1 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER 8:30 am July 11, 2021

Appearances Are Deceiving

AS WE GATHER

In today’s , it looks like the end of the story when is executed. But he was but the forerunner for , the promised Messiah. Appearances were certainly deceiving! That was the case with Amos, a herdsman and dresser of sycamore figs when the Lord called him. He did not look like a prophet, but he stood up to Amaziah and Jeroboam in a long line of faithful prophets. Sometimes Satan uses appearances to deceive us, but the Epistle reminds us that God had predestined us to be with Him forever—even before He began creation! Although others might not recognize it, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

WELCOME – Pastor Jim Frusti

RINGING OF THE BELL

2 589 Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens

INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen.

3 CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Psalm 85:1–13

Pastor: Today’s psalm has two parts. The first is the plea of the psalmist to God, and the second is his announcement of God’s promised salvation. We now use Psalm 85 as we confess our sins and hear God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. Pastor: LORD, You were favorable to Your land; People: You restored the fortunes of Jacob.

Pastor: You forgave the iniquity of Your people; People: You covered all their sin.

Pastor: You withdrew all Your wrath; People: You turned from Your hot anger.

Pastor: Restore us again, O God of our salvation, People: and put away Your indignation toward us!

Pastor: Will You be angry with us forever? People: Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?

Pastor: Will You not revive us again, People: that Your people may rejoice in You?

Pastor: Show us Your steadfast love, O LORD, People: and grant us Your salvation.

People: We confess, Lord our God, that we have listened to the voices of Satan, the world, and our own desires. We have not loved You with all that we are and have, and we have not considered our neighbors’ needs as important as our own. We can only throw ourselves on the mercy of Your gracious court and ask for forgiveness, that we may amend our sinful ways.

Pastor: Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; People: but let them not turn back to folly.

4 Pastor: Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, People: that glory may dwell in our land.

Pastor: Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; People: righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Pastor: Faithfulness springs up from the ground, People: and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Pastor: Yes, the LORD will give what is good, People: and our land will yield its increase.

Pastor: Righteousness will go before Him People: and make His footsteps a way.

Pastor: The steadfast love and faithfulness of our God are endless. For the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for all our sins, God declares us to be His own children and has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Thanks be to God. Amen.

 WORD 

579 The Law of God Is Good and Wise 1 The Law of God is good and wise It dooms us for our sin to die And sets His will before our eyes, And has no pow’r to justify. Shows us the way of righteousness, And dooms to death when we 6 To Jesus we for refuge flee, transgress. Who from the curse has set us free, And humbly worship at His throne, 5 The Law is good; but since the fall Saved by His grace through faith Its holiness condemns us all; alone.

5 PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor: Let us pray. O Lord, You gave such faith to Your prophets that they listened and boldly spoke what they heard You say to them. People: Grant that we hear what You have to say now and, confident of Your promised salvation, that we speak words of comfort and peace in a world that desperately needs both;

Pastor: through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING Amos 7:7–15 (Amos boldly speaks for the Lord against Amaziah and Jeroboam.)

Reader: This is what [the Lord God] showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will never again pass by them; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” Then Amaziah the of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, People: “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.’ ”

Reader: And Amaziah said to Amos, People: “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

6 Reader: Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ ”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE Ephesians 1:3–14 (God made our salvation certain before the creation of the world.)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

7 HOLY GOSPEL Mark 6:14–29 (Herodias gets John the Baptist’s head.)

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of . 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, O Christ.

8 THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under , was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

In Christ Alone For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—

1) In Christ alone my hope is found; Here in the death of Christ I live. He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, 3) There in the ground His body lay, Firm through the fiercest drought and by darkness slain; storm. Then bursting forth in glorious day, What heights of love, what depths of Up from the grave He rose again! peace, And as He stands in victory, When fears are stilled, when strivings Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me; cease! For I am His and He is mine— My comforter, my all in all— Bought with the precious blood of Christ. Here in the love of Christ I stand. 4) No guilt in life, no fear in death— 2) In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, This is the pow’r of Christ in me; Fullness of God in helpless babe! From life’s first cry to final breath, This gift of love and righteousness, Jesus commands my destiny. Scorned by the ones He came to save. No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, Till on that cross as Jesus died, Can ever pluck me from His hand; The wrath of God was satisfied; Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”

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MESSAGE Pastor Jim Frusti “Your Inheritance”

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Pastor: Let us go to God in prayer for the Church around the world, the nations of this earth, and all who call to Him in their various needs.

