The 5th Sunday after Pentecost
& Celebration of Baptism

Full Text of Service

Sunday, July 4, 2004

Full Text of the Service

Welcome to this house of worship this morning!
We are happy that you have come to join us in worshiping our God and King. We worship the living God, who revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The teaching of God's Word becomes for us an opportunity to give more praise more deeply and more profoundly for the mighty works He continually does for and among us.

We welcome Lionel into the family of God!

Here I am, Daddy and Mama, a gift from the Lord up above,
To brighten your days with joy untold, and fill our home with love.
I'm tiny, precious and fragile, but made miraculously,
To fulfill God's plan for my life and be what He wants me to be.

Some say I look like you, Mom, other say more like Dad.
But I have distinct traits from both of you, whether that's good or bad.
I love it when you hold me securely in your strong arms,
You let me know you're my protector in this world with all it's harm.

Please teach me about my Creator, of all His amazing acts.
Show me the awe and wonder, not just the basic facts.
Tell me He loves me, even before I was born,
So much that He sent HIS Baby, to bear unspoken scorn.

And how He watched as His Child was put on a tree to die.
How sad it must have made Him, Mom and Dad, did He cry?
He must really love me, for my salvation He bought then,
To make sure I could go to heaven, and be forgiven of my sins.

By Beth Fisher

Prelude

All creatures of Our God and King, Lift up your voice with us and sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia! O burning sun with golden beam
And silver moon with softer gleam:
Refrain: Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O rushing wind and breezes soft, O clouds that ride the winds aloft:
Oh,.. praise him! Alleluia! O rising morn, in praise rejoice,
O lights of evening, find a voice.
Refrain: Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O flowing waters, pure and clear, Make music for your Lord to hear.
Oh,.. praise him! Alleluia! O fire so masterful and bright,
Providing us with warmth and light,
Refrain: Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day, Unfolds rich blessings on our way,
Oh,.. praise him! Alleluia! The fruits and flowers that verdant grow,
Let them his praise abundant show.
Refrain: Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless, And worship God in humbleness.
Oh,.. praise him! Alleluia! Oh, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One,
Refrain: Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

C: The one who gave His life so that our hurting might be healed;
P: and of the Holy Spirit,
C: The one who creates a community of people who care.
P: We are gathered for worship this day.
C: Amen.

P: Dear Lord, we come to you with an open heart and confess our sins to You and ask You to grant us forgiveness.

C: Dear Heavenly Father, I confess all my sins and wrong doings with which I have ever offended You. I deserve Your punishment always but I am very sorry for them and ask for Your mercy because of Your Son’s suffering and death.

(A time for silence)
P: As you have confessed, God in His love forgives you because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

C: Send us forth now with clean hearts and minds to do Your work and be of service to You. Protect us in our ways and guide us in our steps. Amen.

P: 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

P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.

P: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
C: Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father;
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God:
You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you

P: Let us pray…Almighty God our Father, dwelling in majesty and mystery, renewing and fulfilling creation by your eternal Spirit, and revealing your glory through our Lord, Jesus Christ: Cleanse us from doubt and fear, and enable us to worship you, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, living and reigning, now and forever.
C: Amen

God Speaks to Us

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. 2Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5And the king of Aram said, "Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel." He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. 6He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy." 7When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me." 8But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel."
9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. 10Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." 11But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. 13But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean'?" 14So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
(Taken from: http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm)

P: I will extol you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
C: O Lord my God, I cried to you to help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
P: Sing praises to the Lord, O you faithful ones, and give thanks to God's holy name.
C: For the Lord's anger is but for a moment; the Lord's favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
P: As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
C: By your favour, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
P: To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
C: What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
P: Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me!
C: O LORD, be my helper!
P: You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
C: O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5For all must carry their own loads. 6Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. 7Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. 10So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God
(Taken from: http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm)

Gospel Lesson: Luke10:1-11;16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” 10But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11“Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.”
16‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ 18He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
(Taken from: http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm)

Baptismal Hymn "O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts" (LBW 356)

(During the last two stanzas of the hymn, the candidates, sponsors and parents gather at the font)

O Jesus, joy of loving hearts, The fount of life, the light of all:
From every bliss that earth imparts, We turn, unfilled, to hear your call.

