St. Mark’s Evangelical

Lutheran Church

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

INTRODUCTION

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering, yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.

CONTEMPORARY SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION

ST. MARK’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 8:15 a.m. September 3, 2017 *Please stand if able P: Pastor; A: Assisting Minister; C: Congregation

GATHERING

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC “Here I Am to Worship” Insert

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Gary Haddock

*GATHERING SONG “There Is A Name I Love to Hear” Insert

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Blessed be the ☩ holy Trinity, the one who fashions us, the one who heals us, the one who reforms us again and

again. Silence for reflection and self-examination.

P: Source of all life, C: We confess that we have not allowed your grace to set us free. We fear that we are not good enough. We

hear your word of love freely given to us, yet we expect others to earn it. We turn the church inward, rather than moving it outward. Forgive us. Stir us. Reform us to be a church powered by love, willing to speak for what is right, act for what is just, and seek the healing of your whole creation. Amen.

P: God hears our cry and sends the Spirit to change us and to empower our lives in the world. Our sins are forgiven, ☩ God’s love is unconditional, and we are raised up as God’s people who will always be made new, in the name of Jesus Christ.

C: Amen.

*THE PEACE P: The peace of the Lord be with you. C: And also with you.

*APOSTOLIC GREETING P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY P: O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his

example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C: Amen.

WORD

CHILDREN’S SERMON Rev. Gary Haddock *THE GOSPEL READING P: The Holy Gospel, according to Matthew. C: Glory to you, O Lord Matthew 16:21-28 P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.

THE SERMON Rev. Gary Haddock

*SONG OF THE DAY “Thy Word” Insert

*APOSTLES’ CREED C: 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.

*INTERCESSORY PRAYER A: Lord, in your mercy. C: Hear our prayer. Glenn Morrison

MEAL

THE OFFERING / OFFERTORY MUSIC “Church in the Wildwood” Solo, Allyson Sestric

*PRESENTATION OF GIFTS AND OFFERTORY “Communion”

This is the body. This is the blood. Broken and poured out. For all of us. And in this communion we share in His love. This is the body. This is the blood.

*OFFERTORY PRAYER Glenn Morrison A: God of life, you give us these gifts of the earth, these resources of our life and our labor. Take them, offered in

great thanksgiving, and use them to set a table that will heal the whole creation through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Light. C: Amen. Holy Communion Invitation: Christ invites all who are baptized to the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Communion is served by Intinction. You will be given a wafer, which you then dip into the chalice of wine. If unable to come forward, stand where you are, and you will be served there. Children who are baptized are welcome to commune.

*THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER V P: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, … C: Amen.

*THE LORD’S PRAYER P: Lord, teach us to pray . . .

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

The congregation sits. The following is sung: “Worthy Is the Lamb”

Worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne. Crown You now with many crowns. You reign victorious.

High and lifted up. Jesus Son of God. The darling of heaven crucified. Worthy is the Lamb. (Repeat 3X)

DISTRIBUTION The congregation communes.

*COMMUNION SONG “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” Insert

*POST COMMUNION BLESSING After all have returned to their places, the congregation stands and the presiding minister says these words:

P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace. C: Amen.

*POST COMMUNION PRAYER Glenn Morrison A: Holy and compassionate God, in bread and wine you give us gifts that form us to be humble and courageous.

May your words come to life in our serving and in our witness, that we might speak a living voice of healing and justice to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. C: Amen.

*BLESSING P: God, creator of all things, speaking reformation into being; Jesus Christ, savior of the world, raising the dead;

Holy Spirit, living voice, calling and enlightening the church: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C: Amen.

*SENDING SONG “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Insert

*DISMISSAL P: Go in peace. Sound the good news. C: Thanks be to God.

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THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD and in honor of our 48th Wedding Anniversary by Larry and Judy Smyre.

THE FLOWERS ON THE TABLE ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD and in honor of Charles and Connie Pope on their birthdays by Glenna Pope.

THE FLOWERS ON THE STAND ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD and in memory of George Setzer, Sr. commemorating what would have been his 100th birthday on September 5. George Setzer, Sr. originally built the flower stand to hold the poinsettia display at St. Mark’s in the 1960s. The flowers are dedicated by Joyce and George Setzer, Jr.

LITURGY -THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE

Presiding Pastor: Rev. Gary Haddock Assisting Minister: Glenn Morrison Communion Assistants: Angela & Shawn Brown Acolyte: Lindsey Elrod Deacons: Nicky Setzer, Cathy Sigmon Tabulators: Mike & Donna Evans, Cathy Sigmon, Nicky Setzer Altar Guild: Jo Marilyn Hewitt, Linda Hewitt, Maria Wright, Vanessa Arndt Praise Team Leader & Keyboard: Myra Long Vocalists: Tim Carpenter, Tamarah Hefner, Allyson Sestric, Carol Schaefer, Ethan Campbell, Joseph Carpenter Instrumentalists: Allyson Sestric: Violin & Guitar; Mark Mashburn: Bass Guitar; Gary Stilner: Guitar; Aaron Carpenter: Drums Tech: Carol Schaefer, Camille Patrick, Tamarah Hefner, Randy Sherrill, Terry Hefner, Colton Ignoffo, Tim Sigmon, Barry Bumgarner

JEREMIAH 15:15-21 O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Therefore, thus says the Lord: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

PSALM 26:1-8 Give judgment for me, O Lord, for I have lived with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you. I have not sat with the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful. I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, that I may go in procession round your altar, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds. Lord, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides.

ROMANS 12:9-21 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

MATTHEW 16:21-28 From that time on, [after Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah,] Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”