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THIRTEENTH 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.
OLD TESTAMENT: Joshua appeals to the people to put away the gods of their
ancestors. In a day when ancestor worship is still prevalent among many peoples
of the world, such an appeal may still be relevant to many. The people respond
with one voice that they will serve the LORD because of the mighty deeds of
God. Of course, they will fall away, but the message to the later people of
Israel remains.
NEW TESTAMENT: The forces
of evil are not earthly enemies, but spiritual enemies. We often mistake battle
against other people for battle against spiritual forces; anger, fear,
misdirected desire, gluttony, envy, etc.
The list of the ‘whole armor of God’ has been a memory verse for many
people for many years. But prayer is the most important resource for the
‘spiritual warrior.’ A soldier was once asked which weapon was the most
important. He said, ‘my radio.’ In the same sense, he went on to say,
communication with God is the key to engaging in the struggle against the
powers of the present darkness.
GOSPEL: After many
have gone away because they cannot or will not understand Jesus’ words, the
twelve apostles remain with Jesus.
And yet, in
the verse which follows the end of our reading, Jesus says, ‘Did I not choose
you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ He refers, of course, to Judas
Iscariot, who is an apostle and yet is the one who will hand him over to the
authorities. We read at the end of John’s Gospel that Nicodemus and Joseph of
Arimathea are ‘secret disciples,’ not publicly associated with the group of
apostles, but expressing reverence for Christ nonetheless. As Jesus says in
Matthew 7, ‘You shall know them by their fruits.’
OPENING MUSIC
How Marvelous God’s Greatness (Improvisation) - J. M. Strobel
Praise to the Father - Roger Petrich
BRIEF ORDER
FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Stand
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 HYMNS OF PRAISE
How Marvelous God’s Greatness
How
Marvelous God's Greatness
1 How marvelous God's
greatness,
how glorious God's
might!
To this the world
bears witness
in wonders day and
night:
in form of flow'r and
snowflake,
in morn's resplendent
birth,
in sky and sea and
earth.
2 Each tiny flow'ret
whispers,
the great life-giver's
name;
the mighty mountain
masses
God's shelter for his
own;
the snow-capped peaks
are pointing
to God's almighty
throne.
3 The ocean's vast
abysses
in one grand psalm
record
the deep mysterious
counsels,
the icy waves of
winter
are thund'ring on the
strand;
and grief's chill
stream is guided
by God's all-gracious
hand.
4 The starry hosts are
singing
through all the
light-strewn sky
of God's majestic
temple
and palace courts on
high;
when in these outer
chambers
such glory gilds the
night,
oh, what transcendent
brightness
is God's eternal
light!
Text: Valdimar Briem,
1848-1930; tr. Charles V. Pilcher, 1879-1961, alt.
Praise to the Father
1 Praise
to the Father for his lovingkindness,
tenderly
caring for his erring children;
praise
him, all angels; praise him in the heavens;
praise
to the Father!
2 Praise
to the Savior for his deep compassion,
graciously
caring for his chosen people;
young
men and women, aging folk and children,
praise
to the Savior!
3 Praise
to the Spirit, comforter of Israel,
sent
from the Father and the Son to bless us!
Praise
to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Praise
to the triune God!
Text: Elizabeth R. Charles, 1828-1896
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 every age, O God,
you give your people freedom
to walk in faith or to turn away.
Grant us grace
to remain
faithful to your Holy One,
whose
words are spirit and life;
the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
CALL TO
THE WORD
Our Lord has the words of eternal
life. John 6:68
Let us hear the Word of the Lord.
Sit
First READING Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18
1Then Joshua gathered all the
tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges,
and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. 2aAnd
Joshua said to all the people, 14“Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in
faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and
in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15Now
if you are unwilling to serve the Lord,
choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the
region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are
living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
16Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should
forsake the Lord to serve other
gods; 17for it is the Lord
our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the
house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us
along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we
passed; 18and the Lord
drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land.
Therefore we also will serve the Lord,
for he is our God.”
The Word
of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM
34:1-8
Pastor sings first, then all:
Sung responsively between
pastor and people.
15 The eyes of the
Lord are up- | on the righteous,*
and
his ears are open | to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is
against those | who do evil,*
to root out the
remembrance of them | from the earth.
17 The righteous
cry, and | the Lord hears them*
and
delivers them from | all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the |
brokenhearted*
and will save those
whose spir- | its are crushed.
19 Many are the
troubles | of the righteous,*
but
the Lord will deliver him out | of
them all.
20 He will keep safe | all his bones;*
not one of them |
shall be broken.
21 Evil shall |
slay the wicked,*
and
those who hate the righteous | will be punished.
22 The Lord ransoms the life
| of his servants,*
and none will be
punished who | trust in him.
All:
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous.
