The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - July 16, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE - The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Upcoming Events
Vacation Bible School!
”Rejoice In The Lord Always, Again, I Say Rejoice!”
Monday, July 17 - July 20, 2023, 9:30AM-11:30AM
Sunday Worship - The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
”Even In Every Gentle Breeze … Kind Of Risky!”
July 23, 2023, 9:30AM
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering In Spirit & Grace
Awake My Soul
Tomlin
refrain:
Awake awake awake my soul
God resurrect these bones
From death to life for You alone
Awake my soul
vs. 1
Breathe on me breath of God
Breathe on me
Breathe on me breath of God
Breathe on me
I come alive I’m alive
When You breathe on me
I come alive I’m alive
When You breathe on me
(refrain)
vs. 2
Speak to me Word of God
Speak to me
Speak to me Word of God
Speak to me
I come alive I’m alive
When You speak to me
I come alive I’m alive
When You speak to me
(refrain twice)
Litany Trusting God’s Faithfulness & Grace In Every Gentle Breeze
Based on Psalm 145
Today we celebrate and trust anew, the very breath of God, awakes our souls, and roots us deep in faith and grace, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. I will bless you, my God and King, I will bless your name forever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. Every generation shall declare your mighty acts.
Friends, our God is majestic and his works are filled with wonder and splendor. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to root ourselves deep in the amazing grace and the overflowing mercy of our God.
(silence for reflection)
Friends of our merciful Lord: Hear the righteousness of our Savior once again; feel the gentle breeze of new life springing forth; root yourselves deeply in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you of all your sins. Sink your roots deep in faith; trust anew the One who gives you life and forever changes your heart!
Song Rooted Anew In Grace
Change My Heart, O God
Espinosa
Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
May I be like You
You are the Potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray
Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
May I be like You
The Lord upholds all who fall, and he raises up those who are bowed down. Lord, all eyes look to you; to grow deep in your Word. By your Holy Spirit, open our ears and help us listen!
Friends in faith: The Lord is our song and comes near, making us good soil, rooting us in faith, satisfying our needs, hearing our every cry, saving each one of us. Feel the gentle breeze of God’s grace; sing praises to the One who is life, and forever changes you heart!
Song Rooted Anew In Grace
Change My Heart, O God
Espinosa
Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
May I be like You
You are the Potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray
Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
May I be like You
Loving God, you are our source of real growth and hope. Do not let us simply spring up quickly and then wither away. Do not let other desires and temptations choke out our commitment to make you and our neighbors first. Through the gentle breeze of your Spirit, change our hearts again and again, nurture us daily in faith to grow in grace, and to sink our roots deep in the Lord of all life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 55:10-13
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be, that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn, shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier, shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do; by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law – indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song Rooted Anew In Hope & Grace
This Is My Father’s World
Babcock & Sheppard
vs. 1
This is my Father’s world
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is my Father’s world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought
vs. 2
This is my Father’s world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light the lily white
Declare their maker’s praise
This is my Father’s world
He shines in all that’s fair
In the rustling grass I hear him pass
He speaks to me ev’rywhere
vs. 3
This is my Father’s world
Oh let me not forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet
This is my Father’s world
Why should my heart be sad
The Lord is King let the heavens ring
God reigns let the earth be glad
Gospel
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” ... Jesus then continued, “Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; that is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
based on Psalm 89
As we share gentle breezes of The Spirit this summer, let us share our faith and speak boldly of all we believe, trusting the living breath of The Spirit and God’s saving grace.
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the sky can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, great and awesome above all that are around him? O Lord, God of hosts, who is as mighty as you? Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.
DEEPLY ROOTED IN GRACE!
ISAIAH 55:10-13; ROMANS 8:1-11; MATTHEW 13:1-9, 18-23
Do you like to garden? Are you amazed as you watch things grow? What kinds of things do you like to plant? As you garden, do you like preparing the soil? Are you one who carefully cares for your plants, or are you more likely to let them be and do the best they can on their own? There is little doubt real growth takes time and commitment. As we read today the Parable of the Sower, we are reminded to sink our roots deep. As we share this parable and the promising Word of God, we are also nurtured in the truth of the committed Sower of the seed. There is One who gardens best of all, who loves to watch things grow, who plants the best plants, who amends and preps the soil best of all, who is invested more than others, who is committed to grace us, to be deeply rooted. Today and every day, as `we who have ears listen,' feel the gentle breeze of The Spirit, for the Sower has still more seeds to sow in our lives. Be amazed by the best Sower of all: God is gracing us to go deep, to sow new seeds, to be deeply rooted, to grow in faith like never before!
1. The Sower in grace alone went out to sow ... a sower went out to sow the seed of God’s Word, God’s saving grace, in YOU!
Matthew 13:3
A. YOU were chosen to receive this seed. The life in this seed was given to YOU! A seed implies more to still come, and yet, life already exists in grace alone!
Matthew 13:8
B. The life of this seed was rooted deep in YOU, sunk deep into the soil. YOU have been amended, made ready, nourished and fed the best of nutrients in grace alone.
