The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with
those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires
and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me,
all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
-PRELUDE
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
L: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who greets us in this and every season,
whose word never fails, whose promise is sure.
C: Amen.
L: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of our neighbors.
Silence for reflection.
L: Merciful God,
C: we confess that we have sinned. We have hurt our community. We have squandered
your blessings. We have hoarded your bounty. In the name of Jesus, forgive us and
grant us your mercy.
Silence is kept for reflection.
L: God is a cup of cold water when we thirst. God offers boundless grace when we fail. Claim
the gift of God’s mercy: you are freed and forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
*GATHERING SONG All Creatures, Worship God Most High! ELW 835
*GREETING
L: 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.
*KYRIE ELW p. 184
*CANTICLE OF PRAISE Glory to God ELW p. 213
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our
hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you,
know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Zechariah 9:9-12
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 145:8-14 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: Romans 7:15-25a
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME (Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW p. 188
*GOSPEL: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 11th chapter. C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.
-MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow
-HYMN OF THE DAY Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling ELW 608
*APOSTLES’ CREED ELW p. 105
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
each petition ends with
L Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
*SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L The peace of Christ be with you always.
C And also with you.
(Please share a sign of God’s peace with one another, such as Peace be with you.)
THANKSGIVING
-PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
The Offering is presented at the altar as the Offertory is sung.
-OFFERTORY We Are an Offering ELW 692
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
L God of field and forest, sea and sky, you are the giver of all good things. Sustain us with
these gifts of your creation, and multiply your graciousness in us, that the world may be fed
with your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
*THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD ELW p. 220
*LORD’S PRAYER
L Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
C 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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
*BLESSING
L: The God who calls across the cosmos and speaks in the smallest seed ☩ bless, keep, and
sustain you now and to the end of the age.
C: Amen.
*SENDING HYMN To Be Your Presence ELW 546
*DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Share the harvest.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULES
‘ONLINE WORSHIP’ – Website: Alliancestjohns.org or Facebook: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF JULY 16th– Isaiah 55:10-13, Psalm 65:8-14, Romans 8:1-11,
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.
PRESCHOOL- Taking registrations now!! Please help spread the word. Thank you for all your
support of the Preschool!
WORSHIP HELPERS – July 16-Reader– Jody Mischnick, Lay Assistant-Luayne Weisgerber,
July 23-Reader– Mary Crawford, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller.
COMMUNITY TABLE– July 24th at 10:30am. Please contact the church office at 762-1883.
ALTAR GUILD– We need volunteers to help with the Altar Guild. Contact Luayne Weisgerber
for additional information or to sign up. Thanks!
Let’s Celebrate!!- July 22nd will be a celebration of Eileen Jensen’s
90th birthday! Please join us from 2pm-4pm in the Fellowship Room.
“GO AND…” – Ready, Set, Go! In the Great Commission, Jesus calls us to GO. We are taking
those words to heart. The Nebraska Synod Assembly launched a year-long focus to “Go
And…” We invite you to be part of this call to GO!
July – Listen
How do we listen with our full selves? In reality, all of our senses are used when we listen –
with our ears, our eyes, our mouths, and our bodies. As disciples, we listen to ourselves, our
neighbors, and God. When we listen, we find new perspectives, shared history, and common
ground.
Questions to consider:
What is something you learned from listening to your heart? What is something you learned from listening to a stranger? In a year of GOING, how will you listen to those around you?
Prayer: Listening God, help me stay open to the surprises you provide while on the road this
summer. Amen.
To browse the full list of the monthly summaries and learn more about the “Go and…” series,
this is the link to use: https://nebraskasynod.org/go-and/
HOSPITALITY CREW
We have a new volunteer opportunity! It is called the Hospitality Crew. Check it out and sign
up on the sheet on the oak table. Families, friends or individuals can sign up. Thank you for
your service to your church!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 7/2/2023 $89,215.29
Giving thru 7/2/2023 $69,614.23
Giving under actual expenses ($19,601.06)
26 Weeks of Budgeted Expenses $99,213.14
Giving under Budgeted Expenses ($29,598.91)
