Worship Helpers: Reader-Brian Johnson, Lay Assistant– Melinda Ewing
Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence.
When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I;
do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes
our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing forgiveness given in Christ, God grants
us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.
(*) 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 Shout to the Lord ELW 821
*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: O God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue
your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us in the
faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
-FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:9-18
(after the reading)
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 85:8-13 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: Romans 10:5-15
(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 14:22-33
L The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 14th 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 My Life Flows On in Endless Song ELW 763
*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
(Congregational response)
C we give you thanks and praise.
*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 I Love to Tell the Story ELW 661
*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 AUGUST 20th– Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Psalm 67, Romans 11:1-2a,
29-32, Matthew 15:21-28.
CARRY-IN BRUNCH– Next Sunday, August 20th. Please join us after worship!
BLESSING OF ALL SCHOOL BAGS & CASES– Next Sunday, August 20th at the 9am worship! Let’s show our youth that God & St. John’s Lutheran Church has their backs!
CONFIRMATION MEETING– Next Sunday, August 20th after worship. A brief informational
meeting for 7th & 8th graders & their parents.
PRESCHOOL – Taking registrations now! Please spread the word. Thank you for all your
support of the Preschool!
WORSHIP HELPERS – August 20– Reader– Natalie Tyler, Lay Assistant– Ron Henzler,
August 27– Reader– Jody Mischnick, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller .
CHURCH DIRECTORY– In honor of St. John’s 75th anniversary, (2025). Please let the church
office know ASAP if you are interested in being in the directory. Pictures would be taken this
Fall, with publication later in 2024. If you responded to the email that was sent out, you don’t
need to contact the office. Thanks!
GOD’S WORK OUR HANDS– Are there folks in our community who could use help with yard
work, or painting, or cleaning, etc.? Look around your neighborhoods. Let us know. Be sure to
sign up to volunteer and if you want to order a t-shirt.
COMMUNITY TABLE– August 21st & 28th at 10:30am. Masonic Center-123 W 3rd Street.
ALTAR GUILD MEETING– Saturday, August 19th @ 9am. Current Altar Guild members and
those interested in joining this group, or those who just have questions, please join us!
“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 8/6/2023 $109,425.42 Giving thru 8/6/2023 $83,456.23
Giving under actual expenses ($25,969.19)
31 Weeks of Budgeted Expenses $118,292.59 Giving under Budgeted Expenses ($34,836.36)
