August 2, 2020: The Ninth Sunday of Pentecost

Prayer of the day:

Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness and you cover creation with abundance. Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fil all the starving world; through you Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. AMEN

Scripture

Matthew 14:13-21 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have

nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Sermon Text

https://elcic.box.com/s/qqph5aikyad99wlwmcflbukor6fhfsz5

Blessing

God, the creator, Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit the comforter bless you and keep you in eternal love. Amen

God in peace, Christ is with you. R/ Thanks be to God!

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me.
(chorus) Come home,(come home) Come home
You who are weary, come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling “O Sinner, come home”.

Prayer of the Day:

Lord take my hand and lead me upon life’s way
Direct, protect and feed me from day to day.
Without your grace and favour I go astray;
So take my hand O saviour, and lead the way.
 
Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear;
For you, the Rock of Ages are always near.
Close by your side abiding, I fear no foe,
For when your hand is guiding, in peace I go.
 
Lord when the shadows lengthen and night has come,
I know that you will strengthen my steps toward home.
And nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend!
So, take my hand and lead me unto the end. 

 
Word of God, come down on earth, living rain from heav’n descending
Touch our hearts and bring to birth faith and hope and love unending.
Word almighty we revere you;
Word made flesh, we long to hear you.
 
Word eternal, throned on high, Word that brought to life creation,
Word that come from heav’n to die, crucified for our salvation.
Saving word, the world restoring,
Speak to us, your love outpouring.
 
Word that speaks God’s tender love, one with God beyond all telling
Word that sends us from above God the Spirit, with us dwelling,
Word of truth, to all truth lead us
Word of life, with one bread feed us.

Spirit of God, Descend upon my heart
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart,
And make me love you as I ought to love
 
I ask no dream, No prophet ecstasies
No sudden rending of the veil of clay;
No angel visitant, no op’ning skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away
 
Have you not bid me love you, God and King;
All, all your own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind?
I see your cross; there teach my heart to cling,
Oh, let me seek you and oh let me find!
 
Teach me to love you as your angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame:
The baptism of the heav’n-descended dove
My heart an altar, and your love the flame.
 

A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe has sworn to work us woe
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
 
No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight
Whom God himself elected.
You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God’s only Son adored.
He holds the field victorious.
 
Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat’ning to devour us.
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot over-pow’r us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage; In battle we’ll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
 
God’s word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the spirit.
Were they to take our house, Goods, honour, child, or spouse.
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The kingdom’s our forever!

O Master let me walk with you, In lowly paths of service true; 
Tell me your secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care. 

Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me your patience; share with me a closer, dearer company.
In work that keeps faith sweet an strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong. 

In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broad'ning way,
In peace that only you can give; with you, O master, let me live. 

Let us pray for the church and God’s people in every land: (Pause)
Beautiful Saviour, King of creation,
Son of God, and Son of Man
Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
 
Let us pray for creation, for restoration of our planet, and the sustainment of living creatures: (Pause)
Fair are the meadows,
Fair is the woodlands,
Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer
He makes our sorrowing spirits sing.
 
Let us pray for all in need of Your loving care:
(Pause)
Fair is the sunshine; Fair is the moonlight
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines fairer
Than all the angels in the sky.
 
Let us pray for God’s kingdom coming, and here on earth: (Pause)
 
Beautiful saviour, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honour, Praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be thine.
AMEN
 
Go my children with my blessing, never alone;
Waking sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever
Go my children, with my blessing, you are my own.
 
Go my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you hear my dear Son’s story, here you touched him, saw his glory
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
 
Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love, and love by serving, Joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you, here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free. 

Thank you to Laurie Zimmerman and her backup singing birds for the opening recording of Softly and Tenderly.

Thank you for continuing to support your church with your gifts and tithes.

Pastor Pam will be away on a vacation break until August 10. Contact Greg Dixon if you have emergency pastoral needs. (519.369.5364)

The summer sermon series prepared by Canadian Bishops and their assistants will be published each week during my vacation. There are some very interesting sermons scheduled that you will not want to miss.

Covid is not over – we have just been successful at not spreading it. Continue to keep safe over the summer – wear a mask, sanitize your hands, and do not stray far from your bubble group. Summer blessings to all.

All may say: We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.

Thank you for being part of worship this morning. May you be moved and blessed in this time together.

We respond to God’s love with our gifts and our tithes. Please remember that the bills are not on lockdown. Offering may be sent to: St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0; St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0; St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Lector this morning was Jenn Tersteege. The communion liturgy has been inspired by Third Space worship community and Rev Anne Anderson. Thank you to Debbie Lou Ludolph of the Kanata Centre, Martin Luther University College, and Rev Ronnie Smith from Peace Lutheran Church, Pickering for organizing the virtual choir (formed to celebrate the 2020 graduates of MLUC)

Pastor Pam will be on vacation from July 19 – August 10. Emergency pastoral care can be arranged by contacting Greg Dixon (519.369.5364), chairperson of the parish working committee.

Come gracious Spirit, heavenly dove
With light and comfort from above
Come, be our guardian and our guide
O'er ev'ry thought and step preside

The light of truth to us display 
and make us know and choose your way;
Plant holy fear in ev'ry heart
that we from God may ne'er depart

Lead us to Christ, the living way, 
Nor let us know and choose your way;
Lead us to holiness, the road
that we must take to dwell with God

Lead us to heav'n, that we may share
Fullness of joy for ever there;
Lead us to our eternal rest
To be with God, forever blest.

Hymn 242

Let the whole creation cry
"Glory be to the Lord on high"
Heav'n and earth, awake and sing,
"Praise him, our almighty King!"
Praise him, angel hosts above
ever bright and fair in love;
Sun and moon, lift up your voice;
Night and stars in God rejoice

Warriors fighting for the Lord, 
Prophets burning with His word, 
Those to whom the arts belong
Add their voices to the song. 
Kings of knowledge and of low
the the glorious circle draw;
All who work and al who wait
sing "the Lord is good and great!"

Men and women, young and old,
Raise the anthem loud and bod
And et children's happy hearts
In this worship take heir parts;
From the north to southern pole
Let the mighty chorus roll;
"Holy, Holy, Holy One;
Glory be to God alone!"

Thank you for your presence in worship this morning. May your life be changed today in Christ.

Please continue to support this parish with your offering.
St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0; 
St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0; 
St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Pastor Pam McNeil can be reached at 226-751-6398
Thank you to worship participants, Dave and Marlene Dietz. 

Our Bishop Michael Pryse, in his wisdom is recommending that we not gather together for worship until September at the earliest.Presently, the Working committee and the Worship and Music committee are studying health protocols and working out ways that we can be SAFE when we gather together again. Some of the things being considered include:

• Blocking off some pews so safe physical distance can be maintained;

• Discussing how or if we can commune together safely;

• Creating alternate ways to have music in our worship because singing and congregational spoken responses will not be allowed;

• Planning ways to communicate with the congregation so people know about the things we need to do to stay safe;

• Looking at ways for everyone to continue to participate in worship, either at home or in the church – because only a limited number of people will be allowed in the church at one time;

• Rental contracts will be modified so the groups using the church will also be safe;

• Learning about cleaning requirements so that the people who clean the buildings are given appropriate guidelines;

• Determining what training is needed for volunteers to be safe during this pandemic;

• Implementing a plan to receive weekly offerings without ‘passing the plate’;

• Establish a system for keeping washrooms clean and accessible.

IN THE MEANTIME – You can prepare by:

• Making sure you have a personal face mask and know how to wear it;

• Signing up for PAR – (Pre-Authorized Remittance) – a method of having regular donations automatically sent to your congregation – contact your treasurer for more information;

• practice fun ways to help children understand the importance of staying in your family bubble while in church;

When we gather together again, it will be in the safest way possible. We are thankful for the time to do plan for this.

