The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - July 4, 2021

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down.

I feel better, so much better,
Since I laid my burden down.
I feel better, so much better,
Since I laid my burden down.

Feel like shouting, “Hallelujah!”
Since I laid my burden down.
Feel like shouting, “Hallelujah!”
Since I laid my burden down.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down.

Since I laid my burden down.

Today we celebrate and trust anew, God’s healing presence and grace invite us to lay our burdens down, to feel the rush of The Wind, to go even farther than we first think, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

People of God: Come, see, all God has done. Come and hear all God is sending us out to do. God is awesome, and has truly turned death into life. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have not trusted we are sent to go farther than we think in the rush of The Wind.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: you have been restored! Feel the rush of The Wind in God’s grace: Jesus heals, Jesus saves, Jesus forgives you all your sins. Believe The Lord never looks away from us. Rejoice! You are blessed to go anew, to go now, farther than you think!

God of compassion and all goodness; today as we worship you, we trust you anew. You are the source of every miracle; your grace is at the center of healing and restoring all that is broken and uncertain in our lives. By your Holy Spirit, rush in like The Wind, keep us faithful as we follow Jesus, to then as we go together where you send us, to go where you lead us, to go farther than we think, to make known you are worthy of all our praise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On 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! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their disbelief. Then Jesus went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If 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.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil, many who were sick and cured them.

(New Revised Standard Version)

EZEKIEL 2:1-5; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:2-10; MARK 6:1-13

Have you ever started a task, a project, an assignment, an appointment, thinking you knew what was required of you, only to find out you had to do more?  Even simple things like baking in the kitchen, may require more ingredients and more clean up than you think.  Mowing the lawn is great; trimming the yard requires more.  Painting makes everything like new, only if you pay attention to each corner and every little detail.  Parenting, careers, financial security all can require more than you think at first.  Today as we are reminded Jesus clearly sends us out two by two; we are also reminded discipleship, apostleship, keeping the faith and sharing a faithful witness always require us to go farther than we may think.  Feel the rush of The Wind, trust and celebrate, God in Jesus Christ has gone farther than anyone of us would have imagined possible!

1. As followers of Jesus Christ, feel the rush of The Wind and believe, we will be sent to go farther than we think when it comes to apostleship and discipleship.
Ezekiel 2:4-5; Mark 6:1-4,7

A. Commitment, obedience, service, conviction, stewardship, proclamation, devotion, faithfulness, doing what God asks of us, and going where God sends us, will require us often to go farther than we think.  The rush of The Wind will give us courage to go outside of our comfort zone.

B. We are sent “two by two,” and `we have been given authority.’

i. Items, information and people are sent every day for the sake of getting things done; to inform, to announce, to advocate, to proclaim, to teach, to invite, to console.

ii. Items, information and people are sent by express, first class, special delivery, insured, and certification.

iii. We are sent every day with the rush of The Wind to go farther than we think in the power and grace of Jesus.

a. To pray, to serve, to anoint, to worship, to glorify, to teach, to honor, to offer hope.

b. Two by two, never alone, with authority, fully certified, with Jesus, for Jesus, in Jesus’ name.

2. As followers of Jesus Christ, feel the rush of The Wind and believe, we will be called to go farther than we think when it comes to our journey in faith and making God and our neighbors first.
Ezekiel 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Mark 6:5-7

A. Even when others do not respect us or accept us, we will be able to go farther than we think, with the grace of Christ.

B. Even when we think we can go no farther, with the rush of The Wind, we can surrender and trust, rather than fight to control or try to do it all on our own.

3. With the rush of The Wind, God in the power and grace of Jesus Christ, goes so much farther than we think!
Ezekiel 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Mark 6:8, 12-13

A. God goes farther than we think as we realize God needs us, even though we are mere mortals.

B. God in Jesus goes farther than we think to encourage us and to lead us in apostleship, discipleship and faith.

C. God did not rest until he went as far he needed to, to save us! When it comes to forgiveness, freedom, mission, blessing and salvation, like the rush of The Wind, God goes farther than we think!

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 have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, No turning back!

vs. 2
Though no one joins me, still I will follow,
Though no one joins me, still I will follow,
Though no one joins me, still I will follow,
No turning back, No turning back!

vs. 3
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
No turning back, No turning back!
(repeat first verse)

...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!

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, my home, sweet home.
God bless America, my home, sweet home!

(repeat)

vs. 1
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.

vs. 2
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat,
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thy every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control;
Thy liberty, in law.

vs. 3
O beautiful for heroes proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self
Their country loved, 
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine, 
‘Til all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine.

vs. 4
O beautiful for patriot dream,
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.

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A blessed Fourth of July weekend to one and all! Join us next Sunday, July 11, The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost, “No Mistaken Identity, In The Rush of The Wind!” 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 66. “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. “The Potter’s Hands” © 1997 Wonders Worship, Words and Music by Darlene Zschech, CCLI #2449771 “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!” © Words and Music Public Domain, this arr. © 1992 Carl Haywood “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” Words and Music Public Domain (Hindustani folk song), OL #97933 “God Bless America” © 1938, 1939 Irving Berlin, OL #123241 “America the Beautiful” © 1956 Fred Bock Music Company CCLI #1881629  All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.