FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 109 West Third Avenue, Warren, Pennsylvania

Phone: (814) 723-6450 Fax: (814) 723-0935

Email Office: alayna@flcwarren.com Website: www.flcwarren.com

The Rev. Jeffrey B. Ewing, Pastor pastorjeff@flcwarren.com

Jack Hemink, Director of Music Julie Baughman, accompanist

Cheri Kellogg, Director of Children, Youth and Family

3rd Sunday after Pentecost June 21, 2020 ELW Setting 10

God does not promise that the path of the disciple will be easy. Jeremiah feels the pain of

rejection from those who do not want to hear what he has to say. Jesus declares that his

words may bring stark division. Even so, we need not be afraid for God accounts for each

hair on our heads. Though we may experience rejection, frustration, division, and death,

God’s grace and love make us a new creation each day. Marked with the cross and filled

with holy food, we are sent from worship to witness to Christ in the world.

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GATHERING_______________________________

PRELUDE In the Cross of Christ I Glory Charles Cooke

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

*PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place Lanny Wolfe

1. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;

I can feel His mighty power and His grace.

I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face;

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

2. Surely the Spirit of the Lord is here in love,

And it brings God’s peace as quiet as a dove.

I can see the glow of angels’ wings shining brightly from above

Surely the Spirit of the Lord is here in love.

Copyright 1977 by Lanny Wolfe Music/ASCAP (A Div. of Pathway Press, Cleveland, TN. International Copyright Secured.

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Duplicated by permission of Gaither Copyright #GCM 082584

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

whose steadfast love is everlasting,

whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Amen. Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Reconciling God, we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your

presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts.

We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our

own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us.

We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew

us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life.

Amen. Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God

through ☩ Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace. Our sins are

forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has

been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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*HYMN We Know That Christ is Raised #449

1. We know that Christ is raised and dies no more. Embraced by death, he broke its

fearful hold, and our despair he turned to blazing joy. Hallelujah!

2. We share by water in his saving death. Reborn, we share with him an Easter life, as

living members of our Savior Christ. Hallelujah!

4. A new creation comes to life and grows as Christ’s new body takes on flesh and blood.

The universe restored and whole will sing. Hallelujah!

*GREETING 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.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY

A: Teach us, good Lord God, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the

cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not

to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our

Savior and Lord.

Amen.

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-13 Jeremiah accuses God of forcing him into a ministry that brings him only contempt and

persecution. Yet Jeremiah is confident that God will be a strong protector against his enemies

and commits his life into God’s hands.

7O LORD, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you

have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. 8For

whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word

of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. 9If I say, “I will not

mention him, or speak any more in his name,” then within me there is something like a

burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. 10

For I hear

many whispering: “Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” All my

close friends are watching for me to stumble. “Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can

prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.” 11

But the LORD is with me like a dread

warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be

greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. 12

O LORD of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your

retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. 13

Sing to the LORD; praise

the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.

A: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 69:7-18 Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind. (Ps. 69:16) 7Surely, for your sake I have suffered reproach, and shame has covered my face.

8I have become a stranger to my own kindred, an alien to my mother’s children.

9Zeal for your house has eaten me up; the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.

10I humbled myself with fasting, but that was turned to my reproach.

11I put on sackcloth also, and became a byword among them.

12Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, and the drunkards make songs about me.

13But as for me, this is my prayer to you, at the time you have set, O LORD: “In your great

mercy, O God, answer me with your unfailing help.

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14Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; let me be rescued from those who hate me

and out of the deep waters. 15

Let not the torrent of waters wash over me, neither let the

deep swallow me up; do not let the pit shut its mouth upon me. 16

Answer me, O LORD,

for your love is kind; in your great compassion, turn to me. 17

Hide not your face from

your servant; be swift and answer me, for I am in distress. 18

Draw near to me and redeem

me; because of my enemies deliver me.

Second Reading: Romans 6:1b-11 In baptism we were incorporated into the reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. We have

been made new in Christ through his death and resurrection to live freed from sin. 1b

Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? 2By no means! How can we

who died to sin go on living in it? 3Do you not know that all of us who have been

baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we have been buried

with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the

glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united

with him in a resurrection like his. 6We know that our old self was crucified with him so

that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For

whoever has died is freed from sin. 8But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we

will also live with him. 9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die

again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10

The death he died, he died to sin, once

for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11

So you also must consider yourselves dead

to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

A: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 10th

chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

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Gospel: Matthew 10:24-39 Jesus warns his disciples that their ministry in his name will meet with opposition. However, he

assures them that they need not fear for the truth will come to light. Life is found in Christ.

[Jesus said to the twelve:] 24

“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the

master; 25

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!

26

“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and

nothing secret that will not become known. 27

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the

light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28

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. 29

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the

ground apart from your Father. 30

And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31

So do

not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

32

“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge

before my Father in heaven; 33

but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny

before my Father in heaven.

34

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring

peace, but a sword.

35

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;36

and one’s foes will be members of

one’s own household. 37

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; 38

and whoever

does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39

Those who find their life

will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Pastor Jeffrey Ewing

Silence for reflection may follow.

*HYMN OF THE DAY Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said #667

1.”Take up your cross,” the Savior said, “if you would my disciple be; forsake the past,

and come this day, and humbly follow after me.”

3. Take up your cross, nor heed the shame, nor let your foolish heart rebel; for you the

Lord endured the cross to save your soul from death and hell.

4. Take up your cross and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down; for those who

humbly bear the cross one day will wear the glorious crown.

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APOSTLES’ CREED

A: Please join with me as we confess our faith with the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

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

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord.

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended

into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

A: Our prayer petitions will end with “Hear us, O God,” and you may respond at home

by saying “Your mercy is great”.

Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared

world.

A brief silence.

Expansive God, you bring diverse voices together to form your church. Open our hearts

and unstop our ears to learn from one another, that differences might not overshadow our

baptismal unity.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Providing God, your creation shows us that life comes from death. Renew the places

where our land, air, and waterways have been ill for too long. Grant good harvest and

fair prices to farmers. Direct the work of all who care for birds, animals and their

habitats.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Protecting God, sustain and keep safe all who work to defend others across the world.

Revive and strengthen organizations dedicated to caring for refugees and migrants while

their homelands struggle for peace.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Loving God, you promise to be with all who are persecuted for your sake. Guide all who

speak your word of justice and console any who are tormented or targeted for being who

they are.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

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Compassionate God, you are with us and we are never alone. Bless all fathers and father

figures who strive to love and nurture as you do. Comfort all who long to be fathers and

all for whom this day is difficult.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Reigning God, you bless us with guides and caretakers in the faith. As we give thanks for

those who have died especially Onesimos Nesib, translator and evangelist, increase our

care for one another until we walk with them in newness of life.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our

Lord. Amen.

SHARING THE PEACE

P: The peace of the Lord is with you always.

C: And also with you.

MEAL_____________________________________ OFFERING

We encourage you to consider mailing your normal offering to the church (109 West Third Avenue) or give through our website at flcwarren.com/give.

MUSIC What a Savior Laura Story

Sydney Ewing, soprano; Doris Mason, guitar Sung in honor of all fathers this Father’s Day

OFFERTORY RESPONSE We Give Thee but Thine Own #686

1. We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be;

all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.

2. May we thy bounties thus as stewards true receive, and gladly,

as thou blessest us, to thee our firstfruits give.

*OFFERTORY PRAYER

A: God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours, and your faithfulness is as firm as

the heavens. Nourish us with the gift of your presence, that we might proclaim your

steadfast love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus Christ, our strength and

our song.

Amen.

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*GREAT THANKSGIVING

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 our thanks and praise. P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy…we praise your name and join their unending

hymn:

Congregation: *SANCTUS

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

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 trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION P: Friends of Jesus, come to the table.

C: Amen!

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LAMB OF GOD

P: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gifts of his body and blood strengthen,

keep and unite us, now and forever.

C: Amen

*CANTICLE OF PRAISE

Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place Lanny Wolfe

3. Surely the Blessing of the Lord is in my heart,

And it’s here when we’re together or apart.

Now I feel the rush of angels’ wings and I know how great Thou art

Surely the blessing of the Lord is in my heart.

Copyright 1977 by Lanny Wolfe Music/ASCAP (A Div. of Pathway Press, Cleveland, TN. International Copyright Secured.

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Duplicated by permission of Gaither Copyright #GCM 082584

*POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

A: God of the welcome table,

in this meal we have feasted on your goodness

and have been united by your presence among us.

Empower us to go forth sustained by these gifts

so that we may share your neighborly love with all,

through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life. Amen.

*BLESSING Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

God, the creator, ☩ Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter,

bless you and keep you in eternal love. Amen.

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SENDING

P: Go in peace. Love and serve the Lord!

C: Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE Allegro Everett Titcomb

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg

Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42272.New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of

the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Altar Flowers

Given by Jerry Huber in memory of Ruth and Tom Huber. Given by Jim & Alice Rapp in memory of loved ones.