Our Father in heaven, uphold and strengthen all families on the earth. Guide parents to teach their children all that You have done and promised. Grant Your blessing wherever Your people gather around Word and . Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: When the world seems to be winning and Your holy name is used without thought, put a strong confession on the lips of church leaders everywhere. Grant that they are used so that the reality of Your power and grace shine forth to dispel fear and to bring many to faith in our Savior. Lord, in your mercy, People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Extend Your kingdom, O Lord, through mission efforts around the world. Open voices to speak Your word of judgment and grace, and open ears to hear Your invitation to turn and be saved. Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Raise up, we pray, leaders at all levels of government who will order society according to Your will. Strengthen those who protect at home and those who defend abroad so that our nation and all others find peaceful solutions to chaos and conflict. Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Hear the prayers of the poor, so that their daily needs of food, clothing, and shelter be available to them. Bless all who grow and distribute crops, all who seek to alleviate pain and suffering, and all who fund and build decent housing. 11 Listen especially to those whose needs we know, [including . . .]. Give them the healing, comfort, and hope that fits Your gracious plans for them. Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: You have graciously forgiven us for Jesus’ sake; open doors of opportunity for this congregation to be a welcoming place for people burdened with their past. Grant us to tell them what You have to say to them—words of forgiveness, peace, and hope. Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Into Your hands we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your grace for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. People: Amen.

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.

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS If you brought your offering today, you are welcome to leave it in the offering plates you will find at the front and back of the church. Thank you. St. Paul appreciates the continued support of those worshipping with us online and

in person as we each help in sharing the amazing love of Jesus!

We invite our guests and members to fill out our Friendship Card during worship, which is found on the back of the pew. Please leave your card at the end of the pew near the center aisle as you leave.

12  SACRAMENT 

PREFACE 2 Timothy 4:22

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.

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION Please see our communion policy stated on the inside front cover.

THE DISTRIBUTION

COMMUNION WINE: For those who may not be able to take regular wine, we offer non-alcoholic wine. The non-alcoholic wine is the light-colored wine in the center of the communion tray.

There Is a Redeemer Jesus, my redeemer Name above all names There is a Redeemer, Jesus God’s own Son Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Precious Lamb of God Messiah Hope for sinners slain. Holy One. Chorus:

Chorus: When I stand in glory Thank You, O my Father I will see His face For giving us Your Son; And there I’ll serve my King forever And leaving Your Spirit ‘til In that holy place. The work on earth is done. Chorus:

13 743 Jesus, Priceless Treasure

6 Hence, all fear and sadness! For the Lord of gladness, Jesus, enters in. Those who love the Father, Though the storms may gather, Still have peace within. Yea, whate’er I here must bear, Thou art still my purest pleasure, Jesus, priceless treasure! 14 602 The Gifts Christ Freely Gives

5 The gifts are in the feast, Gifts far more than we see; Beneath the bread and wine; Is food from Calvary. The body and the blood: Remove our ev’ry sin; We leave His presence in; His peace, renewed again.

POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING Pastor: Let us pray. O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, we thank You that in this Sacrament You have spoken Your final word of salvation and peace, graciously bestowed on us for Your Son’s sake. Accompany us each day, ruling our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we be enabled to show in our living Your word of grace and mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. 15 BENEDICTION Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and  give you peace. People: Amen.

THE INVITATIONS

922 Go, My Children, with My Blessing

5 In this union I have joined you Husband and wife, Now, My children, live together As heirs of life: Each the other’s gladness sharing, Each the other’s burdens bearing, Now, My children, live together As heirs of life. 16 “May We Help You? Anyone who desires special private prayer with the Pastor may do so by remaining in the sanctuary until all worshippers have departed. At that time, come forward and speak with the Pastor.

WHERE WE SERVE

Preacher/Officiant Pastor Jim Frusti

Music Director Paul Ventimiglia

Family Life Director Jeanette Koch

Elder Will Hoffmeier

Reader Jeff Shapiro

Ushers Jerry Krause Ron Breuhan Paul Breuhan Jake Fairbairn David Howard

Greeters Frusti Family

Counters Jan Paver Marlene Shoebridge

Coffee Hour OPEN

Tech Team Jake Fairbairn

Welcome Center Nancy Berg

Altar Society Lisa Fairbairn Ruth Natiw Jan Paver

Attendance Last week : Sunday 7.4.2021 8:30am - 66 11:00am - 47 = 113 ______Donations needed each week for Church and School – $9,808 Received week of 7.4.2021- for Church (Envelopes plus loose plate*)$19,869.00 *total includes online giving School - $21.00 ______17

Bible Study and Small Group Opportunities – SUNDAYS: Join us for study and fellowship @ 9:45am in the church Parish Hall. SATURDAYS: Men’s Bible Study – Every second and fourth Saturday @ 9:30am – Parish Hall

Remember Our Shut-Ins Norman Kleiner 16100 N. Haggerty Rd. Plymouth, MI 48170 ______Altar Flowers this week are :

In memory of her husband Clifford from Marlene Shoebridge.

