ORDER OF WORSHIP
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 12, 2026
God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Spirit of God
arr. Lani Smith
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
O Day of Rest and Gladness
ELW 521
O day of rest and gladness,
O day of joy and light,
O balm for care and sadness,
most beautiful, most bright:
on you the high and lowly,
through ages joined in tune,
sing, “Holy, holy, holy,”
to the great God triune.
On you, at earth's creation,
the light first had its birth;
on you, for our salvation,
Christ rose from depths of earth;
on you, our Lord victorious
the Spirit sent from heav'n;
and thus on you, most glorious,
a threefold light was giv'n.
Today on weary nations
the heav'nly manna falls;
to holy convocations
the silver trumpet calls,
where gospel light is glowing
with pure and radiant beams
and living water flowing
with soul-refreshing streams.
New graces ever gaining
from this our day of rest,
we reach the rest remaining
to spirits of the blest.
We sing to you our praises,
O Father, Spirit, Son;
the church its voice upraises
to you, blest Three in One.
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.
Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Isaiah 55:10-13
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle,
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 65:1-13 (We will read the Psalm responsively by half verse.)
1 You are to be praised, O God, in Zion;
to you shall vows be fulfilled.
2 To you, the one who answers prayer,
to you all flesh shall come.
3 Our sins are stronger than we are,
but you blot out our transgressions.
4 Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there!
They will be satisfied by the beauty of your house,
by the holiness of your temple.
5 Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
O hope of all the ends of the earth and of the oceans far away.
6 You make firm the mountains by your power;
you are girded about with might.
7 You still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples.
8 Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs;
you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.
9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly;
you make it very plenteous; the river of God is full of water.
You prepare the grain, for so you provide for the earth.
10 You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges;
with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.
11 You crown the year with your goodness,
and your paths overflow with plenty.
12 May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing,
and the hills be clothed with joy.
13 May the meadows cover themselves with flocks,
and the valleys cloak themselves with grain;
let them shout for joy and sing.
SECOND READING: Romans 8:1-11
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed, it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
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 13:1-9, 18-23
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 13th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 If you have ears, hear!”
18 “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
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
Word of God, Come Down on Earth
ELW 510
Word of God, come down on earth,
living rain from heav'n descending;
touch our hearts and bring to birth
faith and hope and love unending.
Word almighty, we revere you;
Word made flesh, we long to hear you.
Word eternal, throned on high,
Word that brought to life creation,
Word that came from heav'n to die,
crucified for our salvation,
saving Word, the world restoring,
speak to us, your love outpouring.
Word that speaks God's tender love,
one with God beyond all telling,
Word that sends us from above
God the Spirit, with us dwelling,
Word of truth, to all truth lead us;
Word of life, with one bread feed us.
APOSTLES' CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the Nicene Creed:
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Trusting in God’s steadfast love for all God has made, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
God our gardener, you scatter grace like seed across the world. Continue to cultivate the garden of your church with your abundant Spirit. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suarez, and our synod staff.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our joy, your bountiful creation reflects your commitment to life despite our actions disregarding its wonder. We look toward Isaiah’s vision, when all creation rejoices, and the trees will clap for joy at your salvation.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our life, you give us the same Spirit by which you raised Christ from the dead. Set our minds on that Spirit whenever fear or condemnation overwhelm throughout the world, especially Ukraine, Cuba, Congo, and the Middle East.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our host and table, we pray for all who hunger and rely on institutions and neighbors for help, for all who toil under the hot sun without refreshment, for the chronically ill, and all who suffer in any way, especially Mary, Barbara, Mabel, Doris, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, John, Abby, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our source, tend this assembly with your grace throughout this summer season. May those who travel for work or recreation do so safely, and may visitors find refreshment among us.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give you thanks that the roots of your goodness run deep throughout history. We remember those saints who have gone before us in faith.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Grateful for your abundant provision and trusting in your goodness, we cast all our cares upon you, through the abundant grace of Christ Jesus.
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
There Is a Balm in Gilead
arr. Mark Hayes
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
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW 733
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Refrain
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain
In The Singing
ELW 466
In the singing, in the silence,
in the hands expectant, open,
in the blessing, in the breaking,
in your presence at this table,
Refrain
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
be the wine of grace;
Jesus, Christ, Jesus Christ,
be the bread of peace.
In the question, in the answer,
in the moment of acceptance,
in the heart's cry, in the healing,
in the circle of your people, 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.
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
Sent Forth by God's Blessing
ELW 547
Sent forth by God's blessing,
our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended.
Oh, now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ's teaching,
receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
Your grace shall incite us,
your love shall unite us
to work for your kingdom and answer your call.
With praise and thanksgiving
to God ever-living,
the tasks of our ev'ryday life we will face—
our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
embracing God's children, the whole human race.
With your feast you feed us,
with your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living
with praise and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ and his name that we bear.
BENEDICTION
May the mercy of our God,
+ Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
be with you now
and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
Now Thank We All Our God
arr. Harold DeCou
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.
Spirit of God, Tune: MORECAMBE, Frederick C. Atkinson, 1841-1897, arr. Lani Smith, 1934-2015. Arr. © 1992 Lorenz Publishing Company, admin Music Services. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
O Day of Rest and Gladness, Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885, alt. Music: German melody, 18th cent.; adapt. X.L. Hartig, Melodien zum Mainzer Gesangbuche, 1833.. Public domain.
Word of God, Come Down on Earth, Text: James Quinn, SJ, b. 1919 Text © James Quinn, SJ, Selah Publishing Co., Inc., North American agent. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Johann R. Ahle, 1625-1673. Public domain.
There Is a Balm in Gilead, Tune: BALM IN GILEAD, African American spiritual, arr. Mark Hayes,, b. 1953. Arr. © 2003 Alfred Music, Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Text: Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960, Music: William M. Runyan, 1870-1957. Text and music © 1923, ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
In the Singing, Text: Shirley Erena Murray, b. 1931. Music: Carlton R. Young, b. 1926. Text and music © 1996 Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Sent Forth by God's Blessing, Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997, alt.Text © 1964 World Library Publications, Text Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Welsh folk tune. Public domain.
Now Thank We All Our God, Tune: NUNN DANKET ALLE GOTT, Johann Crüger, 1598-1878, arr Harold DeCou, 1932-2008. Arr. © 1962 Singspiration, Inc. All rights reserved.
