CREATED, SAVED AND GIFTED BY GOD, WE SEEK, SERVE AND SHARE JESUS CHRIST.
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 26, 2020
Good Shepherd Lutheran church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today’s gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first!
The Divine Ordinary
As we make our way through Matthew’s gospel, we often hear Jesus say, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . .” He uses everyday items and experiences to give us a glimpse of God’s realm. Today as you stand for the reading of the gospel, God will use the voice of someone you know (your pastor, perhaps) to proclaim some comparisons Jesus made to the kingdom of heaven: a mustard seed, yeast, a merchant in search of fine pearls.
Our Lord says the kingdom of heaven is like things we already know and understand. It’s like someone giving a wedding banquet (Matt. 22:2), a fishing net (Matt. 13:47), a gardener sowing seeds (Matt. 13:3). Instead of saying the kingdom is divine and far beyond our understanding, Jesus offers stories of ordinary things, pointing to how God’s will is revealed in them.
Look around your worship space before the service. Whom or what has God brought you today that is like the kingdom of heaven? Is a retired man teaching a middle-schooler how to carry the top-heavy cross down the aisle? Are there people who use walkers alongside young ones who skip everywhere they go? Perhaps a newly widowed woman has new seatmates who don’t want her sitting alone. Did someone bring a gluten-free dish to the potluck even though he is not gluten-sensitive?
Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to ordinary things because we live most often in ordinary moments and spaces. Again and again, he invites us to find the divine in the day-to- day, to glimpse the eternal in the temporal, and to recognize God’s image in a stranger’s face.
As worship begins, let yourself notice the altogether ordinary things God is using to reveal the kingdom in this place: human voices, handshakes and hugs, music, musicians, books, water, wine, bread. In the coming week, what might God use to reveal the kingdom in your home, your workplace, your school, or other spaces you inhabit?
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
PRELUDE
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.
SONG 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
Beloved and sovereign God,
through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy. By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING 1 Kings 3:5-12
Because Solomon did not ask for long life, riches, or the defeat of his enemies, God gave him what he asked for: wisdom to govern the people well. In verse 13 God gives him additional honor and riches beyond compare.
A reading from the book of first Kings
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.”
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 8:26-39
These words celebrate the depth of God’s actions for us. Through Christ’s death for us and the activity of the Spirit praying for us, we are fused to God’s love poured out in Jesus Christ. Nothing, not even death itself, is able to separate us from such incredible divine love.
A reading from the book of Romans.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that 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 our Lord.
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 13:31-33, 44-52
Throughout Matthew’s gospel, Jesus and his disciples proclaim the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near!” Here, Jesus offers several brief parables that explore the implications of this announcement for people’s lives.
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.””
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
MESSAGE – Pr. Jamie Vannoy
SPECIAL MUSIC
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: Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you through Jesus Christ our lord.
Amen.
Meal
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.
It is indeed right and good that we should everywhere and always offer thanks and praise to you, holy God, mighty and immortal, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day broke the bonds of death, opening to us the way of everlasting life and giving us a foretaste of the feast to come.
And so with the Church on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are you, Holy God, from the rising of the sun to its setting, we bless your holy name. You set creation’s table with the bounty of your goodness and satisfy the needs of every living thing. You gather the peoples of the earth to feast on your promise and your presence made known to us in your Son, Jesus.
In the night in which he was bretrayed, 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 to all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgviness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.
As often as we share this meal, we proclaim his death unitl he comes:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come, Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon these gifts and this company, making us one in Christ Jesus. Through him all glory and honor is yours, gracious Father, with your Spirit, both now and forever.
Amen, Amen, Alleluia! Amen, 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 tempta- tion, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Friends of Jesus, come to the table. Receive nourishment for your journey. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and always keep you in God’s grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of the welcome table, in this meal we have feasted on your goodness and have been united by your presence among us. mpower us to go forth sustained by these gifts so that we may share your neighborly love with all, through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life.
Amen.
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
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
Johann Sebastian Bach, died 1750; Heinrich Schütz, died 1672;
George Frederick Handel, died 1759; musicians
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
These three German-born musicians have done much to enrich the life of the church. Schütz was an early master who focused on settings of biblical texts. Bach wrote over 300 cantatas along with works for organ and instrumental pieces, and has been called the “fifth evangelist” for the way he
proclaimed the gospel in music. Handel’s great work, Messiah, is a setting of scriptural texts.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Friends of Jesus, Mary and Martha are remembered for the hospitality of their home that they offered him—Martha focused on serving their guest, and Mary on listening to him. Their brother Lazarus was raised from the dead as a sign of the greater resurrection to come.
Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, died 1030
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Considered the patron saint of Norway, Olaf went from a life of piracy to becoming Christian and declaring himself king of Norway. He revised the laws and tried to administer them fairly. Driven from Norway in a rebellion, he was killed in battle trying to regain his kingdom.
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” CCLI Song # 1558110 Stuart Townend
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