Spirit Worship

Holy Spirit @ Home

July 26, 2020

10:30 A.M.

Eighth Sunday

after Pentecost

Holy Communion

Gathering

The Holy Spirit gathers us in worship

Gathering Music

Listening People Colligan

© 2018 Worldmaking.net (ASCAP) All rights reserved.

Used with permission © CMP 2020

Gymnopedie Megan McCormick, flutist Satie

Gathering Music (continued)

Give Thanks Seeds Family Worship

From the Album Seeds of Character Sermon Spice 2020

Based on Psalm 105 verses 1-3

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,

make known his deeds among all people.

Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Gathering

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering

Blessed be God,

whose word gives hope and shapes our dreams,

whose love conquers death.

Blessed be God,

who orders our way and guides our steps,

who leads us into life.

Gathering Song: Seek Ye First Musical Leadership: Dave Rishel

Verse 1: Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things shall be added unto you -

Allelu, alleluia.

Verse 2: We shall not live by bread alone

but by ev'ry word that proceeds from the mouth of God –

Allelu, alleluia.

Verse 3: Ask and it shall be given unto you,

seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you –

Allelu, alleluia. CCLI Song #1352 CCLI Annual Music and Streaming License #678084

Confession

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Therefore, with candor and humility,

let us confess our sin.

God, our strength and salvation,

when it comes to living rightly

we so often have things backwards.

We put ourselves first, and others last.

What we think will make us happy

only leaves us wanting more.

Confession (continued)

Even when we seek to do good,

we often find ourselves doing the opposite.

Forgive us, good Lord!

Free us from the Tempter’s grip on our lives,

and raise us up day by day,

that we may cling to you and your grace

in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Forgiveness

Sisters and brothers,

though we all have fallen short of the glory of God,

we are justified by God’s grace,

and nothing can separate us

from the love of God in + Christ Jesus,

through whom we have forgiveness,

life, and salvation.

Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray together.

Strong and loving God,

through the death and resurrection of your Son

you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy.

By your Spirit, give us your wisdom,

that we may treasure the life that comes

from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Word

God speaks to us in Bible readings, preaching and song

First Reading: Genesis 29:15-28 The Message Bible

Emma Nesfeder - Lector

A reading from Genesis, the 29th chapter.

Laban said, “You’re family! My flesh and blood,”

(and insisted that Jacob stay in his home).

When Jacob had been with him for a month, Laban said,

“Just because you’re my nephew,

you shouldn’t work for me for nothing.

Tell me what you want to be paid.

What’s a fair wage?”

First Reading (continued)

Now Laban had two daughters;

Leah was the older and Rachel the younger.

Leah had nice eyes, but Rachel was stunningly beautiful.

And it was Rachel that Jacob loved.

So Jacob answered, “I will work for you seven years

for your younger daughter Rachel.”

“It is far better,” said Laban, “that I give her to you

than marry her to some outsider. Yes. Stay here with me.”

First Reading (continued)

So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel.

But it only seemed like a few days, he loved her so much.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife;

I’ve completed what we agreed I’d do.

I’m ready to consummate my marriage.”

Laban invited everyone around and threw a big feast.

At evening, though, he got his daughter Leah

and brought her to the marriage bed, and Jacob slept with her.

(Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.)

First Reading (continued)

Morning came: There was Leah in the marriage bed!

Jacob confronted Laban, “What have you done to me?

Didn’t I work all this time for the hand of Rachel?

Why did you cheat me?”

“We don’t do it that way in our country,” said Laban.

“We don’t marry off the younger daughter before the older.

Enjoy your week of honeymoon, and then we’ll give you the other one also.

But it will cost you another seven years of work.”

First Reading (continued)

Jacob agreed. When he’d completed the honeymoon week (with Leah),

Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

(And, as he had promised, Jacob worked another seven years for Laban.)

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

Second Reading: Romans 8:26-39 NRSV Bible

Becky Keane - Lector

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, the eighth chapter.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness;

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

And God, who searches the heart,

knows what is the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints

according to the will of God.

Second Reading(continued)

We know that all things work together for good

for those who love God,

who are called according to his purpose.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.

And those whom he predestined he also called;

and those whom he called he also justified;

and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Second Reading(continued)

What then are we to say about these things?

If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not withhold his own Son,

but gave him up for all of us,

will he not with him also give us everything else?

Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?

It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?

It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised,

who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

Second Reading(continued)

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will hardship, or distress, or persecution,

or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;

we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Second Reading(continued)

No, in all these things

we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-32 NRSV Bible

The Good News from Matthew, the 13th chapter. Open our hearts, Lord.

[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed

that someone took and sowed in his field;

it is the smallest of all the seeds,

but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs

and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come

and make nests in its branches.”

This is the Good News! Thanks be to God! Hallelujah!

Sermon

Pastor Ric Elliott

Word in Song: You Are My All in All Musical Leadership: Amber and Chuck Coe

Verse 1: You are my strength when I am weak.