Peace be with you,

Pastor Pam,

June 29, 2020

You will notice that the service today takes place in several locations so that the families of the confirmation families could participate in worship leadership. Thank you to the readers, Michael Bender and Jordan Haan.

Matthew 10:40-42 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even
a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Please continue to support this parish with your offering.

St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0;

St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0;

St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Pastor Pam McNeil can be reached at 226-751-6398

Thank you to Dave and Marlene Dietz for their work in preparing the sanctuary for Canada Day. Have a safe holiday.

Thank you to Eric Zimmerman and Dave and Marlene Dietz for their work caring for our church property.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew beginning at the tenth verse: “Glory to You O Lord”

Matthew 10:24-39 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above
the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave
like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how
much more will they malign those of his household! “So have no fear of
them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing
secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the
light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not
fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even
the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more
value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me
before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but
whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in
heaven. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have
not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against
his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own
household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake
will find it. The word of God; R/ Praise to you O Christ.

The sermon this morning is a message from Eastern Synod assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Doug Reble. The link for the sermon is:

https://elcic.box.com/s/dbbu76qe6m1sbqvvj3to0dvxkl4o4laj

(if the above sermon link does not open, please copy the link address and paste into a new tab. Return here at the conclusion of the sermon)

Sing along: Take my life that I may be Consecrated Lord to Thee; Take my moments and my days let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love; Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee, Swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing Always, only, for my king; Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee, filled with messages from thee.

Take my will and make it thine It shall be no longer mine; Take my heart it is thine own, It shall be thy royal throne, it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love my Lord i pour at the feet its treasure store; Take myself and i will be ever only all for thee, Ever, only, all, for thee.

Sending Hymn

Thank you for worshiping together today. Acknowledgements: The opening conversation was part of a joint statement from the ELCIC and the Anglican Church. The full statement and additional information will be posted on the Parish Facebook page in the coming week. The prayer of the day was written by Rev. Dr. Allen Jorgenson. The closing hymn “I love to tell the story” was led by Tim McNab, music director of Halifax Lutheran Church of the resurrection. Please continue to support this parish with your offering.

St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0;

St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0;

St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Pastor Pam McNeil can be reached at 226-751-6398 for conversation, or to offer assistance in worship.

May your week be blessed with the love of God.

Welcome to worship with the South Grey Bruce Lutheran Parish. We will share Holy Communion this morning, and all believers are welcome to participate in sharing bread and/or wine. You may wish to set a table with a special cloth, and light a candle beside the portion of bread and wine you have prepared. May you be touched by God’s presence this morning.

thank you for the tithes and gifts you share with your church.

Gathering Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. #165 LBW( please stop the recording at the end of the hymn)

Hymn of the day: Sing Praise to God, the highest Good. #542 LBW. The soloist is Tim McNabb, Music director of the Halifax Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. You may notice a slight variation in the words- that is one of the 'upgrades' of the ELW hymnal. 
verse 1: SING praise to God, the highest good, The author of creation, 
The God of love who understood Our need for his salvation. 
With healing balm our souls he fills and every faithless murmur stills: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY. 
Verse 2: What God's almighty power has made, in mercy he is keeping; 
By morning glow or evening shade, His eye is never sleeping; 
within the kingdom of his might all things are just and good and right: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY.
Verse 3: We sought the Lord in our distress; O God, in mercy hear us. 
Our Saviour saw our helplessness and came with peace to cheer us. 
For this we thank and praise the Lord Who is by one and all adored: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY. 
Verse 4: LET all who name Christ's holy name Give God the praise and glory. 
Let all who know his power proclaim aloud the wondrous story. 
Cast every idol from its throne, For God is God, and he alone: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY. 

Recessional Hymn: Guide me ever, Great Redeemer. #343 LBW (The final chorus is sung in Gaelic, i believe – join in if you wish, or sing in English, or the language of your choice)

Thank you for joining in Worship. I pray you are moved and strengthened in this time together. Thank you to Tim McNabb for his music leadership this morning. May your week be blessed with God’s presence. Pastor Pam.