The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - August 29, 2021
vs. 1
The Lord is my light and my salvation,
The Lord is my light and my salvation,
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
refrain:
Whom shall I fear,
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Whom shall I fear?
vs. 3
Wait on the Lord and be of good courage,
Oh, wait on the Lord and be of good courage,
Wait on the Lord and be of good courage;
He shall strengthen thy heart.
(refrain)
Today the rush of The Wind makes us anew in the One who is our light and our salvation, revealing once again, a new tradition in the God’s grace, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
People of God: Jesus secures righteousness for all who trust in him. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have trusted human traditions for traditions’ sake, failing to put our trust in the Lord!
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ, today believe God has changed what was into what is, as we feel the rush of The Wind of God’s grace in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Let us sing, for the mercies of the Lord have changed our darkness into brilliant light!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
People of Faith: In the rush of The Wind, take delight in God’s Word and commandments. Trust anew in the tradition that lasts forever of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ. Now and forever sing, of the mercies of the Lord!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
Loving God, today we give thanks for the gift of faith to trust anew in you and your power. May our traditions always point to our new life in your grace. In the rush of The Wind, by your Spirit, renew us again to make God and our neighbors first, with our lips, with our hands and our hearts, trusting you alone bless us with forgiveness, strength, salvation, and hope. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act – they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” Jesus said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” ... Then Jesus called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” ... “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
DEUTERONOMY 4:1-2, 6-9; JAMES 1:17-27; MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
We have traditions we celebrate, keep alive. Traditions are important. Some traditions, however, leave us asking why this or that is important, why such traditions matter to someone else? In your Christian walk, what are the traditions most important for you? Why? Today we hear Jesus' word against tradition for tradition's sake. If what we do in our spiritual life becomes more vital than who we do it with and who we do it for, then we have missed the importance altogether! Today the rush of The Wind gives peace, assurance, hope and energy in this simple and powerful truth: If God was more focused on tradition for tradition's sake, there would be no Jesus! May we forever celebrate the enduring, timeless, eternal tradition of God's saving grace.
1. Traditions help us celebrate, keep moments, memories, mission alive. Traditions are important to us. In the rush of The Wind, Jesus makes known tradition for tradition’s sake means nothing, without grace.
A. For most of us, some traditions leave us wondering why this or that, why such traditions are so vital to someone else.
B. In your Christian walk, what are some of the traditions that are most important for you? Why?
C. Today we hear Jesus' word makes known, tradition for tradition's sake means nothing, without grace.
Mark 7:1-5
2. In the rush of The Wind, difficult traditional truths are made known: `humans will be human.’
Deuteronomy 4:9; James 1:22-23; Mark 7:1-6,8,15
A. It is very human of us to hold onto the tradition of making rules and following the rules, as long as they work for us.
B. It is traditionally human of us to make excuses and to let our words speak louder than our actions.
C. Traditions can build foundation when the traditions themselves build on the foundation. Traditions crumble when they are built for their own sake. In the rush of The Wind, let us make God’s grace known as a foundation and a living tradition `to our children and to our children's children.'
3. Hear anew the tradition for God to be God! God is the one in charge. In the rush of The Wind, peace and assurance and hope and energy are made known again in the tradition of this truth: If God was more focused on tradition for tradition's sake, there would be no Jesus!
Deuteronomy 4:7-9; James 1:18-22; Mark 7:8
A. It is a tradition: God's traditions, grounded in grace, are vital for our salvation's sake.
B. It is a tradition: God makes rules for us, then breaks them for us!
C. It is tradition: God is at work in what we do, not how we do it. Our favorite phrase, `we've never done it that way before.' If that was the case, we would have no Jesus. God puts James' words into action.
D. It is tradition: God's traditions are vital, not for tradition's sake, but for the sake of salvation. Trust God keeps the tradition, the truth, of salvation alive for us, for our children, and for our children's children.
4. Today, may we feel the rush of The Wind, blessing us so our traditions never become what matter most, blessing us to celebrate and keep alive, the enduring, timeless, eternal tradition of God’s saving grace, in the new tradition, in the new, fulfilled, truth and grace of Jesus Christ!
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, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
refrain:
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord,
If you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
vs. 3
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
‘Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
(refrain twice)
...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.
refrain:
It is the cry of my heart to follow You.
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow,
All of the days of my life.
vs. 1
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord,
So I can walk in Your truth.
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord,
And make me wholly devoted to You.
(refrain)
vs. 2
Open my eyes so I can see
The wonderful things that You do.
Open my heart up more and more
And make me wholly devoted to You.
(refrain twice)
All of the days of my life, all of the days of my life.
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!
refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze,
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
Flood the nations with love and mercy;
Send forth your Word,
Lord, and let there be light!
vs. 1
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me:
(refrain)
vs. 2
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
So our faces display your likeness,
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here, may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me, shine on me:
(refrain)
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Join us next Sunday, September 5, The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost, “God Is Who God Is, Going Out of His Way!” 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.”
Join us in two weeks, on Sunday, September 12, for Celebration Sunday, including “Blessing of the Backpacks!” Bring your backpacks and invite your neighbors and friends!
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.
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 112. “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 Lord Is My Light” © 1980 Savgos Music, Inc., CCLI #315103 “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord” © Words and Music Public Domain. CCLI #23316 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I Am, Lord)” © 1981 Daniel L. Schutte & New Dawn Music, OL # 80670 “Cry of My Heart” © 1991, this arr. © 1997 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #844980 “Shine, Jesus, Shine” © 1987 Make Way Music CCLI #30426 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.
