July 30, 2023

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE

PRELUDE                                            

WELCOME                                                                                            Rev. Betsy Maurath

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: God sows abundant seeds in confidence that there will be a harvest.
People: Some seeds find no roots, others are snatched away by troubles.
Leader: We do not have control over how God’s seeds will grow.
People: But with eager hearts we wait to see the growth of planted love.   

*HYMN NO. 14                        “For the Beauty of the Earth”                                                   DIX                 

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                 Doug Slusher, Director of Music Emeritus

Lord of all creation, you have called us by name. We are yours, yet we act as if we are on our own. We seek control where we have none. We neglect our relationship with you. We ignore the ways you call us to live. Grant us your grace and peace in the midst of our brokenness. Help us to trust more in you and your timing. Guide us to be good stewards of your creation. Teach us to delight in your promises to us. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE       “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me”                 GLORY TO GOD (Vasile) 

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                       

         One:   The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

All:      And also with you.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD         

ANTHEM                                  

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat  and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

One:  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word                                                                                                                                                                       

All:     Thanks be to God

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE                                                                                                       Ruth Harold                                  

SERMON                             "What Was He Thinking?"                        Rev. Betsy Maurath

*HYMN NO. 370                     “This Is My Father’s World”                                                 TERRA BEATA                         

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE with The Lord’s Prayer using debts and debtors

TIME OF OFFERING                            

*OFFERTORY RESPOPNSE        “We Lift Our Voices”                            OFFERING

*PRAYER OF D

Many gifts have been sown into our lives, the seeds of God’s generosity and love for the world.  We are stewards of your abundant blessings and are called by the gospel of Christ to spread them abroad, trusting in God’s care to nurture and bring forth the harvest of righteousness.  Let us bring forth the fruits of God’s creative, loving care from the gardens of our lives. Let us pray:

 You, O God, are the giver of all life.  In the offerings we bring today are fruits of the lives you have entrusted to us and the gifts you have given.  Help us to bring them with joy and offer them freely, as you have offered yourself to us and to the world so freely in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

*HYMN NO. 611                          “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”                           HYMN TO JOY                      

TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING               

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

 POSTLUDE                                                                          

Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452

PRAYER MINISTRY For 7/30/2023

Please remember in prayer the following members and friends.                                                

Church Family

  Arthur Lee

David Binau

Keith Harrison

Relatives & Friends

John George- FIL Greg Hitzhusen

Joanie Bradt – niece of Ginger Haack

Russ Hupp – friend of the Ayers

Worship Leaders

Guest Pastor – Rev Betsy Maurath

Liturgist – Doug Slusher,  Director of Music Emeritus

Children’s Message – Ruth Harold

Music Leaders

Chancel Choir

Director of Music – Chris Dent

Guest keyboardist– Ella Bryan