Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him,

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

TRI-COUNTY LUTHERAN PARISH

Berea, Gloria Dei, Grace, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church’s

“Taking Christ’s Love to the Parish”

August 10, 2008

TIME AFTER PENTECOST — LECTIONARY 19

INTRODUCTION

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 bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God's presence to others.

Welcome to worship today.

An asterisk (*) invites you to stand.

Interim Pastor G. Tim Rahn

Cell: 308-890-1216 E-mail address:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING

Call to worship at St. Mark’s “Surely the Presence” Front cover of ELW

At St. Mark’s: Setting 3 will be used today starting on Page # 138 of the ELW. Please follow directions from the Worship leader and the musician.

*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Page 94-95 ELW

*GATHERING HYMN # 759 ELW

*GREETING:

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad. The God who created the world and fills it with life be with you all. And also with you.

*KYRIE “Have mercy on us Lord....” Page 203 ELW

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

WORD

FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:9–18

At [Hereby, the mount of God,] [Elijah] came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazel as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

PSALM: Psalm 85:8–13

⁸I will listen to what the LORD God is saying; for you speak peace to your faithful people

and to those who turn their hearts to you.

⁹Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,

that your glory may dwell in our land.

¹⁰Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;

righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

¹¹Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

¹²The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase.

¹³Righteousness shall go before the LORD and shall prepare for God a pathway.

SECOND READING: Romans 10:5–15

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." ⁶But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸But what does it say? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. ¹¹The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." ¹²For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. ¹³For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." ¹⁴But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Here ends the readings.

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia. I wait for you, O LORD; in your word is my hope. Alleluia.

*GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22–33 All: Glory to You, O Lord!

[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee,] while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.

²⁵And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." ²⁹He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³²When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to You, O Christ!

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY St. Mark’s: #773 ELW # 755 ELW

LET THE CHILDREN COME

*APOSTLES CREED Page 105 ELW

*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION: Response: Your mercy is great.

*SHARING THE PEACE

MEAL

OFFERING

*OFFERING PRAYER

God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

*GREAT THANKSGIVING Page 206 ELW

*LORDS’ PRAYER Page 208 ELW

COMMUNION

THE DISTRIBUTION

All the baptized are invited to partake of Holy Communion. At the same time, we recognize that it may not be possible for all to commune. If you desire to partake, please extend your hands to receive the bread and then the cup.

*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

SENDING

SENDING HYMN St. Mark’s #756 ELW # 756 vs. 1,2,3ELW

*BLESSING

God gives rest to all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens. Almighty and merciful God + bless, preserve, and keep you, this day and forevermore. Amen. Thanks be to God.

Readings for August 17, 2008

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8, Psalm 67, Romans 11:1–2a, 29–32, Matthew 15: [10–20] 21–28