St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Holy Communion on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, 9:30 a.m.

June 20, 2021, 9:30 a.m.

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Christ Stills the Storm

Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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

Jesus’ messianic identity and his relationship to God the Father are not openly proclaimed during his sojourn on earth. The signs he does, however, speak without words of his identification with God. In Jesus’ stilling of the storm, we see the power of the creator God (Job 38) and also the God who acts to save his people by stilling the storm (Psalm 107).

While the disciples are frantic, Jesus sleeps the sleep of the faithful. Such a faithful sleep is rooted in the faithfulness of God his Father. The psalms often speak of trust and rest in God. ‘I lie down in peace, at once I fall asleep; for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety’ (Psalm 4:8).

Martin Luther’s evening prayer is an abridgment of the monastic service of Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) which he would have prayed in the monastery:

I thank you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your beloved Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. I ask you to forgive me all my sins and the wrong I have done, and to graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your angel have charge over me, that the evil one may have no power over me. Amen

His morning prayer reflects the thanksgiving of those who have been brought safely through a time of uncertainty:

I thank you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your beloved Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger. I ask you to keep me this day, too, from sin and every evil, that in my thoughts, words and deeds I may serve and please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your angel have charge over me, that the evil one may have no power over me. Amen

OPENING MUSIC O God, Our Help in Ages Past

J.S. Bach

Notes on the Opening Music: The great Fugue in E-flat Major uses the same pitches as opening phrase of O God, Our Help in Ages Past for its theme, or subject. There is no evidence Bach ever heard the hymn tune, since its source is Great Britain; did the British composer hear Bach? It is in three sections, a possible reference to the Holy Trinity. The sections all quote those opening notes, but are very different: I— Long notes, a grand tempo; II— Filled with moving notes in patterns of six, a lighter feeling; III— Back to longer notes, BUT, once again, the pattern is six, emphasizing reference to the Trinity; the organ is heard in its fullest registration, with a grand finale!

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

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.

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

I will go to the altar of God,

to the God of my joy and gladness. Psalm 43:4a

X HYMN O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Stanza 1: ALL; Stanza 2: Cantor; Stanza 3: ALL

Stanza 4: Pastor; Stanzas 5-6: ALL

1 O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast,

and our eternal home:

2 Under the shadow of your throne

your saints have dwelt secure;

sufficient is your arm alone,

and our defense is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood

or earth received its frame,

from everlasting you are God,

to endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in your sight

are like an evening gone,

short as the watch that ends the night

before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

soon bears us all away;

we fly forgotten, as a dream

dies at the op’ning day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

still be our guard while troubles last

and our eternal home!

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt.

APOSTOLIC GREETING and PRAYER OF THE DAY

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.

In the beginning, O God, your word subdued the chaos; in the fullness of time you sent Jesus, your Son, to rebuke the forces of evil and bring forth a new creation.

By that same power, transform all our fear

into faith and awe in your saving presence.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit.one God, now and forever.

Amen

CALL TO THE WORD

Whoever is wise will ponder these things,

and consider well the mercies of the Lord. Psalm 107:43

Let us hear the Word of the Lord.

Sit

First READING Job 38:1-11

The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:
²"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
³Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
⁴"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.

⁵Who determined its measurements — surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
⁶On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
⁷when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
⁸"Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb? —
⁹when I made the clouds its garment,
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
¹⁰and prescribed bounds for it,
and set bars and doors,

¹¹and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 107:1-3, 23-32

Sung responsively between pastor and congregation.

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for | he is good,*

and his mercy en- | dures forever.

² Let all those whom the Lord has re- | deemed proclaim*

that he redeemed them from the hand | of the foe.

³ He gathered them out | of the lands;*

from the east and from the west,

from the north and | from the south.

²³ Some went down to the | sea in ships*

and plied their trade | in deep waters;

²⁴ they beheld the works | of the Lord*

and his wonders | in the deep.

²⁵ Then he spoke, and a stormy | wind arose,*

which tossed high the waves | of the sea.

²⁶ They mounted up to the heavens and fell back | to the depths;*

their hearts melted because | of their peril.

²⁷ They reeled and stag- | gered like drunkards*

and were at | their wits' end.

²⁸ Then they cried to the Lord | in their trouble,*

and he delivered them from | their distress.

²⁹ He stilled the storm | to a whisper*

and quieted the waves | of the sea.

³⁰ Then were they glad because | of the calm,*

and he brought them to the harbor | they were bound for.

³¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord | for his mercy*

and the wonders he does | for his children.

³² Let them exalt him in the congregation | of the people*

and praise him in the council | of the elders. R

SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. ²For he says,
"At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! ³We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see — we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
¹¹We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. ¹²There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. ¹³In return — I speak as to children — open wide your hearts also.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE

Galatians 4:6 Setting by Paul Bouman

Sung by the Cantor

Alleluia. Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia.

Gospel Mark 4:35-41

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

Glory to you, O Lord.

³⁵When evening had come, [Jesus said to the disciples], "Let us go across to the other side." ³⁶And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. ³⁷A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" ³⁹He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ⁴⁰He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" ⁴¹And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON

Stand

X HYMN OF THE DAY Jesus, Priceless Treasure

Stanza One, ALL; Stanza Two, Pastor; Stanza Three, ALL

1 Jesus, priceless treasure,

source of purest pleasure,

truest friend to me:

ah, how long I’ve panted,

and my heart has fainted,

thirsting, Lord, for thee!

Thine I am, O spotless Lamb;

I will suffer nought to hide thee,

nought I ask beside thee.

2 In thine arm I rest me;

foes who would molest me

cannot reach me here.

Though the earth be shaking,

ev’ry heart be quaking,

Jesus calms my fear.

Sin and hell in conflict fell

with their bitter storms assail me,

Jesus will not fail me.

3 Hence, all fears and sadness,

for the Lord of gladness,

Jesus, enters in.

Those who love the Father,

though the storms may gather,

still have peace within.

Yea, whate’er I here must bear,

still in thee lies purest pleasure,

Jesus, priceless treasure!

Text: Johann Franck, 1618-1677; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878, alt.

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

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence

Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church;

That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church

may truly and humbly serve you;

That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for our bishop and pastors;

That they may be faithful ministers

of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all fathers,

That they may be strengthened in love and faithfulness.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority

in the nations of the world;

That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;

That they may be delivered from their distress.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy, especially remembering our fathers and our fathers in faith;

May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

The pastor reads the names submitted for prayer.

The people are invited to offer spoken or silent petitions.

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.

Stand

OFFERTORY Psalm 145:13-16 Setting by Harvey E. Hahn

Sung by the Cantor

The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

As the grain once scattered in the fields

and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside

are now reunited on this table in bread and wine,

so, Lord, may your whole Church be gathered together

from the corners of the earth into your kingdom.

Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING

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;

He stills the storms of the world and calms our troubled hearts; he breaks the pride of death and delivers us from fear, giving us peace.

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!

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

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

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

and his mercy endures forever.

Psalm 103:2

AGNUS DEI (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; grant us peace.

Sit

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.

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

Evening and Morning

1 Evening and morning,

sunset and dawning,

wealth, peace, and gladness,

comfort in sadness:

these are thy works; all the glory be thine!

Times without number,

awake or in slumber,

thine eye observes us,

from danger preserves us,

causing thy mercy upon us to shine.

2 Father, oh, hear me,

pardon and spare me;

calm all my terrors,

blot out my errors,

that by thine eyes they may no more be scanned.

Order my goings,

direct all my doings;

as it may please thee,

retain or release me;

all I commit to thy fatherly hand.

3 Ills that still grieve me

soon are to leave me;

though billows tower,

and winds gain power,

after the storm the fair sun shows its face.

Joys e’er increasing

and peace never ceasing:

these shall I treasure

and share in full measure

when in his mansions God grants me a place.

4 To God in heaven

all praise be given!

Come, let us offer

and gladly proffer

to the creator the gifts he doth prize.

He well receiveth

a heart that believeth;

hymns that adore him

are precious before him

and to his throne like sweet incense arise.

Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676; tr. composite

After all have returned to their places, 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)

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

SENDING

Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

Amen

Dismissal

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

Sun/ June 20 WORSHIP 9:30 AM

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

Wed/ June 23 Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM

Sat/ June 26 NA Meeting 11 AM

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 6:30 PM

Sun/ June 27 WORSHIP 9:30 AM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included in this

Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language,

Trinity Church, Boston - Christ Stills the Waters, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=51531 [retrieved June 17, 2021].

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org