Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

August 2, 2020

ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCH

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Personal Prayer: “Lord, speak to me today through the Scriptures and Symbols of this Pentecost Season!”

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

“Empowered by the Holy Spirit, We share our Faith, by Loving and Serving our Neighbor.”

People of St. Matthew MinistersPastor Scott Lee PastorDeacon Jeanne G. Sach Director of MusicDisciples Welcomed Ushers

WELCOME! Thank you for coming to worship God at St. Matthew. May your hearts be touched and your minds inspired to be all that God is calling you to be. Please come again and invite others to come with you.HOLY COMMUNION: The Lord Jesus welcomes everyone to share in his real presence with us here today in Holy Communion. The method of communion is intinction, as you come to the table by the center aisle, receive the bread, place the bread reverently in the wine or grape juice chalice, and acknowledge God’s gift by saying Amen. Please return to your seats by side aisle. If you do not wish to receive Communion you are invited to come to the table for a blessing.Matthew 28:19 “…Go, and make disciples” If you are either looking for a church home or know of others who would like to become a member of a church that is Gospel-filled and Spirit-led, look no farther St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church is the church where you can be nourished in God’s Word and welcomed into serving in ministry. Please let Pastor Lee know of your interest and he will contact you about becoming a member of this church. Welcome – and be inspired by the transformative Word of God! THE INTRODUCTION: In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

Contact Information:

Email: St.matthewwoodlyn1913@gmail.comChurch website: http://stmatthewlutheranwoodlyn.orgSummer Camp / Preschool Website: https://stmatthewwoodlynforkids.weebly.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmatthewlutheranwoodlyn/Pastor Lee Email: St.matthewwoodlyn1913@gmail.comOffice Hours: Tuesday and Friday 8:15am to 3:30pm

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* Confession and ForgivenessAll may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,whose steadfast love is everlasting,whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.Amen.Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.Silence is kept for reflection.Reconciling God,we confess that we do not trust your abundance,and we deny your presence in our lives.We place our hope in ourselvesand rely on our own efforts.We fail to believe that you provide enough for all.We abuse your good creation for our own benefit.We fear difference and do not welcome othersas you have welcomed us.We sin in thought, word, and deed.By your grace, forgive us;through your love, renew us;and in your Spirit, lead us;so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen.Beloved of God,by the radical abundance of divine mercywe have peace with God through ☩ Christ Jesus,through whom we have obtained grace upon grace.Our sins are forgiven.Let us live now in hope.For hope does not disappoint,because God’s love has been poured into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit.Amen.

*The Gathering Hymn “Morning Has Broken” ELW 556 (Listen and Follow or Solo)

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*The GreetingP: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.C: And also with you.

*The Kyrie (Spoken)

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*The Hymn of Praise (Spoken)

P: The Lord be with youC: And also with you.

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*Prayer of the DayP: Let us prayC: Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance. Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 55:1-5God invites Israel to a great feast at which both food and drink are free. God also promises to make an everlasting covenant with all peoples, with promises that previously had been limited to Israel. As David was a witness to the nations, these nations shall now acknowledge the ways in which God has glorified Israel. 1Ho, everyone who thirsts,  come to the waters; and you that have no money,  come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price. 2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. 3Incline your ear, and come to me;  listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant,  my steadfast, sure love for David. 4See, I made him a witness to the peoples,  a leader and commander for the peoples. 5See, you shall call nations that you do not know,  and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,  for he has glorified you.

The Word of The Lord: Thanks be to God

The Psalm Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Ps. 145:16)

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 8The LORD is gracious and full | of compassion,  slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love. 9LORD, you are | good to all,  and your compassion is over | all your works. R 14The Lord upholds all | those who fall  and lifts up those who | are bowed down. 15The eyes of all wait upon | you, O LORD,  and you give them their food | in due season. 16You open | wide your hand  and satisfy the desire of every | living thing. 17You are righteous in | all your ways  and loving in | all your works. R 18You are near to all who | call upon you,  to all who call up- | on you faithfully. 19You fulfill the desire of | those who fear you;  you hear their | cry and save them. 20You watch over all | those who love you,  but all the wicked you | shall destroy. 21My mouth shall speak the praise | of the LORD;  let all flesh bless God’s holy name forev- | er and ever. R

Second Reading Romans 9:1-5This begins a new section in Paul’s letter in which he will deal with the place of Israel in God’s saving plan. He opens by highlighting how Israel’s heritage and legacy include being God’s children, having God’s covenants, being given God’s law, participating in worship of God, and receiving divine promises.1I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit—2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Word of The Lord: Thanks be to God

*The Alleluia (Spoken)

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P: The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 17th Chapter (Spoken)

* Gospel Matthew 17:1-91Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

P: The Gospel of the Lord. (Spoken)

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The Sermon “Is this heaven? No, it’s Iowa” Pastor Scott R. Lee

*Hymn of The Day “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” ELW 461 (Listen and Follow or Solo)

*Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.* On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

*Prayers of The Church p. 15A: Lord, in your mercy. C: Hear our prayer.

