Worship Helpers: Reader-Mary Crawford, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber
It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus
suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be
set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope
in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.
(*) 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 Great Is Thy Faithfulness ELW 733
*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: Faithful God, most merciful judge, you care for your children with firmness and compassion. By your Spirit nurture us who live in your kingdom, that we may be rooted in the way of
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: Isaiah 44:6-8
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 86:11-17 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: Romans 8:12-25
(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 13:24-30, 36-43
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 13th 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 The Reign of God, Like Farmer’s Field
1 The reign of God, like farmer’s field,
bears weeds along with wheat;
the good and bad are intertwined
till harvest is complete.
2 The reign of God is like a pearl
on barren land concealed.
If once you find that precious pearl,
go out and buy that field.
3 Though hidden now, the reign of God
may, yet unnoticed, grow;
from deep within it rises up,
like yeast in swelling dough.
4 Like mustard tree, the reign of God
from tiny seed will spread,
till birds of ev’ry feather come
to nest, and there be fed.
5 The reign of God is come in Christ;
the reign of God is near.
Ablaze among us, kindling hearts,
the reign of God is here!
*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 30th– 1Kings 3:5-12, Psalm 119:129-136,
Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE-Tuesday, July 25th, 4-6pm. Come join the fun and invite a
friend! Please help spread the word that we are taking registrations now. Thank you for all your
support of the Preschool!
WORSHIP HELPERS – July 30– Reader– Kevin Horn, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller,
August 6– Reader– Patricia Jones, Lay Assistant– Earl Jones .
CHURCH DIRECTORY– In honor of St. John’s 75th anniversary, (2025), we are considering
creating a new church directory! Please let the church office know ASAP if you are interested in
being in the directory. Pictures would be taken after all the county fairs are done, with publication later in 2024. There was an email sent out about this. If you responded to that, you don’t
need to contact the office. Thanks!
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!
“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!
AUGUST – SHARE YOUR STORY
Children freely share their stories – often full of actions, sound effects, and details (sometimes
minute) that bring a story to life. We all have a story to share: stories of families, friendships,
histories, and faith. We connect the dots and see our connections.
Questions to consider:
When was the last time you listened to a child tell a story? What did you hear? What is a biblical
story that connects with your own story? What is your story? Where are you GOING to share
your story?
Prayer: Creator God, our story starts and ends with you. Give us the wisdom to see where and
how we might share our stories and the courage to share them. 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/
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 7/16/2023 $96,595.77
Giving thru 7/2/2023 $75,990.23
Giving under actual expenses ($20,605.54)
28 Weeks of Budgeted Expenses $106,844.92
Giving under Budgeted Expenses ($30,854.69)
