Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Order of Worship

Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more. 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

By the plumbline of the cross, make us a straight people, Lord, as your children should be and were meant to be. Give us reason, but not the world’s mind. Give us wisdom, but not merely common sense. Give us morality, but not simply goodness for goodness’ sake. Give us your Word and ears to hear it, for the sake of your Son who lived and died on the plumb line. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

You are just to forgive us our sins, Father, not because of the many and repeated offerings and sacrifices of priests, but by of the cross of Christ alone. Because of that, you forgive the iniquity of your people and cover our sins—once and done 2,000 years ago. So today, salvation is near to those who fear you. Make us to trust in you alone, despite the fears and anxieties of the days we live in. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Father, you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing there is and you have done it all through our Lord Jesus Christ. This happened not through our personal piety but because you imputed to us the righteousness of Christ. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins by the grace you have heaped upon us. You have even revealed your will to us by giving us faith in Jesus Christ. Help us to remember his will to forgive and redeem us as we come to his table this morning. 

Help those among us who are sad, suffering, mourning, or ill remember that they have an inheritance in Christ and that they are predestined according to the purpose of God who is working all things according to his plan and will. Finally, remind them that the things of this world are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Like King Herod who was absorbed with his own feelings and aspirations, we Americans are obsessed with politics and self-righteous proclamation. Help us, like John, to speak the truth and trust in you until our ends. Though yesterday’s assassination attempt was unsuccessful, we are saddened at the death and injuries that did result. Be with the family that is now mourning. Work out your will in our country. Show us how to do more than complain, but at least, help us like John, to trust in you alone—not in politics, not in presidents, nor even in country. Help us to trust in you despite the politics, presidents, and country that might otherwise lead us to despair. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy — through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen