The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - June 20, 2021

vs. 1
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The Holy One is here.
Come, bow before Him now,
With reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found,
We stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The Holy One is here.

vs. 3
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.
He comes to cleanse and heal,
To minister His grace.
No work too hard for Him,
In faith receive from Him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.

Today we trust anew God’s grace in the rush of The Wind, calms our souls and spirits in the midst of every storm, for the Holy One is here, so we boldly believe, and we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

People of God: At times we have wandered in the desert, losing our way; we have stood in the promised land, yet, we do not trust God breaks forth; we have tried to face storms on our own. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we fail to trust the Lord faithfully rushes to calm our every storm.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: In the raging storms of guilt, worry, and despair, feel the rush of The Wind, feel the calm restored in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Believe anew, even in your storms, the Lord is moving in this place!

Almighty and loving God, you rush to our side to be our calm and peace in the midst of our every storm. In the midst of life’s raging storms, increase in us the gift of faith, trusting Your presence, power and grace overcome our fear, doubt, anxiety, and unbelief. By Your Holy Spirit, as you break forth into our midst, we feel the rush of The Wind. Renew our faith to see The One who is forever here, calms us and gives us peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be Still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

(New Revised Standard Version)

JOB 38:1-11; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-13; MARK 4:35-41

We have all heard the expression, "The calm before the storm."  We like the calm.  We like living a life of `smooth sailing.'  We also know storms are real.  They surprise us.  They are violent.  They come and go without warning, leaving us in the aftermath to clean up the mess.   If we knew what was coming, we might be better prepared.  In our gospel today, Jesus is out in the boat with his friends.  In the midst of a sudden storm, Jesus restores the calm.  Jesus is the calm in the midst of every storm we encounter.  Storms cannot be avoided or prevented.  When we are ready and prepared, the anxiety, the damage may not be as severe.  In the storms you face, trust Jesus is with you.  Let us not be surprised!  Jesus, brings calm to our roughest storms!  Jesus restores the gift of faith, trusting we will sail smooth once again as we feel the rush of The Wind!

1. Even when storms of every kind are all too real, God makes known Jesus is our calm IN the midst of every kind of storm.

A. Storms of every kind surprise us.  Jesus cannot prevent the storms we encounter.
Job 38; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; Mark 4:37

i. Storms of every kind are cruel and violent.

ii. Storms of every kind come and go, and then they leave us in the aftermath to clean up the mess.

iii. If we knew what was coming we might be better prepared.

B. Jesus can be trusted in the midst of every storm.
Mark 4:38

C. Jesus alone will restore the calm and the sense of peace.
Job 38; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Mark 4:39

2. As we encounter our days of smooth sailing, or as we get anxious while we watch a storm fast approaching, or when we find ourselves in the midst of what appears to be unbearable, let us feel the grace and hope of The Wind: Jesus is our CALM in the storm; we are not alone!

A. God makes known to us: Calm is in Christ trusting we are not alone, no matter the storm, or the journey.
Mark 4:38

B. God makes known to us: Calm is trusting the Almighty is more powerful than any storm.  As we face life's circumstances, we can call on the One who overcomes all that overwhelms.
Job 38; Mark 4:39

C. God makes known to us: Calm is in letting go, when we stop trying to fight the storm, when we see those things outside of our control.
Job 38; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Mark 4:40

D. God makes known to us: Calm is complete as we move forward and move on, even though storms rage around us.  Let us be like Job and not question.  Let us like the disciples be restored and trust the calm of Christ in our midst.

i. The winds in our lives will obey as we call on Christ, so let us declare calmness and do likewise.
Mark 4:41

ii. In Jesus, God will calm our fear and restore our calm through faith.
Mark 4:40

iii. Let us not be surprised by the rush of Christ’s presence to our side.
Job 38:4-6; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Mark 4:41

iv. With Jesus, feel a new sense of calm, as our lives and journey keep going forward, making known to all, we are not alone.
2 Corinthians 6:3; Mark 4:35-36;41

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
Lord I come, I confess,
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart,
You’re the one that guides my heart

refrain:
Lord, I need You, oh I need You,
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness,
Oh God, how I need You

vs. 2
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more, 
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord I am free,
Holiness is Christ in me

(refrain)

You’re my one defense, my righteousness,
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness,
Oh God, how I need You

...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Let us feel the rush of The Wind, in your Spirit, and your grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

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.”

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.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, as you feel the rush of The Wind in God’s saving grace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!

vs. 1
Before I spoke a word,
You were singing over me.
You have been so, so good to me.
Before I took a breath,
You breathed Your life in me.
You have been so, so kind to me.

refrain:
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending,
Reckless, love of God!
Oh, it chases me down,
Fights ‘til I’m found,
Leaves the ninety-nine.
I couldn’t earn it,
And I don’t deserve it,
Still You give Yourself away.
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending,
Reckless, love of God! Yeah

vs. 2:
When I was Your foe,
Still Your love fought for me.
You have been so, so good to me.
When I felt no worth,
You paid it all for me.
You have been so,
So kind to me.

(refrain)

Blessed assurance,
Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste
Of glory divine!
Heir of salvation,
Purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit,
Washed in his blood.

refrain:
This is my story,
This is my song,
Praising my Savior
All the day long:
This is my story,
This is my song,
Praising my Savior
All the day long.

Perfect submission,
Perfect delight,
Visions of rapture
Now burst on my sight;
Angels descending
Bring from above
Echoes of mercy,
Whispers of love.

(refrain)

Perfect submission,
All is at rest;
I in my Savior
Am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting,
Looking above,
Filled with his goodness
Lost in his love.

(refrain)

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A happy and blessed Father’s Day to one and all! Our support and our prayers for God’s very best go out to everyone on this blessed day!

Join us next Sunday, June 27, The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, “With The Rush of The Wind, I Touch You First!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on our Facebook page, under “videos.”

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the building. For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Celebrating The Rush of The Wind In Power & Grace, written based on Psalm 107. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “You Are” © 2005 Curb Dayspring Music, Words and Music by Mark Roach, CCLI #4387343 “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music, CCLI #120824 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Lord, I Need You” © 2011 sixsteps Music, CCLI #5925687 “Reckless Love” © 2017 Cory Asbury Publishing, CCLI #7089641 “Blessed Assurance” Words & Music Public Domain, CCLI #22324 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.