Christ Lutheran Church
Deepening people’s connections to Christ
Bringing meaning to daily life
Making a difference in our community
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Welcome to Worship!
All are welcome, and we are glad you are with us as we pray and worship together, growing in faith as followers of Christ.
Today’s Worship Theme: When we are present to one another, we are present to the God who formed us all and gave us life.
We request all to wear masks in the sanctuary since there is a greater incidence of covid in the community. Thank you for silencing your cell phones.
We extend a special welcome to guests worshipping with us today! Please sign the visitor log in the narthex or sign-in on Zoom in the live chat. We hope you’ll feel welcomed and spiritually nourished. If you’d like to speak to the pastor about the congregation, please let her know directly or call the church office at 314-962-6011.
We welcome young children to worship. Children’s bulletins and bags with children’s materials are available in the narthex.
We will celebrate communion together. Those on Zoom are invited to gather the bread and wine and join us for worship. All are welcome at God’s table!
This bulletin will be your guide in Worship. In our spoken readings and prayers, the congregation speaks the items in bold.
Assistive Listening Devices are available at the rear of the sanctuary. Please see an usher for use instructions.
We are here to help you! To be added to our e-mail list, to have a hymnal delivered to your home, or to get a printed bulletin mailed to you, or of there is any other way we can assist you, please let us know.
Sunday, July 17, 9:30am
Click to join Zoom Worship or
Call in from any phone 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 278 217 453 Password: 971744
PRELUDE Prelude on Rhydosmere – Ralph Vaughan Williams
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SILENT MEDITATION Let us prepare for worship by quieting our hearts and minds.
Please stand in body or spirit.
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.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Every week, we start out by remembering that we are God’s children. Sometimes, we take time to ask for God’s forgiveness and help using a Confession and Forgiveness, because we all make mistakes! Other Sundays, we remember our baptisms, and celebrate God’s love and the gift of life.
Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, whose steadfast love endures forever. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Merciful God,
we confess that we have not followed your path but have chosen our own way. Instead of putting others before ourselves, we long to take the best seats at the table. When met by those in need, we have too often passed by on the other side. Set us again on the path of life. Save us from ourselves and free us to love our neighbors. Amen.
Hear the good news!
God does not deal with us according to our sins but delights in granting pardon and mercy. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. You are free to love as God loves. Amen.
We sing in Worship because it is a way to come together and pray to God as a family. And then, we offer one another peace, promising to love, forgive, and care for one another.
GATHERING HYMN 853 When Morning Gilds the Skies
SIGN OF PEACE Sign Peace Be With You
HYMN OF PRAISE Come Let us Join our Cheerful Songs, Setting 10
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Generous God, you brought creation into being through Christ. Amid the cares of our lives, open our hearts to your presence among us, that we may treasure your word above all else, and share your gifts for the sake of the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Please be seated.
THE WORD
We Lutherans call the Bible the “Living Word.” It was written a long time ago by people who were inspired by God to share about their faith. It is “living” because even today, reading the Bible helps us learn about God, and how to bring God’s love and mercy to the world. So, every week, we read from the Bible together at Worship. We call this part of the service “The Word” because we read the word of God!
Reader: Roger Rose
FIRST LESSON Genesis 18: 1-10a
The First Lesson is from Genesis, chapter eighteen.
1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10aThen one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
We will read Psalm 15 responsively.
PSALM 15
1Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill?
2Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right, who speak the truth from their heart;
3they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends; they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor.
4In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the Lord. They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word.
5They do not give their money in hope of gain, nor do they take bribes against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.
SECOND LESSON Colossians 1: 15-28
The second lesson is from Colossians, the first chapter.
15Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—23provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. 24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand in body or spirit.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Setting 10
Reader: Pastor Meagan
GOSPEL Luke 10: 38-42
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, chapter ten, Glory to you, O Lord.
38Now as Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SERMON
Please stand in body or spirit.
HYMN OF THE DAY 640 Our Father, by Whose Name
Please be seated.
PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The Prayers of Intercession are when we pray together as God’s family. “Intercession” means we are praying for each other, and for the world, not only for ourselves.
Prayer Leader: Katie Ciorba
United in Christ and guided by the Spirit, we pray for the church, the creation, and all in need.
Please stand in body or spirit.
A brief silence.
