The livestream may be found here.
THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
A Sabbath healing for God’s people
The color
green, used for the vestments and paraments in the season
after Pentecost, symbolizes growth and life in the Holy Spirit.
FIRST
READING: This
reading is from a section of the book of Isaiah which was written after the
return from exile in Babylon. The unspoken question of these times was why
God’s promises of peace and plenty hadn’t seemed to come true. Life in the land
was hard, and things weren’t getting better. The prophet calls the people to a
renewed keeping of the Sabbath and attention to the plight of the poor, and
tells them that their faithfulness will uncover God’s faithfulness to them.
SECOND
READING: The writer to the Hebrews calls to his readers’ minds the
national memory of Exodus 19, when the people of Israel gathered at the foot of
Mount Sinai, and Moses went up to the mountain to receive the law. How much
more reverent and awe-filled should they be, says the writer, now that they are
coming to the throne of God which is in heaven? The reading is filled with
wonderful imaginative details that serve to heighten our awareness of the
beauty, majesty, and power of God.
GOSPEL: This reading and several readings following
includes both parables of the kingdom and disputes between Jesus and the religious
leaders of the time. Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath day, which challenges
the interpretation of Moses’s Law by the leader of the synagogue. Jesus is
proclaiming a new and greater Sabbath: his day is the day of rest for God’s
people, the day of freedom from their enemies. If the animals can be rescued on
the Sabbath for the sake of sustaining the life of the community that depends
upon them, surely a woman who has suffered long may be restored to the
community of God on the Sabbath day.
OPENING MUSIC
How Firm a
Foundation – Wilbur Held
O Day of Rest and Gladness – Flor Peeters
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
I will go to the altar of God;
the God of my joy and gladness.
WHymn O Day of Rest and Gladness Green LBW 251
1 O
day of rest and gladness,
O
day of joy and light,
O
balm for care and sadness,
most
beautiful, most bright:
on
you the high and lowly,
through
ages joined in tune,
sing,
“Holy, holy, holy,”
to
the great God triune.
2 On
you, at earth’s creation,
the
light first had its birth;
on
you, for our salvation,
Christ
rose from depths of earth;
on
you, our Lord victorious
the
Spirit sent from heav’n;
and
thus on you, most glorious,
a
threefold light was giv’n.
3 Today
on weary nations
the
heav’nly manna falls;
to
holy convocations
the
silver trumpet calls,
where
gospel light is glowing
with
pure and radiant beams
and
living water flowing
with
soul-refreshing streams.
4 New
graces ever gaining
from
this our day of rest,
we
reach the rest remaining
to
spirits of the blest.
To
Holy Ghost be praises,
to
Father, and to Son;
the
church its voice upraises
to
you, blest Three in One.
Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885, alt.
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
HYMN OF PRAISE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
as fragile creatures surrounded by great dangers,
we cannot, by ourselves, stand upright.
Give us strength
of mind and body,
so that even when we suffer
because of sin,
we may rise victorious.
We ask this 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
The LORD made his ways known to Moses,
and his works to the children of Israel.
Let
us hear the Word of the Lord. Psalm 103:7
Sit
First READING Isaiah 58:9b-14
9bIf you remove the yoke from among
you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
11The Lord will guide
you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
12Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
13If you refrain from trampling the sabbath,
from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;
if you call the sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord
honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;
14then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
for the mouth of the Lord has
spoken.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to
God.
PSALM 103:1-8
Antiphon Ps. 103:4
1 Bless the Lord, | O my soul,*
and
all that is within me, bless his | holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, | O my soul,*
and
forget not | all his benefits.
3 He forgives |
all your sins*
and
heals all | your infirmities;
4 he redeems your
life | from the grave*
and
crowns you with mercy and | lovingkindness;
5 he satisfies
you | with good things,*
and
your youth is renewed | like an eagle's.
6 The Lord ex- | ecutes righteousness*
and
judgment for all who | are oppressed.
7 He made his
ways | known to Moses*
and
his works to the chil- | dren of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of compas- | sion and
mercy,*
slow
to anger and | of great kindness. Antiphon
SECOND READING Hebrews 12:18-29
18You have not come to something that can be touched, a
blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19and the
sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another
word be spoken to them. 20(For they could not endure the order that
was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to
death.” 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I
tremble with fear.”) 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in
festal gathering, 23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are
enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the
righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new
covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood
of Abel.
