CREATED, SAVED AND GIFTED BY GOD, WE SEEK, SERVE AND SHARE JESUS CHRIST
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost August 16, 2020
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.
Worship Is Practice
It is just about time to move back into the rhythms of the academic year. Our summers may be quite different from household to household, but the school year often brings similar patterns. We are heading back to alarm clocks, early mornings, quick breakfasts, lunchboxes and lunch money, “I can’t find my other shoe!,” bus stops, backpacks, and bell schedules. While our summers may have been filled with family and friends, school is packed with people we don’t necessarily know well, understand, or even like. This seems like the perfect time to remember that amid the stress and people we encounter, Jesus says that our words have the power to defile us (Matt. 15:11).
How might the patterns of worship help us use words that sanctify rather than defile us?
We begin with words like “Forgive us . . .” as we humble ourselves before God. After confession and forgiveness, we often sing a song of praise, lifting sweet words of love to God. And in the Kyrie, our lips form the words “Lord, have mercy.” When a worship leader greets us with “The Lord be with you,” we return the greeting: “And also with you!” We stand for the gospel and sing an acclamation, which often includes the phrase “You have the words of eternal life.” After the gospel is read, we cry, “Praise to you, O Christ!” As we share the peace of Christ, we look people in the eye and declare to them that Christ’s peace is theirs. In worship, we practice the life we are to live all week. Our mouths are filled with truth, humility, praise, and gratitude—nothing that defiles.
What a gift it is to gather with a community of believers each week to sing and pray words of love and light, practicing together the sometimes-difficult work of using our words to build up, rather than tear down, our neighbors.
** Indicates to stand as you are able.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Pastor Jamie Vannoy
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
Amen.
Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Reconciling God,
we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen.
Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace. Our sins are forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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
Gathered in peace, gathered in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
For peace from above and for the saving power of God, let us pray. Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
For peace in the world, for the Church,for the unity of all, let us pray. Lord, have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
For this holy place, and for all who gather here in praise, let us pray. Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
This is the feast! Come and celebrate the victory for our God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the feast!
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb once slain, whose blood was shed to give freedom for all. Power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and blessing; come give glory to Christ!
Yes, this is the feast! Come and celebrate the victory for our God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the feast!
Sing out with joy, all people of God! Join in the hymn of creation! Blessing and honor, glory and might to God and the lamb forevermore!
Yes, this is the feast! Come and celebrate the victory for our God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the feast!
This is the feast of praise and rejoicing, for the Lamb, the one who was slain, will come forth now and begin God’s reign! Sing all you people, sing Alleluia!
Yes, This is the feast! Come and celebrate the victory for our God! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the feast!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of all peoples,
your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
The prophet calls upon Israel to do justice in view of God’s imminent intervention to save. Righ- teousness and obedience define who belongs to the Israelite community—not race, nationality, or any other category.
A reading from the book of Isaiah.
Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
God has not rejected Israel. Rather, the call and gifts of God are irrevocable, so that while all have been disobedient, God has mercy upon all.
A reading from the book of Romans.
[Paul writes:] I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life! Alleluia. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Matthew 15: [10-20] 21-28
Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward reli- gious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be pagan and unclean approaches him for help.
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”] Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
MESSAGE – Pr. Jamie Vannoy
Hymn of the Day – Healer of our Every Ill
Healer of our ev’ry ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.
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.
Healer of our ev’ry ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
Give us strength to love each other,
ev’ry sister, ev’ry brother;
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.
Healer of our ev’ry ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.
Healer of our ev’ry ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
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 power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,
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,
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
Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes: Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you through Jesus Christ our lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF THANKSGIVING – Lift Every Voice and Sing
Lift ev’ry voice and sing till earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of liberty.
Let our rejoicing rise high as the list’ning skies,
let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;
sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast’ning rod,
felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet
come to the place for which our parents sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;
we have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;
lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee;
shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand,
true to our God, true to our native land.
THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD
Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things: you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being.
For your Word of life, O God,
We give you thanks and praise.
By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts: freedom from captiv- ity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you.
For your Word of life, O God,
We give you thanks and praise.
Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love.
For your Word of life, O God,
We give you thanks and praise.
Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever.
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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God, the creator, Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, bless you and keep you in eternal love.
Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC – The Same Love
You choose the humble and raise them high;
You choose the weak and make them strong;
You heal our brokenness inside and give us life.
The same love that set the captives free,
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us by name;
you are calling us all by name.
The same God that spread the heavens wide,
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name;
you are calling us all by name.
You take the faithless one aside
And speak the words, “You are mine”;
You call the cynic and the proud, “Come to me now.”
The same love that set the captives free,
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us by name;
you are calling us all by name.
The same God that spread the heavens wide,
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name;
you are calling us all by name.
Oh…
You’re calling, you’re calling,
you’re calling us to the cross.
You’re calling, you’re calling,
you’re calling us to the cross.
You’re calling, you’re calling,
you’re calling us to the cross.
You’re calling, you’re calling,
you’re calling us to the cross.
The same love that set the captives free,
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us by name;
you are calling us all by name.
The same God that spread the heavens wide,
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name;
you are calling us all by name.
Oh…
Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, died 1153
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Bernard, a Cistercian monk, was a man of great spirituality who wrote mystical works and criticized those whom he thought took an overly intellectual approach to the faith. He became an abbot, and
wrote several hymns that are still beloved today.