Second Kings and John allow our congregations to wonder with the faithful servants and disci-

ples how God will provide. We are invited into a conversation that might start by reflecting on

a sentence written by the late United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold: "Each

morning we must hold out the chalice of our being to receive, to carry, and give back." The

scriptures today open a door for us to think about how individuals and communities are nour-

ished and sustained by God, and also imagine how we become vessels of the holy who are now

opened to the call of service. How might ordinary gifts (and ordinary people) become the ways

God's love and mercy are multiplied in sustenance for neighbor, community, and world?

Through our questions, our acts of giving, and our proclamation of the works of God in Christ

Jesus, we are invited to experience what it means to be rooted in God's sustaining love and to

proclaim this God who invites us into the unimaginable vision of abundance.

August 2: From Rumbling Tummies to Living Bread Today's texts move us from rumbling tummies and flar-

ing tempers to a refocusing on the blessings poured out

and the primary benefactor. We see the gifts of God,

which come in a variety of ways: physical nourishment,

roles and talents lifted up in community, new life given

now and into the ages of ages. We find that the gifts are

responses to various actions—complaining, building for

the future, longing for signs of promise and hope. Yet

each of these actions and the gifts mean little if we are

not able to see the one who is the giver and to recognize that the gifts are not merely about

what we can do to get them or what signs are needed to prove them; rather, it is about trust in

God, who is the source of life and living—the one who provides the true bread from heaven.

Our role in this story is to tell the history of God's giving, similar to the psalmist. It is to open

our eyes to the way the bread of heaven is sustaining us today, physically and spiritually. And

as a community living in God's promise, we look to the one God sends to us as the bread of life.

In many early Hebrew and Greek writings, the stomach was a driving force and a place where

hope and faith were lodged. The readings point us to see how a longing for food opens a

greater dwelling place for the gifts of faith and promise. From our physical depths, we are

called to experience a greater spiritual reality.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

This worship service and other devotionals is from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg

Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #

28290

Please help us to be good stewards of our environment!

Return this booklet to the basket at the doors at the end of worship for use next week! Thank you!

Use from 7/5/15 through 8/2/15

Welcome to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church!

Please know a few things about us:

You are welcome to worship completely with us and

participate in Communion and any other rituals.

When it comes to Communion, you will be invited

forward by the ushers where you can receive a wa-

fer and either dip it into a chalice of wine or grape

juice. If you would like to drink from a chalice, move

to the station by the altar. If you do not commune

at this time, please come up for a blessing.

Children are fully a part of our worship and we are

glad they are here. We want all ages to be together

in worship. If you are a parent and would like to use our nursery (located in our Lower

Level), it is there for you.

During the sermon time, children are welcome to sit with family or participate in “Pray in

Play” outside the sanctuary. This happens after the time with children part of our worship.

As Lutherans, we believe that God comes to us in worship and in our participation in it. If

you don’t know what you believe today, that is ok, God still comes. Even if you don’t know

what to believe, it is our hope that you can feel like you belong here with us and that you

are comfortable here in our worship. It is our hope that you will feel welcome here no mat-

ter where you are on your faith journey.

Thank you for being a part of our worship today. We are glad you are here and we hope you

will come again!

375 Lothrop Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

Phone: 313.881.6670 Website: www.stpaulgp.org

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4 pm

♦ PRELUDE

July 5: Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us Wilbur Held

July 12: Ornament of Grace Bernard Sanders

July 19: The King of Love My Shepherd Is arr. Jerry Carraway

July 26: Prelude in C Major J.S. Bach

Aug. 2: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty arr. Anne Krentz Organ

♦ WELCOME

THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT

(Stand as you are able)

July 19: At Rest among Strangers The world can be a dangerous place, and we all long for someone,

some leader, who will watch over us and protect us from all harm.

The prophet Jeremiah issues strong cautions to those who abuse

the trust placed in them to care for God's people, and the psalmist

sings the praises of the Lord who guards and guides us through life's

trials.

But the letter to the Ephesians suggests that lasting safety comes

through the healing and reconciling work of Christ, which allows us to share a meal with those

we are inclined to regard as enemies, because Christ has "broken down the dividing wall, that

is, the hostility between us." So, in Christ, aliens become citizens and strangers become mem-

bers of the household of God.

Living into this reality requires all of us to be diligent in our practices with and policies toward

all kinds of "strangers and aliens" in our world and in our lives. It means making peace with

those whose politics make them strange to us, and creating genuine welcome for the new-

comer in our classrooms, workplaces and congregations. It means considering the needs of

immigrants and refugees through the lens of Christian faith as well as national identity, and not

assuming the two are the same.

