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St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

August 15, 2020 6:00 PM

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

OUR MISSION As a Lutheran community of faith, we continue our history of proclaiming Christ crucified through Word and Sacrament in joyful service to God and our neighbor.

WELCOME TO ST. MATTHEW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH We welcome all who worship with us today. We gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to God. Ushers are available to answer any of your questions. The church is equipped with a hearing impaired system. If you need a listening device, it may be obtained from an usher. In the minutes prior to the beginning of each service, the doors to the nave are closed, and quiet is encouraged. Music is offered which prepares worshipers to receive God’s gifts from His Hand – the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

Everyone is asked to sign the Attendance Record found at the end of each pew or row of chairs. Please sign this record and pass it down to those beside you during the announcements. As it is returned, please note who is worshipping with you. The Attendance Record helps worshipers to put names and faces together. We make new friends in this way and grow in care for each other.

Celebrating Holy Communion: We believe, teach, and confess Christ is truly present in the bread and wine. All baptized Christians, who share this belief, are invited to receive Jesus as He comes in the Holy Communion to forgive the sins of the penitent. Children and others who are not yet receiving the sacrament, or who choose not to commune with us, are invited to come forward for a blessing, crossing their arms over their chest. After receiving the host in your outstretched hands, please eat the host if you wish to drink from the first cup, the metal . Please hold the host if you wish to dip your host in the second cup, the ceramic chalice. Those unable to drink wine are urged simply to touch their host to the outside of the cup prior to eating.

The flowers are dedicated to the Glory of God and given by Joel and Cindi Peterson in honor of their 45th wedding anniversary, and by Cathy Aleksandravicius in loving memory of her daddy, Slade Barker.

WELCOME IN THE NAME OF JESUS! On this 11th Sunday after Pentecost, our second lesson from Romans 11 concludes a three-week unit on the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in Christ's Church. This reading has produced a number of wilder interpretations in support either of double predestination or of universal salvation apart from Baptism into Christ. Read within the context not only of this unit but of the entire letter to the Romans, Paul makes clear that God's mercy in Jesus Christ is available to all people regardless of ethnicity. This week's summer musical, "West Side Story," a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, provides a wonderful vehicle for discussing the one people of God created in the washing of Holy Baptism.

I will strive to …… Pray daily Worship weekly Read the Bible Serve at and beyond St. Matthew’s Be in Relationship to encourage spiritual growth in others Give of my time, talents and resources

 Portions of today’s liturgy and are reprinted from © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, and © 1978 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Concordia Publishing Liturgy license #000010164, Concordia Publishing license #100010164, Augsburg Fortress license #9245-L, Augsburg Fortress license #26780, and CCLI license #2014768.

2 (* Please stand as you are able.)

Silence for Meditation

PRELUDE Recitative and Aria Wayne L. Wold

WELCOME

* THE CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS : In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. Pastor: 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. Congregation: Amen. Pastor: 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. Most merciful God, Congregation: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Pastor: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.

* OPENING HYMN Sing Praise to the God of Israel

Text: Stephen P. Starke, b. 1955 Tune: Christoph E. F. Weyse, 1774-1842; setting: Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 * THE GREETING Pastor: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Congregation: And also with you.

3 * THE PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: Almighty, eternal God, increase in us your gifts of faith, hope and love. And in order that love may abide in us, help us to celebrate what your love has done for us. Through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Congregation: Amen.

Pastor: Almighty God, you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your only Son. Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Congregation: Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed….6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” 8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 67 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew…. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

THE VERSE . Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.

* THE ACCLAMATION Pastor: The HOLY GOSPEL according to St. Matthew, the fifteenth chapter. Congregation: Glory to you, O Lord.

4 HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 15:21-28 21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

THE Summer Musicals: West Side Story Pr. Zumwalt

* THE HYMN OF THE DAY In Christ There Is No East or West

Text: John Oxenham, 1852-1941, sts. 1, 4-5, alt.: Mark A. Jeske, b. 1952, st. 2; Michael A. Perry, 1942-96, st. 3 Music: African American spiritual; adapt. Harry T. Burleigh, 1866-1949

* THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.

* THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Lord, in your mercy. Congregation: Hear our prayers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* THE SHARING OF THE PEACE Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you.

THE OFFERING Abide with Me Robert J. Powell

5 * THE DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* PRAYER Assisting Minister: Almighty Father, Congregation: you open your hand with a harvest that can satisfy all your creatures. With these offerings we pledge to share your gifts. Help us to see you working through our charity. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

* COMMUNION Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Pastor: We give you thanks….now and forever. People: Amen.

* THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Pastor: We give you thanks...both now and forever. Congregation: Amen.

* THE LORDS 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.

THE DISTRIBUTION

* THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Assisting Minister: O Lord, may we who have received you in the eating and drinking of this Sacrament, forever abide in you because you now abide in us. We bless you now and evermore. Congregation: Amen.

