Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz, Pastor
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 24, 2025
Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Healer of Our Every Ill
Anne Krentz Organ
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
+ All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
In the name of the Father,
and of the + Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Baptized into Christ, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Merciful God,
you free us to love others,
but we neglect our neighbors and follow our own way.
You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace,
but we turn away from the abundant life you offer.
You surround us with patience, kindness,
and generosity,
but we grow weary in doing what is right.
You call us to practice justice and mercy,
but we remain entangled in systems of oppression
that we do not always see.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Heal us, free us from sin,
and show us the path of life.
Amen.
You belong to Christ, and through faith, you are united in God’s mercy.
In the cross of Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit,
your sins are forgiven.
Clothed in Christ, renewed by grace, you are made whole for the life of the world.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW 864
Praise, my soul, the God of heaven;
joyfully your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore God's praises sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praises everlasting ring!
God be praised for grace and favor
to our forebears in distress.
God be praised, the same forever,
slow to chide and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious is God's faithfulness!
Frail as summer's flow'r we flourish,
blows the wind and it is gone;
but, as mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the great Eternal One!
Angels sing in adoration,
in God's presence, face to face.
Sun and moon and all creation,
all who dwell in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!
APOSTOLIC 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.
KYRIE Now the Feast and Celebration
In peace, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
For the Reign of God,
and for peace throughout the world,
for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
For your people here, who have come to give you praise,
for the strength to live your Word,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, and defend us, O God.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Now the Feast and Celebration
Refrain
Now the feast and celebration,
all of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom;
praise and glory forevermore!
Now is the feast of the Lamb once slain,
whose blood has freed and united us
to be one great people of God. Refrain
Power and riches, wisdom and might,
all honor and glory to Christ forever. Refrain
For God has come to dwell with us,
to make us people of God;
to make all things new. Refrain
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together.
O God, mighty and immortal, you know that as fragile creatures surrounded by great dangers, we cannot by ourselves stand upright. Give us strength of mind and body, so that even when we suffer, we may rise victorious through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Isaiah 58:9b-14
9b If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your needs in parched places
and make your bones strong,
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water
whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
13 If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath,
from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
serving your own interests or pursuing your own affairs;
14 then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING: Hebrews 12:18-29
18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking, for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Now the Feast and Celebration
Alleluia. alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 13:10-17
The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
10 Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.
18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
20 And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
PSALM 103 from Venite, A Book of Daily Prayer by Robert Benson
May all that is within us bless Your Holy Name.
May we bless You, and forget not all of Your benefits.
You forgive our sins and heal our infirmities.
You redeem our lives from the grave, and crown us with mercy and kindness.
You satisfy us with good things, and our strength is renewed.
You execute righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
You are full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. [A]
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
As high as the heavens are above the earth, so is Your mercy.
As far as the East is from the West, so far have our sins been removed.
As a father cares for his children, so do You care for us.
You know whereof that we are made, and remember that we are but dust.
Your merciful goodness endures for ever, for those who keep Your ways.
All Your works shall bless You, in all times and in all places.
May our souls always bless You, and all who hearken to Your voice.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Let Streams of Living Justice
ELW 710
Let streams of living justice
flow down upon the earth;
give freedom's light to captives,
let all the poor have worth.
The hungry's hands are pleading,
the workers claim their rights,
the mourners long for laughter,
the blinded seek for sight.
Make liberty a beacon,
strike down the iron pow'r;
abolish ancient vengeance:
proclaim your people's hour.
For healing of the nations,
for peace that will not end,
for love that makes us lovers,
God grant us grace to mend.
Weave our varied gifts together;
knit our lives as they are spun;
on your loom of time enroll us
till our thread of life is run.
O great weaver of our fabric,
bind church and world in one;
dye our texture with your radiance,
light our colors with your sun.
Your city's built to music;
we are the stones you seek;
your harmony is language;
we are the words you speak.
Our faith we find in service,
our hope in others' dreams,
our love in hand of neighbor;
our homeland brightly gleams.
Inscribe our hearts with justice;
your way—the path untried;
your truth—the heart of stranger;
your life—the Crucified.
APOSTLE’S CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray for the church, the creation, and the whole people of God, for God is near.
A brief silence.
