CALL TO WORSHIP – PSALM 85:8–13
I will listen to what the LORD God is saying;
for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.
Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,
that your glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness shall go before the LORD and shall prepare for God a pathway.
GATHERING SONG “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” #759
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Let us seek the face of God, confessing our sin.
Silence for reflection and seff-examination,
Holy God,
we have sinned against you and each other,
We pray for your forgiveness and healing.
The good we would do, we often fail to do.
The evil we do not want, we find ourselves doing.
Deliver us, 0 God; save us from shame;
and guide us in your way. Amen
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,
and God raised him up from death that we too might walk in newness of life.
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through Jesus Christ,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON: 1 Kings 19:9–13
At [Horeb, the mount of God,][Elijah] came to a cave, and spent the night there.
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
THE SECOND LESSON: Romans 10:5–15, 17
Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?
"The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart"
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL HYMN “Children of the Heavenly Father” #781
THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Matthew 14:22–33
The holy gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON “Jesus Caught Him” Pastor Phil Wold
HYMN OF THE DAY “Eternal Father Strong to Save” #756
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Living together in trust and hope we confess:
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.
THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
THE OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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
BLESSING
SENDING SONG “My Life Flows On In Endless Song” #763
SENDING
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Altar Flowers: A donation has been made to The Food Group by Larry and Karen Lidahl
in celebration of their 61st Wedding Anniversary on August 18th.
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