| July 12, 2026 – 9:30am
Seventh Sunday Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today! Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us. |
The Sower Matthew 13:1-9 |
|
GATHERING |
|
Prelude New Direction
WELCOME
GATHERING Song The Trees of the Field Steffi Geiser Rubin
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose compassion endures forever. Amen.
Let us confess our sin to God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God, we confess to you all our sins.
Our burden is heavy, and we cannot free ourselves.
In your mercy, call us back to you. Your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
Restore us to dwell in your peace.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
In the name of God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven.
Rest in God’s love. Amen.
CONGREGATION SONG Lord Let My Heart Be Good Soil ELW 512
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
|
WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song |
FIRST READING Isaiah 55:10-13
God’s word to Israel’s exiles is as sure and effective as never-failing precipitation. Their return to the Holy Land in a new exodus is cheered on by singing mountains and by trees that clap their hands.
A reading from Isaiah.
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle,
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Psalm 65:1-13 read responsively
A reading from Psalms.
1 You are to be praised, O God, in Zion;
to you shall vows be fulfilled.
2 To you, the one who answers prayer,
to you all flesh shall come.
3 Our sins are stronger than we are,
but you blot out our transgressions.
4 Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there!
They will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple.
5 Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation,
O hope of all the ends of the earth and of the oceans far away.
6 You make firm the mountains by your power;
you are girded about with might.
7 You still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples.
8 Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs;
you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.
9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous;
the river of God is full of water.
You prepare the grain, for so you provide for the earth.
10 You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges;
with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.
11 You crown the year with your goodness,
and your paths overflow with plenty.
12 May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing,
and the hills be clothed with joy.
13 May the meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain;
let them shout for joy and sing.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Children’s Message Pastor Jess
GOSPEL Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
In Matthew’s gospel, both Jesus and his disciples “sow the seed” of God’s word by proclaiming the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near.” Now, in a memorable parable, Jesus explains why this good news produces different results in those who hear.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 If you have ears, hear!”
18 “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon Pastor Jess
HYMN OF THE DAY O God, Whose Word Well-Planted ACS 975
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
Trusting in God’s steadfast love for all God has made, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
God our gardener, you scatter grace like seed across the world. Continue to cultivate the garden of your church with your abundant Spirit. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God our joy, your bountiful creation reflects your commitment to life despite our actions disregarding its wonder. We look toward Isaiah’s vision, when all creation rejoices, and the trees will clap for joy at your salvation. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God our life, you give us the same Spirit by which you raised Christ from the dead. Set our minds on that Spirit whenever fear or condemnation overwhelm throughout the world. Protect those who face the fear of missile attacks at dusk instead of a calm night of sleep. Comfort the afflicted that sift through the rubble of destroyed buildings in Venezuela. Shield the innocent in Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God our host and table, we pray for children who hunger and rely on school meals, for all who toil under the hot sun without refreshment, and for the chronically ill who have exhausted their resources. We pray for those who are ill or suffering, especially Linda, Janet, Bob, Bert, Bill, Stanley, John, Tarah, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God our source, tend this assembly with your grace throughout this summer season. May those who travel for work or recreation do so safely, and may visitors find refreshment among us.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of every age, we give you thanks that the roots of your goodness run deep throughout history. We remember those saints who have gone before us in faith especially Bishop Nathan Söderblom, whom the church commemorates today, and Irv Moehling whom we remember through altar flowers given by Bev Moehling today. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Grateful for your abundant provision and trusting in your goodness, O God, we cast all our cares upon you, through the abundant grace of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING INVITATION
(Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
OFFERING ANTHEM Lord of the Harvest Lindy Kofer
New Direction CCLI #7151125
|
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
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who, sharing our life, lived among us to reveal your justice and love, that our brokenness should be healed through the coming of your light. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy Maker, Redeemer, and Healer, in the harmonious world of your creation,
the plants and animals, the seas and stars were whole and well in your praise.
When sin had scarred the world, you sent your Son
to heal our ills, and form us again into one.
In 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 for the 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 for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his acts of healing, his body given up, and his victory over death,
we await that day when all the peoples of the earth will come to the river to enjoy the tree of life.
Send your Spirit upon us and this meal, so that as grains scattered on the hillside become one bread, your Church may be gathered from the ends of the earth,
and all may be fed with the Bread of life, your Son.
Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty God,
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy community, now and forever. Amen
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.
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
Come and share in God’s feast of love!
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 HYMNS For the Fruit of All Creation ELW 679
God of the Fertile Fields ACS 1063
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen
|
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 HYMN Sent Forth by God’s Blessing ELW 547
Dismissal
Go in peace. Share the good news! Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Prelude in A minor, Op. 19, no. 8 Jozef Surzynski
Yeon Soh, Organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Randy Koopman
Lector Pat Fontes
Ushers Stephanie Leclair and Cherie Lynch-Conway
Organist Yeon Soh
New Direction Praise Team Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati
Linda Frederico, Jim Molloy, Joshua Nadar, Matt Overholt, Holly Pavlak
Altar Care Elaine Martin and Stephanie Leclair
Livestream Operator Bill Whalen
Hospitality Janet Golden
Upcoming Commemorations
Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1931
Sunday, July 12, 2026
A winner of the Nobel Prize for peace for his efforts to unite peoples after the First World War, Söderblom also called attention to the revival of early church worship principles, and helped to lay the groundwork for the World Council of Churches.
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, died 1566
Friday, July 17, 2026
A native of Spain, Las Casas first came to the Western hemisphere while serving in the military. Upon arriving in the West, Las Casas was granted a large estate with Indigenous enslaved people whom he freed after he was ordained a priest. He worked in the Caribbean and Central America to improve the lives of the native peoples.
 |
|
| From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2026 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. |
|
| Your financial gifts help us to grow, nurture, and make disciples in Christ! Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card |
 |