CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Know that the LORD is God, our maker to whom we belong;
we are God's people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter the gates of the LORD with thanksgiving and the courts with praise;
give thanks and bless God's holy name.
Good indeed is the LORD, whose steadfast love is everlasting,
God’s faithfulness endures from age to age.
GATHERING SONG “Hosanna / All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Let us confess our failures, fears, and weaknesses to God, asking that we be restored to wholeness and peace.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
God, who cares for all,
we confess that we have not loved you and have not cared for ourselves, our neighbors, or the earth you created. Forgive our lack of care and our failure to attend to your creation in us and around us. Take away our fear and our weakness, and make us strong witnesses in word and action to your redeeming love. Amen
Our God is merciful, slow to anger, and rich in steadfast love.
I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins in the name of Jesus,
who has restored us to God our maker.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, be renewed to wholeness of life. Amen
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. God of compassion, you have opened the way for us and brought us to yourself. Pour your love into our hearts, that, overflowing with joy, we may freely share the blessings of your realm and faithfully proclaim the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
THE FIRST LESSON: Exodus 19:2-8a
The Israelites had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole
earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." So Moses came, summoned the elders of the
people, and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. The people all answered as one: "Everything that the LORD has spoken we will do."
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
THE SECOND LESSON: Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Matthew 9:35--10:8
The holy gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON “He had Compassion for Them” Pastor Phil Wold
HYMN OF THE DAY “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” #886
INSTALLATION OF CHURCH COUNCIL
Gracious God, as you have called workers to varied tasks in the world and in your church, so you have called these servants to this ministry of Trinity Council. Grant them joy and a spirit of bold trust, that their work may stir up each of us to a life of fruitful service; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Let us join together in the profession of our faith in the words of the 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.
Affirmation of Christian Vocation
Sisters and brothers called to serve on the Council, you have joined us in making public profession of our faith. We declare to you, that both your work and your rest are in God. Will you endeavor to pattern your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, in gratitude to God and in service to others, at morning and evening, at work and at play, all the days of your life?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Let Us Pray: Almighty God, by the power of the Spirit you have knit these your servants into the one body of your Son, Jesus Christ. Look with favor upon them in their commitment to serve in Christ's name. Give them courage, patience, and vision; and strengthen us all in our Christian vocation of witness to the world and of service to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in 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 “Lift High the Cross” # 660
SENDING
Go in peace. Live the gospel. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
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