We welcome you to worship.
OPENING, CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS, and PRAYER of the DAY
Confession and Forgiveness: P: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
C: Amen.
P: Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sins.
Reconciling God,
C: we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought, word and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through you love, renew us; and in your Spirit lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen.
P: Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace. Our sins are forgiven. We live now in hope; for hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured in our hearts through Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day:
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Teach us, good Lord God, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to seek for rest, to labor and not ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen
Hymn: Lift High the Cross vs. 1&4 ELW #660
HOLY GOSPEL and SERMON
Holy Gospel: Matthew 10:24-39
Hymn of the Day: Borning Cry vs. 1,3&4 ELW #732
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION, OFFERING, and BLESSING of the MEN
Prayers of Intercession read by Matt and Tristyn Connelly
Special Music: The Last Rose of Summer - Persephone Pestar
Prayers of Intercession:
L: Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray together for our shared world.
L: Expansive God, you bring diverse voices together to form your church. Open our hearts and unstop our ears to learn from one another, that differences might not overshadow our baptismal unity. Heal racial and social tensions. Bring peace, understanding, justice and harmony to this land. Dispel hatred. Bring hope and justice to all; not only in the church, but throughout the world.
L: Protecting God, sustain and keep safe all who work to defend others across the world from violence, poverty and homelessness. Stand with those who speak for and protect people in all lands against tyranny. Journey with those who flee in fear. Sustain your children wherever they are.
L: Loving God, you promise to be with all who are persecuted for your sake. Guide all who take a stand to speak your word and console any who are tormented or targeted for any reason.
L: Compassionate and parenting God, you are with us and we are never alone. Bless all fathers and father figures who strive to love and nurture as you do. Bring safety, love and harmony to every home.
L: Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Blessing of the Men (Pastor Butler)
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, creator of heaven and earth. We give thanks to you for all the men of faith who have done your will throughout the ages.
We thank you for Abraham, the father of Israel, Moses the deliverer, Samuel the judge, David the king, Isaiah the prophet, Simon the Black and Lucius of Cyrene, prophets of Antioch, and for Joseph the husband of Mary, and the guardian of our Lord.
God of our ancestors in faith, we ask your blessing upon the faithful men of this congregation, our brothers and friends, our spouses and sons, our grandfathers and fathers.
Bless them and all the men who place their trust in you.
Empower them to hold fast their faith and reject all that is evil. May they not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of their minds, so that they may discern what is the will through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION, POST COMMUNION PRAYER, BLESSING and SENDING
Blessing and Sending - Carter, C.J., and Harlan Eggleston
Holy Communion:
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Lord's Prayer:
C: 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 and 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.
Blessing:
L: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord's face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn: Faith of our Fathers vs. 1&3 ELW #812
Sending:
L: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
C: Thanks be to God.