The traditional Christian church calendar is comprised of seasons and special days. We are in the season of Pentecost. The season of Pentecost is the longest season of the church calendar and concludes with Christ the King Sunday. In this season, let us consider how we are empowered to act for God.
Brief Order For Confession and Forgiveness
Music to accompany this worship is on Spotify at:
Entrance Hymn
Will You Not Listen
Kyrie
Hymn of Praise
Prayer of the Day
O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
The First Lesson
Jeremiah 15:15-21
15. O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult.
16. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
17. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation.
18. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail.
19. Therefore thus says the LORD: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them.
20. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD.
21. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Psalm
Psalm 26:1-8 (3)
1. [Of David.] Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind.
3. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
4. I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
5. I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
6. I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O LORD,
7. singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
8. O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.
The Second Lesson
Romans 12:9-21
9. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
10. love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
13. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
18. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20. No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”
21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes | of our hearts,
so that we may know the hope to which | God has called us. Alleluia. (Eph. 1:17, 18)
The Gospel
Matthew 16:21-28
21. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
22. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.”
23. But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
24. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
25. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
26. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
27. “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.
28. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
The Sermon
Hold fast to what is good, celebrate hope
The Hymn of the Day
When in the Hour of Deepest Need
The Creed
The Peace
The Promise of Peace
The Prayers
The Offering
Communion
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymns
Communal Blessing
Dismissal
The Bible readings are from the New Revised Standard Version. I wish to thank the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA, and its predecessor bodies for all their teaching throughout the years. I’ve used the Lectionary published on the ELCA website at elca.org in preparation of this worship.