The Season after Pentecost July 15, 2018 | 8:30 am

St. John’s Lutheran Church Salisbury NC

In a world of competition and resume building, it’s easy to lose touch with that which matters most: our character. In this series, we consider five traits the Bible claims as

necessary to building a strong inner character, discovering what St. Paul says is “a life that really is life” (1 Timothy 6:19).

Part 2: Self-Discipline

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Welcome to St. John’s!

For more information about today’s worship, please refer to the pew card found in the hymnal.

Gathering

Prelude Lord Jesus, Think on Me Theodore Beck SOUTHWELL

Welcome Please sign the Friendship Pad and pass it to your neighbor in the pew.

Prayers of Confession. As we gather for worship, we make the sign of the cross as a reminder of our baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silence for reflection and self-examination. Gracious God, Have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. God’s Promise of Forgiveness In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen. Sharing the Peace of Christ The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.

Entrance Hymn 532 Gather Us In GATHER US IN

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

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Kyrie. A centering prayer asking for God’s mercy and peace.

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Hymn of Praise Tune: Let All Things Now Living

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the creator triumphantly raise,

who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, who still guides us on to the end of our days.

God’s banners are o’er us, God’s light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining forth in the night,

till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished, as forward we travel from light into light.

Let us pray. God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Please be seated

Word

First Reading Jeremiah 18:1-6 The potter and the clay 1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words. 3So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. 5Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Second Reading Psalm 25:1-9 Prayer for guidance and deliverance from sin 1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

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3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. 6Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD! 8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Please stand for the reading of the Gospel. “Alleluia” is an ancient Jewish acclamation that means “God be praised.” In the Christian tradition, Alleluia means “He is risen!” The Holy Gospel Mark 12:28-34a To be rooted in love 28One of the scribes came near Jesus and asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

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There is no other commandment greater than these." 32Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 33and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' — this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Sermon Pastor Rhodes Woolly Hymn 599 Lord Jesus, Think on Me SOUTHWELL Apostles’ Creed

Gathered as the people of God across time and space, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

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. Please be seated Collection of our Tithes and Offerings Musical Offering Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart arr. Lloyd Larson

Celia Jarrett, soprano; Gretchen Witt, alto

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Offertory Hymn As the gifts are presented, the congregation stands and sings the Doxology:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prayers of Intercession. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer. The 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.

Sending

Benediction Sending Hymn 632 O God, Our Help in Ages Past ST. ANNE Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God! Postlude O God, Our Help in Ages Past Paul Manz

ST. ANNE

Unless otherwise indicated, today’s service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and is reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #26999.

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St. John’s is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.