Congregation: I will strive to pray daily, worship weekly, read the Bible, serve at and beyond St. Matthew’s, be in relationship to encourage spiritual growth in others, and give of my time, talents, and resources.

* THE

* THE CLOSING HYMN Jesus Shall Reign LBW 530 (next page)

* THE

THE POSTLUDE DUKE STREET arr. David Cherwien

LESSONS for NEXT WEEK: Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33–12:8; Matthew 16:13-20 6

7 Summer Musicals: West Side Story

Praying

“O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises which exceed all that we can desire; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (The Daily Prayer of the Church, 619).

Listening

Romans 11:1 “I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!”

St. John Chrysostom [Late 4th – early 5th century Patriarch of Constantinople, Turkey]: “God has not rejected his people, because Paul himself was one of them. If God had cast them off, he would not have chosen one of them as the one to whom he entrusted all his preaching, the affairs of the world, all the mysteries and the whole message of salvation” (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Romans, 284).

Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Ambrosiaster [4th century commentator on Paul’s letters]: “It is usually thought that those who have sinned badly by not accepting the promise of God cannot receive mercy if they do not demonstrate their sorrow, because those who have sinned badly cannot be forgiven without tears and wailing. But Paul shows that these things are not required at the start, because God’s gift freely pardons sins in baptism” (299).

Romans 11:30 “…but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,”

St. Cyril [5th century Patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt]: “Paul shows that both Jews and Gentiles were guilty of the same thing and that they were likewise cleansed by one and the same grace” (300).

Romans 11:31 “…that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.”

Ambrosiaster: “Paul recalls the unbelief of the Gentiles so that being ashamed of it they may not insult the Jews who have not believed but rejoice when they accept the promise of God” (300).

Romans 11:32 “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”

Ambrosiaster: “For God convicted the Gentiles, who had received the natural law and had created things to teach them the knowledge of God yet had not benefited them from either the one or the other. He also convicted the Jews, who had received more teaching still … and had become liable to even greater punishments as a result. But God was pleased to offer salvation to each of them, even though basically they deserved to perish, if only they would believe” (301).

Reflecting

1. Do I understand that all people stand under the judgment of God for our rebellion and unbelief?

2. Do I understand that it is only by God’s mercy in Jesus Christ that anyone will be saved?

8 Learning

Christian Questions with Their Answers

After confession and instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the pastor may ask, or Christians may ask themselves these questions:

15. What should we do when we eat His body and drink His blood, and in this way receive His pledge?

We should remember and proclaim His death and the shedding of His blood, as He taught us: This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

16. Why should we remember and proclaim His death?

First, so we may learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction for our sins. Only Christ, true God and man, could do that. Second, so we may learn to be horrified by our sins, and to regard them as very serious. Third, so we may find joy and comfort in Christ alone, and through faith in Him be saved.

Doing

1. Pray for every unbaptized child you know and for the child’s parents, too.

2. Pray for your unchurched loved ones and friends. Invite one or more of them to worship.

3. Commit yourself to the study of God’s Word at St. Matthew’s whether in-person or online.

4. Discuss with your spouse, your family, or a friend the importance of and great need for self-examination before receiving the Sacrament of the Altar. If you have never considered making a private confession before a pastor, please do so… not for the pastor’s sake but for yours.

5. Set aside time daily, preferably first thing, but when you are able to focus, to hear the Word of God, to reflect upon that Word, and to ask the Holy Spirit to grant you grace to be shaped by and conformed to that Word. Daily Bible readings may be found at www.stmatthewsch.org. If you haven’t previously done so, please ask for a new devotional booklet when you return to corporate worship or when you drive through to receive the Body and Blood of Christ this weekend. Daily readings are on p.190 in the front of the Lutheran Book of Worship (Year Two, Week of 11 Pentecost).

For Husbands and Wives

Repeat daily: “I (name) take you (name) to be my wedded wife (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish until death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge you my faith.”

9 REMEMBER IN PRAYER

The family of John Pizzico (father of Laurie Tobin), Arlene Robie, Trevor Hornick, Melvin Proctor, Patty Macino, Gary Zenz, Vivian Alexander, Carol Comeskey, Howard Beuerman, Tracy Boandl

