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Harvest at Provence
Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Jesus sends his disciples to
proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
The color green,
used for the vestments and paraments in the season after Pentecost, symbolizes
growth and life in the Holy Spirit.
FIRST READING: The
exiles have returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, but the restored kingdom seems
to be far off still. The prophet promises the people that God will indeed keep
his promises. He compares God’s provision to a mother’s who satisfies her child
with milk from her breasts. In his own time, Martin Luther identifies
‘Jerusalem’ with the Church and the milk as the Word of Gospel:
[The prophet] pictures us as babies who must suck their
fill from the consoling breast. This is true. When the consolation of the Word
comes, the breast is full, abounding in consolations, even in extreme despair,
misfortunes, and prisons. All of these are put out of commission by the Holy
Spirit who promises better things. The breasts of the Holy Spirit are full,
consoling us by giving us our fill to the very depths of our heart.
Consolations offered by the world do not reach the hearts of Christians. He
does not experience joy. The church’s breasts satisfy through the Word. (Lectures on
Isaiah)
SECOND READING: Paul
encourages the Galatians to behave in ways which will build up life in
community. In an agricultural image, he reminds the Galatians that sowing seed
‘according to the flesh’ will lead to ruin; to sow according to the Spirit will
lead to a rich harvest of righteousness. He concludes the letter by calling
attention to his impaired vision which causes him to write poorly and usually
employ a scribe. He references his infirmity to remind the Galatians once again
that ‘a good showing in the flesh’ is not what is important, but Christ’s
achievement for us on the cross.
GOSPEL: The
seventy are sent on an urgent errand. They must travel light and be
laser-focused on the mission. The disciples are given promises: they will not
lose the peace of the Kingdom no matter the ‘success’ of their proclamation,
and they will be rejected or accepted not in their own person, but as ambassadors
of Jesus and of his Father. When the disciples return, they are flush with victory.
But Jesus reminds them that they are not to rejoice in what they have done, but
what God has done for them.
OPENING MUSIC
Hark, the Voice of Jesus
Calling – David P. Dahl
Praise,
My Soul, the King of Heaven – Paul Manz
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 Praise,
My Soul, the King of Heaven Green LBW 549
1 Praise, my soul, the
King of heaven;
to his feet your
tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed,
restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises
sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the
everlasting King!
2 Praise him for his
grace and favor
to our forebears in
distress.
Praise him, still the
same forever,
slow to chide and
swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in his
faithfulness!
3 Tenderly he shields
and spares us;
well our feeble frame
he knows.
In his hands he
gently bears us,
rescues us from all
our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely as his mercy
flows.
4 Angels help us to adore
him,
who behold him face
to face.
Sun and moon bow down
before him;
all who dwell in time
and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the
God of grace.
Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847
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
PRAYERS OF
THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Boundless, O God, is your saving power;
your
harvest reaches to the ends of the earth.
Fill us our hearts with zeal for your
kingdom
and
place on our lips the tidings of peace.
Grant us perseverance as heralds of the Gospel
and joy as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord,
who lives
and reigns with you
in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and
forever. Amen
Lord of the nations,
guide our people by your Spirit to go forth in justice and freedom.
Give us what outward prosperity
may be your will;
but above all things give us
faith in you,
that our nation may bring glory
to your name
and blessings to all peoples;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
CALL TO THE
WORD
Jesus
said to the disciples: ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me.’
Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Luke 10:16a
Sit
FIRST READING
Isaiah
66:10-14
10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be
glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her—
11that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom.
12For thus says the Lord:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.
13As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord
is with his servants,
and his indignation is against his enemies.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to
God.
PSALM 66:1-8
1 Be joyful in God, | all you lands;*
sing
the glory of his name; sing the glory | of his praise.
2 Say to God, "How awesome | are your deeds!*
Because
of your great strength
your enemies | cringe before you.
3 All the earth bows | down before you,*
sings
to you, sings | out your name."
4 Come now and see the | works of God,*
how
wonderful he is in his doing | toward all people.
5 He turned the sea into dry land,
so
that they went through the wat- | er on foot,*
and
there we re- | joiced in him.
6 In his might he rules forever;
his eyes keep watch o- | ver the
nations;*
let
no rebel rise | up against him.
7 Bless our | God, you peoples;*
make
the voice of his praise | to be heard,
8 who holds our | souls in life,*
and
will not allow our | feet to slip. R
SECOND READING Galatians 6:1-16
1My friends, if anyone is detected
in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one
in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2Bear
one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3For
if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4All
must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work,
will become a cause for pride. 5For all must carry their own loads.
6Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with
their teacher.
7Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you
sow. 8If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from
the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the
Spirit. 9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we
will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10So then, whenever
we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for
those of the family of faith.
11See
what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12It is
those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be
circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Even
the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be
circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never
boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world
has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16As
for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the
Israel of God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks
be to God.
Stand
VERSE
Gospel Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1After this the Lord appointed
seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place
where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into his harvest. 3Go on your way. See, I am
sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no
purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5Whatever
house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6And if anyone is
there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it
will return to you. 7Remain in the same house, eating and drinking
whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about
from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and its people
welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9cure the sick who are
there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10But
whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets
and say, 11‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we
wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come
near.’ ”
16“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you
rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
17The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even
the demons submit to us!” 18He said to them, “I watched Satan fall
from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19See, I have given you
authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at
this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written
in heaven.”
Praise to
you, O Christ.
Sit
Sermon Pastor
Frontz
Stand
WHYMN OF THE DAY
Hark, the Voice
of Jesus Calling Green
LBW 381
1 Hark,
the voice of Jesus calling,
“Who
will go and work today?
Fields
are white and harvests waiting,
who
will bear the sheaves away?”
Loud
and long the master calls you;
rich
reward he offers free.
Who
will answer, gladly saying,
“Here
am I. Send me, send me”?
2 If
you cannot speak like angels,
if
you cannot preach like Paul,
you
can tell the love of Jesus;
you
can say he died for all.
If
you cannot rouse the wicked
with
the judgment’s dread alarms,
you
can lead the little children
to
the Savior’s waiting arms.
3 If
you cannot be a watchman,
standing
high on Zion’s wall,
pointing
out the path to heaven,
off’ring
life and peace to all,
with
your prayers and with your bounties
you
can do what God demands;
you
can be like faithful Aaron,
holding
up the prophet’s hands.
4 Let
none hear you idly saying,
“There
is nothing I can do,”
while
the multitudes are dying
and
the master calls for you.
Take
the task he gives you gladly;
let
his work your pleasure be.
Answer
quickly when he calls you,
“Here
am I. Send me, send me!”
Text: Daniel March, 1816-1909, 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.
A brief silence is kept.
That the Church may continue to proclaim the Gospel of
the coming Kingdom of God: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
That the members of this congregation may bear one
another’s burdens and sow the seed of the Spirit that will bear fruit at the
harvest time: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
That as the citizens of the United States observe the
two-hundred forty-sixth anniversary of their independence, they may be
sustained in their freedom and use that freedom wisely: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
That all who hold public trust, including the
President, the Congress, the Courts, the Governor of Pennsylvania and our
Legislature, all who serve in government, and the members of the armed forces,
may be strengthened in their tasks for the good of all: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
That all who suffer may be lifted up in body, mind, and
spirit, and given the rich consolation of the saving Word of the Kingdom,
especially these whom we name before you:
The pastor reads the names
submitted for prayer.
The people are invited to offer
prayer and thanksgiving.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our
prayer.
That at the great harvest of all the redeemed, we may
rise to live forever with you and all those who have made their glory the Cross
of Jesus Christ: 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
who sends his disciples to the end of the
earth to sow the seed of the Gospel of the Kingdom, through which the Spirit brings
forth a harvest of faith to your glory.
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
Come now and see the works of God,
how
wonderful he is in his doing toward all people. Psalm 66:4
Thanks be to God.
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
All Who Love and Serve Your City Green LBW 436
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
WCLOSING HYMN
My
God, How Wonderful Thou Art Green LBW 524
thy majesty how
bright!
How beautiful thy
mercy seat
in depths of burning
light!
2 How wonderful, how
beautiful
the sight of thee
must be--
thine endless wisdom,
boundless pow'r,
and awesome purity!
3 No earthly father
loves like thee;
no mother, e'er so
mild,
bears and forbears as
thou hast done
with me, thy sinful
child.
almighty as thou art,
for thou hast stooped
to ask of me
the love of my poor
heart.
5 My God, how wonderful
thou art,
thou everlasting friend!
On thee I stay my
trusting heart
till faith in vision
end.
Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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.
Gogh,
Vincent van, 1853-1890. Harvest in Provence, from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55315 [retrieved
June 16, 2022]. Original source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ernte_in_der_Prov%C3%A9nce.jpeg.
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
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