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The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

August 20, 2017

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

215 N. Warren St.

Orwigsburg, PA

570-366-2316

www.stpauls-orwigsburg.org

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Rev. Lee A. Diefenderfer 610-858-4136 1295 Red Dale Road

Orwigsburg, PA 17961

Justin McClure, Organist/Choir Director 570-573-4076

Office Support Staff – justin@stpauls-orwigsburg.org 570-366-2316

Karen Travor, Treasurer 570-366-8757

Wayne Lutsey, Financial Secretary 570-366-8766

Jessica Swick, Social Media Manager 936-648-6809

– jessica@stpauls-orwigsburg.org

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Welcome to worship. Today we are using Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the

red book, found in the pew racks.

Introduction to the day: In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of

prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite

woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request

that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our

church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering

around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and

justice for those in need.

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GATHERING

PRELUDE “Trumpet Tune” R. Lau

GATHERING HYMN Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness #843

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

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HYMN OF PRAISE Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.

Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy,

that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our

Savior and Lord. Amen.

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WORD

A Reading from Genesis

After Judah offered himself in place of his brother Benjamin, 1Joseph could no

longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send

everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself

known to his brothers. 2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the

household of Pharaoh heard it. 3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my

father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at

his presence.

4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer.

He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5And now do not

be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me

before you to preserve life. 6For the famine has been in the land these two years;

and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive

for you many survivors. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made

me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has

made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10You shall settle in the

land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your

children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11I will

provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that

you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ 12And

now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth

that speaks to you. 13You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt,

and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14Then he fell

upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers

talked with him.

(Genesis 45:1-15)

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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A Reading from Romans

Paul writes: 1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an

Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2aGod has

not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30Just as you were once

disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so

they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too

may now receive mercy. 32For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he

may be merciful to all.

(Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32)

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

VERSE

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Gospel Matthew 15: 21-28

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just then

a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy

on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not

answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away,

for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep

of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help

me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the

dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their

masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be

done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY Lift Every Voice and Sing #841

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APOSTLE’S CREED

P. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

C. 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

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CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, let us be reconciled to

God and to one another.

I confess to God almighty, before the whole company of heaven, and to

you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned by my own fault in

thought, word, and deed. I pray God Almighty to have mercy on me,

forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life.

Almighty and merciful God grant you healing, pardon, and

forgiveness of all your sins. Amen.

I confess to God almighty, before the whole company of heaven, and

to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned by my own

fault in thought, word, and deed. I pray God Almighty to have mercy

on me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life.

Almighty and merciful God grant you healing, pardon, and forgiveness of

all your sins. Amen.

PRAYER

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us pray for the church and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence. Each petition ends: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through

your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PEACE

The Peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

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OFFERING

Ushers will provide the offering plates from the center aisle.

Please see that the plate is passed to the far end of the pew to the stained glass

window side. Please pass the plate back to the center aisle.

Musical Offering *“O God Beyond All Praising” G. Holst

Steve Couch, Horn

OFFERTORY HYMN I Come with Joy

MEAL

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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It is indeed right, our duty, and joy…join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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.

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THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 forever. Amen.

DISTRIBUTION

COMMUNION HYMN Healer of Our Every Ill #612

TABLE BLESSING

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in

his grace. Amen

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

God our Father, may the Spirit you sent on your Church to begin the teaching of the

Gospel continue to work in the world through all who have received this heavenly

food; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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SENDING

BLESSING

Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.

SENDING HYMN Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing #545

THE DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE “Festive March”

Our Liturgy and Music are used by permission through Augsburg Fortress License #20611.

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PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO Saturday Evening Service on Saturday,

August 26 or Saturday, September 2.

Altar flowers are presented in memory of Pauline Berger by the Guers family.

Chancel flowers are presented in honor of Bobby & Niki Schuld’s wedding by Bob

& Wendy Schuld.

Today’s bulletins are presented in honor of my grandchildren by Barb Sterner.

