July 21, 2024
Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Holy Communion

Mark’s gospel makes clear how great is the press of the crowd, with its countless needs to be met, on Jesus and his disciples. Yet in today’s gospel Jesus advises his disciples to get away and rest, to take care of themselves. Sometimes we think that when others are in great need we shouldn’t think of ourselves at all; but Jesus also honors the caregivers’ need. We are sent from Christ’s table to care for others and for ourselves.

+ GATHERING +

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE 

The King of Love My Shepherd Is
arr. Albin C. Whitworth

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS  

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,
the God of manna,
the God of miracles,
the God of mercy.
Amen.

Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance,
let us confess our sin.

     Silence is kept for reflection.

God, our provider,
help us.
It is hard to believe there is enough to share.
We question your ways when they differ from the ways
of the world in which we live.
We turn to our own understanding
rather than trusting in you.
We take offense at your teachings and your ways.
Turn us again to you.
Where else can we turn?
Share with us the words of eternal life
and feed us for life in the world.
Amen.

Beloved people of God:
in Jesus, the manna from heaven,
you are fed and nourished.
By Jesus, the worker of miracles,
there is always more than enough.
Through Jesus, the bread of life,
you are shown God’s mercy:
you are forgiven and loved into abundant life.

GATHERING HYMN

Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
ELW 645

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ, our head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion's help forever
and our confidence alone.

To this temple, where we call you,
come, O Lord of hosts, and stay;
come, with all your lovingkindness,
hear your people as they pray;
and your fullest benediction
shed within these walls today.

Here bestow on all your servants
what they seek from you to gain;
what they gain from you, forever
with the blessed to retain;
and hereafter in your glory
evermore with you to reign.

Praise and honor to the Father,
praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit,
ever three and ever one:
one in might and one in glory
while unending ages run!

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.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE    (page 139)

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

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.

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. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, powerful and compassionate, you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

+ READINGS +  

FIRST READING:    Jeremiah 23:1-6
Jeremiah prophesied before the exile in 587 BCE. In this passage, he uses the metaphor of a shepherd to describe the bad kings who have scattered the “flock” of Israel. God promises to gather the flock and to raise up a new king from David’s line to save Israel and Judah.

¹Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. ²Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. ³Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. ⁴I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.
⁵The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ⁶In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 23   (read responsively by full verse)

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
  I shall not be in want.
² The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures
  and leads me beside still waters.
³ You restore my soul, O Lord,
     and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
⁴ Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
  for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
  you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

SECOND READING:   Ephesians 2:11-22
The author of this letter reminds his audience that originally they were not part of God’s chosen people. Through Jesus’ death, however, they are included in God’s household of faith, whose cornerstone is Jesus Christ.

¹¹Remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" — a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands — ¹²remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. ¹⁵He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. ¹⁷So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; ¹⁸for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, ²⁰built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; ²²in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION     (page 142)

Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the word of eternal life, alleluia.

GOSPEL:   Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
When Jesus sends his disciples out to teach and heal, they minister among large numbers of people. Their work is motivated by Christ’s desire to be among those in need.

The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.

³⁰The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³²And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. ³³Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. ³⁴As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. ⁵³When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. ⁵⁴When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, ⁵⁵and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON       Pastor Joyce Gulliford

HYMN OF THE DAY    

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
ELW 611

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one;
stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I'll walk
till trav'ling days are done.

APOSTLES’ CREED    (page 105)

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
     creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
     On the third day he rose again;
     he ascended into heaven,
     he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
     and 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.

INSTALLATION OF CALL COMMITTEE

Sisters and brothers in Christ, God has called us to a new time in our life as Grace Church. It is a time for reflection and prayer, a time for self-examination and seeking, a time for expectation and hope. We need a shepherd to lead our flock, and God has promised that he will provide a shepherd for us.

The following persons have been appointed to serve as the call committee of our church.

Dear friends, you have been duly appointed/elected to serve as the call committee for this congregation in order to seek a pastor to shepherd and lead us. Sacred scripture guides us in our task, to seek a pastor who strives for  righteousness and godliness, faith and love, endurance and gentleness - -a pastor who is a servant as Christ himself was a servant--a pastor who is not domineering or quarrelsome, but who leads with care and concern for God's flock--a pastor who is filled with the Holy Spirit and a trustworthy steward of the mysteries of God. Yours is a spiritual endeavor on behalf of this congregation. Are you willing therefore to be open to the Spirit's leading, and, by prayer and holy conversation, to undertake this calling to seek a shepherd for us?
Yes, by the help of God.

