5TH Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, June 27, 2021

PRELUDE  If You But Trust in God to Guide You arr. H. Walcha

Welcome

Confession and Forgiveness (ELW p. 94)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
The assembly kneels or stands. Silence is kept for reflection.

Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Gathering Song 712 Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service 

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.

Canticle of Praise This is the feast of victory for our God.

Prayer of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Almighty and merciful God, we implore you to hear the prayers of your people. Be our strong defense against all harm and danger, that we may live and grow in faith and hope, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 30
I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up. (Ps. 30:1)
Sung from the Psalter
Psalter

1I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2O Lord my God, I cried out to you,
and you restored me to health.
3You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4Sing praise to the Lord, all you faithful;
give thanks in ho ly remembrance. R
5God’s wrath is short; God’s favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping spends the night, but joy comes in the morning.
6While I felt secure, I said,
“I shall never be disturbed.
7You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”
Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear.
8I cried to you, O Lord;
I pleaded with my Lord, saying,
9“What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
10Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me;
O Lord, be my helper.” R
11You have turned my wailing into dancing;
you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
12Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing;
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. R

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
A reading from 2 Corinthians.

7Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.
8I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—11now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation (ELW p. 151)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43  The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.

21When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32He looked all around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
35While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

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

Sermon (ELW p. 151)           

Hymn of the Day 769 If You But Trust in God to Guide You

Prayers of Intercession
O God, send down your Holy Spirit upon us. Enliven us with your gifts, that we may reach out into the world with your message of love and embrace. Empower us to be your agents of healing in the world, and protect those who dedicate their lives to the service of others. Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we bring our prayers before you knowing your promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.

A brief silence.

God of hope, the ministry of your church extends across borders, from nearby neighbors to far and distant countries. Accompany all those who labor eagerly in service of the gospel, that through your good news all might experience transformation. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, we give you thanks for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land that provides our food. Guard all species of plants and animals from harsh changes in climate and empower us to protect all you have made. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Righteous God, we pray for nations and their leaders. Give them a spirit of compassion and steer them towards a fair distribution of resources; that none among us would have too much or too little. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

God of healing, your touch has the power to make us whole. We pray for those suffering from physical or mental illness. Embrace those who are sick (especially – names will be provided Sunday morning). Surround them with your unwavering presence. We pray too for those who struggle with mobility and continuing infirmity, especially Nancy Beth, Dallas, Marge, Karen, Paul, John, Avis, Alexis, Dave, Chris, Elise, Patricia and Willie Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for this assembly and all those gathered together in worship. Revive our spirits, renew our relationships, and rekindle our faith, that we might experience resurrection in this community. We pray especially today for Jim, Lisa, Janice, Liz, Tom, Desiree, Bailee, and Kylee. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the ministry of Deacon Bill Lawrence in this congregation. We remember with gladness the ways that he has helped to build up your kingdom through his work among us. Continue to walk with him and guide him in what lies ahead for him. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the faithful ancestors in every age whose lives have pointed us towards you. Envelop them in your love, that we may be reunited with one another in the last days. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your abiding grace.
Amen.

Peace (ELW p. 152)
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Announcements (ELW p. 155)

Offering Prayer (ELW p. 152) invite congregation to stand
Let us pray.

God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Thanksgiving at the Table (ELW p. 153)
Let us pray:
You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God.
You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.

You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.

We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation.

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.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer (ELW p. 154)
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 (ELW p. 154)
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.

Communion (ELW p. 154)
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Anthem – Amazing Grace arr. C. Courtney   Sung by Kristin Harp

Prayer after Communion (ELW p. 155)
Let us pray.

Gracious God, in this meal you have drawn us to your heart, and nourished us at your table with food and drink, the body and blood of Christ. Now send us forth to be your people in the world, and to proclaim your truth this day and evermore, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Farewell and Godspeed

The leader stands with those who are leaving and addresses those who are gathered.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Deacon Bill Lawrence, you have been called to serve this congregation as a deacon. You have been important to the life together of this congregation and the church of Jesus Christ, in its service to the community, and in God’s mission to the whole world.

People of God, members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, do you release Deacon Bill Lawrence from service as your deacon?
We do, and we give thanks to God for our ministry together.

Deacon Bill, do you recognize and accept the complete of your ministry as a called deacon with St. Matthew Lutheran Church?

Bill: I do, and I give thanks to God for our ministry together.

Tracie: A reading from Exodus: The Lord said, “I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20).

Your sisters and brothers in the New Jersey Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America give thanks to God for the ministry you have shared. We promise you our continued support and prayer. Rejoicing in the blessings of God in this congregation and in his ministry, with hope in God’s abundant grace in years to come, I announce that Bill Lawrence’s ministry as deacon in this congregation is now concluded.

Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servant Bill, who has enriched this community and shared his gifts with so many aspects of this congregation’s life, especially its food ministries and its ministry to youth and children. Now bless and preserve him at this time of transition. Day by day, guide him and give him what is needed, friends to cheer his way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling him. By your Holy Spirit be present in his pilgrimage, that he may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Almighty God bless us, and direct our days and our deeds in peace.
Amen.

Sending Song 886 Oh For A Thousand Tongues to Sing

Dismissal (ELW p. 155)
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE If You But Trust in God to Guide You   arr. P. Bunjes