Matthew 13:18-19,23
C. The life of The Word in YOU is nurtured as YOU grow in the Spirit and not the flesh, in grace alone.
Romans 8:4,6,9-10
D. The life of The Word in YOU is fed with Light in grace alone, even while others try to grow and live and exist in the dark.
Romans 8:9-11; Matthew 13:1-2,18-19
E. The life of The Word was rooted deep in YOU to bring forth grain and fruit, thanks to grace alone.
Matthew 13:8
F. The life of The Word was rooted deeply in YOU for YOU and God, to enjoy long life, the longest of life, in grace alone.
Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:2
2. A parable is a story Jesus uses to teach a truth about God’s grace. Feel the gentle breeze of The Sower, planting life, giving life, nurturing life, transforming life, in YOU with every seed sown in YOU. YOU are rooted, deeply rooted! Be amazed by all that is growing in YOU, sown by the best Sower of all!
Matthew 13:23
A. There is One who in grace alone sows, plants, invests, commits, preps, amends, watches, maintains, roots and enjoys life and new life best of all!
Matthew 13:1-3,18
B. The Sower in grace alone will accomplish his purpose and he will succeed.
Isaiah 55:1
C. The Sower in grace alone will not allow the flesh to choke out the Spirit.
Matthew 13:7
D. The Sower in grace alone will not allow us to simply spring up and then wither away.
Matthew 13:5-6
E. Feel the gentle breeze of The Sower, to grace YOU, to deeply root YOU, and to bring forth life and faith in YOU like never before!
Matthew 13:8
Gardening God’s Way
Author Unknown (as adapted from http://www.lbdsoftware.com/godsgarden.html)
Gardening God’s Way
Plant three rows of peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another
No garden should be without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There is abundance in your garden....
Because you reap what you sow.
To conclude our garden, We must have thyme:
Thyme for God
Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer
Pretty nice garden!
The Only Flag That Doesn’t Fly
Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It's a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB.
Check out the dimensions of the flag. The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter, each Stripe is 30 feet wide.
This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.
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.
Song Rooted Anew In Hope & Grace
In Grace Alone
Nelson & Brown
Ev’ry promise we can make
Ev’ry prayer and step of faith
Ev’ry diff’rence we will make
Is only by His grace
Ev’ry mountain we will climb
Wv’ry ray of hope we shine
Ev’ry blessing left behind
Is only by His grace
Grace alone which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us our Cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone
We will go forth in grace alone
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Let us feel the gentle breeze of 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 during our service. 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.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
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.
Songs During Holy Communion
We Believe
Fike/Collins/Hooper
vs. 1
In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe
We believe
refrain 1:
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s coming back again
We believe
vs. 2
So let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe
We believe
(refrain 1 then bridge)
bridge:
Let the lost be found
And the dead be raised
In the here and now
Let love invade
Let the Church live loud
Our God will save
We believe
We believe
And the gates of hell
Will not prevail
For the pow’r of God
Has torn the veil
Now we know Your love
Will never fail
We believe
We believe
(refrain 2)
refrain 2:
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s coming back
He’s coming back again
He’s coming back again
We believe
We believe
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 gentle breeze of The Spirit and 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, blessed to be God’s people and God’s Church, together serving The Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
Going Anew In Light & Grace
This Little Light of Mine
African American Spiritual
vs. 1
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
vs. 2
Ev’rywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Ev’rywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Ev’rywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
vs. 3
Jesus gave it to me
I’m gonna let it shine
Jesus gave it to me
I’m gonna let it shine
Jesus gave it to me
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
(repeat first verse)
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
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Today, Sunday, July 16, we celebrate The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost! “Deeply Rooted In Grace … Thanks To Every Gentle Breeze!”
Join us next Sunday, July 23, as we celebrate The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost! “Even In Every Gentle Breeze … Kind Of Risky!”
Join us this week for Vacation Bible School, July 17-20, 9:30-11:30 a.m. “Rejoice In The Lord Always, Again, I Say Rejoice!” This free event is open to all children 3 years old and older! Invite your friends! Each morning will include singing, Bible stories, crafts, snack, and outdoor fun and water play!
As we share our worship, we give thanks for every volunteer as you bless our ministry, greeting, ushering, nursery, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, fellowship, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. 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 sanctuary.
We hope our worship 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.
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 Trusting The Gentle Breeze Of God’s Faithfulness And Grace – written based on Psalm 145. “This Is My Father’s World” “This Little Light of Mine” Words and Music Public Domain, © 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 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Awake My Soul” © 2012 S.D.G. Publishing, CCLI #6453172 “Change My Heart, O God” © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1565 “This Is My Father’s World” Words and Music Public Domain, OL #97777 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Grace Alone” © 1998 Maranatha! Music, CCLI #2335524 “We Believe” © Integrity Worship Music, CCLI #6367165 “This Little Light of Mine” Words and Music Public Domain. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.