July 4, 2021
READINGS
Psalm 48: 1Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3Within its citadels God has shown himself a sure defense. 4Then the kings assembled, they came on together. 5As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic, they took to flight; 6trembling took hold of them there, pains as of a woman in labor, 7as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish. 8As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God establishes forever. Selah 9We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10Your name, O God, like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with victory. 11Let Mount Zion be glad, let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. 12Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers, 13consider well its ramparts; go through its citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.
Mark 6:1-13: 1He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Confession and Forgiveness:
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the God of abundance, the God of closeness, 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 ultimate example of love, 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.
MUSIC
God Is Here!
ELW#526
1.God is here! As we your people
meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure
what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us,
all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of the Spirit
into open minds and hearts.
2.Here are symbols to remind us
of our lifelong need of grace;
here are table, font, and pulpit;
here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
here in silence, as in speech,
here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.
3.Here our children find a welcome
in the Shepherd's flock and fold;
here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living
to believe and to adore.
4.Lord of all, of church and kingdom,
in an age of change and doubt,
keep us faithful to the gospel;
help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day's dedication,
all we have to give, receive;
we, who cannot live without you,
we adore you! We believe!
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory
ELW# 890
1.Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
he has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword:
his truth is marching on.
Refrain
Glory, glory! Hallelujah! Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
2.He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
he is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on. Refrain
3.In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.
As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
while God is marching on. Refrain