+ TWELFTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST +
“True Food … True Drink”
15 August 2021
WELCOME
A warm welcome to all who have gathered for worship this morning, especially to our
guests and visitors. Today we gather around Word and Sacrament through which God equips, directs, and supports his people in the mission and ministry of his Kingdom.
All that God promised in his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, comes together by the power
of the Spirit as we worship. Guests and visitors, please honor us by signing our Guest
Book in the entrance hall of the church as you leave. 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 Jim or this morning’s lay assistant
will be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning our parish. The fellow-
ship of this morning continues with coffee following worship. Do join us and let us become better acquainted with you as you get to know us better. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER Good News for the World
Wisdom prepares a feast, sets her table, and invites
all to come and eat her bread and drink her wine. The first chapter of John’s gospel owes much to the biblical tradition that imagined Wisdom as existing before anything was created and having a role in the work of creation. Christ, the Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24), today invites us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. John’s gospel includes no account of the institution of The Lord’s Supper, but here we can’t help hearing Jesus’ words as an invitation to the meal of bread and wine we share.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord God, it is through our lives that your love touches others. Stir us by your Spirit to serve all people with willing hearts and bring them the message of your love. We ask this in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ THE ORDER of CELEBRATING +
Jazz Mass Setting
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
SERVICE CHIMES
WELCOME
Today’s lessons direct our attention to a simple truth. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Wise living begins with understanding what the will of the Lord is. Those who strive to penetrate the mysteries of God discover that God’s own Spirit fills them. They learn they can praise and thank God in every circumstance. One cannot ask for more.
PRELUDE With Joyful Hearts—Faye Lopez
Tatsiana Ascheichyk, Piano
INVOCATION & CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“I am the Bread of Life,” says the Lord, “Whoever eats of this bread will never die.”
If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Prepare to be invited to the banquet of the Lord.
+ A Brief Time for Reflection +
Most merciful God, despite the kindness of your generosity, we live in the
futility of greed. Darkened by sin and deluded by Satan, we seek what only you can give; we hunger and thirst for righteousness. For the sake of your Son 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.
The Bread of Life was given for the life of the world. In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. In his Name and by his authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share
the peace of the Lord as we greet each other.
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
GLORY TO GOD Refrain: Glory to God, glory to God,
Glory to God in the Highest
And peace to his people on earth
- Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God, and Father, we worship
you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Refrain
- Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.You are
seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. Refrain
- For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone
are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.
Refrain: Glory to God, glory to God,
Glory to God in the Highest
And peace to his people on earth.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
PRAYER of THE DAY
Ever-loving God, your Son gives himself as living bread for the life of
the world. Fill us with such a knowledge of his presence that we may
be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Proverbs 9:1-6
[Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who invites people to partake of her banquet. Just as ordinary food is necessary for physical life, Wisdom—insight and understanding—is necessary for fullness of life with God. Partaking of Wisdom’s banquet is the way of life.]
Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
‘You that are simple, turn in here!’
To those without sense she says,
‘Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.’
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
PSALM 34(Read responsively)
Refrain: Those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.
Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, for those who
fear him lack nothing.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those
who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good. Refrain
Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the
LORD.
Who among you loves life and desires long life to enjoy
prosperity?
Keep your tongue from evil-speaking and your lips from lying words.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 5:15-20
[True wisdom integrates our new reality in Christ with our Christian fellowship and daily conduct. Because we are filled with the Spirit, Christians regularly rejoice together, give thanks to God for
one another, and care for one another. In this way we revere our Lord Jesus Christ.]
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,
as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
SPECIAL MUSIC I’ve Decided to Follow Jesus—Stan Pethel
GOSPEL John 6:51-58
The Holy Gospel according to John, the 6th chapter.
ALLELUIA [Sung before the reading of the Gospel]
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord.
[In John’s gospel, the feeding of the five thousand leads to extended teaching in which Jesus identifies himself as the true “bread of life.” Finally, in these verses, he makes a connection that would not be understood until after his death, in light of The Church’s celebration of The Lord’s
Supper.]
Jesus said:] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
HYMN of THE DAY You Satisfy the Hungry Heart vs. 1-3 LSB 641
HOMILY Wisdom’s Path—Pr. Jim Text: The First Lesson
APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come 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.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Confident in God’s steadfast love through Jesus Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the Church, the world, and all those in need.
God of wisdom, enlighten your Church. Guide theologians, biblical scholars, bishops, pastors, and teachers as they seek greater knowledge and invite others to deeper under-standing. Teach us to ask faithful questions and open our minds to new ideas. Guide Bishop Linneman as he develops a new list of pastoral candidates for us to consider. Give us patience and keep us mindful that in due time you will provide us with a tenured pastor to join us in serving our community with the true Bread from heaven that gives life to all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of creation, cool warming oceans and preserve melting ice caps. Increase our awareness of changing climate patterns and reveal new approaches to the challenges we face. Provide needed rains and weather conditions to bring all wildfires under control. Shield all firefighters and first responders who are working in dangerous environments throughout our western states as they seek to control and manage further devastation. Sustain those who are displaced and homeless, together with the families of those who are deployed to fight the forest fires. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all nations, direct all leaders and those who govern with the needed wisdom to lay aside political grudges and renew their determination to address and resolve the difficult problems of prejudice, violence, and civil unrest. Guide them in the work of reconciliation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion and healing, tend to those who cry out for help. Ease the anxiety
of those who are despairing, and accompany those in need of your touch this day especially Shari, Bert, those suffering from COVID-19 and its variants, together with those we name in our hearts that they may receive hope, healing, and the mercies rendered by us as your servant people. Be close to the hearts of all who are lonely or homebound, especially Sharon, Richard & Doris, Bonnie, Vernia, Elma, Marguerite, and those we name in our hearts that they may be assured of your loving presence through our prayers and care for them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of love, we pray for those gathered around your Table this day. Nourish us all, revive our spirits, renew our relationships, and rekindle our sense of community. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of the ages, you provide food that endures for eternal life. Sustain us each day with the Bread of Life until we are gathered to celebrate the feast that knows no end with all the saints who have gone before us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We raise our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Offerings Are Brought Forward
OFFERING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, through your goodness you have blessed us with these
gifts. Receive what we have to offer, that others might know that life through
the gifts you give to us to use and to share in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We will lift them up to him.
Let us give thanks always to the Lord our God.
It is right, it is just, it is well.
Father, it is our duty and our salvation, always
and everywhere to give you thanks through your
beloved Son, Jesus Christ
Holy, holy, holy, Lord
For our sake He opened His arms on the cross,
He put an end to death and revealed the resurrection
Holy, holy, holy, Lord
In this He fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people. And so,
we join the angels and the saints in proclaiming your glory as we sing:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
WORDS of INSTITUTION
PAX DOMINI The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.
LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
AGNUS DEI Join in singing
O Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world,
Grant us peace.
DISTRIBUTION
Music during The Distribution Come unto Me, Ye Weary
DISMISSAL
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING
O God of love, you bind us to yourself in this sacrament, and strengthen
us through this meal for service to the world. Guide us by your Spirit that
we may forever give witness to the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.
BLESSING
SONG Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow LSB 805
SILENT PRAYER
+ With Great Boldness … Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +