ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2022
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words to one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have internet may find the songs on YouTube.
BEFORE WE WORSHIP, WE REFLECT…
In Luke 10, Jesus invites his followers to go out and join in the work he has already been doing. They return delighted to have been able to participate. Consider the old image of Jesus standing in front of a door, with one hand raised as if to knock. What if, instead of imagining that Jesus is about to ask if he can come in, you imagine that he is going to ask if you can come out and join him? What if he is like a child asking if their best friend can come out and play? What would you and Jesus do together?
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
We acknowledge that we gather to worship on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people.
Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on what we do and what we can do to make Manitoba a better place for everyone who lives here.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God calls us to worship today.
We are here!
All are invited– the sick, the well, the believer, and the doubter.
We are here!
Wash us, O God! May we be cleansed by your holy love.
We are here! AMEN!
CHILDREN’S SONG: VU 577 I’ve Got Peace Like A River
CENTERING PRAYER:
God of Liberation,
We are gathered to meet with you this morning. Open our hearts to the many ways you will speak to us. As you did with the prophets, you call us out of our everyday lives to share your message of love and grace. Challenge us today to look within ourselves so that we may be your disciples. Amen.
A NEW CREED:
We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S CHAT:
The body of Christ, the Church, is like a bowl of fruit salad. Yep, you read correctly – fruit salad. Think about your favourite fruit. Mine is raspberries. Now, I could eat raspberries every day, three times a day, 365 days a year, and never get tired of them. But if I did that, I wouldn’t get to enjoy all the other fruits that exist that are equally as tasty. Some fruits are an adventure in learning how to pick them as well as prepare them!
My point is that if we only stuck with our favourite fruit, our tastebuds might be satisfied, just not excited. However, if you took your favourite fruit and combined it with other fruits, suddenly, your tastebuds explode with joy because there are so many flavours to savour all at once! All those different flavours, colours, textures…wow, who knew fruit could taste so good!
It is the same with people. Life is more interesting, and the Holy Spirit so much more exciting, when we go and meet new people! People with different skills, languages, cultures, skin colour, experiences…think about how much more wonderful our lives would be in the church if all these people were worshipping Jesus with us, all around the world, helping others, all around the world, accepting everyone with God’s love, all around the world! Think about how much you could learn working with so many different people who want to serve God and share Jesus with the world, just like you do!
Fruit, the Church and people. It’s going to be an exciting summer!
MINUTE FOR MISSION: Rising Above Tragedy To Transform Lives
Each year, the Asian Rural Institute (ARI), supported through your Mission & Service gifts, invites 25‒30 grassroots rural leaders from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to learn sustainable agriculture techniques at their Rural Leaders Training Centre in Tochigi, Japan.
Saidath Murorunkwere is one of ARI’s most recent graduates.
Like many other Rwandans, the genocide of 1994 left scars in her life. In just 100 days between April and July, an estimated 800,000 to 1,000,000 Rwandans were killed, the majority of whom were Tutsis.
“Of Saidath’s extended family of nearly 200, only two aunts and a few of her siblings survived. When the Rwanda Patriotic Front forces finally stopped the genocide, Saidath, her mother, and her remaining siblings had to start over with absolutely nothing. Everything was either burned or stolen, including their 42 cows and other livestock,” ARI reports.
To make ends meet through the following years, her mother sold charcoal and Saidath worked as a bus driver’s assistant, opening doors for passengers and collecting fees. Many days they went without eating. Still, Saidath was determined to finish secondary school. She became a secretary and eventually studied at the University of Rwanda, where she graduated with a degree in journalism.
Despite her education, the pay was low so she began to work as a farmer and a social worker with Dufatanye, a non-governmental organization that works to fight HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and poverty while promoting organic agricultural practices. In that role, Saidath worked with 60 farming families to build kitchen gardens.
Inspired to make an even bigger difference, she applied to ARI. “Nearly 40 percent of the population in my area lives in poverty. Small-scale farming is the major occupation, and I wanted to learn techniques and skills from ARI that I could share.”
Whether it be environmental conservation, providing education, initiating microfinance programs, attaining rights for women and children, or organizing aid for refugees, each student of ARI graduates with the intention to make a positive difference.
Saidath’s goal is to develop more cooperatives in the community where she can pass on the skills she has learned. “With better nutrition, health will improve and children can go to school,” she says.
Thank you for supporting programs like ARI that inspire extraordinary community leaders like Saidath to make a difference. Your generosity truly does matter.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
You, O God, are the source of our identity. You, O God, call us to love our neighbor. You, O God, challenge us to learn from one another. You, O God, tell us to be different! May we swim in your healing waters, resting in the fullness of being children of God. Amen.
Readings and Psalm:
First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Those who returned from the exile found that the hopes for the glorious restoration of Judah were not completely fulfilled. For these disappointed people, the prophet envisions salvation in the image of a nursing woman. Mother Jerusalem and a mothering God remind the community how they are sustained and supported.
10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her—
11that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with
delight from her glorious bosom.
12For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like
an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees.
13As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be
known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.
Psalm 66:1-9
R: All the earth bows down before you and sings out your name. (Ps. 66:4)
1Be joyful in God, all you lands; be joyful, all the earth.
2Sing the glory of God’s name; sing the glory of God’s praise.
3Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
4All the earth bows down before you, sings to you, sings out your name.” R
5Come now and see the works of God, how awesome are God’s deeds toward all people.
6God turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot,
and there we rejoiced in God.
7Ruling forever in might, God keeps watch over the nations; let no rebels exalt themselves.
8Bless our God, you peoples; let the sound of praise be heard.
9Our God has kept us among the living and has not allowed our feet to slip. R
Second Reading: Galatians 6:1-16
In the close of his letter to the Galatians, Paul encourages them to live as people made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Here Paul offers practical advice about how believers exercise common concern for one other in “the family of faith.”
1My 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.
11See 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.
Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Jesus commissions harvesters and laborers to go where he would go and do what he would do. Risking hardship and danger in exchange for the experience of great joy, they offer peace and healing as signs that the reign of God is near.
1After 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.”
17The 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.”
HYMN: VU 710 Shall We Gather At The River
SERMON:
July 3, 2022 Pentecost 4 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Rev. Adam Snook
Assistant to the Bishop, Communication, Mission, Congregational Support
Eastern Synod
Grace to you, and peace!
My name is Pastor Adam Snook and I serve as an Assistant to the Bishop in the Eastern Synod of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
It continues to be my privilege, and a real joy, to participate yet again in our ELCIC Summer Sermon Series. Thank you for your continued support of this project, and for your willingness to make use of these resources – resources that unite us as a whole church…from British Columbia – to Nova Scotia…and all of those wonderful places in-between. It is good – so good – for us to be together in this way.
One of the most common tidbits of advice that was offered to my wife and I as we anticipated and prepared for the birth of our son: was the advice that we were in for a steep learning curve!
Of course, those who offered such advice…were correct!
- We needed to learn how to soothe the cries of a newborn child.
- We needed to learn how to encourage his growth and development.
- And we needed to learn the ‘whats’, and the ‘whys’, and the ‘hows’ of this new life stage as parents.
They were right – it really was a steep learning curve!
But while some of these lessons were certainly anticipated – I mean, the art of changing a wiggly newborn really can’t be learned from a book – other lessons caught us quite by surprise.
- We never would have anticipated just how much our capacity for love would grow.
- We never would have anticipated the worry we would experience as he bumped his way toward learning to walk.
- But perhaps most of all, we never could have prepared ourselves – for the lessons that he would teach us – for the life lessons which awaited us in the years ahead.
Lessons about slowing down…and showing up.
Lessons about finding joy…and being open to it!
Lessons about the value of laughter…and taking time to play.
And most recently…the lesson that ANYTHING is possible.
You see, what I’ve come to celebrate about my son Nate now that he’s 7 years old – is his unwavering belief that anything…absolutely ANYTHING…is possible.
Want to go to space – sure…we can do that!
What to build the world’s biggest treehouse – absolutely…I’m sure that will work!
Want to dive deeper than any deep sea diver has ever ventured – no problem…let’s do it!
In his mind – anything is possible.
His imagination is unlimited.
His willingness to give it a try is unwavering!
A good lesson for us all!
When today’s passage from Luke’s gospel – often know as ‘The Mission of the Seventy” – rolls around in the lectionary cycle, there are a number of expected details that typically catch our attention: the disciples being sent out in pairs…the absence of any sort of physical supply list…talk of lambs among wolves, and the shaking of dust from one’s own rejected feet. Needless to say, that any one of these (and a whole host of others) would certainly provide more than enough homiletical fodder upon which we might choose to chew.
And yet what stands out to me the most – beyond dust-covered feet or paired-off disciples: is the promise of unlimited possibilities that flows from start to finish throughout this narrative.
Just think about it!
Jesus sent 70.
Not 700. Not 7,000.
Jesus sent 70 disciples into the world.
70 disciples to share the good news to the ends of the earth.
70 disciples to reap the abundance of a plentiful harvest.
70 disciples to proclaim hope amidst despair, joy amidst sorrow, and life where only death was found.
70 disciples!
And that’s where, I think, we encounter something quite beautiful in this morning’s timely passage from Luke: the promise that even when the labourers really do feel sparce…the harvest, the harvest is still plentiful! It’s the assurance, that life still abounds over death. Joy still triumphs over sorrow. Hope still breathes reprieve to despair. And the promise that the good news has…does…and will always change lives.
