Spirit Worship

Holy Spirit @ Home

August 16, 2020

10:30 A.M.

Eleventh Sunday

after Pentecost

Holy Communion

Gathering

The Holy Spirit gathers us in worship

Gathering Music: Down to the River to Pray Christian folk hymn

“The 36 voices you hear were all recorded separately at different times

and in different locations. Each woman had only the melody playing

in her ear and then sang the part that she wanted, no music was

written out. All videos were recorded using cell phones.

I'm so thankful for each of these women and their willingness

to make my vision a reality” - Tiffany Goodrick

Gathering Music: The Irish Blessing

“The Irish Blessing” (Beannacht uile-Éireann) is a project inspired by the many international

recordings of "The Blessing” which have been made during this time of pandemic. We wanted

to honour that inspiration, whilst at the same time, honouring the unique history and culture of

our island. So we chose a song that would resonate across the island, with every denomination

and cultural grouping, one that could be used as a platform to sing a Blessing over our land,

all our key-workers and those they are caring for. “Be Thou My Vision” is just such a hymn

written over 1000 years ago. It reminds us of the One to whom we should look in this time of

pandemic, whose presence is our light, the source of our wisdom, in whom we find our treasure

and where we find victory. Individuals from 300 Christian churches and organisations located

in every county on the island submitted self-recordings of vocals and instruments which have

been compiled by our creative team to produce this music video - we hope you receive a

blessing as you watch it.”

- Pauline Alton, Caren Collins, Fr Martin Magill, Philip McKinley, Paul McNeilly

Gathering

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering

The Psalmist writes, “How good and pleasant it is

when kindred live together in unity.”

What a privilege it is, with one accord,

to worship the God of heaven and earth.

Gathering (continued)

Isolated from freely associating with family and friends,

disheartened by political and social divisions in our society,

discouraged by the continuing spread of the Covid-19 virus,

we look forward to this hour of Word and song,

prayer, Communion, and connections.

Gracious God, be among us now.

May we experience and cherish the blessing you offer in Jesus.

Gathering Song: We Walk by Faith ELW Hymn 635

Musical Leadership: Doreen Micheletti, Vi Ballard, Dave Rishel

Verse 1: We walk by faith and not by sight;

with gracious words draw near,

O Christ, who spoke as none e’er spoke:

“My peace be with you here.”

Verse 3: Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

and may our faith abound to call on you when you are near

and seek where you are found.

Verse 4: That, when our life of faith is done,

in realms of clearer light we may behold you as you are,

with full and endless sight. Augsburg Fortress Annual license #20593

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray together.

God of all peoples,

your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.

Teach us as disciples of your Son

to love the world with compassion and constancy,

that your name may be known throughout the earth,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Word

God speaks to us in Bible readings, preaching and song

First Reading: Genesis 45:1-15 CEV Introduction read by Karin Kao; Logan Kao - Lector

(As last Sunday’s first reading ended, we learned

that Joseph’s brothers sold him to some traders headed for Egypt

because they were irritated at his selfish dreaming

and their father’s showing him great favoritism.

To cover up their cruelty,

they roughed up Joseph’s fancy coat to make it look

as though a wild animal had killed him.

They took it to their father Jacob,

who believed their false story and collapsed with grief

at the apparent death of his favorite son.

First Reading (continued)

In Egypt, though, God kept Joseph safe,

and gave him the wisdom to interpret dreams,

so that whatever Joseph said would happen

always came true.

Eventually Joseph was brought to the Pharaoh’s palace

to interpret the king’s dreams,

and when one of those dreams pointed ahead

to two years of bountiful harvests

followed by five years of severe famine,

Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of building storehouses

to save up grain in the bountiful years

so people would have something to eat during the long famine.

First Reading (continued)

Because of Joseph’s fine management skills

and the super-abundant harvests,

Egypt became the only place in the entire region

for hungry people to buy food.

Back in the land of Canaan,

Joseph’s father and brothers and their families were starving.

Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food – all but Benjamin,

Joseph’s full brother, the only other son of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel.

