12 Pentecost August 15

GATHERING SONG “Abide with Me” # 629

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, full of compassion and mercy, abounding in steadfast love.

Amen.

Trusting God’s promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sin against God and one another.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Eternal God our creator, in you we live and move and have our being.

Look upon us, your children, the work of your hands.

Forgive us all our offenses, and cleanse us from proud thoughts and empty desires.

By your grace draw us near to you, our refuge and our strength;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.

In the mercy of almighty God, Christ died for us while we still were sinners;

and for his sake, God ☩ forgives you all your sins. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Ever-loving God, your Son gives himself as living bread for the life of the world. Fill us with such a knowledge of his presence that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

THE FIRST LESSON: Proverbs 9:1–6

Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town, "You that are simple, turn in here!" To those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight." Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 34:9–14

Fear the LORD, you saints of the LORD,

for those who fear the LORD lack nothing.

The lions are in want and suffer hunger,

but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.

Come, children, and listen to me;

I will teach you reverence for the LORD.

Who among you takes pleasure in life and

desires long life to enjoy prosperity?

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from lying words.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

THE SECOND LESSON: Ephesians 5:15–20

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY John 6:51–58

The holy gospel according to Saint John. Glory to you, O Lord.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON “Abide In” Pastor Beth Kelsey

HYMN OF THE DAY “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” # 631

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

THE PEACE IS SHARED

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

THE OFFERING

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray. Risen Christ, receive these gifts, with our hopes, dreams, and prayers. Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread, that our eyes may be opened to see your presence among us, and our lives filled with the new life of your resurrection. Amen

THE LORDS 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

BLESSING

SENDING SONG “Christ Is Alive” #389

SENDING

Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.