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Serving Today
Officiant: Deacon Merlean Locke
Sharing the Message: Adam Edwards
First Reading: Martha Stephens
Second Reading: Clato Barnes
Assisting Minister: Ron Stephens
Musician: Anita Tucker
July 18, 2021
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
WELCOME! Even though gathering remotely, we do gather to be fed by God’s word and the sacraments so that we might live with hope.
Scripture Theme: In today’s worship we encounter – in Word and Meal – our Good Shepherd who desires with his whole being to restore all people to “shalom” – wholeness. In the First Reading, God accuses the leaders of Israel of not taking care of the people—the sheep—and he will “take care of them,” and will provide new shepherds who will care for the sheep. Jesus, in the Gospel, sees the people as wandering around like sheep without a shepherd, and he provides care and healing. In the Second Reading, people who were rejected, outsiders, are by God’s grace in Christ Jesus brought near to God.
The Eucharist: All baptized Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine of the Holy Communion are welcome at his table.
In the Name of Jesus
Directions: D – Deacon, C – Congregation, R – Reader, AM –Assisting Minister
Gathering
Welcome
Confession and Forgiveness
D: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ✝ one God, the God of manna, the God who sustains all of life, the God of mercy.
C: Amen.
D: Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin.
Silence for reflection.
God our provider,
C: help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We want to hang on to what we have worked so hard to obtain. Love for neighbor is hard if it means we have to give up something of ourselves. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. There is no hope apart from what you give us. Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us to strengthen us for life in the world. Amen.
D: Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the one who feeds the thousands and heals the multitudes, there is always enough. Through Jesus, ✝ the bread of life, you are shown mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life.
C: Amen.
Hymn: The King of Love My Shepherd Is LBW 456
Words: Henry W. Baker, 1821‑1877
Music: st. columba, Irish tune
The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth
and, where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill, with thee dear Lord, beside me,
thy rod and staff my comfort still; thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spreadst a table in my sight; thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so, through all the length of days, thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house forever.
Greeting
D: The grace that is God’s gift to us, the love of God, and the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
D: Let us pray. O God, powerful and compassionate,
C: you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Word
First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."
R: The Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Pause to contemplate the Word
Psalm of Response: Psalm 23 in unison
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff ‒ they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22
11 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" ‒ a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands ‒ 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
R: The Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Pause to contemplate the Word
Gospel (Introduced as follows:)
D: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 6th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
D: The Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to you, O Christ!
Sermon
Adam Edwards
Hymn of the Day: Lead Me, Guide Me TFF 70
Words and music: Doris Akers, 1922-1995
Refrain:
Lead me, guide me, along the way;
for if you lead me, I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
I am weak and I need thy strength and pow'r
to help me over my weakest hour.
Help me through the darkness thy face to see.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain
Help me tread in the paths of righteousness,
be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain
I am lost if you take your hand from me,
I am blind without . . . thy light to see.
Lord, just always let me thy servant be.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. 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 again 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 the Congregation
D: Gathered as part of our Lord's beloved flock, we pray for all who are lost, confused, and weary.
A brief silence.
Gather all whom we have driven from your flock by our inattention and hypocrisy ‒ who have experienced injustice, neglect, violence, and painful division at our hands and the hands of those who act in our name. Good Shepherd,
C: bring goodness. Bring mercy. Bring peace.
D: Bring rest to those among us who are tired ‒ tired of tending to others who are weary, tired from too many demands on our time, and tired of not being able to do the things we used to do. Good Shepherd,
C: bring goodness. Bring mercy. Bring peace.
D: We pray for all in our own community and throughout our shared Earth who are without homes of their own and often without even basic food and clean water, some of whom live with “no hope and without God in the world.” Work through us to bind their wounds, shelter them, and love them into community. Good Shepherd,
C: bring goodness. Bring mercy. Bring peace.
D: Comfort all who are ill and who mourn, that they neither fear or are dismayed. Especially we pray for Wanda, Bill, Joy, Alcine, Ella, Ruby, Sharee, Orelia, Jerelene, Rosa, and Eddie. Good Shepherd,
C: bring goodness. Bring mercy. Bring peace.
D: For what else do the people of God pray?
After the petitions:
Good Shepherd,
C: bring goodness. Bring mercy. Bring peace.
