| August 24, 2025
10:15am Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 12 Step Week 12 Share Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to those on recovery journeys, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. |
The Family Embrace by Gustav Klimt |
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GATHERING |
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GATHERING SONG Draw Me Into Your Presence
Verse:
Draw me into Your presence, draw me into Your presence;
Draw me into Your presence, I want to know You
For there’s life in Your presence, yes there’s life in your presence
There is life in Your presence, I want to know You
Chorus:
Where else can I go, where else can I hide
Only in your presence Lord, can I find peace of mind
(verse)
(chorus)
(verse)
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, and standing in need of God’s grace,
let us confess that need in community with one another.
A brief silence is held for reflection.
God our redeemer,
We admit that human power is not enough to heal us,
human will is not enough to sustain us,
and human love is not enough to repair us.
Where we are fearful and searching,
when we long for something more to soothe the ache of brokenness,
your grace is our source of peace and wholeness.
Help us to trust you with our mistakes and our need.
Teach us to reconcile who we have been with who you call us to be.
Love us out of sin and into new life.
People of God, hear this good news—
that when we believed all hope was lost, Jesus defied the grave.
We are already and always made new.
Let us worship together in gratitude, and in freedom.
Amen.
CONGREGATION SONG Good Soil
Lord let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of Your word
Lord let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood
When my heart is hard, break the stone away; when my heart is cold warm it with the day
When my heart is lost, lead me on Your way
Lord let my heart, Lord let my heart, Lord let my heart be good soil.
(repeat)
Prayer of the Day Adapted from the Twelfth Step Prayer
Let us pray. God, our spiritual awakening continues to unfold. The help we have received we shall pass on and give to others. For this opportunity we are grateful. We pray most humbly to continue walking day by day on the road of spiritual progress. We pray for the inner strength and wisdom to practice the principles of this way of life in all we do and say. We need You, our friends, and our community every hour of every day. This is a better way to live. Amen.
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WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song |
FIRST READING Jeremiah 24:4-14
A reading from Jeremiah.
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 5 Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. 6 I will set my eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not pluck them up. 7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with their whole heart.
8 But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who live in the land of Egypt. 9 I will make them a horror, an evil thing, to all the kingdoms of the earth—a disgrace, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. 10 And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them until they are utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their ancestors.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 8:31-39
A reading from Romans.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Cassie
GOSPEL John 6:60-69
The Holy Gospel according to John.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”
61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones who did not believe and who was the one who would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Cassie
CONGREGATION SONG Let My Spirit Always Sing ACS 1020
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
Hear My Prayer
Hear my prayer O Lord, from the ends of the earth I cry
Your peace will lead me to the rock that is higher than I
Let us pray for the church, the creation, and the whole people of God, for God is near.
For the leaders of the church, we pray. Inspire deacons, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and Christian education directors with a passion for speaking the word of God. Equip all the baptized to share your word of grace.
For the well-being of creation, we pray. Sustain farm workers and all who labor in fields and vineyards to grow the food we eat. Revive plains and pastures, and provide for the cattle and creatures who rely on the land for their sustenance.
For the leaders of towns, cities, provinces, states, and nations, we pray. Guide them to enact equitable laws and policies for all. On this Labor Day weekend, help us to remember, encourage, and uplift workers whose labor often goes unnoticed.
For all students as they return to school, and for all teachers, administrators, bus drivers, and janitors that help our schools to run, we pray. Help our schools instill a passion for learning in all children. Bring comfort to those whose school year has begun with grief and pain, especially the families of Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis after the shooting at the start of their school year.
For the lowly and those who are ignored, we pray. Provide for the needs of vulnerable communities, those who are unemployed, burdened by debt, or struggle to make ends meet. Accompany all who need reassurance of your loving presence, especially Nancy, Bert, Michael, Bill, Gail, Doug, Erin, Butch, Jennifer, Gretchen, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction, all those affected by mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders.
For the hospitality ministries of this congregation, we pray. Give each and every one of us a spirit of welcome for visitors, and courage to invite friends and neighbors to worship and pray.
For all the saints who from their labors rest, we give thanks. With them, we offer our sacrifice of praise to you, O God, the same yesterday and today and forever.
Gather all our prayers in your mercy, O God. grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; courage to change the things we can; and wisdom to know the difference; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
GIFTS Beautiful Offering Big Daddy Weave CCLI#7035854
(Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of this bulletin)
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MEAL |
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
SANCTUS Holy, Holy, Holy Pulkingham
Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and might
Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory; hosanna in the highest
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
You are indeed holy, redeeming God,
and it is in your name that we journey to gather at your table.
Like Adam, tempted in the Garden of Eden,
We admit our mistakes, and believe you can help us.
Like Jonah, desperate to avoid his calling in Ninevah,
We yield to your loving will, and search our wandering hearts.
Like David, struggling between selfish desires and the wisdom of a king,
We confess that we cannot do this alone, and release the belief that we should.
And we tell the story of your son, Jesus,
who renewed the lives of lowly fisherman, and remembered the dignity of the poor.
He mended those who were wounded, and attended to those who had been overlooked.
He prayed for your will to be done, and on the cross, shared a love that conquers death.
And on the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.
As we follow in his steps and take our place at the table he prepares,
we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!
Send your Holy Spirit on this bread and cup.
Make them signs of your abundant grace in a broken world.
Use them to sustain your people in joy, as we seek your justice and truth.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit!
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
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.
OR
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth
as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
We come to this table not because we are perfect, but because here God promises to love us and make us new. Here God invites the lost and the broken and the outcast to claim a seat at the table. Come, taste and see God’s welcome for us all.
COMMUNION
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence.
We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.
Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer), and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
COMMUNION SONG Found a Love 7 Hills Worship
CCLI#7174937
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SENDING |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.
SENDING SONG This Is Amazing Grace
Verse 1:
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness, whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder, and leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of glory, the King above all kings.
Chorus:
This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love
That You would take my place that You would bear my cross
You laid down your life that I would be set free, Oh
Jesus I sing for all that You’ve done for me
Verse 2:
Who brings our chaos back into order, who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of glory, the King of glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice, shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of glory, the King above all kings
(chorus)
Bridge:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, worthy! Worthy! Worthy!
(chorus)
Dismissal
Go in peace. Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Stephanie Leclair
Ushers Holly Pavlak
New Direction Praise Team Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati, Jim Molloy, Matt Overholt, Mary Overholt, Holly Pavlak, Josh Nadar
Altar Care Joan Olson and Mary Callahan
Livestream Operator Ernie Zimmermann
Upcoming Commemorations
Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, bishop, renewer of the church, died 1872
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Grundtvig was, with Søren Kierkegaard, one of the two great Danish theologians of the nineteenth century. As a pastor, he battled the prevalent idea that Christianity was more a philosophy than divine revelation. He wrote over a thousand hymns.
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| From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. |
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