First Reading (continued)

Joseph saw them approaching the Pharaoh’s storehouse and recognized them,

but they -- thinking him dead -- did not recognize him in his fine clothes.

He then played a series of tricks on them, and threw one of them into prison,

holding him hostage so that they would bring Benjamin back to Egypt with them.

When the brothers returned with Benjamin,

Joseph’s employees released the brother from prison

and set out a fine lunch for them all.

Then Joseph stirred up more drama

to strike fear into his brothers’ hearts -- which it did.

Finally, Joseph concluded they had suffered enough,

and decided to reveal his true identity.)

First Reading (continued)

A reading from Genesis, the 45th chapter.

Since Joseph could no longer control his feelings in front of his servants,

he sent them out of the room.

When he was alone with his brothers, he told them, “I am Joseph.”

Then he cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him

and told about it in the king’s palace.

Joseph asked his brothers if his father was still alive,

but they were too frightened to answer.

First Reading (continued)

Joseph told them to come closer to him, and when they did, he said:

“Yes, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt.

Don’t worry or blame yourselves for what you did.

God is the one who sent me ahead of you to save lives.

There has already been a famine for two years,

and for five more years no one will plow fields or harvest grain.

But God sent me on ahead of you to keep your families alive

and to save you in this wonderful way.

After all, you weren’t really the ones who sent me here -- it was God.

He made me the highest official in the king’s court

and placed me over all Egypt.

First Reading (continued)

“Now hurry back and tell my father that his son Joseph says,

‘God has made me ruler of Egypt.

Come here as quickly as you can.

You will live near me in the region of Goshen

with your children and grandchildren,

as well as with your sheep, goats, cattle,

and everything else you own.

I will take care of you there during the next five years of famine.

But if you don’t come, you and your family

and your animals will starve to death.’

First Reading (continued)

“All of you, including my brother Benjamin,

can tell by what I have said that I really am Joseph.

Tell my father about my great power here in Egypt

and about everything you have seen. Hurry and bring him here.”

Joseph and Benjamin hugged each other and started crying.

Joseph was still crying as he kissed each of his other brothers.

After this, they started talking with Joseph.

Word of God, Word of life. Thanks be to God.

Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Jeff Gross – Lector NRSV

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, the eleventh chapter.

The Apostle writes:

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!

I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,

a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Second Reading(continued)

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Just as you (Gentiles) were once disobedient to God

but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,

so they have now been disobedient in order that,

by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.

For God has imprisoned all in disobedience

so that he may be merciful to all.

Word of God, Word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 NRSV

The Good News from Matthew, the 15th chapter.

Open our hearts, Lord.

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Just then a Canaanite woman from that region

came out and started shouting,

“Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David;

my daughter is tormented by a demon.”

Gospel (continued)

But he did not answer her at all.

And his disciples came and urged him, saying,

“Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food

and throw it to the dogs.”

Gospel (continued)

She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs

that fall from their masters’ table.”

Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith!

Let it be done for you as you wish.”

And her daughter was healed instantly.

This is the Good News!

Thanks be to God! Hallelujah!

Sermon

Pastor Spencer Steele

Word in Song: We Come to You for Healing, Lord Musical Leadership: Doreen Micheletti ELW Hymn 617

Verse 1: We come to you for healing, Lord, of body, mind, and soul,

and pray that by your Spirit's touch we may again be whole.

Verse 2: As once you walked through ancient streets

and reached toward those in pain,

come, risen Christ, among us still with pow'r to heal again.

Verse 3: You touch us through physicians' skills, through nurses' gifts of care,

and through the love of faithful friends who lift our lives in prayer.

Verse 4: When nights are long with wakefulness,

through days when strength runs low,

grant us your gift of patience, Lord, your calming peace to know.

Affirmation

Let us affirm our mission.

Gathered by God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit,

we invite and welcome all people to join us on our journey

to become more faithful ministers of Jesus Christ

in our homes, our communities, and the world.

Prayers of the People Craig Scott – Intercessor

Confident of God’s care and upheld by the Holy Spirit,

let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

Petitions end:

…Bless your church, faithful God: help us, O Lord.

…Protect your earth, creative God: help us, O Lord.