You call your church to proclaim liberation and freedom to all. Give wisdom to bishops, synod councils and staff, and congregation leaders, including our council, and especially Dan and Tom, as they work toward a more just and equitable church and society. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You inspire all creation to sing and bless your holy name. Send healing rains to parched and burning places and relief to flooded lands. Lead us to enact policies to rebuild ruined ecosystems and habitats. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You desire vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. Strengthen the resolve of world leaders and local officials in the way of love and mercy, so that all persons may experience abundant life and liberation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You satisfy your people with good things. In your steadfast love, receive the cries of all who are bent over under the weight of addiction, isolation, and mental or physical illness—especially Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Barbara, Ann, Julie, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Barbara, Scott, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Tom & Leona, Avery, Doris, John, Abby, Tim, Arleen, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max & Michelle. Manifest your healing presence in their midst. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered, whether silently or aloud.
You call us to delight in the sabbath. Invigorate worship planners and leaders with creativity to aid this assembly in fresh and faithful prayer and praise. Enable all who gather here to be nourished and renewed. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
With all your apostles, prophets, and saints, we give thanks and bless your holy name. As they now rest from their labors, guide us by the witness of their lives to pursue your reign, which can never be shaken. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Confident in God’s presence and promise, we entrust our prayers to the one who always receives them; through Jesus Christ, our wisdom and companion.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
+ 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.
OFFERTORY
It Is Well With My Soul
Philip Bliss, arr. Mark Hayes
OFFERING SONG
As the Grains of Wheat
ELW 465
Refrain
As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
so may all your people from all the ends of earth
be gathered into one in you.
As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain
Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you. Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER
Creator God,
in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good
and the harvest is plentiful.
Strengthen us at your table with these gifts of the earth
and our labor,
that we may work for the good of all;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Now the Feast and Celebration
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 our duty and delight
that we should everywhere and always
offer thanks and praise to you, oh God,
through Jesus Christ;
who calls us to follow his way
of humble service and love.
And so, with the church on earth,
all creation and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS Now the Feast and Celebration
Holy, holy, holy are you,
God of power and might;
heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in your name,
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,
who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
who preached good news to the poor,
and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
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.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,
and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,
the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The kingdom of God is set before you.
Eat and rejoice.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION
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.
LAMB OF GOD Now the Feast and Celebration
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you break the chains of hatred and fear:
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you are the way of justice and peace:
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you are the way of mercy and love.
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace, grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Here Is Bread
ELW 483
One Bread, One Body
ELW 496
Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain
Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain
Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Mothering God,
you gathered us to your table
and we drank deeply of your grace.
Send us out by your Spirit
to love our neighbors as ourselves
and proclaim your love in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
God of Grace & God of Glory
ELW 705
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow'r;
crown your ancient church's story;
bring its bud to glorious flow'r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days,
Cure your children's warring madness;
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.
BENEDICTION
The love of God abound in you;
the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ fill your hearts;
and the life of the Spirit
+ bless you and give you peace.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. The Spirit of Christ is with you.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
We Have Heard the Joyful Sound
Josiah Booth, arr. Mary McDonald
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.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Healer of Our Every Ill, Tune: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Tune © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc. Setting by Anne Krentz Organ, b. 1960, in Piano Reflections on Hymns of Healing, pub Augsburg Fortress. Setting © 2018 GIA Publications, Inc. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven, Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847, alt. Walter R. Bouman, 1927-2005. Music: Dale Wood, 1934-2003. Text and music © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Now the Feast and Celebration, Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Psalm 103, in Venite, A Book of Daily Prayer, Robert Benson. © 2017 Abington Press. All rights reserved.
Let Streams of Living Justice, Text: William Whitla, 1989; © 1998 Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934. Public domain.
It Is Well With My Soul, Tune: Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876. Public domain. Arr. Mark Hayes, b. 1953. Arr. © 1981 Harold Flammer Music, div. Shawnee Press, Inc. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Here Is Bread, Text and Music: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950. Text and music © 1991 Make Way Music, admin. Music Services. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
One Bread, One Body, Text and music: John B. Foley, SJ, b. 1939. Text and music © 1978 John B. Foley, SJ, and OCP Publications. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
God of Grace and God of Glory. Text: Harry E. Fosdick, 1878-1969. Music: John Hughes, 1873-1932. Public domain.
We Have Heard the Joyful Sound, Tune: Josiah Booth, 1852-1930. Public domain. Arr. Mary McDonald, b. 1956. Arr. © 2017 Lorenz Publishing Co. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
