The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - July 11, 2021
All who are thirsty,
All who are weak,
Come to the fountain.
Dip your heart in the stream of life.
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be wash’d away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep.
We sing:
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
(repeat entire song)
Today we celebrate the One who knows we are so thirsty, quenches our thirst and fills our souls once again; in the rush of The Wind, we recognize what is so obvious in God’s mercy and grace, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Friends, our God is a faithful God and shepherd. We are invited to be renewed by him and to have our souls restored. Let us take a moment of silence to share with God our sins and those times we have failed to recognize The Good Shepherd in our midst.
(silence for reflection)
Friends of our faithful Lord: Today, once again, the pastures are green, and the waters in grace are made still. The Lord will forever recognize you and remember you. In the rush of The Wind, recognize the grace in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you of all your sins. Trust anew, live anew, go anew in what is so obvious: God’s grace in the old, old story, of Jesus and his love!
Loving God, you recognize the demands we face; and yet you restore us when we are tempted, you re-create us when we have fallen, and you renew our commitment to make you and our neighbors first. In the rush of The Wind, help us to recognize the obvious in all you make known: your power, your countless blessings, our need for you, and your saving grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. Jesus said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. ... When they had crossed, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about the whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
(New Revised Standard Version)
JEREMIAH 23:1-6; EPHESIANS 2:11-22; MARK 6:30-34,53-56
We do not always see or recognize what is right in front of us. We may see something or someone, but we may not acknowledge or realize or recognize the importance of the place, event or person. If not careful, if not intentional, if not observant we may not recognize the needs, the gifts, the uniqueness of co-workers, neighbors, friends or even family. As Jesus' disciples and apostles, what do we recognize? Do we recognize others - visitors, fellow church members, neighbors, those in passing - as brothers and sisters in Christ? What about Jesus, himself? Do we recognize gifts of grace, and all God makes known? In Mark today, we read the people `recognize Jesus and his disciples.' Do people recognize us as his disciples and apostles? When we are lost or wander about like sheep, in the rush of The Wind, The Good Shepherd recognizes us and has compassion on us. Let us recognize the grace of all God makes known in Jesus, The Good Shepherd, who recognizes us and all we need!
1. In the rush of The Wind, Jesus helps us recognize our obvious need for rest, renewal, recreation, and re-creation.
Ephesians 2:17-18; Mark 6:30-32
A. Jesus helps us recognize our obvious need to get away from it all.
B. To do mission effectively, to be devoted disciples and apostles, will require us to find rest and renewal.
C. Jesus recognizes our need to take time to go to those deserted places. Jesus satisfies our obvious need to be renewed, restored, and re-created.
2. In the rush of The Wind, Jesus helps us recognize our obvious need for a shepherd, our call to shepherd others.
Jeremiah 23:1-2,4; Mark 6:30-34
A. We need a guide, and so much more - that is obvious.
B. It is obvious, to shepherd others is not easy. May they recognize Christ in us.
C. Let us recognize our obvious need for Jesus to guide, protect, save us, and to grace us!
3. In the rush of The Wind, grace is given to recognize all God makes known in Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 23:3-6; Ephesians 2:12-21; Mark 6:33,54-56
A. God graces us to recognize he alone lifts us up!
B. Christ graces us to recognize he has made us one people.
C. We have a cornerstone, others are longing to recognize.
D. Let us clearly recognize: `The days are surely coming!'
E. In the rush of The Wind, Jesus will help us see and recognize more of what is so obvious: Our need for him, our daily and eternal dependence on him and the peace we have in The Shepherd. Even when Jesus steps back to rest a while, Jesus recognizes us, has compassion on us, and graces us!
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
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory,
Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know it’s true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else would do.
refrain:
I love to tell the story;
I’ll sing this theme in glory,
And tell the old, old story,
Of Jesus and his love.
vs. 2
I love to tell the story:
How pleasant to repeat,
What seems, each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story,
For some have never heard,
The message of salvation,
From God’s own holy Word.
(refrain)
vs. 3
I love to tell the story,
For those who know it best,
Seem hungering and thirsting,
To hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
I’ll sing the old, old story,
That I have loved so long.
(refrain)
...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.
O God, You are my God,
And I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God,
And I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning,
And I will learn to walk in Your ways;
And step by step You’ll lead me,
And I will follow You all of my days.
(repeat as led)
(last time)
And step by step You’ll lead me,
And I will follow You all of my days.
The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace, this day, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ, The Lord of life. 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
Over all the earth, You reign on high.
Ev’ry mountain stream, Ev’ry sunset sky.
But my one request, Lord, my only aim,
Is that You’d reign in me again.
refrain:
Lord, reign in me, reign in Your pow’r,
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour;
You are the Lord of all I am.
So won’t you reign in me again?
vs. 2
Over ev’ry thought, over ev’ry word,
May my life reflect, the beauty of my Lord;
‘Cause You mean more to me, than any earthly thing.
So won’t You reign in me again?
(refrain twice)
Won’t You reign in me again?
Won’t You reign in me again?
Liking posts like this one helps get the word out about Lord of Life! Consider sharing posts like this with friends who may be missing their faith-based communities. Leave a comment and let us know what you liked or what moved you this week!
Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!
Join us next Sunday, July 25, The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost, “More Than At First, In The Rush of The Wind!” Worship includes a Children’s Message, a Sermon, and 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 is now offered once again during worship, 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 23. “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. “There Is Joy In The Lord” Words and Music by Cheri Keaggy © 1992, 1993 Sparrow Song, CCLI #1184209 “All Who Are Thirsty” © 1998 Vineyard Songs, CCLI #2489542 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “I Love to Tell the Story” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #29413 “Step by Step © 1991 Kid Brothers of St. Frank Publishing, CCLI #696994 “Lord, Reign In Me” © 1998 Vineyard Songs CCLI #2490706 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.
