St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Order of Service for Sunday, August 23, 2020, 9:30 a.m.

The link to the livestream may be found here.

The order of service is below:

THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The color green, used for the vestments and paraments in the season after Pentecost, represents growth and life in the Holy Spirit.

OLD TESTAMENT: There were three exiles of the people of Judah to Babylon: 597, 587, and 582 B.C. The people of Judah lived among the people of Babylon, and were tempted to worship the Babylonian gods. The prophet Isaiah, however, held out a different vision: by the permission of Cyrus, king of Persia, the people were to return to their ancestral land and the worship of the God of Abraham and Sarah. If they doubted if God could perform the work he promised, they were to look to their ancestors, for God had made a mighty union from separate tribes. Eventually, in approximately 538 B.C., some of the people began to return to the land of Judah.

NEW TESTAMENT: Paul has spent a large part of the letter to the Romans on important doctrinal issues: the universality of sin and the redemption offered by grace through faith in Christ; the necessity to put to death the sin which still remains; the promise of victory in Christ, and the unity of Jew and Gentile by faith in Christ. Now, in Romans 12-15, Paul describes the Spirit-inspired path of life which the Roman Christians are to follow.

GOSPEL: Peter was acknowledged in the Gospels as the leader of and spokesman for the apostles. His confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God is on behalf of all of the twelve. Jesus proclaims Simon (Peter) blessed and promises that ‘upon this rock I will build my church.’ Though much ink has been spilled regarding what ‘the rock’ is, Luther, following many of the early Church fathers, believed that the rock is faith in Jesus Christ. The keys of the kingdom are the keys to bind people’s sins, urging them to repent, and to loose people’s sins, granting forgiveness. The word that the Church speaks on behalf of Christ, that when there is repentance and faith in Christ, there is God’s forgiveness, is certain and sure.

Preparation for Worship

Upon reaching your place, you may wish to read Psalm 84 in silence:

¹ How dear to me is your dwelling, O | Lord of hosts!*

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh rejoice in the | living God.

² The sparrow has found her a house

and the swallow a nest where she may | lay her young,*

by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,

my King | and my God.

³ Happy are they who dwell | in your house!*

They will always be | praising you.

⁴ Happy are the people whose strength | is in you,*

whose hearts are set on the | pilgrims' way.

⁵ Those who go through the desolate valley

will find it a | place of springs,*

for the early rains have covered it with | pools of water.

⁶ They will climb from | height to height,*

and the God of gods will reveal him- | self in Zion.

⁷ Lord God of hosts, | hear my prayer;*

hearken, O | God of Jacob.

⁸ Behold our defend- | er, O God;*

and look upon the face of | your anointed.

⁹ For one day in your courts

is better than a thousand in | my own room,*

and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God

than to dwell in the tents | of the wicked.

¹⁰ For the Lord God is both | sun and shield;*

he will give | grace and glory;

¹¹ no good thing will the | Lord withhold*

from those who walk | with integrity.

¹² O | Lord of hosts,*

happy are they who put their | trust in you!

You may pray the following prayers:

Holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God: hear our prayer and send your holy angel from heaven to guard, protect, visit, and defend all those who assemble together in this house; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Most gracious God, incline your merciful ears to our prayers and enlighten our hearts by the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may approach your Holy Mysteries with believing hearts and love you with an everlasting love.

OPENING MUSIC Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G major J.S. Bach

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

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

Amen

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:8-9)

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are in bondage to sin

and cannot free ourselves.

We have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name. Amen

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Sit

OPENING HYMN Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:

1 Christ is made the sure foundation,

Christ, our head and cornerstone,

chosen of the Lord and precious,

binding all the church in one;

holy Zion’s help forever

and our confidence alone.

2 To this temple, where we call you,

come, O Lord of hosts, and stay;

come with all your lovingkindness,

hear your people as they pray;

and your fullest benediction

shed within these walls today.

3 Grant, we pray, to all your faithful

all the gifts they ask to gain;

what they gain from you, forever

with the blessed to retain;

and hereafter in your glory

evermore with you to reign.

4 Praise and honor to the Father,

praise and honor to the Son,

praise and honor to the Spirit,

ever three and ever one:

one in might and one in glory

while unending ages run!

Text: Latin hymn, c. 7th cent.; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

Stand

APOSTOLIC 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.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

KYRIE ELEISON

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 Church 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

HYMN OF PRAISE

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

(Luke 2:14)

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:

We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Living God, you sent your Son among us to reveal your wisdom

and make known your ways.

Increase our faith, that we may confess Jesus as your Son,

take up his work on earth,

and trust his promise to sustain the Church.

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

CALL TO THE WORD
God has glorified his name and his word above all things.

Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Psalm 138:2

Sit

First READING Isaiah 51:1-6

¹Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
you that seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
²Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
but I blessed him and made him many.
³For the Lord will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
⁴Listen to me, my people,
and give heed to me, my nation;
for a teaching will go out from me,
and my justice for a light to the peoples.

⁵I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,

my salvation has gone out
and my arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for me,
and for my arm they hope.
⁶Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and those who live on it will die like gnats;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my deliverance will never be ended.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 138

The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.

¹ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with | my whole heart;*

before the gods I will | sing your praise.

² I will bow down toward your holy temple and | praise your name,*

because of your | love and faithfulness;

³ for you have glori- | fied your name*

and your word a- | bove all things.

⁴ When I called, you | answered me;*

you increased my | strength within me.

⁵ All the kings of the earth will praise | you, O Lord,*

when they have heard the words | of your mouth.

