Fifth Sunday After Pentecost s1

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost July 9, 2017

American Lutheran Church “Committed to Love and to Serve” 905 East First Street  Gibson City, Illinois 60936  (217) 784-4841 Pastor Jim Davis Parsonage: (217) 784-5444  Cell: (309) 826-4968 Krysti Brucker, Organist  Gerry Gallagher, Secretary

A member of Servant’s United Parish  God’s work ~ Our hands! Community Lutheran, Cornell & St. Peter’s Lutheran, Dwight Primarily Served by Pastor Kurt Hoover

Trinity Lutheran, Chenoa & St. John’s Lutheran, Anchor Primarily Served by Pastor Ed Hudelson

St. John’s Lutheran, Sibley Primarily Served by Pastor Jim Davis

“A” indicates Assisting Minister / “P” indicates Pastor / “R” indicates Reader Bold text with a “C” indicates Congregational response PRELUDE

WELCOME

HYMN – Before You, Lord, We Bow – Green 401 – v. 1, 2 & 3

GREETING

A: Please stand in body or in spirit . . . . . The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. C: Thanks be to God!

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

CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 145:8-14

R: Let us read from Psalm 145 responsively:

8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9LORD, you are good to all, and your compassion is over all your works. 10All your works shall praise you, O LORD, and your faithful ones shall bless you. 11They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom, and speak of your power, 12that all people may know of your power, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages. You, LORD, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works. 14The Lord upholds all those who fall, and lifts up those who are bowed down.

KYRIE PRAYER OF THE DAY

A: Let us pray: C: You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

P: Please be seated, and have the children come forward for their sermon.

SERMON FOR CHILDREN

OLD TESTAMENT READING – Zechariah 9:9-12

R: Let us read Our First Reading from the Ninth Chapter of Zechariah responsively:

9Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war-horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

R: Word of God, word of life. C: Praise to you, O Christ!

GOSPEL READING – Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

P: Please stand in body or in spirit . . . Our Gospel Reading is from the 11th Chapter of Matthew:

[Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] 16“To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

P: This is the Word of our Lord. C: Thanks be to God! P: Please be seated.

SERMON – What Are We Saying?

HYMN – Day by Day – Blue 746

APOSTLES’ CREED

A: Please stand in body or in spirit . . . Let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

C: 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 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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

A: Called together in the Spirit’s embrace, let us pray for the mending of God’s world.

A: Lord, in your mercy...... C: hear our prayer.

A: All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your care through Christ our Lord. C: Amen.

PEOPLE IN OUR PRAYERS Dick Anstrom, father of Rich Anstrom is a resident of Gibson Hospital Annex. Violet Maryann Boudreau, Godmother of Evelyn Andris, as health concerns. Adam Brerhorst, an 18-year-old good friend of Gary & Sharon Stroh’s grandson Adam, had a foot amputated due to Ewings surcoma, and is now on chemotherapy. Carrie Breum, grand-daughter of Frank & Margaret Stocker is teaching in Asia. Galant and Leaven, two of Carrie’s students, ask for prayers for their continued growth in the Christian faith. Lisa Buhs, daughter-in-law of Judy Buhs is battling MS. Carly Chase, is an 8-year-old girl on maintenance chemo. Her twin brother is a ] former student of Kelly Tompkins. Kim Cooper, granddaughter of Camilla Lohmeyer is battling cancer. Emma Couillard, mother of Jeanette Bartells has health concerns. Mandy Darbutt, an employee of Villas of Holly Brook, is recovering from surgery. Heather Eisenhardt, grand-daughter of Bette Mohart is serving in the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago. Judy Friedlein, a long-time friend of Pastor Jim is battling cancer. Herb Green has health concerns. Alex Happ, grandson of Carol Carlson suffers from migraines. He has two tumors on each side of his esophagus near an artery, and additional tumors have recently been discovered. His surgery date is currently being scheduled. We pray also for his parents, Dennis and Lois, Grandma Carol, and all of his family and friends. Dwayne & Barb Horsch are recovering from a house fire. Denise Horton, a family friend of Molly Schroader is battling cancer. Eric Hyatt, our Police Chief is battling cancer. Ada Kennedy is a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Curtis Lindsey, grandson of Becki Reinhart has health concerns. Nancy List is a resident of the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Ray Mook, a friend of Ron & Evelyn Andris is battling cancer and grieving the loss of his wife, Jackie. Leona Mulvaney, grandmother of Amy Doman, suffers from congestive heart failure and depression. Joann Reinhart is a resident of Heritage Healthcare battling dementia. Servants United Parish as it is being formed to the glory of God. Jim Spangler has health concerns. Abel Stoneburg, 2-year-old great-grandson of Lois Rhodes, has broken his femur and is in a full body cast. Gary Stroh continues to undergo physical therapy for his healing femur and knee. Mary Timm has health concerns. Ericka Wahls, niece of Chuck & Nancy Hay is struggling with heart difficulties. Floyd Wahls, father of Nancy Hay has recently moved into Holly Brook Assisted Living.

SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE

A: May the peace of our Lord be with you always! C: And also with you!

A: Let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another . . .

Please be seated for our offering.

Please fill out an Attendance Card and place it in the offering plate! This will help us keep accurate records. It is also an opportunity to share notes or prayer requests with Pastor, and to update your contact information.

OFFERING – All we have is from God. We respond by sharing what God has given us.