Prayer Requests: servicemen & women, especially Andrew Shodi, Swede Backhus, Adam &

Ben Frederick, Eric Smith, Shane Simpson, Curtis & Annie Royek, Ty Elmquist, Matt Pierotti

June 21: Brianna Coursey, Mary Edwards, Layton Swanson, David Nelson, Susan Peterson,

Bonnie Parker, Margie Belsole, Pete Peterson, Marsha Keller, Mia, Karen Schumacher,

Shirley Brown

June 14: Ryder Check, Greg Nagurney, Connie Buerkle, Rod Anderson, Don Worley, Bob

Engstrom, friends & family of Helene Snyder

June 7: Elizabeth Donovan, Sylar Moore, Sharyn Stone, Diane Murray, Nathan Brooks,

Marcia Granger, Gail Larson, Justin Singer, Janet Wilson

PUBLIC WORSHIP BEGINS ON JUNE 28TH at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Please remember that if you are compromised, uncomfortable or not feeling well, stay home - we want you to remain safe and healthy! If you are comfortable coming to

worship, you MUST call the church office for reservations between 1 – 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If you call on these days and worship is filled for the upcoming Sunday, you will be the first on the list for the following week. If you call on Thursday or Friday and there is room for the upcoming Sunday’s service, we will reserve your spot. However, if worship for that Sunday is full, you will need to call the following week for a reservation.

BIBLE STUDY will be meeting on Tuesday, June 23 at noon

(instead of Wednesday this week) while properly social distancing in Niewoehner Hall. Come join us!

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RUMMAGE SALE SET FOR JULY 10TH AND 11TH Our annual rummage sale is set! On Friday, the hours will be from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Beginning on Wednesday, June 24th you may bring in items you would like to donate for this year’s event to the garage. We WILL NOT be accepting any

kind of electronics this year and, as always, we thank you for your support and hope you will spread the word!

THE SALVATION ARMY is in need of food donations, especially at this time of uncertainty. Donations can be dropped off in the Narthex collection box for pick-up. Thank you.

MISSION TRIP 2020 Our next mission trip meeting is set for Sunday, June 28th at noon AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH! This will be our last meeting before our August 1st leave date. Please bring in any final paperwork or

payment. We ask the congregation to keep us in your prayers – asking God for traveling mercies, open minds, strong backs, safe environments and whatever else we will need as we travel to Michigan.

WELCOME OUR NEW OFFICE MANAGER! The Personnel Committee of First Lutheran Church conducted interviews last month for a new office manager, and Jessica Long was hired! She starts on Monday, June 15th to be able to train with Alayna for several weeks. We are excited to welcome her to our loving church!

FRIDAY NIGHT OUT IS BACK! Everyone is invited to an outdoor picnic party on Friday July 3rd at 6PM at Pellegrino's Deli on Conewango Ave. Social distancing, fire pits and ice cream are on the agenda. Tom will serve pulled pork sandwiches, meatballs, baked ziti, baked beans, macaroni salad and more for about $12/person. Vegan and gluten free options are available with prior notice. Reservations are required by Mon. June 29th. Please contact Kate & Don at 723-4520 or dreed107@verizon.net or call the church at 723-6450 and mention any dietary requests.

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FLC’s YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY will be meeting once more! On June 27th starting at 1PM, there will be a cookout and games at Crone’s Camp. Bring games to play and a dish to pass! Check out the event on the FLC Young Adult Ministry Facebook page. Looking forward to seeing everybody!

STEWARDSHIP: Thank you for your continued to support of First Lutheran through offerings online, through your banks, and by mail - your gifts are a great help to the congregation. We understand that many people's work and financial situations have been affected and/or are uncertain right now, but if you are in a position to continue your tithes and offerings to First Lutheran, please do so. While the forms of our

ministry have changed in this time of isolation, the work of loving, caring for, and supporting God's people continues in earnest. Thank you as always for the gifts you share, and the gift you are, to First Lutheran.

SCHEDULES –We will be sending out an updated Assisting Minister/ Cantor schedule ASAP, but there will be no need for greeters or acolytes during our “COVID In-person Services”. We appreciate your willingness to serve, and will send a schedule when it is decided to start this up again. Thank you!

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Be sure to have your mask on as you enter and exit the building

and continue to practice social distancing!

Before entering, an usher will take your temperature using a touchless thermometer (if your temperature is over 100 degrees, for the safety of our community you will need to view the service from home on Facebook Live or at www.flcwarren.com/worship). A squirt of hand sanitizer will also be given.

Please keep all of your personal effects with you as you enter the building.

Upon arriving at the center doors, please wait to be seated. An usher will escort you to your seat where you will find a bulletin for the service. If you prefer a seat cushion, please bring one from home. Once you are seated, and if desired, you may remove your mask.

All words for hymns are printed in the bulletin. If you would like to use a hymnbook, feel free to pick one up at the table in the Narthex. Please remember to set it on the table near the exit door as you leave.

Offering trays will be at the entrance and exit. As always, thank you for supporting the work of bringing God’s love to all people!

During worship, the Peace will be shared in a nonphysical manner (bowing, peace sign, etc…)

Pastor and Worship Assistant will move between the pews to distribute communion.

o If you do not wish to receive the sacraments, please indicate so by crossing your arms across your chest.

o The Host will be dropped into hands. o Communion wine will be pre-poured and placed in trays with cups

spaced apart. Place empty cups back in the same spot from where they were taken.

After the Postlude, please wait for an usher to dismiss you from the sanctuary. The exit door is near the choir room.