⁶ They will sing of the ways | of the Lord,*

that great is the glory | of the Lord.

⁷ Though the Lord be high, he cares | for the lowly;*

he perceives the haughty | from afar.

⁸ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you | keep me safe;*

you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;

your right | hand shall save me.

⁹ The Lord will make good his pur- | pose for me;*

O Lord, your love endures forever;

do not abandon the works | of your hands.

SECOND READING Romans 12:1-8

¹I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
³For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE

Alleluia. Our Savior Jesus Christ has abolished death

and brought life and immortality through the Gospel. Alleluia. 2 Timothy 1:10

Gospel Matthew 16:13-20

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

¹³Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

1 My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

no merit of my own I claim,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

2 When darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on his unchanging grace;

in ev'ry high and stormy gale

my anchor holds within the veil. Refrain

3 His oath, his covenant, his blood

sustain me in the raging flood;

when all supports are washed away,

he then is all my hope and stay. Refrain

4 When he shall come with trumpet sound,

oh, may I then in him be found,

clothed in his righteousness alone,

redeemed to stand before the throne! Refrain

Text: Edward Mote, 1797-1874, alt.

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He 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,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again 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 THE CHURCH

Made one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence is kept.

With Peter and the apostles, your Church confesses your Son to be the long-promised Messiah of Israel. Keep us firmly on this rock of faith, and increase the Church’s witness to his Lordship. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Look with favor upon this congregation. Transform us by the renewing of our minds, help us to discern your will, and use our varied gifts to glorify your name. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Guide into righteous paths the Congress of the United States, the President and his administration, the courts and all state and local authorities. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Give peace, Father, in our country; in Venezuela, Belarus, Lebanon, and

all places where there is turmoil, violence, and despair. Lord, in your

mercy,

hear our prayer.

We praise you for your mercies given to us and all people. We pray for our families and friends, for our enemies, for all those in any need, and for those we name now aloud or in silence.

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for all who have died in faith. Bring us to the day when we will worship you with them in glory. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Into your hands, Father we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

OFFERTORY Allemande from Suite No. 5 in C minor J.S. Bach

Stand

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Lord, come to us and cleanse us,

come to us and heal us,

come to us and strengthen us,

and grant that, having received you,

we may never be separated from you,

but continue yours forever.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading into the Sanctus:

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 him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord:

Whom Peter and the disciples confessed as your Son and Israel’s Messiah, and upon this faith you built the Church which will remain forever; her members are one body in Christ, with gifts of grace that differ and yet are united in your service.

And so 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 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! (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God;

you are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.

You so loved the world that you gave your only Son,

that whoever believes in him

may not perish but have eternal life.

Having come into the world, he fulfilled for us your holy will

and accomplished our salvation.

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.

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command,

his life-giving Passion and death,

his glorious resurrection and ascension,

and his promise to come again,

we give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

not as we ought, but as we are able;

and we implore you mercifully

to accept our praise and thanksgiving,

and, with your Word and Holy Spirit,

to bless us, your servants,

and these your own gifts of bread and wine;

that we and all who share

in the body and blood of your Son

may be filled with heavenly peace and joy,

and, receiving the forgiveness of sin,

may be sanctified in soul and body,

and have our portion with all your saints.

All honor and glory are yours, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

in your holy Church, now and forever. Amen

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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 (Matthew 6:9-15)

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

I bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name;

because of your love and your faithfulness.

(Psalm 138:2)

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.

(John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated, and please do not remove your mask until you have reached the table with the elements on it.

When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated. Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

Built on a Rock

1 Built on a rock the church shall stand,

even when steeples are falling;

crumbled have spires in ev’ry land,

bells still are chiming and calling--

calling the young and old to rest,

calling the souls of those distressed,

longing for life everlasting.

2 Not in our temples made with hands

God, the Almighty, is dwelling;

high in the heav’ns his temple stands,

all earthly temples excelling.

Yet he who dwells in heav’n above

deigns to abide with us in love,

making our bodies his temple.

3 We are God’s house of living stones,

built for his own habitation;

he fills our hearts, his humble thrones,

granting us life and salvation.

Were two or three to seek his face,

he in their midst would show his grace,

blessings upon them bestowing.

4 Yet in this house, an earthly frame,

Jesus the children is blessing;

hither we come to praise his name,

faith in our Savior confessing.

Jesus to us his Spirit sent,

making with us his covenant,

granting his children the kingdom.

5 Through all the passing years, O Lord,

grant that, when church bells are ringing,

many may come to hear God’s Word

where he this promise is bringing:

I know my own, my own know me;

you, not the world, my face shall see;

my peace I leave with you. Amen

Text: Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872; tr. Carl Doving, 1867-1937, adapt.

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

O Christ, Lamb of God pure and holy,

O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God,

Grant that we may more perfectly partake of you

in the days which know no ending in your kingdom;

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.

Amen (Numbers 6:24-26)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

CLOSING MUSIC On Our Way Rejoicing

1 On our way rejoicing

gladly let us go.

Christ our Lord has conquered;

vanquished is the foe.

Christ without, our safety;

Christ within, our joy;

who, if we be faithful,

can our hope destroy?

Refrain

On our way rejoicing;

as we forward move,

hearken to our praises,

O blest God of love!

2 Unto God the Father

joyful songs we sing;

unto God the Savior

thankful hearts we bring;

unto God the Spirit

bow we and adore,

on our way rejoicing

now and evermore. Refrain

Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt.