food, shelter, and protection.’

If that’s not enough, then Jesus adds, “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.” Notice, [points out Sancken,] the pronoun: your peace will rest on them - not my peace. Jesus expects his followers to carry themselves with peace, a peace that flows from God, but a hard feeling to embrace among such uncertainty. [It is as] theology professor Amy Oden writes, “Engaging others means not treating them as objects upon which we act, but as sacred others with whom we are called to be fully and peacefully present.” If others do not share in this peace, Jesus doesn't call for scorn or argument. He simply says your peace will return to you. It is never wasted.’

In the face of all of these warnings, we can be tempted not to respond to this call.  The world is just too dangerous for us to share our message of faith.  The 72 found great success, but soon Jesus himself faced crucifixion. Our reading from Galatians says, “Let us not grow weary of doing what is right.”  Yet, that can be exactly what we feel happening to us, as our words seem to fall on deaf, or hostile ears.

Responding to such a shared reality, the organizers of our national’s church’s convention this coming week have chosen as its theme, “Rejoicing in Hope.”  This phrase comes from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, ‘Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.’ (12.12). The other words of the apostle in this section suggest that we live in similar times to the early church, even though 2000 years apart. He encourages them: ‘Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another …if it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all.’ So also, he instructs: ‘Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good ... contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.’ As Jesus notes in our reading from Luke, Paul also teaches that in the midst of this mission it is not our task to judge or punish those who reject the message we share. We leave that to God, and continue on our journey, our mission. One day even our enemies might come to rejoice in the love of God being shared by us.

National Bishop Susan Johnson suggests that this phrase “reminds us that even in uncertain times,” God not only continues to call us out, but goes with us. “We are facing challenges as a world; as a country; and as a church; but because God is still with us, we have every reason for hope.” As part of this,  at the convention a new task force will begin its work, inviting you and me and all the members of our church into an examination of our continuing mission. Called Facing Today—Dreaming for the Future, its 3-year mandate is to explore the questions, ‘What does it mean to be a church for today, and for the future?’ The answers it collects will help ‘the church to imagine bold possibilities while facing present-day realities’. Katrina Vigen, Pastor at Redeemer, Vancouver, one of the members of the committee has noted, “We have started a journey, and we don’t know where God is guiding us, but we know and we trust that God is leading us, that the Holy Spirit is ahead of us.”

We lambs continue to have a lot of work to do.  The results won’t always, indeed might seldom, reflect the success of the 72 first sent out.  Yet as we do so, we have the assurance that Shepherd promises to be with us, to show us where and how we are to share God’s good news, to help us to offer healing and service, and to guide us to bring hope in the midst of despair.  So also in those times when the hope we ourselves have received in Christ fades we receive times of rest, renewal, and rejoicing.  Creator helps us to face today, to dream for tomorrow, and to share always the gifts of God.  The journey continues.

Amen.