…Save humankind, sovereign God: help us, O Lord.

…Heal the sick, merciful God: help us, O Lord.

…Direct all people of faith, gracious God: help us, O Lord.

…Guide us, compassionate God: help us, O Lord.

…Grant us salvation, eternal God: help us, O Lord.

In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love,

we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Respond to God’s Gifts

We respond to the Word of God by gathering an offering for the mission of the church,

including the care of those in need. The music is offered as a gift to the glory of God.

During this period of remote church services, you may give your offering by

(1) using Give by Text (610-981-1312),

(2) enrolling in Simply Giving,

(3) mailing your check to the church office, 3461 Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus, PA 18049

(4) navigating to our church's website https://lchsemmaus.org/stewardship/,

then clicking on: Give now on-line,

(5) downloading our mobile giving app by simply searching for “Give+” in either the Apple

App Store or Google Play Store. Once you have downloaded the app, search on “Lutheran

Church of The Holy Spirit”. You can immediately donate or choose to set up an account.

Musical Offering

Healing in His Wings Althrogge and Sovereign Grace

Jeff Gross, vocalist and Justin Schaeffer, percussion

Mixed by Justin Schaeffer

CCLI Annual Music and Streaming License # 678084

Meal

In word and meal,

God’s grace feeds us

Holy Communion

You may prepare your communion table at home now.

Following the Words of Institution, the Lord’s Prayer

and Communion Invitation, the presiding minister

will say the words first.

While inspirational communion music is played,

you may share in communion.

There will be a slide with the words to say during communion.

Word in Meal

Thanks and praise to you, God of mercy and grace,

for you entered into covenant trust with Israel, your chosen people,

and bestowed on them an irrevocable calling.

In Jesus, you take your children’s food and give it to all creation.

You have lifted us from the floor to your table,

from a place beyond redemption to the joy of your heart,

and you give us eternal food, that, in you,

we may never be hungry again.

Words of Institution

Word in Meal (continued)

Send your Holy Spirit upon us now,

that, in this meal,

as we take in the full measure of your mercy

we would be strengthened in our daily lives

to embody courage, truth, and vision.

Inspire us to join with people of faith and integrity

to turn human evil into your good.

All this we pray, loving God, as we affirm

that all glory is yours, both now and forever.

Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Sisters and brothers,

taste and see that the Lord is good.

Amen.

Communion The presiding minister will say the words first.

While inspirational communion music is played,

you may share in communion.

The body of Christ given for you.

The blood of Christ shed for you. +

A Blessing, “You are a loved child of God.”

Sending

God blesses us

and sends us in mission to the world.

Prayer following Communion

Let us pray.

We give you thanks, almighty God,

that you have refreshed us

through the healing power of this gift of life.

By your Spirit, strengthen us to serve all in need

and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever. Amen.

Sending Song: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Musical Leadership: Doreen Micheletti, Vi Ballard, Dave Rishel ELW Hymn 836

Verse 1: Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!

Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee, praising thee, their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Verse 2: All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,

stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow'ry meadow,

flashing sea, chanting bird, and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee.

Sending Song (continued)

Verse 3: Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,

wellspring of the joy of living, ocean-depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine;

teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine!

Augsburg Fortress Annual license #20593

Dismissal

Go in peace; Christ is with you.

Thanks be to God!

Copyright Permissions

Music/hymnody licenses: CCLI #678084, OneLicense A-701076, and HymnPrint.net #11804.

Bible translations currently used at worship in this parish: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), ©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. Contemporary English Version (CEV) ©1995 by American Bible Society. New

International Version (NIV) ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved

worldwide. The Message, ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress

Publishing Group.

Primary liturgical resources from Sundays and Seasons.com. ©2020, 2017, 2014, 2011 Augsburg Fortress.

All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20593.

Portions of the liturgy reprinted from

Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion ©2014 (by permission of Westminster John Knox Press), and

Eucharistic Prayers ©2016 Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher (by permission of Wm. B. Eerdmanns Publishing Co.).

Prayers of the People written by Gail Ramshaw for ELCA Worship Blog; copied by permission.

Holy Spirit: Connections