Please arrange to pick up your flowers after the 11am service.

Small Refrigerator – The Altar Society is looking for a small (college dorm size) refrigerator. If you have one to donate, please contact Jan Paver 248-349-8850.

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18 THANK YOU, ST. PAUL'S!! On June 19 we experienced an exhausting but exciting "Boots on the Ground" Cleanup/Workday at Detroit Christian Schools of Excellence. Much work was accomplished, and even some rain did not dampen the spirits or hinder the progress of 30+ volunteers. Thank you for sharing your time and talents in a perfect example of Christians working joyfully together! Dave Siefker, Principal

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As we enjoy this great summer, let us think of those international students preparing to serve in the Lutheran Church. For the month of July, Women in Christ is highlighting the following grant entitled, “Support for Concordia Seminary’s International Graduate School Students” for $10,000. This grant will provide assistance in equipping international students with strong Lutheran theology. Students from developing countries are often without resources to support this education, and upon completion of their program return to their homelands and teach other leaders in Christian ministry. As we thank God for all the international students who are willing to come to the United States to be trained and then serve in their own countries, let us fill our MITE boxes and bring them in during July. ______JULY IS MITE BOX COLLECTION MONTH Nancy, Barbara and Sue are back from our LWML Convention held in Lexington, KY this past week end, thank you for your prayers. The main projects were to select our new mission grants, vote for new officers and update our by-laws. Our delegates approved a $2,221,176. 15 mission grant goal, selecting 28 different missions to receive this money over the next two years. Let's STOP and praise Him! Thank you Jesus. Our theme was, Running the Race....Looking to Jesus with our scripture verse, Hebrew 12:1-2 Our opening service Proclaimer was Rev. Dr. David Maier, President LCMS, Michigan District, he shared, God didn't create us in the womb to start the race but to finish it. And our closing service was Proclaimer Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson, from Concordia Ann Arbor and he shared, It's time to go! Time to look! Time to tell! So fellow Saints, hear this, "The moment we are in doesn't pause the mission we are on." Let's Go Tell!

______MEXICO MISSION TRIP We are excited to report that preparation has begun for our upcoming mission trip to Mexico from November 1st to 7th. This will be St. Paul’s fifth mission with MOST ministries. Previous St. Paul mission teams have traveled to Nicaragua and Guatemala. This time St. Paul will be sending a team to Mexico to provide water filters, health and hygiene education and home construction assistance for families in two Mexican communities. Our team will be lodged at a Lutheran mission church in El Paso, Texas, and each day the team will be driven over the border to our mission site. This will be an excellent opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our brothers and sisters in Mexico. We are looking not only for “Goers” to join our mission team, but equally important we are looking for “senders” to help out with fundraising, etc. Anyone interested should contact either Team Leader Barbara Hoffmeier [email protected] (248) 756-3035 or Team Liason Chris Burgess [email protected] (734) 765-4782. ______

19 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!! V B S ROCKY RAILWAY WE NEED VOLUNTEERS - FACE TO FACE AUGUST 2 - 6 9AM – NOON VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS REGISTER @ Go to: https://vbspro.events/p/db5e8b Questions, please email or call me. Jeanette Koch [email protected] 248-349-3140 ext. 13

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The Great Grocery Bag Event St. Paul Lutheran Church of Northville When: Month of July Why: To assist those in need through food donations for Northville Civic Concern How: Check the list below. Shop and purchase any amount of food. (Even one item is greatly appreciated!) Return the groceries to the Parish Hall.

Non- Perishable Food Item(s) Paper Products

Canned Fruit** Paper Towels* Fruit Juices Facial Tissues Canned Vegetables Toilet Paper* Canned Soups (not broth)* Tuna and Canned Meats* Spaghetti Sauce Pasta/Rice Kraft Macaroni and Cheese* Canned Macaroni (Chef Boy-Ar-Dee, etc.) Cereal, hot or cold Peanut Butter* Jelly/Jam*

Cleaning Products: Hygiene Products:

Laundry Soap (100oz. or less)* Bar Soap Dish Detergent (hand washing)* Shampoo Toothpaste Misc.: Crackers* Cookies*

*items always needed **always in shortest supply PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL DATES ON FOODS ARE CURRENT Thank you for your generous support