25See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they
did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much
less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26At
that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I
will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27This phrase,
“Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created
things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since
we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which
we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29for
indeed our God is a consuming fire.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks
be to God.
Stand
VERSE
Gospel Luke 13:10-17
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
10Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of
the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a
woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over
and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he
called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When
he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising
God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had
cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work
ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.”
15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each
of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it
away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of
Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage
on the sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put
to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that
he was doing.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
SERMON
Stand
WHYMN OF THE DAY
How Firm a
Foundation Green
LBW 507
1 How
firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
is
laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What
more can he say than to you he has said
who
unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
2 “Fear
not, I am with you, oh, be not dismayed,
for
I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll
strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld
by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3 “When
through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my
grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.
The
flames shall not hurt you; I only design
your
dross to consume and your gold to refine.
4 “Throughout
all their lifetime my people shall prove
my
sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
and
then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
like
lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.”
Text: J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, alt.
CONFESSION OF FAITH 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
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Fill your Church with reverence and awe in your
presence, celebrating our freedom from bondage and living in joyful
thankfulness and praise. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Let our bishop Dan, our pastors and all ministers
of the Gospel preach boldly and faithfully the Word that sets us free. Lord, in
your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Help us as individuals and as a congregation to make
known God’s justifying word to each other and to others. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Guide all who hold civil authority; protect and
strengthen the members of our armed forces, and give peace to our nation at
home and abroad. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Give the peoples of the earth relief from their
oppressors and freedom from terror and war. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Grant healing to the sick and give light to those
who sit in darkness and the shadow of death: that they may have their joy restored.
The pastor reads the names and situations submitted
for prayer.
The people may offer spoken or silent petitions or
praises.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Help us look forward to the day when we come to the
heavenly city, to join with innumerable angels and the spirits of the righteous
made perfect to sing your glory forever. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
The people exchange the sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
Stand
O Bread of Life from Heaven (LBW 222), stanza 1
1 O Bread of life from heaven,
O Food to pilgrims given,
O Manna from above:
feed with the blessed sweetness
of your divine completeness
the souls that want and need your love.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this bread to set before you,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become for us the cup of salvation.
Blessed be God for ever.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and all places offer thanks and praise to you, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. He is the mediator of the new covenant, whom you put forward as an atoning sacrifice through his blood. He sets us free from the bondage to sin and death, and makes us strong to live before you in confidence and hope. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
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
This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Happy are we who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.
John 1:29; Revelation 19:9; Luke 7:6-7
O Bread of Life from Heaven, stanza 2
2 O Fount of grace redeeming,
O River ever streaming
from Jesus’ wounded side:
come now, your love bestowing
on thirsting souls, and flowing
till all are fully satisfied.
Sit
DISTRIBUTION
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.
Please come forward, take a communion cup from the tray, and kneel at the altar rail on your ‘side’ of the worship space. Please make an effort to leave some distance between your family unit and the next family unit. When your side has finished communing, please place your empty cup in the tray provided.
WDISTRIBUTION HYMN
O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come Green LBW 360
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
O Bread of Life from Heaven, stanza 3
3 We love you, Jesus, tender,
in all your hidden splendor
within these means of grace.
Oh, let the veil be riven,
and our clear eye in heaven
behold your glory face to face.
Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sit
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE FAITH FAMILY
Stand
Silence for meditation.
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
WCLOSING HYMN
Rejoice,
O Pilgrim Throng! Green LBW 553
St.
1-3, 7
1 Rejoice,
O pilgrim throng!
Rejoice,
give thanks, and sing;
your
festal banner wave on high,
the
cross of Christ your king.
Refrain
Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Rejoice,
give thanks, and sing!
2 With
voice as full and strong
as
ocean’s surging praise,
send
forth the sturdy hymns of old,
the
psalms of ancient days. Refrain
3 With
all the angel choirs,
with
all the saints on earth
pour
out the strains of joy and bliss,
true
rapture, noblest mirth. Refrain
7 Praise
him who reigns on high,
the
Lord whom we adore:
the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
one
God forevermore. Refrain
Text: Edward H. Plumptre, 1821-1891, alt.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 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.
Prayer of the Day from Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language: Norwich, UK: Canterbury Press, 2001.
Barlach, Ernst, 1870-1938. Old Woman Dancing, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57032 [retrieved August 16, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barlach_Tanzende_Alte.JPG.
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