Ever-present God, in Christ you fill all things. As your church here at Christ Lutheran and around the world gathers to hear your word, share your meal, and receive your blessing, teach us to welcome strangers as we have been welcomed by you. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Through Christ you created all things, visible and invisible. Teach humankind to honor and protect all creation, including living things that remain hidden from our eyes such as air, atmosphere, molecules, and microscopic creatures. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Through Christ you reconcile all things. Motivate those in power to end enslavement, dehumanization, or brutality of any kind and to protect and improve the lives of Indigenous peoples. We lift up especially the people of Ukraine who are facing attempted genocide at the hands of Russian invaders. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Presider
Through Christ you bring peace. Assure all who are worried and distracted by many things of your constant presence. Soothe those suffering in mind, body, or spirit. Sustain all who are afflicted and those who serve as caregivers. We pray especially for those named in Remembering One Another in Prayer, and those named by we who gather this morning . . . . God of grace, hear our prayer.
In Christ you brought forth the firstborn from the dead. We give thanks for the saints you have gathered at your table. Gather us with them in your eternal glory. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of every time and place, in Jesus’ name and filled with your Holy Spirit, we entrust these spoken prayers and those in our hearts into your holy keeping. Amen.
Please be seated.
OFFERING
We are called to be stewards of all of God’s abundance, so that the community in which we are planted may thrive: time, presence, and skills, and God’s creation. We are also called to financially embody care for our community inside and outside our sanctuary. Please support our ministries as you are able. To support ministry financially, you can give electronically on our website, or send a check in to the office. If you give electronically, place the “I give electronically” slip from your pew in the basket if you wish.
OFFERTORY
Please stand in body or spirit.
OFFERTORY HYMN 186 Create in Me a Clean Heart
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Let us pray. God of abundance: you have set before us a plentiful harvest, to be shared with the world. As we feast on your goodness, strengthen us to labor in your field, and equip us to bear fruit for the good of all, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
THE MEAL
When Jesus was here on earth, he had meals with all different people, everywhere he went. Sometimes he even got into trouble because people didn’t like who he ate with! At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples they should eat with one another, so they would remember that no matter what, Jesus is right here with us, not just in our imaginations, but in the bread and wine we share together. We have Communion every week so we remember Jesus is with us, and invites us to care for each other as he did.
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for you have revealed to us the mystery, hidden throughout the ages, which is Christ in us, the promise of your presence among us. In Christ, you created heaven and earth, and in him, all things are held together. Through your law and prophets you called us to your ways, and when you saw the needy trampled and the poor ruined, you punished us with a famine of hearing your word. But in Christ — your image made visible — you have reached out even to those who did evil, calling us to sit at your feet and listen to your words of peace. When his blood was poured out in death on the cross, you raised him from the dead, reconciling all things to yourself in him and establishing us securely in the faith and hope of the gospel.
And so, with the earth and all of its creatures, with all of your children of all corners of the earth, and with all of the angels and saints, we join your joyful hymn of praise.
SANCTUS Setting 10
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread 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 sins. Do this for the remembrance of me.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
We say the Lord’s Prayer together every week, because when the disciples wanted to know how to pray, this is how Jesus taught them. We are reminded that God loves us like a parent. We ask God to provide what we need, help us to follow God, and to forgive us when we make mistakes. And we remember that everything belongs to God.
In faith and hope, let us join together in praying the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Creator, our Mother, 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.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Gathered together, separated by space, but not by time, let us, people of all ages and genders and histories, eat the bread, and drink the wine. God’s table has no boundaries or limits. This is Christ’s body and blood, given for us all, and we do this in his memory.
Please be seated.
For those in the sanctuary, we invite you to come forward, waiting at the front pew until it is your household’s turn to receive communion. We will serve communion by intinction, with the servers dipping the bread into the wine for you. Come forward, remove your masks to receive the sacrament, and replace your masks to return to your seats.
For those on Zoom, we invite you to take time right now to break bread, and know that this whole community of faith joins in the meal with you. Peace be upon you this day!
AGNUS DEI Setting 10
COMMUNION HYMNS
460 Now the Silence
478 Father, We Thank You
Please stand in body or spirit.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Each week, we are nourished and fed as we gather in the sanctuary and on Zoom to celebrate communion together. And each week, members of this community bring the sacred meal to those who are unable to be with us for Worship. Share not only the sacrament we have celebrated, but also the love of God and the Christ Lutheran Church family.
Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, Living Water, Breath of Life, for nourishing our roots and creating us anew in this meal. By the power of your Spirit, renew us to live as your body, alive for a future of praise, empowered for decades of witness and service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
BENEDICTION
We come to Worship every week so we can go out and bring God’s love to the world, so we always end Worship with a Benediction–a blessing–to help us do that.
The God of peace, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, comfort you, and show you the path of life this day and always. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN 544 Praise the Lord, Rise up Rejoicing!
SENDING
The Spirit sends us forth! Share the good news! Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Hornpipe (from Water Music) – Georg Friedrich Handel
WORSHIP LEADERS AND ASSISTANTS
We would like to thank those who helped with worship today:
Usher: Susan DeBusk, Alan Richter (offering)
Key Person: Keith Lissant
Lector: Roger Rose
Assisting Minister: Katie Ciorba
Acolyte: Luke Bender
Altar Guild: Jess Gunther
Flower Team: Nancy Lissant & Faith Moore
Counter: Susan DeBusk
Zoom Host: Ian Griffin
Musicians: Mark Ruff
Life Around Christ
Upcoming Activities
Safe travels to our youth who leave for Camp Tomah Shinga July 23-27. Keep our youth, and all youth participating, in your prayers!
We have started reading Baptized in Teargas, by Reverend Elle Dowd, about her experience and transformation on the streets of Ferguson, MO following the shooting of Michael Brown. We hope to finish our discussion of the book with conversation with the author in the fall. Contact Kate Hoerchler for details, and plan to join us!
Christ Lutheran Church is 125 years old this year! Plans are underway to celebrate 125 years of the Spirit moving in this place with Worship with Bishop Candea and a grand party on September 18. How can you help us mark 125 years? Contact Sarah Ringkor and follow the newsletter for details!
Acknowledgments: Portions of today’s service are from: All Creation Sings published by Augsburg Fortress, copyright 2020; Lutheran Book of Worship published by Augsburg Publishing, copyright 1978; Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1, copyright 2012, printed by Westminster John Knox Press, Creative Worship Resources, Creative Communications for the Parish, reprinted by permission, all rights reserved; Now the Feast and Celebration, copyright 1990, printed by G.I.A. Publications; Sundays and Seasons, Year C 2022, copyright 2021; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006, printed by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, Minnesota, reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-71-939, all rights reserved.
REMEMBERING ONE ANOTHER IN PRAYER
Please include the following people in your prayer life during this week. To add a name to the Prayer List, inform Pastor Meagan (pastor@christwg.org or 612-388-5920) or the Church Office (office@christwg.org). Please assure that the individual agrees to have his or her name printed in the bulletin.
ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS: Those who are suffering from chronic pain & diseases, Shelly Madden, Linda Armstrong, Gege Brightman, Christine Austin, Kate and Brian Bates (John Hoffmann’s sister and brother-in-law), Evan Deck, Helga Hayes, John Hoffmann, Bev & Al Marcus (friend of John Hoffmann), Michael McMullen (Greg McMullen’s brother), Christy Monson ( Step-daughter of Carolyn Lange), Donna Munger, Betsy Nielson (Nancy Lissant’s sister), Doris & Harry Rahlfs (Karen Wood’s parents), Joyce Traxler (Friend of Susan DeBusk), Shirley Wolf, Mary Stough (Sharon Hornbeck’s aunt), and Wayne Wellman (Susanne Reimer-Fey’s brother).
IN BLESSED MEMORY: For all of those who have died especially Timothy Tanner (Lynnae Ruff’s father), Thelda Bertram, Flo Saeger and all of those who grieve, that they may know the presence of God who grieves with us.
IN MILITARY SERVICE: Josh Duncan, Chris Hudson, Jesse Proctor, Scott Warr.
A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
WELCOME, GROW, SERVE IN CHRIST
1 Selma Avenue at Lockwood
Webster Groves, Missouri 63119-3199
Telephone: 314-962-6011
E-mail: office@christwg.org
Website: http://www.christwg.org
Pastoral Minister Meagan McLaughlin
Please contact Pastor Meagan in case of emergency pastoral care needs at 612-388-5920 or 314-962-6011 ext. 103, pastor@christwg.org
Director of Senior Adult Ministries and Faith Community Nurse- Carolyn Crowe
Church Council President- Jessica Gunther
Organist- Mark Ruff
Director of Choirs- Diane Drollinger
Church Administrator- Lisette Kreitler
Stephen Leaders – Linda Griffith and Carolyn Crowe
A designated Webster University Campus Ministry congregation
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Called to Welcome and Serve 