Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
July 3, 2022, 10:30 AM

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road Kettering, Ohio 45429
(937) 298-0136

INTRODUCTION

God is the source of our nourishment. Our Lord’s invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In the holy eucharist, in the word read and proclaimed, in the as- sembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.
I Want to Be in That Number
In today’s gospel, Jesus sends out seventy disciples to do some evangelizing. But who are they? There is lore that says some of the first leaders of the church were in this original cadre of disciples sent out “like lambs into the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3): Barnabas, Mark, Rufus, and Justus are a few who might be familiar to us. But this is all legend, and one has to wonder why these seventy aren’t explicitly named by the gospel writer, especially because it was the first mass evangelism tour that Jesus encouraged.
But perhaps the anonymity is on purpose. Perhaps they aren’t specifically named because their names can be ever-rotating—an ever-moving list of saints that, generation after generation, are sent out with the strong name of Christ to confront the evils of the world.
Perhaps you are one of the seventy, sent out by Jesus to confront the demons of this world: demons like racism and sexism, demons that destroy the temples of our bodies and cloud our minds with thoughts of hate and extremism.
It’s important to consider that the seventy came back rejoicing because even the demons sub- mitted to the name of Jesus (Luke 10:17). We may not consider that the demons of our world today can be subdued when they seem so gargantuan. Yet it has happened before, by the power of God. Indeed, it happens again and again and again as followers of Jesus go out into the world with God’s name upon their brows, denouncing the ills of the world and working for justice and peace as our baptismal calling compels us to do.
That old spiritual “Oh, when the saints go marching in” (ACS 950) is most appropriate for this first Sunday in July. It speaks of longing to be among the saints entering the beloved kingdom of God, but it may also apply to these seventy saints sent out in today’s gospel.
We too are in that number, wielding the powerful name of Christ. Rejoice!

GATHERING

Prelude – “America the Beautiful”

O beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain,
for purple mountain majesties
above the fruited plain:
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life:
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
till all success be nobleness,
and ev’ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
that sees beyond the years
thine alabaster cities gleam,
undimmed by human tears:
America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.

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.

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 – “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav’n, to earth come down!
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter ev’ry trembling heart.

Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev’ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit;
let us find thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty, to deliver;
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee!
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise!

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

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the people of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

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

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.

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

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor,
blessing, and glory are his.

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

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

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

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

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

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 Savior and Lord. Amen.

WORD

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

FIRST READING Isaiah 66:10-14

Those who returned from the exile found that the hopes for the glorious restoration of Judah were not completely fulfilled. For these disappointed people, the prophet envisions salvation in the image of a nursing woman. Mother Jerusalem and a mothering God remind the community how they are sustained and supported.

A reading from the book of Isaiah.
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her— that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom.
For thus says the LORD: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING Galatians 6:[1-6] 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.”

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
[My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.]
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 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. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not them- selves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 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. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule — peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

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 READING Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Jesus commissions harvesters and laborers to go where he would go and do what he would do. Risking hardship and danger in exchange for the experience of great joy, they offer peace and healing as signs that the reign of God is near.

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

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plen- tiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 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. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘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.’ ”
“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 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.

YOUTH MESSAGE

MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY – “Living Waters”

Are you thirsty? Are you empty?
Come, and drink these living waters.
Tired and broken? Peace unspoken,
Rest beside these living waters.

Christ is calling, find refreshing
At the cross of living waters.
Lay your life down: all the old gone;
Rise up in these living waters.

There’s a river that flows
With mercy and love,
Bringing joy to the city of our God.
There our hope is secure;
Do not fear anymore;
Praise the Lord of living waters.

Spirit moving, mercy washing,
Healing in these living waters.
Lead your children to the shoreline;
Life is in these living waters.

There’s a river that flows
With mercy and love,
Bringing joy to the city of our God.
There our hope is secure;
Do not fear anymore;
Praise the Lord of living waters.

Ooh…

Are you thirsty? Are you empty?
Come, and drink these living waters.
Love, forgiveness: vast and boundless;
Christ – he is our living waters.

There’s a river that flows
With mercy and love,
Bringing joy to the city of our God.
There our hope is secure;
Do not fear anymore;
Praise the Lord of living waters.

There our hope is secure;
Do not fear anymore;
Praise the Lord of living waters.

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 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

United in Christ and guided by the Spirit, we pray for the church, the creation, and all in need.

A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
God of grace,
hear our prayer.

God of every time and place, in Jesus’ name and filled with your Holy Spirit, we entrust these spoken prayers and those in our hearts into your holy keeping.
Amen.

MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

DIALOGUE

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; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

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.

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

In Christ’s presence there is fullness of joy.
Come to the banquet.

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 peace.

COMMUNION HYMN – “Let All Things Now Living”

Let all things now living
a song of thanksgiving
to God the creator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us,
God’s light goes before us,
a pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
till shadows have vanished
and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.

God rules all the forces:
the stars in their courses
and sun in its orbit obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We too should be voicing
our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise
till all things now living
unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!”

TABLE BLESSING

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and always keep you in God’s grace.
Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Life-giving God, through this meal you have bandaged our wounds and fed us with your mercy. Now send us forth to live for others, both friend and stranger, that all may come to know your love. This we pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

SENDING

BLESSING

The God of peace, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, comfort you, and show you the path of life this day and always.
Amen.

SENDING HYMN – “You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)”

(All Men)

I will sing to and worship
The King who is worthy.
And I will love and adore him,
And I will bow down before him.
And I will sing to and worship
The king who is worthy.
And I will love and adore him,
And I will bow down before him.
You’re my Prince of Peace,
And I will live my life for you.

(All Women)

You are Lord or lords. You are King of kings.
You are mighty God, Lord of everything.
You’re Emmanuel. You’re the great I Am.
You’re the Prince of Peace who is the Lamb.
You’re the living God. You’re my saving grace.
You will reign forever, Ancient of Days.
You are Alpha, Omega – beginning and end.
You’re my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend.
You’re my Prince of Peace,
And I will live my life for you.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Love your neighbor.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
Make a commitment not only to 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

Thomas, Apostle
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Though frequently remembered as “doubting Thomas,” this apostle also demonstrated a willingness to suffer and die with Jesus (John 11:16), and finally claimed the risen Christ as “my Lord and my God!” By tradition, he later worked as a missionary in India. Long commemorated on December 21, Thomas’s celebration is moved to July 3 in agreement with ecumenical calendars.

Jan Hus, martyr, died 1415
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Hus was a Bohemian (present-day Czech Republic) priest who spoke against abuses in the church, and was seen by Martin Luther as his predecessor in the reforming movement. He was found guilty of heresy by a council of the church, and burned at the stake.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22920.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Curches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.