CALL TO WORSHIP - PSALM: 66:1–9
Be joyful in God, all you lands; be joyful, all the earth.
Sing the glory of God's name; sing the glory of God's praise.
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down before you, sings to you, sings out your name."
Come now and see the works of God, how awesome are God's deeds toward all people.
God turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot, and there we rejoiced in God.
Ruling forever in might, God keeps watch over the nations; let no rebels exalt themselves.
Bless our God, you peoples; let the sound of praise be heard.
Our God has kept us among the living and has not allowed our feet to slip.
GATHERING SONG “Amazing Love"
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. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life's journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 66:10–14
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her — that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom.
For thus says the LORD: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING: Galatians 6:1–16
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised — only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule — peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL SONG “Thy Word”
THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Luke 10:1–11, 16–20
The holy gospel according to Saint Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON “Rejoice” Pastor Phil Wold
HYMN OF THE DAY “Now Thank We All Our God” #840
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
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 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 “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” #888
SENDING
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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POSTLUDE "Beautiful Savior"