You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all.

Seeking You as a precious jewel,

Lord, to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all. Chorus

Chorus: Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name!

Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name!

Verse 2: Taking my sin, my cross my shame,

rising again I bless your name; You are my all in all.

When I fall down, you pick me up; when I am dry You fill my cup;

You are my all in all. Chorus CCLI Song #825356 CCLI Annual License #678084

Affirmation

Let us affirm our mission.

Gathered by God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit,

we invite and welcome all people to join us on our journey

to become more faithful ministers of Jesus Christ

in our homes, our communities, and the world.

Prayers of the People Bob Mueller – Intercessor

Invitation:

From our many locations, yet held in one body by the Holy Spirit,

let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

After each petition:

Turn to us, O God: be gracious to us.

Closing collect:

Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray,

trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Respond to God’s Gifts

We respond to the Word of God by gathering an offering for the mission of the church,

including the care of those in need. The music is offered as a gift to the glory of God.

During this period of remote church services, you may give your offering by

(1) using Give by Text (610-981-1312),

(2) enrolling in Simply Giving,

(3) mailing your check to the church office, 3461 Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus, PA 18049

(4) navigating to our church's website https://lchsemmaus.org/stewardship/,

then clicking on: Give now on-line,

(5) downloading our mobile giving app by simply searching for “Give+” in either the Apple

App Store or Google Play Store. Once you have downloaded the app, search on “Lutheran

Church of The Holy Spirit”. You can immediately donate or choose to set up an account.

Musical Offering

You Say

Lauren Daigle

MacKenzie Schaffer, vocalist

Meal

In word and meal,

God’s grace feeds us

Holy Communion

You may prepare your communion table at home now.

Following the Words of Institution, the Lord’s Prayer

and Communion Invitation, the presiding minister

will say the words first.

While inspirational communion music is played,

you may share in communion.

There will be a slide with the words to say during communion.

Word in Meal

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son:

a story-planter who grew people’s interest in you

through tales of seeds and harvests,

a teacher who, with love,

clarified his religion’s complicated laws,

a healer who boldly touched the sick and suffering,

a truth-teller who insisted

that the poor are full members of God’s beloved family,

and our Savior, who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.

Words of Institution

Word in Meal (continued)

Together as the body of Christ, we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine,

and send that Spirit, through us, over all creation,

that together your people may cultivate peace and justice

in every corner of the world.

Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Friends of Jesus, come to the table.

Receive nourishment for your journey.

Amen.

Communion The presiding minister will say the words first.

While inspirational communion music is played,

you may share in communion.

The body of Christ given for you.

The blood of Christ shed for you. +

A Blessing, “You are a loved child of God.”

Sending

God blesses us

and sends us in mission to the world

Prayer following Communion

Let us pray.

God of goodness and growth,

thank you for the blessings of this past hour:

scripture, preaching, music, prayers, and meal.

Let your love be made real in us this week.

Soften the hard places of our hearts,

and crowd out any corners of greed or anxiety.

Make us fruitful in thought, word, and deed;

in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessing

Proceed this day, and tomorrow as well,

embracing the truth of the mustard seed parable,

helping to nurture God’s beloved community.

Give thanks, and trust always,

for God will supply the growth.

May you go forth in joy and be led back in peace,

in the name of + Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Sending Song: Sent Forth by God’s Blessings Musical Leadership: Glenn and Terri Hinderliter

Verse 1: Sent forth by God's blessing,

our true faith confessing,

the people of God from this dwelling take leave.

The supper is ended. Oh, now be extended

the fruits of this service in all who believe.

The seed of Christ's teaching,

receptive souls reaching,

shall blossom in action for God and for all.

Your grace shall incite us, your love shall unite us

to work for your kingdom and answer your call.

Sending Song (continued)

Verse 2: With praise and thanksgiving to God ever-living,

the tasks of our ev'ryday life we will face –

our faith ever sharing,

in love ever caring,

embracing God's children, the whole human race.

With your feast you feed us,

with your light now lead us;

unite us as one in this life that we share.

Then may all the living

with praise and thanksgiving

give honor to Christ and his name that we bear.

Augsburg Fortress Annual license #20593

Dismissal

Go in peace; stand firm in your faith.

Thanks be to God!

Copyright Permissions

Music/hymnody licenses: CCLI #678084, OneLicense A-701076, and HymnPrint.net #11804.

Bible translations currently used at worship in this parish: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), ©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. Contemporary English Version (CEV) ©1995 by American Bible Society. New

International Version (NIV) ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved

worldwide. The Message, ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress

Publishing Group.

Primary liturgical resources from Sundays and Seasons.com. ©2020, 2017, 2014, 2011 Augsburg Fortress.

All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20593.

Portions of the liturgy reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word®

Worship Companion. ©2014.

Prayers of the People written by Gail Ramshaw for ELCA Worship Blog; copied by permission.

Holy Spirit: Connections