Will you be diligent in your seeking, careful in your listening, purposeful in your questioning, and respectful in all that you do?
Yes, by the help of God.

Will you seek the Lord's guidance through Holy Scripture and prayer and in your deliberations with your fellow committee members until you are brought to one mind and one will in Christ and have discerned God's shepherd for us?
Yes, by the help of God.

Let us pray for those who are being installed today and for our church as we seek the Lord's guidance
during this special time. Almighty God, you alone are the great Shepherd of the sheep, and we turn to you to lead and guide us in all things. Our trust and our hope is in you.
You are the way, the truth, and the life.

As you have raised up faithful servants of your holy word to tend your flock in each time and place, send us now, we pray, a faithful shepherd to lead our flock.
Send us a shepherd, O Lord.

Send us a shepherd of goodness and grace, of strength and faith, of righteousness in your sight.
Send us a shepherd, O Lord.

Send us a shepherd to comfort and care for us, to preach your word, to teach our children, to baptize and commune, to marry and counsel, to visit the sick and lay to rest, to guide us and pray for us.
Send us a shepherd, O Lord.

Give us a holy patience in this time of our seeking, a patience that trusts in you for our present care, knowing that you will bring our good work to fulfillment in your time.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

Keep us faithful in mission, regular in worship, responsible in stewardship, mindful of the needy, and diligent in prayer.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

Fill us all with your Holy Spirit and magnify our gifts of discernment, that we might follow your will and leading into a future yet unknown.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

Bless those who are especially called to serve on the call committee. Give them the gifts they need to seek and find the pastor of your own nurturing, the shepherd of your own choosing, that we might be fed by your holy word and sacraments and grow in faith and love and ministry.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

All these things we ask, O God, with whatever else we need, in the name of him who is the Good
Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

I now declare that you have been installed as the call committee of  Grace Church. May God bring your good work to fulfillment and grace in Christ's name.
Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

One in the communion of saints and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we join our voices in prayer.

     A brief silence.

SHARING OF THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

We prepare now to receive our offerings as we return to God a portion of what God has entrusted to us.

  + MEAL +  

OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service.  Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option.  Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.

MUSICAL OFFERING

OFFERING SONG  

Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 184

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, 
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

OFFERING PRAYER

Jesus, Bread of life, you have set this table with your very self,
and called us to the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown
among us, and strengthen us in this meal. Make us to be what
we receive here, your body for the life of the world.
Amen.

    HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING    (page 144)

DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God. You reveal your glory as the glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: equal in majesty, undivided in splendor, one Lord, one God, ever to be adored in your eternal glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts  of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS    (page 144)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r 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 in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

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.

LORD'S PRAYER    (page 145)

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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.

The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.

AGNUS DEI    (page 146)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.

COMMUNION HYMN

I Am the Bread of Life
ELW 485

"I am the Bread of life.
You who come to me shall not hunger,
and who believe in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me unless the Father beckons."

Refrain
  "And I will raise you up,
  and I will raise you up,
  and I will raise you up on the last day."

"The bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world,
and if you eat of this bread,
you shall live forever, you shall live forever."    Refrain

"Unless you eat
of the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink of his blood,
and drink of his blood,
you shall not have life within you."    Refrain

"I am the resurrection,
I am the life.
If you believe in me,
even though you die, you shall live forever."    Refrain

Yes, Lord, I believe
that you are the Christ,
the Son of God,
who have come into the world.    Refrain

TABLE BLESSING

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life.
In your name we pray.
Amen.

+ SENDING +  

SENDING SONG

The Church's One Foundation
ELW 654

The church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the word.
From heav'n he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

Elect from ev'ry nation,
yet one o'er all the earth,
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth:
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with ev'ry grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder
this world sees her oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up: "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.

Through toil and tribulation
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth has union
with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
Oh, blessed heav'nly chorus!
Lord, save us by your grace,
that we, like saints before us,
may see you face to face.

 BENEDICTION
The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, be upon you now and forever.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

All People That on Earth Do Dwell
arr. Fred Bock

 

---

Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation, Text: Latin hymn, c. 7th cent; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, alt.  Music: Henry Purcell, 1659-1695; arr. Ernest Hawkins, 1802-1868.  Public domain.

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889.  Music: English folk tune.  Public domain.

Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Ronald A. Nelson, b. 1927.  Text and music © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

I Am the Bread of Life, Text and music: Suzanne Toolan, RSM, b. 1927.  Text and music © 1966, 1970, 1993 GIA Publications, Inc.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved  

The Church’s One Foundation, Text: Samuel J. Stone, 1839-1900.  Music:Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876.  Public domain.