SECOND
READING Ephesians 6:10-20
10Be strong in the Lord and in the
strength of his power. 11Put on the whole armor of God, so that you
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For our
struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore
take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that
evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand
therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the
breastplate of righteousness. 15As shoes for your feet put on
whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16With
all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all
the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18Pray in the
Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert
and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19Pray also
for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with
boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador
in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
The Word
of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Stand
VERSE
2 Timothy 1:10
Sung by the Cantor
Alleluia. Our
Savior Jesus Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light
through the Gospel. Alleluia.
Gospel John 6:56-69
The Holy Gospel according
to St. John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said,]
56“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in
them. 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the
Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58This is the
bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and
they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59He
said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching
is difficult; who can accept it?” 61But Jesus, being aware that his
disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then
what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It
is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.
The words
that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But among you there
are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones
that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65And
he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it
is granted by the Father.”
66Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer
went about with him. 67So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish
to go away?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go?
You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and
know that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
Sermon
Stand
X HYMN OF THE DAY
The Church’s One Foundation
The
Church's One Foundation
1 The church's one
foundation
is Jesus Christ, her
Lord;
she is his new
creation
by water and the
word.
From heav'n he came
and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he
bought her,
and for her life he
died.
yet one o'er all the
earth,
her charter of
salvation
one Lord, one faith,
one birth:
one holy name she
blesses,
partakes one holy
food,
and to one hope she
presses,
with ev'ry grace
endued.
3 Though with a scornful
wonder
this world sees her
oppressed,
by schisms rent
asunder,
by heresies
distressed,
yet saints their
watch are keeping;
their cry goes up:
"How long?"
And soon the night of
weeping
shall be the morn of
song.
4 Through toil and
tribulation
and tumult of her
war,
she waits the
consummation
of peace forevermore;
till with the vision
glorious
her longing eyes are
blest,
and the great church
victorious
shall be the church
at rest.
5 Yet she on earth has
union
with God, the Three
in One,
and mystic sweet
communion
with those whose rest
is won.
Oh, blessed heav'nly
chorus!
Lord, save us by your
grace,
that we, like saints
before us,
may see you face to
face.
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
A brief silence
We thank
you for the forgiveness, life, and salvation Jesus offers, and for the life of
the Spirit which is for eternity. Clothe us in armor for spiritual warfare, and
inspire us to serve you in sincerity and faithfulness, and to persevere in prayer
for all the saints. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
For our
bishop, Dan, our pastors, Maurice and Harvey, and all pastors everywhere, that
they may be given a message to make known with boldness the mystery of the
gospel; Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
For an
end to wars, for resolution of conflict between Americans of different color, creed,
and party; for those who serve in our armed forces: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
For those
who suffer from natural disaster and lack of resources; for those who are ill
in body, mind, or spirit; for those who grieve, and for those who need our
prayers;
The pastor reads those names which have been submitted
for prayer.
The people are invited to offer petitions and
thanksgivings.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
In thanksgiving
for those who have gone before us in faith; as we join together in this feast
and celebration on earth, point us toward that day when with all the saints we
will feast with you in heaven. 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 Matthew 6:31-33
Sung by the Cantor
Do not worry, saying “What will we eat?” or “What
will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” Your heavenly Father knows that you
need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and its
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
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
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 your Son, Jesus Christ.
On this, the day of
the Lord, you gather his people together
to celebrate his paschal mystery of redemption. By your
saving word you teach us, and in the supper of the Lord you feed this assembly
with the bread of heaven; so that with joy we may know ourselves as a people
reborn in a living hope, and walking in the fellowship of love as we await in
faith the return of our Savior.
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
This is the bread that came down
from heaven.
The one who
eats this bread will live forever. John 6:58
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.
HYMNS Abide with Us , O Savior
Abide with Us, Our Savior
1 Abide
with us, our Savior,
nor
let your mercy cease;
from
Satan’s might defend us,
and
grant our souls release.
2 Abide
with us, our Savior,
sustain
us by your word;
that
we with all your people
to
life may be restored.
3 Abide
among us always,
Lord,
with your faithfulness;
O
Jesus, leave us never,
but
help us in distress.
4 Abide
with us, our Savior,
O
Light of endless light,
bestow
on us your blessings,
and
save us by your might.
Text: Josua Stegmann, 1588-1632; tr.
unknown, sts. 1-2, 4; F. W. Detterer, st. 3; alt.
I Come, O Savior, To Your Table
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
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.
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!
From Sundays and Seasons.com.
Copyright 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg
Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.
New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in
the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
HYMN:
Abide With Us, O Savior: Text: Josua Stegmann, 1588-1632; tr. unknown,
sts. 1-2, 4; F. W. Detterer, st. 3; alt. / Tune: Melchior Vulpius, c. 1560-1615
HYMN: I Come, O Savior, To Your Table: Text: Friedrich
C. Heyder, 1677-1754; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt. Tune: Ms.,
Municipal Library, Leipzig, 1756
Chinese Orthodox Communion Bread Seal. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57516
Agnus Day appears with the permission
of www.agnusday.org
St Stephen Lutheran Church
55 Forsythe Road
Pittsburgh PA 15220
(412) 279-5868
office@ststephenpittsburgh.org
Saturday
Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday
Morning Worship –9:30 am