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SERVING TODAY:

9:15 AM

LECTOR: Gwen Wehr; COMMUNION ASSISTANT: Greg Sklar; USHERS: Tom

& Gwen Wehr; GREETERS: Chris Long & Greg Sklar; COUNTERS: Joyce

O’Rourke, Gloria Dierwechter, & Dana Jenkins; ALTAR GUILD: Kathy Miller

& Connie Teter; ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER: Danika Bolinsky.

SERVING NEXT WEEK (8/27/17):

9:15 AM

LECTOR: Tom Wehr; COMMUNION ASSISTANT: Connie Teter; USHER:

Cindy & Greg Sklar; GREETERS: Chris Long & Cindy Sklar; COUNTERS:

Connie Teter, Jean Premich, & Barb Sterner; ALTAR GUILD: Gwen Wehr &

Gloria Dierwechter; ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER: Maddie Swick.

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SUMMER MUSICIANS

Don’t miss these upcoming musicians!

8/27/17 – Tom & Gwen Wehr, Duet

9/3/17 – Jan, Robin, Barb, Wendy, & Justin

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St. Paul's Youth Mission Trip Mustard Seed Dine In/Out

DiMaio’s Mustard Seed Café

Wednesday, September 13 from 4 PM - 10 PM

Support the St. Paul's Youth Mission Trip to Houston, TX (Summer 2018) while

enjoying a nice dinner out with family and friends. The Youth Group receives 10%

of all sales made, dining in or taking out, including gift card sales.

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CHANGE IN WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Return to 8:00 & 10:30 AM on Sunday, September 10.

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REFORMATION 500

Check out the new selection of REFORMATION 500 books that are located in the

Library Corner area of the Gathering Room.

NEEDED: People needed to “man a booth” on Rally Day, help construct a Luther

Rose, and pin the theses on the door. We will create the booth for you and have the

needed supplies and directions at the booth for you on September 10th. Contact:

Robin Zimmerman (570-366-2630) or Barbara Lafko (570-366-1208) AND/OR

SIGN THE SHEET IN THE NARTHEX.

ALSO NEEDED: Volunteers to set up the booths for Rally Day. We will be setting

up on Saturday, September 9th at 9:30am. Come help set up and then enjoy

Heritage Days in Orwigsburg.

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Calendar Monday, August 21 9:30 AM Luther Rose Kit

Construction

Thursday, August 24 7:00 PM Property

Saturday, August 26 NO SATURDAY EVENING SERVICE

Sunday, August 27 9:15 AM Worship

Blessing of the Backpacks/

CONNECT

Social Media Event

Office hours: Tuesday/Friday 10-3

Could a few people set up tables and chairs for Rainbow Friends immediately

following worship in the gathering room (10 minutes of work).

Thank you!

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Are you or others you know attending St. Paul’s?

Are you or they interested in joining our church?

Simply mention something to me.

Try to set aside the second Thursday in September (9/14) when we will review what

Lutherans believe and what is central to the faith. We will discuss schedules and

receive you into our membership. If you haven’t noticed, I do not pressure people

into joining the church. I may at an opportune time mention something or offer

another opportunity as have just done. PD

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The Evangelism Committee would like to update the card list for college students and

enlisted military.

If anyone has an addition, change, or update, please contact any Evangelism

Committee member or Connie Teter at 366-0255. We need a current list of names,

addresses, and birth dates.

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CONGREGATIONWIDE LEARNING EVENT

Martin Luther

September 10

9:15 AM

Children/Youth/Adults/Parents/Grandparents

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Let’s Share Conversation!

Roman Catholics and Lutherans

As we remember what separated us, let’s reflect on what unites us!

(Do you know that the Pope removed the Papal Bull against Luther?)

Thursday Evening

September 7

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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NEXT SUNDAY

Don’t forget your cell phone!

Event gathering begins at 8:45 AM outside narthex.

Worship Service at 9:15 AM

Learn about St. Paul’s Website and Social Media Ministry

Bring your backpacks, i-pods, tablets, laptops, & smart phones to church

with you to be blessed for the upcoming school year and learn how to use

them as a tool for ministry.