Please stand in body or in spirit as our offerings are brought forward.

OFFERING RESPONSE – Jesus, the Very Thought of You – Green 316 Jesus, the very thought of you, fills us with sweet delight; But sweeter far your face to view, and rest within your light. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, nor can the mind recall; A sweeter sound than your blest name, O Savior of us all! O Jesus, be our joy today; help us to prize your love; Grant us at last to hear you say: "Come, share my home above."

OFFERING PRAYER A: Let us pray together: C: Merciful God, you open wide your hand and satisfy the need of every living thing. You have set this feast before us. Open our hands to receive it. Open our hearts to embrace it. Open our lives to live it. We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen. WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

C: 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 glory, forever and ever. Amen

Please be seated.

DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

COMMUNION ANTHEM – Softly and Tenderly – Londonderry Choir PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

P: Let us pray together: C: Jesus Christ, host of this meal, you have given us not only this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled again by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of justice, may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Please use the microphone!

BLESSING

P: May God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, grant you the gifts of faith and hope. Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C: Amen.

HYMN – What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Green 439

DISMISSAL

P: Go in peace. The Spirit sends us forth to serve. C: Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE

Worship Assistants – July Head Usher – Rodney Schrack / Assistant Usher – Gary Keim Altar Guild – Barb Bielfeldt and Mary Ann Kreitzer

July 9 th July 16 th Coffee/Refreshments – Jan Gill Coffee/Refreshments – Greeters – Dave & Lisa Gregerson Greeters – Frank & Margaret Stocker Asst. Minister – Jim Spangler Asst. Minister – Jewel Lewis Reader – Willy Stevenson Reader – Margaret Stocker Comm. Assts. – Kevin & Julie Comm. Assts. – Brad & Kelly Tompkins DeFries Offering Counter – Darrell & Sharon Offering Counters – April Nettleton Nunamaker Sound Tech – Ron Andris Sound Tech – Tom Brucker

Upcoming Events for this week: July 9: Servants United Parish Council Meeting – Trinity, Chenoa – 2:00 pm July 11: Pastor leads Bible Study – Villas of Holly Brook – 2:30 pm July 12: Quilters – 9:00 am – Parish Hall Worship at Heritage Healthcare with Holy Communion – 2:00 pm July 13: Pastor at Community Pastors Planning Meeting – 8:00 am Prayer Team – 1:00 pm – Comfort Room July 16: Moments of Grace – WGCY Radio – 106.3 FM – 7:30-7:45 am Worship – 10:00 am

We are holding a Congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, July 30th. We are voting on whether to start paying our three pastors through Servants United Parish on September 1st. Please see Parish Council Representative Darcy Tompkins, Alternate Representative Cynthia Davis, or Pastor Jim with any questions or concerns that you may have.

We have an opportunity to serve our community on July 21st and 22nd by helping with the food distribution of the Gibson City Food Pantry at the Hospital.  We could use 5-6 people on Friday night, July 21st, to set up for Saturday.

 We need 20 helpers at 8:30 on Saturday morning, July 22nd, to help with the distribution – some to hand out the food, some to help clients take their food out to their cars, and some to help deliver food.

 The food pantry is open from 9-11, but most of the work is done by 10 am if you cannot stay for the entire distribution.

 Please park in the parking lot on the SE corner of Melvin St. and Hager Dr.

 The food pantry is located in the large red metal building across from the Emergency Room at the Gibson City Hospital.

 Please help us feed those that are less fortunate by helping out for a couple of hours. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Gary Lutterbie at

(217) 784-5647.

We are looking for a dozen people (male or female) to sign up as potential ushers for funerals held in our church. We average around six to twelve funerals a year, and would like to have one usher per service to: light the candles, pass out bulletins, usher people out row by row; and put out the candles. If you are available to serve, please contact Ryan Tompkins at (217) 781-1778, or put your name on the sign-up sheet in Parish Hall. Don’t foget!! Our Annual Garage Sale is scheduled for August 24, 25 and 26th in Parish Hall. We hope you have been saving those priceless treasures. It is preferred that you mark your own items, but if you need help or have any questions please contact Sharon (217-649-9974). This has been a good fundraiser for us in the past!

Be sure to fill out an Attendance Card every Sunday morning and place it in the offering plate! This will help us keep accurate attendance records for synod reporting and contributions. It is also an opportunity to share notes or prayer requests with Pastor; and to update your contact information.

Little Achievers Academy will be hosting its second week of Community Summer Camp from July 17 - 21. The camp is for 3 to 5-year-olds and will be held in the mornings. If you are interested, please contact Kari DeFries at (217) 649-4003.

All semi-retired and retired folks are invited to meet for Coffee and Conversation on the third Tuesday morning of every month from 9:00 – 10:00 in Parish Hall. Our guest on Tuesday, July 18th will be Mike Scholl, the gentleman who displays those colorful artistic animals in his front yard on the south side of Route 9 between Gibson City and Bloomington. Come and hear him tell his story!

Moments of Grace – Tune in to WGCY Radio Station 106.3 FM at 7:30 every Sunday morning to hear Pastor Jim give a reflection on the worship theme for the week.

Church Office Hours: Gerry – Tue, Wed & Thu – 9:00 am – noon Pastor Jim – Wed – 9:00 am – noon / Other times by appointment (Pastor’s day off is Monday)