Join us for worship at 915am (in-person and Facebook Livestream available)
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS FACEBOOK TO WORSHIP ONLINE
Lesson of the Week
Thank you for worshiping with us. We are so glad that you are spending part of your day with us!
“Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost”
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Call to Worship
Rev Penny: Come, people of God, for we are many members.
All: Yet we are one body in Christ.
Rev Penny: We come with different gifts, experiences, and ways of serving.
All: But we belong to one another in Christ.
Rev Penny: God has given each of us gifts to share. Not for ourselves alone.
All: But for the good of the whole body.
Rev Penny: We come ready to discover, celebrate, and share the gifts God has given us.
All: With grateful hearts, we worship together.
*Opening Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” (New Century Hymnal #386)
Prayer of Invocation
Rev Penny: Gracious and loving God, we gather today as members of one body, united in Christ and blessed with many gifts. You have created each of us uniquely, and through your Spirit you have given us abilities, passions, experiences, and perspectives that can be used in your service.
All: We offer ourselves to You trusting that You take whatever we bring and use it for the building up of Your people and the healing of your world. AMEN.
Scripture Readings and Pastoral Meditation
Romans 12:1-8 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Children’s Sermon
Matthew 16:13-20 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Pastoral Meditation: “What Gift Do You Have for Us?”
Hymn of Response: “Take My Life, God, Let It Be” (New Century Hymnal #448)
Prayers and Concerns
Joys – Concerns – Blessings
Please share any special concerns, joys, and blessings.
Silent Prayer – Pastoral Prayer – Lord’s Prayer
ALL: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. AMEN.
Collection and Presentation of the Offering
(Scan the QR Code for online giving)
Invitation to Generosity
Rev Penny: Paul reminds us that we are members of one body in Christ, and that each of us has gifts to offer. Our generosity is one of those gifts. When we give, we become part of something larger than ourselves through supporting the ministry of this congregation and helping God’s love take root in our community and beyond.
*Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)
*Prayer of Dedication
All: Generous God, help us remember that our greatest gifts are not measured by their size or value, but by the love with which they are offered. Teach us to recognize the gifts of others, to offer our own gifts freely, and to use all that we have been given for the good of Your people. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord” (See Insert)
*Benediction and Blessing
*Ringing of the Church Bell
*Please to stand if able
Upcoming Events & Announcements
TODAY – Rev Penny Entringer will be leading worship with Alyson Wynn-Lagergren playing the piano
August 30th – Mary Hudson violinist
August 30th – Stiftungsfest Parade at 12:00 come enjoy at Cheryl’s
September 9th – Crown College Community Connection Day
September 13th – Worship and Gather Team Meeting following worship
September 20th – Consistory Team meeting following worship
October 4th – World Communion Sunday
“Fruit of the Spirit” Cologne Academy Compassion Fund and Central Schools Raider Room Fund. August focuses on local school children. Kids that need assistance will benefit from the donations.
Help us build a children’s library that will inspire faith, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading. We invite you to suggest your favorite children’s books so that, together, we can create a collection that will bless the young people of our church and community for years to come.
School Supply Event: Thank you to all who helped assist families with students in district 108. St. John’s Lutheran hosted a free supply store to distribute backpacks and school supplies on Friday evening. Pizza dinner was provided. Over 100 children were helped in our district and 800 in Carver County.
Winter Clothes Drive: It’s hot now but it won’t continue to be. Please bring in gently used winter clothing for those in need.
Love INC Christmas Event: We have begun to plan a Christmas event for either in November or December through our partnership with Love INC. We are considering December 5th as the date. Contact Pastor Scott for more details. We have set an initial goal of helping 15 families this year.
Looking for a church community? If you’d like to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly and would love an opportunity to chat. Contact Pastor Scott.
We’ve partnered with ChurchTrac via Stripe so you can use your bank account for a direct ACH, debit card, or a credit card to make a secure one time or recurring gift. General giving and Fruit of the Spirit can both be done electronically.
St. John's United Church of Christ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.