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THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Hearing the Word of Christ
The color
green, used for the vestments and paraments in the season
after Pentecost, symbolizes growth and life in the Holy Spirit.
FIRST READING Genesis 18:1-10a: The writer of the letter to the Hebrews instructs his hearers:
‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for in so doing some have
entertained angels unawares’ (Hebrews 13:2). The Jewish-Christian hearers of
Hebrews would have immediately been reminded of this story from Genesis. The
Christian tradition has understood the three men who visit Abraham in the
desert as an image of the Holy Trinity, an interpretation perhaps most
well-expressed in the famous icon of the Holy Trinity written by the Russian
iconographer Andrei Rublev. Abraham’s hospitality is an indication of his
righteousness; hospitality was (and is) a marker of nobility in Middle Eastern
culture.
SECOND READING: There
is incredible depth in this section of the letter to the Colossians. Paul describes
Christ’s divinity, his participation in and sustenance of the creation, his
role in salvation, and his Lordship of the Church. He identifies the hearers as
those who are recipients of Jesus’ salvation, and Paul’s role as a servant of
the Gospel: one among many who by preaching Christ bring the people of the
nations to knowledge of the truth and to maturity in Christ.
GOSPEL: As we heard last week, life in the
Kingdom of God is a life committed to acts of compassion for the neighbor.
Martha exemplifies this servant life by providing hospitality for Jesus in her
home. But she fails to see the opportunity provided to her: to hear the word of
Jesus and, in so doing, receive hospitality from him. Life in the Kingdom of God
involves sitting, like Mary, at the feet of Jesus in the position of a disciple,
and Martha, too, is invited to participate in the life of discipleship.
OPENING MUSIC
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
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.
Eternal
God, you draw near to us in Christ
and make yourself our guest.
Amid the cares of our daily lives,
make us
attentive to your voice
and alert to your presence,
that we may treasure your word above all
else.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
The mystery that has been hidden
throughout
the ages and generations
has now been revealed to his saints.
Let
us hear the Word of the Lord. Colossians 1:26
Sit
FIRST READING
Genesis 18:1-10a
1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of
Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He
looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from
the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He
said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let
a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the
tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves,
and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they
said, “Do as you have said.” 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to
Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it,
and make cakes.” 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender
and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8Then
he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before
them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said,
“There, in the tent.” 10aThen one said, “I will surely return to you
in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to
God.
PSALM 15
1 Lord, who may dwell in your | tabernacle?*
Who
may abide upon your | holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does | what is
right,*
who
speaks the truth | from his heart,
3 there is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil | to his friend;*
he
does not heap contempt up- | on his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked | is rejected,*
but
he honors those who | fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to | do no wrong*
and
does not take | back his word.
6 He does not give his money in | hope of gain,*
nor
does he take a bribe a- | gainst the innocent.
7 Whoever | does these things*
shall
never be | overthrown.
SECOND READING Colossians 1:15-28
15 [Christ Jesus] is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;16for in him all things
in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through
him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all
things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he
is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have
first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was
pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to
himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the
blood of his cross.
21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil
deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so
as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—23provided
that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without
shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been
proclaimed to every creature under heaven.
I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.
24I am now rejoicing
in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking
in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25I
became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you,
to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery that has been
hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his
saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the
Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and
teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in
Christ.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks
be to God.
Stand
VERSE
Gospel Luke 10:38-42
The Holy Gospel according to St.
Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
38Now as Jesus
and his disciples went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a
woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister
named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But
Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord,
do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell
her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha,
you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of
only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away
from her.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
SERMON
Stand
WHYMN OF THE DAY
Dearest Jesus, at Your Word Green LBW 248
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.
hear our prayer.
Make known
to the whole world the mystery hidden for ages, the good news of salvation you
offer to all peoples through Jesus. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Continue to
establish our congregation in steadfast faith and help us to show Christ’s hospitality
to all who come to us: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Empower the
ministry of Water Mission to proclaim the Gospel and provide safe water and
hygiene solutions to people in all nations, and bless all staff, volunteers,
and supporters of this ministry. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Reconcile
the people of our nation to one another, that all our communities may be filled
with tranquility, and bring the nations of the world to know peace and do justice.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Protect and
equip for service those who govern us, those who defend us, and those
responsible for public order, health, and safety. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Comfort
those who mourn, heal those who suffer, and hear the praises and petitions we
bring to you now…
Lord, in
your mercy,
hear our prayer.
With
Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Martha, bring us at length to your eternal home to
adore you 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 in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. He comes to us in Word and Sacrament that we may listen to his voice, receive him into our bodies, and, with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, know the hope to which you have called us. And so with Abraham and Sarah, with Mary and Martha, 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
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart Green LBW 325
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
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from Christ’s glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Amen Colossians 1:11-12
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
Abide
With Us, Our Savior
Green LBW 263
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.
Prayer of the Day from Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language: Norwich, UK: Canterbury Press, 2001.
Peterson, Kathleen. Mary, Martha and Jesus, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56572 [retrieved July 11, 2022]. Original source: Kathleen Peterson, https://www.kathleenpetersonart.com
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
