ORDER OF WORSHIP
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 16, 2026
In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile who is persistent in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
O for a Thousand Tongues
arr. Harold DeCou
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.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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
Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
ELW 886
Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.
The name of Jesus charms our fears
and bids our sorrows cease,
sings music in the sinner's ears,
brings life and health and peace.
He speaks, and list'ning to his voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.
Look unto him, your Savior own,
O fallen human race!
Look and be saved through faith alone,
be justified by grace!
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever giv'n
by saints below and saints above,
the church in earth and heav'n.
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 (page 147)
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.
God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING:
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
1 Thus says the Lord:
Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come
and my deliverance be revealed.
6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath and do not profane it
and hold fast my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar,
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.
8 Thus says the Lord God,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel:
I will gather others to them
besides those already gathered.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 67 (We will read the Psalm responsively by half verse.)
1 May God be merciful to us and bless us;
may the light of God’s face shine upon us.
2 Let your way be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations on earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has brought forth its increase;
God, our own God, has blessed us.
7 May God give us blessing,
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
SECOND READING:
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-36
[Paul writes:] 1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2a God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so also they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him,
to receive a gift in return?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
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 15:1-28
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 15th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, ‘Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,’ then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you nullify the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said:
8 ‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ ”
10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.
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
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW 587
There's a wideness in God's mercy,
like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in God's justice
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more felt than up in heav'n.
There is no place where earth's failings
have such kindly judgment giv'n.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and a promised grace made good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss.
For the love of God is broader
than the measures of our mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make this love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify its strictness
with a zeal God will not own.
'Tis not all we owe to Jesus;
it is something more than all:
greater good because of evil,
larger mercy through the fall.
Make our love, O God, more faithful;
let us take you at your word,
and our lives will be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.
APOSTLES' 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
With bold trust in God’s unfailing provision, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
A brief silence.
For believers around the world who stream to your holy mountain, that all be united in faith and harmony in the body of Christ. Let your church on earth be a witness to the beloved community of your heavenly kingdom. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suárez, and our synod staff, as well as Pastor Lois and her congregation at Reformation Lutheran while she is on sabbatical.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
For your wondrous creation, that it thrives and flourishes as you intend. Raise up wise stewards to defend the natural world against carelessness and destruction. Safeguard endangered species and their habitats. Continue to care for those people and regions recovering from earthquakes and wildfires.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
For the nations of the world and all in authority, that they heed the cry of the outcast and ensure care for the most vulnerable. Bring an end to war and genocide. Give wisdom to leaders of countries, congregations, and communities, that they lead and serve justly.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
For all who are lonely, grieving, or struggling with chronic pain, that they find comfort, community, and hope. Be with the family of Retired LPD Sergeant Mike Chin as they grieve his passing. Send relief to all who struggle with illness of any kind especially Mary, Anne, Mabel, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Philip, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Rich, Wil, Amy, Al, Al, Sharon, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, Michael, Art, John, Abby, Colline, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Natalie, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
For this congregation, for visitors and those new to this faith community, that all may recognize the presence of Christ in each new face. Draw this community together in love and strengthen it in unwavering faith. Bless Richard and Arleen Smith as they celebrate 50 years of married love.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
For the saints before us whose work is done, that their faithful example continues to direct your church. May their witness remind us that your gifts and calling are irrevocable, whether in life or death. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Receive our prayers and answer, O God, as you have promised. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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
Rondo from Opus 8
Ignaz Pleyel
Art & Melanie Pranno
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 182
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 (page 152)
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,
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 and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (page 153)
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
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.
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.
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
Heaven has come near. Come, share in the feast!
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
LAMB OF GOD (page 154)
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, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
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
Here is Bread
ELW 483
Here is bread here is wine
Christ is with us He is with us
Break the bread drink the wine
Christ is with us here
Refrain
In this bread there is healing
In this cup there's life forever
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here
Here is grace here is peace
Christ is with us He is with us
Know His grace find His peace
Feast on Jesus here Refrain
Here we are joined in one
Christ is with us He is with us
We'll proclaim 'til He comes
Jesus crucified 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
In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW 650
In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one community of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts ev'rywhere
their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
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
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
arr. Lani Smith
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.
O For a Thousand Tongues, Tune: AZMON, Music: Carl G. Gläser, 1784-1829. arr. Harold DeCou, 1932-2008. Arr. © 1964 Singspiration, Inc. All rights reserved.
Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.. Music: Carl G. Gläser, 1784-1829; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Public domain.
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy, Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814–1863, alt. Music: Calvin Hampton, 1938–1984. Text: Public domain. Music © 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274. All rights reserved.
Little Duets for Two Violins, Op 8, Music: Ignaz Pleyel, 1757-1831. Public domain.
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.
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.
In Christ There Is No East or West, Text: John Oxenham, 1852-1941, alt. Music: African American spiritual; adapt. Harry T. Burleigh, 1866-1949. Public domain.
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven,Tune: LAUDA ANIMA, Music: John Goss, 1800-1880, arr. Lani Smith, 1934-2015. Music © 1975 Lorenz Publishing Company, Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