The reassuring news this day is that God, unlike so many who hold power in this world, is al-

ready reconciling the world to God's own self and us to one another. We enact this new reality

each time we pass the peace or come to the Lord's supper, not because we have finally

achieved the peace we seek, but because in Christ God's future reign of peace has already bro-

ken into our present.

July 26: Rollin' in the Dough—and Fishes

In recent years, many books have been printed that focus on

baking vast assortments of breads—from rye to pumper-

nickel, French to Italian. Today, however, we encounter a

bread that points to both a deeper longing, physically and

spiritually, and an even more fulfilling outcome than the

tastiest assortment of baked bread. This abundance of

bread satisfies hunger, transforms lives, and ushers in a new

vision of the holy in community. Recognizing the power of action, John calls to mind the ways

prophets fed and nourished the people, and then he multiplies this in the person and action of

Jesus. Jesus uses earthly gifts to provide for the gathered community—the gospel's vision of

Jesus' life and God's abundance in creation.

In fact, Mark reminds us a few verses later (Mark 6:14-28) just how hostile the world can be to

receiving the proclamation of the kingdom of God. John the Baptist will lose his life because of

Herod's resistance to repentance. Nevertheless, Jesus' teaching continues to astound, and the

word continues to spread.

The willingness to bear witness, even when we are not certain of answered prayer or mission

success, is a theme that unites all this day's readings. Even the Psalm, in its simple gaze of faith,

invites us to let go of results in favor of relationship. Paul's sometimes confusing logic about

spiritual experiences becomes clear as he sums up God's word to him: "My grace is sufficient

for you. . . ." That is a powerful word, which can make almost any experience an opportunity to

witness to Christ's power.

July 12: Speaking Truth to Power Few of us want to hear a hard truth, and perhaps fewer of us

want to be the ones called to deliver one. Today's texts remind

us that bearing God's word is risky business. King Jereboam ex-

iles the prophet Amos for calling him to account. Herod delivers

John the baptizer's head on a platter to his wife, Herodias, to

fulfill a promise he never should have made. Speaking truth to

power can cost us our lives.

Yet this is exactly what God calls us to do. God's prophets are ordinary people called to deliver

an extraordinary message. Listen to the praise Paul heaps on the Ephesians, naming them as

God's blessed, God's chosen, and God's adopted children (Eph. 1:3-5). It is the kind of pep talk

coaches give their players just before sending them back into the game against a seemingly

unbeatable team. Like Amos, who freely confesses his humble background and unlikely creden-

tials, we are sent from worship each week to proclaim God's in-breaking reign to all the powers

that profess to rule this world.

Still, beneath the apparent victory of power over truth, there is a hidden story bursting through

the seams of this tale. Yes, John the Baptist dies, but the integrity of his witness outshines all of

Herod's corrupt court intrigues. Herod himself was drawn to John's preaching, and in the end it

is Herod's character that seems most tragic.

Like Herod, we are each challenged to really listen to the challenging voice of God in our day

and age, and to turn away from the lures and temptations that attempt to seduce us away

from fidelity to God. Through us, God speaks words of peace, love, and faithfulness that chal-

lenge the world's violence, hatred, and treachery.

Pastor: Dead we are in sin, but alive we are in Christ. With the water and the word, we

have been gathered and washed with your love. Sin’s bondage no longer binds us to

our past. It is God’s grace that opens a door to a new future in love.

All: Forgive us, renew us, and lead us. (“Baptized and Set Free” verse 2)

Pastor: We have been set free from the bondage to sin. You have been set free from

guilt and shame. You have been set free from hopelessness. It is by grace that we have

been saved so that we may turn our work to justice and freedom here on earth.

All: Forgive us, renew us, and lead us (“Baptized and Set Free” verse 3)

GATHERING ♦ GATHERING SONG

July 5: Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace ELW #716

July 12: Beautiful Savior ELW #838

July 19: The King of Love My Shepherd Is ELW #502

July 26: To Be Your Presence ELW #546

Aug. 2: O Bread of Life from Heaven ELW #480

♦ GREETING:

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And also with you.

