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 SONGS         “Shine, Jesus, Shine”           #671

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS                                                                      

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

                         silence for reflection and self examination

Through water and the Spirit, God gives us new life. 

Therefore let us confess our sin, that we may be renewed in the covenant of Holy Baptism.

         Strong and faithful God, we confess that we have not lived  

           as your holy people in the world.

         We have closed our eyes to your love. We have resisted your light. 

         Forgive what we have done, and what we have left undone, 

           heal us with your abundant grace,

         and help us walk as children of the light. Amen

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, 

   and for his sake, God forgives us all our sins. Strengthened by 

  the Holy Spirit, let us serve the Lord in newness of life. Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. O God, from you come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

THE EPISTLE LESSON: Ephesians 1:3–14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.  In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

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

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Mark 6:14–29

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

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him."  But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."  But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her.  For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.  But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.  When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it."  And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom."  She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer."  Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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

SERMON    "A Sad Story"                                   Pastor Phil Wold

SERMON SONG "Alleluia! Jesus is Risen" #377

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 THE PEOPLE

O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. 

Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows, 

and give peace to your church, 

peace among nations, 

peace in our homes, 

and peace in our hearts; 

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.                       ELW page 76

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          “Holy God, We Praise Your Name" #414

SENDING

Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.

Thanks be to God. 

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