ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
June 28, 2026
The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that anyone who does the least service to the lowliest person serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
arr. Mary McDonald
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin to God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.
We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, 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.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin,
and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved.
In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.
Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit,
that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
All Are Welcome
ELW 641
Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
Refrain
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God's children dare to seek
to dream God's reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God's grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: Refrain
Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us: Refrain
Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they've known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God's face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger: Refrain
Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: Refrain
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 (WOV page 12)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 28:5-9
5 The prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, 6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord and all the exiles. 7 But listen now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 (We will read the Psalm responsively by half verse.)
1 Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing;
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2 For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is established forever;
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3 “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your line forever,
and preserve your throne for all generations.’ ”
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout!
They walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.
16 They rejoice daily in your name;
they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength,
and by your favor our might is exalted.
18 Truly, our shield belongs to the Lord;
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
SECOND READING: Romans 6:12-23
12 Do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies, so that you obey their desires. 13 No longer present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that, if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that you who were slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted 18 and that you, having been set free from sin, have become enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of your limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, leading to even more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.
20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 So what fruit did you then gain from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the fruit you have leads to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (WOV page 17)
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 10:40-42
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 10th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the twelve:] 40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
As We Gather at Your Table
ELW 522
As we gather at your table,
as we listen to your word,
help us know, O God, your presence;
let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet
how to make Love's vict'ry known.
Turn our worship into witness
in the sacrament of life;
send us forth to love and serve you,
bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion
to forgive as you forgave;
may we still behold your image
in the world you died to save.
Gracious Spirit, help us summon
other guests to share that feast
where triumphant Love will welcome
those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us
nor will pride our peace destroy,
as we join with saints and angels
to repeat the sounding joy.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS
Those being welcomed, representative/s of the congregation, and ministers gather at the font.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly.
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for these people, one with us in the body of Christ, whom we welcome as new members into the life and ministry of this congregation.
Assisting Minister introduces each new member or household.
APOSTLES' CREED
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God,
Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father, through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures.
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
ADDRESS AND QUESTIONS
The presiding minister addresses those being welcomed.
In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God.
We are called to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Siblings in Christ, do you intend to continue in the covenant of your baptism
among God’s people in this place? If so, please say, “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”
Those being welcomed respond.
The minister addresses the assembly.
People of God,
do you promise to support and pray for these new members in their life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Those being welcomed face the assembly. Assisting Minister addresses the assembly.
Let us welcome these siblings in Christ to this community of faith.
We rejoice with you in the life of baptism.
Together we will give thanks and praise to God
and proclaim the good news to all the world.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church and the needs of the world.
A brief silence.
Faithful God, establish your church to offer welcome and proclaim your peace. Nourish us so we can proclaim your hope to the world. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suarez, and our synod staff.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Creator God, bring life to places experiencing drought, deforestation, and pollution. Help us to cultivate and care for the natural world around us.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Loving God, bring an end to conflict and division, especially in Gaza, the Ukraine, and the Middle East. Sustain the work of prophets in our time, and work through world leaders to foster understanding, justice, and peace.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Provider God, give your children what they need physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We pray especially for Mary, Barbara, Mabel, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Betty, Brian, James & Gray, Wil, Amy, Al, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, John, Abby, Colline, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max. Bless caregivers as they show God’s hospitality through their generous service.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Living God, lead us from death to life. Inspire new ministries and endeavors, renew established ones, and strengthen our welcoming presence to our neighbors. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Gathering God, we give you thanks: for these, our new members–
Blanche, Natalie, Liz, Pete, Laverne, John, Judi, Arleen, and Richard.
For those who are finding their way into the life of this congregation; for those who are visiting or watching today for the first time; and for all who are yet to find us. We trust that you are guiding and growing our family of Grace to be salt and light to our community. Keep us close together in your Spirit, in the breaking of bread and the prayers, and in service to others.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Eternal God, we remember the faithful departed of this community and of the wider church and world. We give thanks for saints of all times and places.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Trusting you receive all our prayers, we commend our spoken and unspoken prayers to you, O God, through Jesus our Savior.
Amen.
GREETINGS OF PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
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
Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
Haydn/Newton arr. Young
Mark & Naomi Thomsen
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
(WOV page 21)
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed, we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
OFFERING PRAYER
Loving God,
we offer at your table the gifts of our hearts.