*Sharing of The PeaceP: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

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C: And also with you.P: Let us share the peace from a distance.

Tithes and Offerings* The Offertory (Spoken)

*The Offertory PrayerA: Let us prayC: God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours, and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. Water and word, wine and bread: these are signs of your abundant grace. Nourish us through these gifts, that we might proclaim your steadfast love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song. Amen.

*The Great Thanksgiving

P: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.

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P: Lift up your hearts.C: We lift them to the Lord.P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.P: It is indeed right and salutary……….we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

*The Holy, holy, holy Lord (Spoken)

*The Eucharistic PrayerP: 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.By your Spirit bless us and this meal,

that, refreshed with this heavenly food,we may be light for the world,revealing the brilliance of your Son. C: Amen

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(Spoken)

*The Lord’s PrayerOur 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.

Distribution of Holy Communion

The Communion Hymn “I Come With Joy” ELW 482

*The Communion BlessingP: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.C: Amen

*The Post Communion Canticle (Spoken)

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*Post Communion Prayer A: God of the welcome table, in this meal we have feasted on your goodness and have been united by your presence among us. Empower us to go forth sustained by these gifts so that we may share your neighborly love with all, through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life.

C: Amen.Announcements

*BlessingP: Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God, the creator, ☩ Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, bless you and keep you in eternal love.

C: Amen.*Sending Hymn “Go my Children with my Blessing” ELW 543 (Listen and Follow or Solo) *Dismissal to ServiceA: Go in peace. Christ is with you.

C: Thanks be to God.

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Sundays and Seasons.com Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License#SASO22375. Hymns reprinted with All Rights Reserved by CCL1 License #139617 and One License #729686-A

The bulletins today are given to the Glory of God.

The flowers today are given to the Glory of God.

Sponsor Altar Flowers! Contact Linda Graeff, Cathy Lynam, Dan Lozier or Pastor with the details of when you would like to sponsor the altar flowers, or bulletin and the wording of dedication you would like to appear in the Sunday bulletin for that day. Flowers and bulletins are $15.

Zoom Worship For those who still wish to worship from home can log in and view our live worship service every Sunday at 9:00 am. You can also view a recording after the service which will be posted on the church webpage and facebook page https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83556081718?pwd=cjhucWlrcWRZVFZQ2pNb25VUT09

Meeting ID: 835 568 1718

Password: 057136

Prayers of IntercessionThe prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.A brief silence.You take resources that appear to be meager, bless them, and there is enough. May your church trust that what you bless and ask us to share with the world is abundantly sufficient. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

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Your bountiful creation offers sustenance and life for all creatures. Protect this abundance for the well-being of all. Reverse the damage we have caused your creation (local needs may be named). Replenish ground water supplies, provide needed rains in places of drought, and protect forests from wildfires. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.You offer yourself to all the nations and peoples of the earth, inviting everyone to abundant life. Bring the prophetic vision to fullness, that all nations will run to you and that nations who do not know you will find their joy in you. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Hear the anguish of tender hearts who cry to you in suffering and satisfy their deepest needs. Bring wholeness and healing to those who suffer in body, heart, soul, and mind (especially). Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.You offer freely the fullness of salvation. Give our congregation (name) such a welcoming heart, that our words and actions may extend your free and abundant hospitality to all whom we encounter. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.Here other intercessions may be offered.You gather your saints as one, united in the body of Jesus. Bring us with all your saints to the heavenly banquet. We remember with love and thanksgiving the saints we have known (especially). Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.GOSPEL MESSAGENINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Abundance from ScrapsJesus is able to feed us abundantly, even with scraps. He meets earthly needs by feeding the crowds and continues now to offer himself as holy meal, freely given to all, no matter their income or rank in society. Advertisers have trained us that what’s proclaimed as FREE usually isn’t. More often, it’s a ploy to get our money for some other, larger, purchase. Today we are invited to trust and receive Jesus’ free gift of love without mistrusting that he’s got up his sleeve some scheme to swindle our money.

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It can be hard to relax and trust God to take care of us and nourish us with the mere scraps we often see around us. We panic and take matters into our own hands instead of trusting. We experience that crushing sense of responsibility, not just to ourselves, but to our children or parents or other loved ones to keep them fed and clothed and healthy. Trusting as the crowd did that day seems completely foreign to those of us living in North America, abundant in resources.With food freely given, with quantity enough to feed only a few, Jesus makes this miracle, and there are leftovers to clean up. But for most of us, belief comes slowly and warily when we’ve been burned by experience: how will there be enough for all of us, when we’ve been the last one at the lunch line, the late arrival at the party, and everything’s gone? What if we see people in the crowd we don’t want fed and jostle our way to the head of the line to get first choice? Will it be fair? Trusting that our daily bread and even our very lives are in God’s hands is hard to do as we grow older and burdened by responsibility, but God has compassion for every member of the crowd, and we are blessed and invited to be joyful recipients of that generosity.

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