CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 85

You have been gracious to your land, O LORD;

  you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.

You have forgiven the iniquity of your people

  and blotted out all their sins.

You have withdrawn all your fury

  and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.

Restore us then, O God our Savior;

  let your anger depart from us.

Will you be displeased with us forever?

  Will you prolong your anger from age to age?

Will you not give us life again,

  that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,

  and grant us your salvation.

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        “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”   #365

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, abounding in steadfast love toward us,

healing the sick and raising the dead, showering us with every good gift. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Just and gracious God,

we come to you for healing and life.

Our sins hurt others and diminish us; we confess them to you.

Our lives bear the scars of sin; we bring these also to you.

Show us your mercy, O God. Bind up our wounds, forgive us our sins, and free us to love,

 for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

The apostle Paul assures us:

  "When we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ,

  nailing the record of our sins to the cross." 

 Jesus says to you, + "Your sins are forgiven."

Be at peace, and tell everyone how much God has done for you. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. God of the covenant, in our baptism you call us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us the courage you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

THE EPISTLE: 2 Corinthians 12:2–10

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows — was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

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

GOSPEL SONG   “Jesus Loves Me!”                     #595

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Mark 6:1–13

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

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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

SERMON                                  Pastor Phil Wold

HYMN OF THE DAY       “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”         #742      

THE APOSTLE’S CREED

United in baptism, and 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.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Holy Trinity, one God, 

  you show us the splendor of diversity 

    and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. 

Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, 

  a united people that delights in our many different gifts. 

Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority 

  the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. 

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior.

Amen.

A Prayer for our nation: From the ELW resource The Prayer Book for the Armed Services

THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

THE OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER 

Let us pray. God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer 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     “Hosanna! / All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!”   #634

SENDING

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

POSTLUDE

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