In this Season after Pentecost, we are weekly reminded through scripture (just as I am daily reminded by my son) we are reminded of the unlimited possibilities of God: of nets filled, of bread multiplied, of seeds planted, of people healed, of sins forgiven. The promise of the seemingly impossible…made possible…by a God who loves us.
It’s the kind of promise that sustains us, as we too, are sent into the world to share that same life-changing good news.
The kind of promise that inspires us to dream new dreams for God’s church, unencumbered by brick and mortar limitations.
The kind of promise that reminds us that even when the days are long…or when there are no sandals left on our feet…or even when we’re covered in dust from a long a winding road – this work, discipleship work, gospel work…GOD’S WORK…is still worth it.
Notice, Jesus never says to his seventy new recruits – go into a town, and if the town is too small, or if the people are too tired, then save yourselves the hassle, and move on elsewhere. NO. Instead, Jesus tells his laborers to give it a try – to do everything that they can to proclaim the gospel, to speak the truth, and to share the good news. According to Jesus, no place is so outlying, no house is so damaged, and no person is so tired – that they are unworthy of the hope that comes from the love of our Saviour.
And if things don’t go according to plan, Jesus says, after having given it your best – after you’ve planted the seeds and tilled the soil – then shake the dust from your feet, move on, and try again. Knowing all the while, that the seeds you have planted…and the soil which you have tilled…is still being tended by God.
God’s not done yet! And this work, this gospel-bearing, discipleship-living, good news-sharing work that we have been called, commissioned, equipped, and sent to do – IS STILL POSSIBLE! Even…and especially…today!
- For the sake of all those who need to hear a word of love and forgiveness in their daily lives.
- For the sake of all those who need to be consoled and comforted.
- For the sake of all those who are imprisoned or enslaved.
- For the sake of all those who feel excluded, judged, or rejected.
- For the sake of all those who yearn to find a place to belong.
- For your sake…and for mine.
May we go forth in this assurance.
May we discover joy in our labours as we travel together.
And may we come to know the boundless hope of a God who is in the business of making all things possible.
For this, and for your partnership in these labours, I say thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN: VU 602 Blest Be The Tie That Binds
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Drawn close to the heart of God, we offer these prayers for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
You gather the church into a community of mercy and grace. Unify Christians around the globe in efforts to proclaim good news even in the face of opposition and to protect those whose lives are imperiled by the gospel. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You create the entire universe and call it good. Hinder those who would cause further destruction to our planet’s fragile ecosystems, and augment the calls of those who advocate for thoughtful stewardship of the earth’s resources. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You raise up leaders committed to love and justice. Nurture in those who govern patience to receive criticism, openness to new ideas, and courage to change course when needed for the sake of the common good. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You hear us when we cry to you. Attend to those expecting a child, and console those who have experienced miscarriage. Comfort veterans enduring post-traumatic stress. Shield those endangered by domestic violence. Uphold those who are ill or grieving (especially). Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You kindle faith that moves us into action. Guide children and adults preparing for baptism or confirmation. Empower Sunday school teachers, confirmation leaders, and parents who share their faith with younger generations. Give us all a renewed sense of vocation. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You welcome us into your heavenly realm. We give thanks for those whose labors on earth are ended and who now rest with you. On the final day, gather all of us, with them, in your loving arms. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Accept the prayers we bring, O God, on behalf of a world in need, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING SONG: VU 371 Open My Eyes That I May See
BENEDICTION:
You are children of God, anointed with the oil of gladness and strengthened for the journey.
Almighty God, motherly, majestic, and mighty, ☩ bless you this day and always.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PRAIRIE TO PINE WEEKLY NEWS: prairietopinerc.ca
Weekly News from MNO: mnosynod@elcic.ca
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** PASTOR LESLIE WILL BE AWAY ON HOLIDAY JUNE 30 – AUGUST 6 INCLUSIVE. THERE WILL BE NO WORSHIP SERVICES DURING THIS TIME. WORSHIP WILL RESUME IN PERSON ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 7. If there is an emergency during this time, please call Debbie Swift, 204-712-6669, and she will direct you to the on-call clergy.
** In the interest of maintaining accurate church records, would you please email the church, or call and leave an answering machine message, regarding any changes to your phone numbers, emails, or any other information that has changed, or was not included, in the directory.
** Who does the church contact on your behalf in the event of an emergency? While we may know your family’s names, we don’t necessarily have their contact information. It would be helpful for the office to have the name and number of a contact person(s) with whom to communicate information.
** Starting in the fall, we would like to have families greet, usher and read during the service. We have missed connecting with everyone during Covid. Many hands make light work! Thank you for serving!