Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 13, 2021 – 10:30 am
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
The mustard seed becomes a great shrub that shelters the birds, recalling ancient images of the tree of life. We’d expect a cedar or a sequoia, but Jesus finds the power of God better imaged in a tiny, no-account seed. It’s not the way we expect divine activity to look. Yet the tree of life is here, in the cross around which we gather, the tree into which we are grafted through baptism, the true vine that nourishes us with its fruit in the cup we share. It may not appear all that impressive, but while nobody’s looking it grows with a power beyond our understanding.
Cradle of Life
In the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed we hear Jesus using agricultural imagery to give us some sense of what the kingdom of God is about. Our reflections and interpretations of these parables usually focus on what they tell us about God’s kingdom and how God works in our lives. From these two parables we can gather that the kingdom grows. More specifically, we may say that God provides harvest and shelter. One of the points of parables is to engage our thinking and to keep us asking questions. What else might we see here?
The mustard seed grows into a shrub in which birds can make nests. Bird nests are one of the small wonders of this world. The sort of nest one might find in a tree may be made from sticks, grasses, and spider webs. The bird gathers all of this and may add saliva to weave it into a well-shaped cup to cradle the eggs that will hatch into new life. All of this is done with a beak and two feet. In these nests we see resourcefulness, patience, skill, and elegant design. In the shade of the mustard bush the bird has the freedom to construct something beautiful, practical, and life-giving.
Perhaps this is part of what it means for us to live in God’s kingdom. Through Jesus we are given the freedom to use our gifts to make beautiful, practical, life-giving things. We build houses and neighborhoods, families and relationships; we make art and music, friendships and promises. In the shade of grace we are given space to thrive, not simply for our own sake, but for the sake of the world. We can gather in the things of resurrection life: forgiveness, kindness, mercy, compassion, and love. Woven together these acts of faith lead to hope, and hope is always a cradle for new life.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
GATHERING HYMN – Forever
Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King;
His love endures forever!
For he is good, he is above all things;
His love endures forever!
Sing praise, sing praise.
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
His love endures forever!
For the life that’s been reborn,
His love endures forever!
Sing praise, sing praise,
Sing praise, sing praise.
Forever God is faithful,
Forever God is strong,
Forever God is with us,
Forever, forever!
From the rising to the setting sun,
His love endures forever!
And by the grace of God, we will carry on.
His love endures forever!
Sing praise, sing praise,
Sing praise, sing praise.
Forever God is faithful,
Forever God is strong,
Forever God is with us,
Forever, forever!
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 for praise, let us pray. Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
SONG OF PRAISE
This is the feast! Come and celebrate the victory of 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 of our God!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the feast!
Sing out with joy, all the people of God!
Join in the song of creation!
Blessing and honor, glory and might
to God and the Lamb for evermore!
Yes, This is the feast! Come and celebrate the victory of 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 of our God!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the feast!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, you are the tree of life,
offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Ezekiel 17:22-24
Tree imagery is used in a messianic prophecy to tell how the LORD will choose someone from Judah’s royal family (the cedar tree) to reign over all creation. This tree will be planted on Mount Zion, the location of the holy temple.
A reading from the book of Ezekiel.
Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.
All the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken; I will accomplish it.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17
Paul encourages believers to live by faith and not by sight. We do not consider Jesus from a human perspective but through the eyes of faith, believing he died for all and was raised. All who are in Christ are now in God’s new creation.
A reading from the book of 2 Corinthians.
So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
[Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.]
For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died15And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia.
Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!
Alleluia. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Mark 4:26-34
Jesus frequently uses parables to teach ordinary people as they are able to hear and un- derstand. Images of sowing and growing show the vitality of God’s kingdom.
The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus] said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY – This is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world,
and to my list’ning ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world;
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world;
he shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me ev’rywhere.
This is my Father’s world;
oh, let me not forget
that, though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world;
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let heaven ring;
God reigns, let earth be glad!
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
Let us come before the triune God in prayer.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your abiding grace.
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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Christ has set the table with more than enough for all. Come!
HOLY COMMUNION – Receiving the Lord’s tangible presence.
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Each person may respond: Amen.
Communion Statement ~ If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Redeemer and would like to receive Holy Communion, then come forward to receive the elements. If you would just like to come forward and receive a blessing, then you may do that also.
NOTE: We invite everyone to come forward for Holy Communion. If you have a gluten allergy, gluten-free wafers are available upon request when receiving Communion. Also, if you prefer not to receive wine at Communion, apple juice is available upon request.
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 your peace, grant us your peace.
COMMUNION HYMN – Seed Scattered and Sown
Seed, scattered and sown;
wheat, gathered and grown;
bread, broken and shared as one,
the Living Bread of God.
Is not the bread we break a sharing in our Lord?
Is not the cup we bless the blood of Christ out poured?
Seed, scattered and sown;
wheat, gathered and grown;
bread, broken and shared as one,
the Living Bread of God.
The seed which falls on rock will wither and will die.
The seed within good ground will flower and have life.
Seed, scattered and sown;
wheat, gathered and grown;
bread, broken and shared as one,
the Living Bread of God.
As wheat upon the hills was gathered and was grown,
so may the church of God be gathered into one.
Seed, scattered and sown;
wheat, gathered and grown;
bread, broken and shared as one,
the Living Bread of God.
REFLECTION DURING COMMUNION
As we prepare to receive the sacrament today, may we quietly take this time to center our- selves on Christ, and the amazing gifts of grace and forgiveness that we have been given. As we receive the body and the blood of our Lord, let us reflect upon His sacrifice. Finally, may we take this time to ask the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts, and then to work in us and through us in the coming days.
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
Jesus, Bread of life,
we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. Amen.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, be upon you now and forever.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN – This Is Amazing Grace”
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness,
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder,
Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love,
That you would take my place,
That you would bear my cross,
You would laid down your life
That I would be set free.
Jesus I sing for all that you’ve done for me.
Who brings our chaos back into order,
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
Who rules the nations with truth and justice,
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love,
That you would take my place,
That you would bear my cross,
You laid down your life
That I would be set free.
Jesus I sing for all that you’ve done for me.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
And worthy is the King who conquered the grave;
And worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
Worthy is the King who conquers the grave;
And worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
And worthy is the King who conquers the grave;
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain:
Worthy, worthy, worthy!
This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love,
That you would take my place,
That you would bear my cross,
You laid down your life
That I would be set free.
Jesus I sing for all that you’ve done for me,
Jesus I sing for all that you’ve done for me.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, thanks be to God!
“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
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
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379;
Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385;
Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389;
Macrina, teacher, died around 379
Monday, June 14, 2021
The Cappadocian fathers, as the three men in this group are known, explored the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Basil’s monastic rule forms the basis for Eastern monastic life. Gregory of Nazianzus defended orthodox Christianity in Constantinople. Gregory of Nyssa, Basil’s younger brother, wrote on the spiritual life. Macrina, older sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, was the leader of a community dedicated to asceticism, meditation, and prayer.
Emanuel Nine, martyrs, died 2015
Thursday, June 17, 2021
On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. Pastors Pinckney and Simmons were both graduates of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
A resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine was adopted by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on August 8, 2019. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged reaffirm their commitment to repenting of the sins of racism and white supremacy which continue to plague this church, to venerate the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine, and to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.
From Sundays and Seasons.com.
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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989,
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