Help us take heart in you and share freely of your love,
so that all creation can taste your abundance.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
through the Spirit abiding with us now and forever.
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (WOV page 22)
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 and salutary
that we should at all times and in all places
offer thanks and praise to you,
O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and ever-living God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave,
and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth, all creation, and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (WOV page 22)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow'r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
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 handed over,
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.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
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.
All baptized children of God are invited to the Lord’s Table, where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We partake at the communion rail; gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and we will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Anyone may remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer, following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
LAMB OF GOD (WOV page 25)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
ELW 802
Let us ever walk with Jesus,
follow his example pure,
through a world that would deceive us
and to sin our spirits lure.
Onward in his footsteps treading,
trav'lers here, our home above,
full of faith and hope and love,
let us do our Savior's bidding.
Faithful Lord, with me abide;
I shall follow where you guide.
Let us suffer here with Jesus,
and with patience bear our cross.
Joy will follow all our sadness;
where he is there is no loss.
Though today we sow no laughter,
we shall reap celestial joy:
all discomforts that annoy
shall give way to mirth hereafter.
Jesus, here I share your woe;
help me there your joy to know.
Let us gladly die with Jesus.
Since by death he conquered death,
he will free us from destruction,
give to us immortal breath.
Let us mortify all passion
that would lead us into sin;
and the grave that shuts us in
shall but prove the gate of heaven.
Jesus, here with you I die,
there to live with you on high.
Let us also live with Jesus.
He has risen from the dead
that to life we may awaken.
Jesus, you are now our head,
we are your own living members;
where you live, there we shall be
in your presence constantly,
living there with you forever.
Jesus, let me faithful be;
life eternal grant to me.
God Welcomes All
ACS 978
God welcomes all, strangers and friends;
God's love is strong and it never ends.
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.
Compassionate God,
through the gifts of bread and wine
our hearts are filled
with the abundance of your love.
Strengthen us that we,
through this holy meal,
may share your love freely,
as you have shared with us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
through the Spirit nourishing us
now and forever.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
In Christ Called to Baptize
ELW 575
In Christ called to baptize,
we witness to grace
and gather a people
from each land and race.
In deep, flowing waters,
we share in Christ's death,
then, rising to new life,
give thanks with each breath.
In Christ called to banquet,
one table we share,
a haven of welcome,
a circle of care.
Although we are many,
we share in one bread.
One cup of thanksgiving
proclaims Christ, our head.
In Christ called to witness,
by grace we will preach
the life-giving gospel;
God's love we will teach.
By grace may our living
give proof to our praise
in costly compassion
reflecting Christ's ways.
Unite us, anoint us,
O Spirit of love,
for you are within us,
around us, above.
Equip us for service
with gifts you bestow.
In Christ is our calling.
In Christ may we grow.
BENEDICTION
May the mercy of our God,
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
be with you now
and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Heaven has come near. Go, share the good news!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
arr. Mark Hayes
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, With One Voice, All Creation Sings, and sundaysandseasons.com, © 1995, 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.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Tune: CONVERSE, Music: Charles C. Converse,1832-1918, arr. Mary McDonald, b. 1956. Music © 2015 Lorenz Publishing Company, admin Music Services. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
All Are Welcome, Text and music: Marty Haugen, b. 1994. Text and music © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
As We Gather at Your Table, Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944. Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse Boerenlities en Contradansen, 1710; arr. Julius Röntgen, 1855–1932. Public domain.
Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken, Words: John Newton, 1725-1807. Music: Franz J. Haydn, 1732-1809, arr. Ovid Young, 1940-2014. Arr. © 1974 John T. Benson Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus, Text: Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, alt. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music:Georg G. Boltze, 18th cent. Public domain.
God Welcomes All, Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949. Music: South African traditional, transcr. and arr. John L. Bell. Text and transcription © 2008 WGRG, Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
In Christ Called to Baptize, Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Text © 1995 Pilgrim Press. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. John Roberts, 1807–1876, alt. Public domain.
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Tune: AZMON, Music: Carl G. Gläser, 1784-1829, arr Mark Hayes, b. 1953. Arr. © 2013 Lorenz Publishing Company, admin Music Services. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