Your truth unchanged has ever stood; You plead with all to call on you;
To those who seek you, you are good; To those who find you, life is new.

We taste you, everliving bread, And long to feast upon you still;
We drink of you, the fountainhead; Our thirsting souls from you we fill.

For you our restless spirits yearn, Where'er our changing lot is cast;
Glad, when your smile on us you turn, Blest, when by faith we hold you fast.

O Jesus, ever with us stay! Make all our moments fair and bright!
Oh, chase the night of sin away! Shed o'er the world your holy light

P: In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.

C: Amen

Sponsors: I present Lionel (Family name withheld)i to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

P: In Christian love you have presented this child for Holy Baptism. You should, therefore, faithfully bring him to the services of God’s house, and teach him the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As he grows in years, you should place in his hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for him instruction in the Christian faith, that, living in the covenant of his baptism and in the communion with the church, he may lead a godly life until the day of Jesus Christ.

Do you promise to fulfill these obligations?

Sponsors: I do.

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: We give you thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and you created heaven and earth. By the gift of water you nourish and sustain us and all living things.

Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that those who are baptized may be given new life. Wash away the sin of all those who are cleansed by this water and bring them forth as inheritors of your glorious kingdom.

To you be given praise and honour and worship through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C: Amen

(The minister addresses the baptismal group and congregation)

P: I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize.
Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil, and all his empty promises?
C: I do.

P: Do you believe in God the Father?
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

P: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
C: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

P: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
C: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

(The minister baptizes the child.)

P: Lionel ...,
I baptize you in the name of the Father,
Je te baptise, au nom du Père

P: and of the Son,
et du Fils

P: and of the Holy Spirit.
et du Saint-Esprit. Amen.

(The minister and the baptismal group go before the altar.)

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

(The minister lays hands on the head of the child and prays for the Holy Spirit.)

P: God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks for freeing your sons and daughters from the power of sin and for raising them up to a new life through this holy sacrament. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon Leila: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence.
C: Amen

The minister marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of the baptized child.
As the sign of the cross is made, the minister says:

P: Lionel ...:, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Sponsors: Amen.

A lighted candle is given to the sponsors of the child by a representative of the congregation who says:
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

P: O God, the giver of all life, look with kindness upon the father and mother of this child. Let them ever rejoice in the gift you have given them. Make them teachers and examples of righteousness for their child. Strengthen them in their own Baptism so they may share eternally with their child the salvation you have given them, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen

(Stand. The minister and baptismal group turn towards the congregation.)

A representative of the congregation says:

Through Baptism God has made this new brother a member of the priesthood we all share in Christ Jesus, that we may proclaim the praise of God and bear his creative and redeeming Word to all the world.
C: We welcome you into the Lord’s family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, child of the same heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God.

The minister exchanges the peace with the congregation

P: Peace be with you
C: Peace be with you

Hymn of the Day “Blessed Be the Name"

All praise to Him who reigns above
In majesty supreme, Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!

Refrain: Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord!

His name above all names shall stand, Exalted more and more,
At God's the Father's own right hand,
Where angel-host adore. Refrain…….

Redeemer, Saviour, Friend of man Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation's plan,
For Thou hast died for all. Refrain…….

His name shall be the counsellor, The mighty Prince of peace,
Of all earth's kingdoms conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease. Refrain ……..

Message of the Day (Sermon):
The Full Text of the Pastor's Sermon is available: God Is Looking For Extra Workers

We Respond to God’s Word
Prayers:
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
P: "Send us your Spirit, Lord."
C: "Come, Holy Spirit."
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We Respond to God’s Word

P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

P: "In Jesus' Name we pray"
C: "Amen."

P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Holy Sacrament

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all; unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

L; Merciful Father,
C: O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

P: The Lord be with You
C: And also with you

P: Lift up your hearts
C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join in your unending hymn:

C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

P: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth.
In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all
those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
We give you thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared
for us through Jesus Christ.
Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive
our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

P: In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took
bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples,
saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you
and all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in remembrance of me.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell everyone what he has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving, Alleluia, Alleluia.

L: Let us pray…Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

P: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen

To God be the glory, great things he has done;
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Refrain: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give him glory, great things he has done.

Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender by grace may believe,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receive. Refrain…….

Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our victory, when Jesus we see. Refrain ……..

P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!