D: Restore all for whom we pray, loving Shepherd, that goodness and mercy may follow all the days of our lives and that we may be your dwelling place forever.
C: Amen.
Meal
Peace
D: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also with you.
(If you are with others, share the peace.)
Great Thanksgiving
D: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
D: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
D: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
D: 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:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.|
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
D: Holy, mighty and merciful Lord,
C: heaven and earth are full of your glory.
D: In great love you sent us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
C: who preached the good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
D: 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 and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,
C: we await his coming in glory.
D: Pour out your Holy Spirit,
C: that by this Holy Communion we may know the unity we share with all your people in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
D: Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
D: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Savior gave us:
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.
Communion
D: Christ has set the table with more than enough for all. Come!
(We share the body and blood of Christ.)
After all have communed. . .
D: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer
D: Let us pray. Almighty God,
C: 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. Amen.
Sending
Blessing
D: Almighty God, Father,✝ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn: We’ve Come This Far by Faith TFF 197
Words and music: Albert A. Goodson
Refrain:
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord;
trusting in his holy word, he’s never failed me yet.
Oh……. can’t turn around! We’ve come this far by faith.
Just the other day I heard a man say, he didn’t believe in God’s Word, I can truly say, that God has made a way, He’s never failed me yet. Thank God…
Refrain
Don’t be discouraged with trouble in your life;
He’ll bear your burdens, and move. . .all misery and strife. That’s why .. .
Refrain
Announcements of Our Life Together
Dismissal
P: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
C: Thanks be to God!
To God Alone Be Glory
Acknowledgements: The Confession and Forgiveness (adapted), Invitation to Communion, Prayer after Communion, and Dismissal are from Sundays & Seasons © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. The Great Thanksgiving is from Bread of Life, Setting 5 from pp. 36-37 of With One Voice,copyright © 1995 Augsburg Fortress, all rights reserved. The hymn, We’ve Come This Far by Faith, copyright © 1993, Manna Music, is reprinted with permission under One License, license # A-738102. All Scripture passages are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States.
Announcements
Readings for next Sunday: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; Johm 6:1-21.
This week at Good Shepherd
Bible Study Wednesday 10:30 call in 712-770-4995 participant code 287179
Pastor Paul will be on vacation July 11th through July 25th. Please contact one of the deacons for pastoral support. Our deacons are Clato Barnes, Ron Stephens and Merlean Locke.
Happy Birthday to our July babies, Carolyn Seraile Bolar 1st, Wanda Allen 26th and Elana Tucker 31st. God’s abundant blessings to you all on your special day and always.
Save the date! LCGS CHURCH PICNIC Sunday, August 15th at Seward Park.
Lillian Darden has agreed to chair the picnic committee, give her a call if you would like to help.
Stewardship: Offerings and Donations $7,935 Attendance 21
August 22nd is the date we hope to begin holding worship service in our building. We will continue to have Zoom available for those unable to attend in person. Stay tuned, more to come.
Thank you notes to Good Shepherd were received from Concordia Lutheran School, Lutheran Ministry Services, Compass Housing Alliance and Lutheran Community Services for our financial support. Thanks be to God for His provision to Good Shepherd enabling us to help others.
Please remember Alcine Wyatt and her family in your prayers. Mrs. Wyatt after hospitalization, has been transferred to Pinehurst Services (a private home) located at 11536 7th Ave. NE 98125. Owner Evelyn, phone 206-695-2890.
Sick and Shut-In Members
Please remember in your prayers,
Wanda Allen 222 25th Ave., Sea 98122
Bill Johnson, 2717 Dexter Ave. N., Sea 98109
Joy Bauer, 1061 Shelton Ave. NE Renton 98056
Alcine Wyatt, 811 27th Ave., Sea 98122
Ella Smith, 4831 35th Ave. SW Sea 98126
Ruby Buxton 315 31st Ave., Sea 98122
Sharee Daniels, 6731 N 17th Street, Tacoma 98406
Orelia Jarrow 3621 33rd Ave. S. #335 Sea 98144
Jerelene Armstead 5145 S. Fountain Sea 98178
Rosa McFollie 1103 Tacoma Str. Ave. NE, Renton WA 98056
Eddie Davis 1520 S. Lake Washington Blvd. 98144
Maurnitta Slaughter 6415 46th Ave. S. 98118
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Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
is to give glory to God for the building of His Kingdom, by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.