♦ HYMN OF PRAISE

♦ SENDING SONG:

July 5: This Is My Song ELW #887

July 12: We are Called ELW #720

July 19: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ ELW #674

July 26: Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises ELW #535

Aug. 2: The Church of Christ, in Every Age ELW #729

♦ DISMISSAL

Pastor: Go in peace serve the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

♦ POSTLUDE

July 5: The Rejoicing Charles Callahan

July 12: Prelude in G (The Great) J. S. Bach

July 19: Intermezzo (Barcarolle) Jacques Offenbach

July 26: Solfeggietto C.P.E. Bach

Aug. 2: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing arr. Lloyd Larson

_______________________________________________________________________

The Season After Pentecost/Ordinary TimeThe Season After Pentecost/Ordinary TimeThe Season After Pentecost/Ordinary TimeThe Season After Pentecost/Ordinary Time July 5: Ready to Bear Witness Where does power come from? The usual answers—family con-

nections, reputation, possessions—are all rejected in this reading

from Mark's gospel. Jesus' power is not only independent of his

family connection—it is hindered by it. While it isn't entirely clear

why the people of Nazareth reject Jesus, the fact that they do may

sound familiar to us. How often do we find exactly what we expect

when we encounter something new? How open are we, really, to

the possibility that God's power might come from an unexpected

corner? The first part of today's reading suggests that even miracles take two things: both di-

vine power and willing witnesses.

Perhaps Jesus sends his disciples out stripped of their possession precisely so that they are

ready to witness to God's power in a new way. They go without any of the usual trappings of

security or wealth, with no guarantee that their ministry will be received.

(The assembly is seated.)

SENDING

♦ ANNOUNCEMENTS

♦ BENEDICTION (Stand as you are able)

Pastor: May God bless us and keep us.

May God’s face shine on us and be gracious to us.

May God look upon us with favor and + give us peace.

All: Amen

♦ PRAYER OF THE DAY

(Found on the Readings insert)

(The assembly is seated.)

Word ♦ FIRST READING

Lector: A reading from …

God’s Word, coming to us.

All: Thanks be to God.

♦ PSALM

(The psalm for the day is sung or read.)

♦ SECOND READING

Lector: A reading from …

God’s Word, coming to us.

All: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: (Stand as you are able)

♦ THE GOSPEL READING:

Lector: The Holy Gospel according to …

God’s Word, coming to us.

All: Thanks be to God.

(The assembly is seated. )

Communion Music:

(Stand as you are able)

Pastor: You have received Christ’s body and blood. May it strengthen you and give you

peace.

All: Amen

♦ POST COMMUNION PRAYER:

Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Almighty God, you provide the true bread from heaven,

your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that we who have received the Sacrament of his

body and blood may abide in him and he in us, that we may be filled with the power of

his endless life, now and forever.

All: Amen

Pastor: And we pray

♦ THE LORD’S PRAYER:

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

(Communion instructions)

Pastor: Taste and see that the Lord is good.

(The assembly is seated.)

♦ TIME WITH CHILDREN

♦ SERMON

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

♦ HYMN OF THE DAY

(Stand as you are able. Hymns are found in the red book in the pew rack)

July 5: We All are One in Mission ELW #576

July 12: Let Justice Flow like Streams ELW #717

July 19: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us ELW #789

July 26: Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal ELW #464

Aug. 2: Let Us Go Now to the Banquet ELW #523

♦ (July 12th) Blessing of The ELCA Youth Gathering Participants

♦ (July 26th) Blessing of The Romania Thrivent Builds Participants.

♦ CREED: Martin Luther's Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. (I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrec-

tion of the body, and the life everlasting.)

All: I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus

Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the

gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith,

just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on

earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. Daily in this Chris-

tian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believ-

ers. On the last day, the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me

and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.

♦ PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Assisting Minister: ...Hear us, O God.

All: Your mercy is great.

♦ SHARING OF THE PEACE

Pastor: The Peace of the Lord be with you all.

All: And also with you.

♦ OFFERING (The assembly is seated)

Offertory music:

July 5: In Christ Called to Baptize Michael Burkhardt

July 12: Antiphon V Marcel Dupré

July 19: My Shepherd, Will Supply My Need Virgil Thomso

July 26: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart arr. Anne Marie David

Aug. 2: Wonderful Words of Life arr. Don Wyrtzen

MEAL

♦ OFFERTORY PRAYER:

(Stand as you are able)

Assisting minister: Let us pray. Merciful God

ALL: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—ourselves, our

time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of

him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

♦ THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Pastor: 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, through Christ our Lord; 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 the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise

your name and join their unending hymn:

Pastor: 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 for all people for the forgiveness of

sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we lift this bread and cup before you,

giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you

as your priestly people.

All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.