MEMBERS Nancy Fauser Denise Benoit Sue Miller Alan Hunsberger Ruth Smith Jane Dove Denis Hall Barbara Keyl Judy Daniels Regina Ryder Liz Newbery Bill Baldwin Keith Farmer George Schwenzer Mike Thompson Donna Siegmund Ed Ludacer Janet Hall Judy Benson Charles Smith Fran Perry Alexandra Schwartz Elaine Mattess Helen Knoll Kenn Slocum Walt Brehm Arthur Moore Doris Ullman Terry Miller Laura Gray Joanne and Morris Johnson Joel Peterson Jack and Marie Loflin Ken Manning Dwight Crim Dale Blade Harry Comeskey Ruth Rice Pat Mahl Al Birnstein Jan Magnus Arthur Pease FRIENDS/FAMILY OF MEMBERS Amie Knauer Richard Truax Jean Jarusinsky Ava Smith Sophia Pilcher Crosby James Asher Albert Rossetti Susan Strickland Mitzi Viola Jerry Knoll Paul Rady Joyce LaSala Journey Heyer Donna Franklin Stan Brunt, Sr. Bessie King Lisa Holgerson Betsy Miller Viola Seip Russ Kuhn Chris LaVoie Dick Williams REMEMBER OUR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS: Dale Blade Frank Fauser Jane McDougald Jane Bruce Margaret French Wayne McDougald Bob Byrne Ruthann Getsinger Virginia Parisek Elsie Cates Jim Harshbarger Doris Prillaman

Operating Fund: July 2020 Offering Received: August 3-9

Month YTD Week YTD

Revenues 32,580.98 275,279.50 Required 10,305.24 349,767.92 Expenses 32,126.65 271,267.95 Received 7661.00 289,914.50

Income/ 454.33 4,011.55 Excess/ (2,644.24) (59,853.42) (Shortfall) (Loss)

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Weekly Worship Schedule Saturday - Eucharist, 6 p.m. Sunday - Traditional Eucharist. 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. 2nd and 4th Sundays - Contemporary Eucharist, 8:30 a.m. Monday - Evening Prayer and Bible Study, 6 p.m. Wednesday - Eucharist and Healing Prayer, 12:00 p.m. This Week at St. Matthew’s ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, August 16 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Covid-19 Update: Please continue to check your emails 8:30 Traditional Eucharist from Pastor Sam and St. Matthew’s, and/or Facebook for updates 11:00 Traditional Eucharist on all worship services. You may also check the calendar on Monday, August 17 our website (under the “News” tab) which will be updated as 9:00 Counting Team - Finance Office decisions are made. (*If you know of someone who does not have email or Facebook, please help us by passing the word 12:00 Conversations - Rm. 117 along to them regarding updates and cancellations.) 6:00 Evening Prayer 7:00 CKM Leaders - Rm. 117 The Church Council recently approved Waldkirch & Sanders Tuesday, August 18 to complete much needed structural repair work over the windows 10:00 Staff Meeting - Rm. 117 in the Choir Room. The project will cost approximately $43,000. 10:00 Prayer Group - Library We have the funds but the cost will significantly deplete our reserves. 6:30 Stephen Ministry - Rm. 117 We ask you to prayerfully consider making an additional donation 6:30 Joyful Noise - Nave payable to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, memo line "Choir Wednesday, August 19 Room" to help with the cost of the project.

8:30 Men’s Breakfast Group - McCombs The Special Congregation Meeting to vote on ELCA 12:00 Healing Eucharist disaffiliation and selection of a new Lutheran denomination has 6:00 Handbells - Nave been postponed indefinitely. Council will continue to monitor our 7:00 Adult Choir - Nave state and synod guidelines for meetings and inform the congrega- Thursday, August 20 tion when we have a plan to conduct the meeting in a safe manor. 9:00 Quilt Ministry - Rm. 117 Friday, August 21 Second quarter Financial Contributions statements are ready Church Office closed. and in the Commons for you to pick up. If you come inside for Saturday, August 22 worship, please pick up your statement and help us save postage.

9:00 Calendar Planning Meeting - McCombs Christkindlmarkt has 36 washable travel diaper changing 6:00 Eucharist pads. We are selling the pads for $15 each. If you wish to Sunday, August 23 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost purchase one, make check payable to St. Matthew's Lutheran 8:30 Contemporary Eucharist Church and write "Diaper pad purchase" on the memo line. If you 11:00 Traditional Eucharist do not know anyone personally who could use one, please consider paying for one and we will donate it in your honor to Family Promise (formerly WIHN) for a homeless family. Please write "Diaper pad donation" on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your willingness to help new moms.

Christkindlmarkt has a supply of face masks available on the table by the first entrance (near the front offices). Some are Large for men. Some are cute for children. A suggested donation of $5 per mask to help with CKM seed money. Check them out. Enhance your mask wardrobe!

As a reminder that in order to qualify to vote at the Special The new altar flower sign-up chart is posted in the Commons Congregation Meeting (date TBD) you must be confirmed, for September 2020-August 2021. (There is still one slot open have communed, and made a contribution of record in 2019 for September 27th to be filled.) If you are unable to make it or 2020. When giving cash for your contribution make sure to church at this time and would like to sign up please contact your name is on the envelope in order to receive credit. Donna Capozio ([email protected] or 791-4582) as soon as possible to ensure you get the date(s) you would like.

St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 612 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-4582  www.stmatthewsch.org The Rev. Dr. Samuel D. Zumwalt  [email protected]

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