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Welcome to Worship 

Time after Pentecost 

GATHERING 

Prelude 

Welcome and Announcements 

Ringing of the Bell 

(Please Stand) 

Confession and Forgiveness 

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy. Amen. 

Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin. 

Silence is kept for reflection. 

God, our provider, help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. 

Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen. 

Beloved people of God: 

in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life. 

Amen. 

Hymn 638 “Blessed Assurance” 

L: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the commun-ion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

C: And also with you. 

L: Liturgist P: Pastor C: Congregation 

 

Kyrie 

Let us pray: 

Holy God, your word feeds your people with life that is eternal. Direct our choices and preserve us in your truth, that, renouncing what is false and evil, we may live in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 

(Please be seated.) 

WORD 

First Reading: Joshua 24: 1—2a, 14—18 

In the Near East, covenant means “agreement” or “alliance.” It describes relationships and is the primary word used to characterize the relationship between God and Israel. By delivering Israel, God has already begun the relationship. Joshua calls upon the people to respond. 

1Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they pre-sented themselves before God. 2aAnd Joshua said to all the people, 14“Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the re-gion beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are liv-ing; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

16Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; 17for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” 

R: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 

Psalm Psalm 34: 15—22 Pg. 872 

Refrain: 

PS 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive 

to their cry; 

PS 34:16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 

Refrain: 

PS 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 

PS 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 

Refrain: 

PS 34:19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 

PS 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 

Refrain: 

PS 34:21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 

PS 34:22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. 

Second Reading: Ephesians 6:10—20 

Like a general giving a rousing speech to troops before battle, this letter closes by calling on Christians to be equipped for spiritual warfare against evil. The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, the gift of salvation, and the word of God inspired by the Spirit. 

10Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

18Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. 

R: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 

Children’s Sermon Pastor Chris Steubing 

(Please rise for the Gospel) 

The Gospel according to John. 

After the Gospel is announced, we say 

Glory to you, O Lord. 

Gospel Reading John 6: 56—69 

The “hard saying” that offends Jesus’ disciples is his claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The followers who return to their old lives know something about how odd this sounds. Simon Peter, on the other hand, knows something about the scarcity of living, gracious words. He asks the most important question: “To whom shall we go?” 

[Jesus said,] 56“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. 60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were com-plaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But among you there are some who do not be-lieve.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not be-lieve, and who was the one that would betray him. 65And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” 66Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” 

The gospel of the Lord. 

After the reading of the gospel, we say 

C: Praise to you, O Christ. 

(Please be seated) 

 

Sermon Rev. Chris Steubing 

Hymn of the Day #796 “How Firm a Foundation” 

The Apostle’s Creed 

L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith: 

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. 

The Prayers 

L: . . .Merciful God, 

C: Receive our prayers. 

 

The Peace 

L: The peace of Christ be with you always. 

C: And also with you. 

L: You may share the peace with one another. 

Offering 

Offering Hymn “Word of God Speak” 

(The offering is collected as the hymn is sung. Please stand on the last verse as the offering is brought forward.) 

Vs 1—I'm finding myself at a loss for words, And the funny thing is it's okay. The last thing I need is to be heard, But to hear what You would say Chorus: Word of God speak, Would You pour down like rain Washing my eyes to see Your majesty to be still and know That You're in this place. Please let me stay and rest, 

In Your holiness. (Word of God speak) 

Verse 2 I'm finding myself in the midst of You, Beyond the music beyond the noise All that I need is to be with You, And in the quiet hear Your voice. Chorus Ending I'm finding myself at a loss for words, And the funny thing is it's okay Words and Music by Bart Millard, Pete Kipley. Simpleville Music; 

Curb Wordspring Music. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com 

Used by permission CCLI License #2561118 

L: 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: (Sung) 

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen 

Benediction 

Pastor: The God of all grace bless you now and forever. 

Hymn # 807 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” 

Dismissal 

L: Go in peace. Share the good news. 

C: Thanks be to God. 

Postlude.