Our Sunday service will go live at 9:50am, with worship beginning at 10am. We welcome you to join with us via YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWIrrEHwJ-M_ALXtCFumTUw
We look forward to joining with our wider community of faith virtually. I’ve attached a copy of the order of service as well for your information.
Blessings,
Trent Felstrom
Sunday June 13, 2021
Prelude
WORDS OF WELCOME
Silent Reflection/ ‘Amazing Grace’ (instrumental)
call to worship
Pastor: Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed; it starts out as a small thing, but it grows and grows until it gives a home to the birds of the air. People: Can we believe a new day is coming? As surely as the sun rises over the horizon God is creating a new world. Pastor: Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like someone who casting seed on the ground, and then sleeps and wakes, day after day, while the earth produces the fruit from the seed that was cast. People: We do not always know how God works, but we trust that God does. And we know we are partners in that work. Pastor: Praise to Lord, the Almighty, who still cares for the world! People: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, who leads with power and grace.
Hymn: ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’ ELW 858 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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray…
O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING: EZEKIEL 17:22-24
A reading from Ezekiel…
22 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. 23 It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
1It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praise to your name, O Most High;
2to herald your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night;
3on the psaltery, and on the lyre,
and to the melody of the harp.
4For you have made me glad by your acts, O Lord;
and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
12The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
13Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
shall flourish in the courts |of our God;
14they shall still bear fruit in old age;
they shall be green and succulent;
15that they may show how upright the Lord is,
my rock, in whom there is no injustice.
Special Music: ‘See the Day’ (Liz Vice: Album ‘See the Day’)
Prayer
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: ‘Open My Eyes That I May See’ SFGP 82
goSPEL: MARK 4:26-34
The holy gospel according to Mark, the 4th chapter…
Glory to you, O Lord. 26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he is asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” 30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” 33 Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. 34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON (Pastor Hugh)
HYMN OF THE DAY: ‘You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore’ ELW 817
STEPHEN MINISTER’S COMMISSIONING
The Peace ‘The Peace of the Lord’ ELW 646
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us come before the triune God in prayer.
Holy God, you plant the seeds of faith in every nation. Enliven your church, so that the good news of your grace may take root and grow throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Creator, even the trees, shrubs, and flowers delight in your goodness. From the depths of the soil to the highest mountain, bring forth new plants. Restore growth to places suffering drought. We pray for our farmers who are in the season of seeding. Bless their work and keep them safe. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Judge of nations, we pray for our leaders and those in power. Grant them the ability to regard those under their charge with humility, dedicating their lives in service to others. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Divine comforter, you show compassion to those in need and provide relief to those who call on you. Bless all who suffer, especially people trapped in cycles of poverty and homelessness. We pray for those in our community in their times of need. This morning we remember Loraine, Jo-Ann, Sarah, Lydia, Bill, Kaitlin, Elroy, Vera, George, Virginia, Renato and family, Sydney, Dick, Barb, Stacie. We also pray for those in specific need within the communities of Augustana, Resurrection, Good Shepherd, Zion, Trinity, and King of Glory. May those we hold in hearts be touched by your healing presence. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Loving healer, we give thanks for all those who have taken time to prepare themselves to be Stephen Ministers in our communities. We pray for Marilyn, Wilbur, Karen, Frank, Don, Adeline, Elaine, and Ali. Bless them in the care they give to others in time of need. May their presence and compassion be reminders of the hope we all share in You. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, this house of worship belongs to you. We give thanks and pray for our church musicians. We dedicate to you the joyful noise that comes from this place: the melody of voices and instruments and the songs that radiate from our hearts. May the joy of the Lord be our strength. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Eternal God, we give thanks for our ancestors in the faith who are now at home with you. We remember those who have touched our lives in profound ways and who have left an indelible imprint on our lives. We look forward to that day when all your people are reunited in your new creation and gathered around your table of grace. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your constant provision.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER (Our Father who art in heaven…)
BLESSING
SENDING SONG: ‘The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve’ ELW 551
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
King of Glory Lutheran Church 