WELCOME
OPENING, ORDER of CONFESSION, PRAYER of the DAY:
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.
(Silence for reflection)
P: 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 your 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 the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Opening Hymn: Gather Us In ELW #532 vs 1 & 4
READING and SERMON:
A Reading from Romans.
The Holy Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:8
Hymn of the Day: Bring Forth the Kingdom vs 1 & 4
CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES:
Blessing of the Quilts
A Word From our Graduates:
Garrett Kennedy, Ryan Franulovich, Logan Hanrahan, and Aidan Ufkes.
Presentation of Scholarships: Lane Phelan
Prayer of Blessing for Graduates:
While in your Mother's womb, God named you. At your birth, God's breath filled you with life. Today we celebrate what you have become at this moment in time. And so we pray,
God of our beginnings, We thank you for the gifts of these graduates; their excitement, their awesome wonder and curiosity, their open speech and encouraging words. Their contributions have blessed and challenged us, and we have become a richer and more diverse community because of them.
As they step forward into the world that awaits, comfort their fears with the full knowledge of your divine presence. Strengthen their resolve to walk in the footsteps of Jesus as modern-day disciples in a world that needs their spirit. Guide their feet as they move through life, protecting them from the pitfalls of darkness while they help to lead future generations into the warmth and promise of your light.
We ask this blessing upon each of them, In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
AMEN!
Special Music: In Christ Alone - Dana McCoy
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION, OFFERING, HOLY COMMUNION, BLESSING & SENDING
(Don't miss the photo montage of our graduates during the sending hymn)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P: Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray together for our shared world
(A brief silence)
P: God of plentiful harvest, you call us as laborers into your fields. Gather together the labors and fruits of this congregation. Guide us as we journey in this world. Give to us eyes to see, hearts for service, and wisdom in discerning, that we might bring your reign near to those around us.
P: God of healing care, come near to us today. Come to the broken, the ill, the lonely and the alienated. Come to those in financial crisis, those impoverished, and those who hunger. We pray for adequate work of all who need labor, for restoration for bodies ravaged by disease and fractured by injury, for those depressed and in need of human touch. We remember especially those closest to our hearts: friends in this congregation and in our community. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
P: Holy One, we have created divisions you will not own. In places of violence and war, bring peace and understanding. In places of conflict, bring reconciliation and compassion. In homes full of tension and anger, restore safety and love.
P: Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
OFFERING/OFFERING PRAYER
P: God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours, and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. Water and word, wine and bread, these are signs of your abundant grace. Nourish us through these gifts, that we might proclaim your steadfast love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song. Amen.
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: 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.
BLESSING: Harlan, C.J., and Carter Eggleston
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: I Will Follow
SENDING:
L: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
C: Thanks be to God.