Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 19, 2026
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 44:6–8; Psalm 119:57–64; Romans 8:18–27; Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
Sermon: Hope in the Harvest
Join us in our service of worship at 10:30am which includes a sermon from Pastor Lord about hope in the Lord's promise, sacred music, readings from the Bible, the Lord's Supper, and a chat with our children.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
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.
Gracious Lord and Redeemer, teach us courage in the face of fear. Help us to be steadfast in your word both in times of trial and tribulation as well as in times of advantage and victory. Make your people faithful witnesses in a world that rejects your son. Give us the words that bring eternal life, that those who walk in darkness would know there is no other God besides you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Everlasting Father, we ask that you pour out your Holy Spirit upon those burdened by afflictions of mind and body, and for all who find themselves wrestling with faith and doubt. Speak to those dwelling in spiritual darkness; move their hearts to seek you in the stillness of the night or through the turmoil of the day, that they may find guidance in your decrees. Divine Father, grant that all people may examine their own hearts, contemplating their paths and resting in your compassion during their hour of trial. Lord, your creation overflows with your steadfast love; we implore you to manifest its endless abundance for everyone currently dwelling in hardship. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we lift up to you all who are home-bound, or in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, and all those who have had recent surgeries and hospital stays. Sickness, sorrow, and adversity take root in every life. We cannot uproot them all, yet we know you desire an abundant life for your servants. Help your servants keep their focus on you, Lord, that they remember that you suffer with them, as you have suffered for them. Keep us hoping in what we cannot see, which is the promise of your kingdom, by giving us ears to hear. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we lift up all who oppose Jesus. We pray for souls who reject His grace and mercy. May your Holy Spirit penetrate their resistance, softening their hearts and moving them to repentance and salvation in the truth of the gospel. 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
Teaching
Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson.
Announcements
• No Choir practice this Wednesday, July 22nd
• Fun Bunch Lunch, Wednesday, July 29th, 11:30am at Lakeview Family Restaurant
• Rally Sunday, August 30, 9:30am
• Confirmation begins September 9, Wednesdays 7–8pm
• Christmas Play, December 13, 2026 at 4:00
Visitors Info
If you live in the area or are passing through, please worship with us in-person. We also livestream our services on this page.
Expect traditional worship with liturgy and Holy Communion each Sunday and a message grounded in the Scriptures and guided by the Lutheran Confessions — all in a friendly, multigenerational environment.
We welcome and encourage children to worship with us. Just before the sermon, our children take up a spare change offering for mission. Then they join one of our pastors on the chancel steps for a chat about today's Scriptures. We think you will love this part of the service.
Vespers
No Vespers this Sunday.
The readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost: Numbers 27:12–23; Acts 19:11–20; Mark 1:14–20. These readings are also found on page 263 in For All the Saints, volume IV. Note this new page that offers a fuller text of readings that correspond to the Daily Lectionary.
Morning Prayer
Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday at 8:30am, where we read and discuss Scripture and pray together. The readings from the Daily Lectionary for the week of the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost are listed below. These may also be found beginning on page 263 in For All the Saints, volume IV. Click here for a list of the week's readings that includes a fourth reading that ties together thematically each day's readings.
Sunday: Numbers 27:12–23; Acts 19:11–20; Mark 1:14–20
Monday: Numbers 32:1–6,16–27; Romans 8:26–30; Matthew 23:1–12
Tuesday: Numbers 35:1–3, 9–15, 30–34; Romans 8:31–39; Matthew 23:13–26
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 1:1–18; Romans 9:1–18; Matthew 23:27–39
Thursday: Deuteronomy 3:18–28; Romans 9:19–33; Matthew 24:1–14
Friday: Deuteronomy 31:7–13, 24–32:4; Romans 10:1–13; Matthew 24:15–31
Saturday: Deuteronomy 34:1–12; Romans 10:14–21; Matthew 24:32–51
*We do not meet in the chapel on Saturdays. On Sundays, we meet in the parsonage at 6pm to discuss the readings.
Giving
You may give an offering online to the General Fund and to some specific funds, using this secure link. If you do not have an account with Tithely, it will only take a few minutes to set that up. If you need help, please call the church office at 704-633-0922. Please note that a small, typical percentage is retained by Tithely.
You may also mail offerings to:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
205 St. Paul's Church Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
License
Streaming License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 URL: stpaulslutheran.church GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC),as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.
Performance License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play and perform in any of the Licensee’s facilities within the United States any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP,BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS PERFORMmusic License Terms and Conditions.
CCLI License # 11395633