Tenth SUNDAY after PENTECOST
August 14, 2022
The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, Pastor
WELCOME
Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church! We are happy that you have joined us for worship this morning. Through Word and Sacrament, Christ, our Good Shepherd, promises to lead and guide us as his people. May today’s worship be a blessing to you as he reveals his love for you and assures you of his presence in your life. Guests and visitors, please honor us by signing our Guest Book located on the table in the entrance hall of the church as you leave. The fellowship of this morning continues with a Coffee/Fellowship Hour following worship. Do join us and let us become better acquainted with you as you get to know us better. If you have no church home of your own in the area, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. Pastor Josh or the lay assistant for the day will be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning our parish. Come to worship with us again and often!
INEVITABLE CONFLICT, ETERNAL JOY
AS WE GATHER
Today’s Epistle continues the list of heroes of faith begun last week. But the other Readings provide the context. At the time of the Old Testament Reading, false prophets were telling people that nothing was wrong, although God had not commanded them to teach about anything. In the Gospel, Jesus points out that acting on one’s faith inevitably leads to conflict, even within families. Only by faith are we able to look beyond the current, inevitable conflict to the joy that awaits all who follow Jesus. For the eternal joy before Him, He endured the pain. Now it is our turn to run the endurance race until faith is turned to sight.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
PRELUDE A Time for Everything — By Mark Hayes, Kristin Kessler, Oboe and
Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
SONG Lord, Let My Heart be Good Soil
INVOCATION
P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Psalm 119:81–88; antiphon: v. 81
P O Lord, give ear to my voice when I call to You.
C Hasten to me and help me.
P Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C who made heaven and earth.
P The Lord is compassionate and rich in forgiveness.
C The Lord knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
P Since we are assembled here to hear God’s Word, to call upon Him in prayer, and to receive the body and blood of Christ, let us think of our unworthiness; confess before God that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed; and realize that by our own strength we cannot free ourselves from our sinful nature. Therefore, we take refuge in His infinite mercy, seeking and imploring His grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and say, “God, be merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.” Let us then confess our sins to our gracious Lord.
C Almighty God, we are by nature sinful, and we have not always lived faithfully. We have turned from Your ways and have not done the good You demand in our lives. We have not loved You fully or our neighbors completely. We do repent and are truly sorry for our sins in thought, word, and deed. Have mercy on us, merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Forgive, restore, and renew us, and lead us to life everlasting.
P God has promised His merciful forgiveness to those who repent of their sins and turn to Him trustingly. In His stead and by His command, therefore, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you in ways of faith and obedience, and finally bring you to live with Him forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
P Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share the peace of our Lord as we greet one another.
PASSING of PEACE
[The congregation is encouraged to share the peace of Christ and greet one another with the words: “The Lord’s peace be with you.” The response: “And also with you.”]
KYRIE (Sung by the Worship Team. Please join in singing the Refrain.)
Refrain: Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s Kingdom.
Refrain
You came in Word and Sacrament to strengthen us in holiness
Refrain
You will come in glory with salvation for your people.
Refrain
PRAYER of THE DAY
C Merciful Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church by the sacrifice of Christ.
United with Him in Holy Baptism, give us grace to receive with thanksgiving the fruits of His redeeming work and daily follow in His way; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 23:23–29
Because Jeremiah preaches the unpopular message of God’s judgment, he suffers rejection. Today’s reading distinguishes between the true prophet, like Jeremiah, who speaks God’s word, and the false prophet who misleads the people through dreams. One is like wheat; the other like worthless straw.
23“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God afar off? 24Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
L This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE Hebrews 11:29—12:2
The author of Hebrews presents us with rich stories of faith. In a long list of biblical heroes, we find examples of trust in God that enabled them to face the trials of life faithfully. In addition to this “cloud of witnesses,” we have Jesus, the perfect model of faithful endurance.
29By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
L This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC Selah — By Steve Green and Phil Naish
Kristin Kessler, Oboe and Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 12:49–56
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twelfth chapter.
C Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus delivers harsh words about the purifying and potentially divisive effects of obedience to God’s call. The way of the cross often leads followers to encounter hostility and rejection, even from those they love.
49[Jesus said:] “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
54He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.
SONG OF THE DAY Jesus, Name Above All Names
SERMON “Faith In the Midst of Trials” Pr. Josh Text: The Epistle Lesson
CREED Nicene Creed
C I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Psalm 119:81; Hebrews 11:19, 22–23
OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, you open your hand, filling our lives with all good things and renewing the face of the earth. We offer the first-fruit gifts of all we have and are in thanksgiving for the blessings we have received from your bounty. Accept them for the sake of him who offered his life for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SACRAMENT
PREFACE
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 Him thanks and praise.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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
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.
PAX DOMINI
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C Amen.
AGNUS DEI
Distribution Hymns
DISTRIBUTION HYMN My Faith Looks Up to Thee
POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE
POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING
C We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
P 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 + give you peace and may you be a blessing to others! Amen.
SONG Surely It Is God Who Saves Me (See back of worship folder)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
P Go in peace as you serve the Lord.
C Thanks be to God!
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series C, Quarter 3. Copyright © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.
VOTER’S MEETINIG – Please plan to stay after Worship next Sunday for the Voter’s Meeting where we will be electing church officers. A light lunch will be served.
COFFEE CONNECTION — Are you willing to host, assist in serving, or provide treats for our Coffee Connection time? There’s a sign-up sheet on the refrigerator in the kitchen that has a space for YOUR name. For further details, please speak with either Pearl, Nan, or Mary.
LUTHERAN LIFE — The Summer issue of Lutheran Life magazine is available at the table in the main entryway. This issue focuses on finding balance between faith, family, and technology.
WEBSITE AUDIO MESSAGES — We are not loading audio messages onto the Grace Lutheran website at this time. We hope to have the audio available by early Fall.
THIS WEEK AT GRACE
THURSDAY the 18th: Newsletter Deadline
Church League Golf 5:30 pm
SUNDAY the 21st: Bible Study 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Voter’s Meeting (election of officers) 11:00 am
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Pastor Josh
Tuesday — Thursday
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday and Saturday Off
Margaret Bohn
Administrative Assistant
Tuesday — Thursday
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Grace Lutheran Church
660 Frances Lane
Ashland, OR 97520
541-482-1661
Pastor Joshua Heimbuck — heimbuck@me.com