St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Third Sunday after Pentecost

The mustard seed becomes a great shrub that shelters the birds, recalling ancient images of the tree of life. We’d expect a cedar or a sequoia, but Jesus finds the power of God better imaged in a tiny, no-account seed. It’s not the way we expect divine activity to look. Yet the tree of life is here, in the cross around which we gather, the tree into which we are grafted through baptism, the true vine that nourishes us with its fruit in the cup we share. It may not appear all that impressive, but while nobody’s looking it grows with a power beyond our understanding.

June 13, 2021 9:30 am

WELCOME Your visit is a blessing to us, and we’re glad you’re here today! NEW HERE? As a visitor, please do not feel obligated to contribute an offering - you are our guest! Rather, please ask an usher for a Let’s Get Acquainted card and drop it in the offering plate. Restrooms are located on the same level as the sanctuary. Exit the back of the sanctuary, turn left into Parish House, turn left again at ramp and continue midway down hallway. Restrooms are on the right. PRAYER REQUESTS The importance of prayer is affirmed throughout the Bible. As a church we are committed to pray - your needs are important to us. Prayer request cards can be obtained from an usher and may be filled out and dropped in the offering plate.

FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY

▪ A mask, covering your nose and chin must be worn at all times. ▪ Please keep personal belongings with you, rather than on the coat rack. ▪ Kindly refrain from congregational singing, which might significantly increase the likelihood of a virus being spread. We know you appreciate our concern to mitigate the potential spread of any virus including the flu. ▪ Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance while entering and exiting the building. We ask that everyone cooperate by waiting at a distance to use common areas like restrooms and the elevator. ▪ When the service concludes, remain seated until directed to leave by an usher. ▪ Communion packs can be disposed of in the trash receptacle at the back of the sanctuary. ▪ Exit through the same doors as entry (main entrance or elevator entrance on parking lot side). ▪ Please let us know ahead of time if you are planning to attend worship. Send an email to [email protected] or call the office at 610-369-1024 or sign up on our website. This helps us accomplish two things – (1) make sure we have room for everyone who wants to attend worship in person, and (2) comply with Contact Tracing to notify anyone potentially exposed to coronavirus.

GATHERING TIMES GET CONNECTED Sunday | 9:30 am | Sanctuary Connect with God, each other and our Worship Celebration with Holy Communion community! Follow us on Facebook, Livestream on YouTube (St John’s ELC Boyertown) YouTube and Instagram!

Thursday | 8:00 pm Service Broadcast on Comcast Channel 28

Third Sunday after Pentecost

PRELUDE Word of God Speak MercyMe WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS The congregation may stand. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy. Amen. Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin. Silence is kept for reflection. The congregation may kneel. God, our provider, help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen. Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life. Amen. The congregation may stand. GATHERING HYMN Shall We Gather at the River ELW 423 Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God. On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.

Ere we reach the shining river, lay we ev’ry burden down; grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown. Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God. Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease; soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.

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

PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. The congregation may be seated. FIRST READING Ezekiel 17:22-24 Tree imagery is used in a messianic prophecy to tell how the Lord will choose someone from Judah’s royal family (the cedar tree) to reign over all creation. This tree will be planted on Mount Zion, the location of the holy temple. 22Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. 24All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken I will accomplish it. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 Paul encourages believers to live by faith and not by sight. We do not consider Jesus from a human perspective but through the eyes of faith, believing he died for all and was raised. All who are in Christ are now in God’s new creation. 6So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. 11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The congregation may stand. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleuia!

GOSPEL READING Jesus frequently uses parables to teach ordinary people as they are able to hear and understand. Images of sowing and growing show the vitality of God’s kingdom. The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. Glory to you O Lord. Mark 4:26-34 26[Jesus] said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.

28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” 30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. The gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The congregation may be seated.

SERMON Pastor Bob Machamer

The congregation may stand. HYMN OF THE DAY For the Fruit of All Creation ELW 679 For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. For these gifts to ev’ry nation, thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God. In the just reward of labor, God’s will is done. In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will is done. In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done. For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED 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 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 congregation may kneel. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Let us come before the triune God in prayer. Holy God, you plant the seeds of faith in every nation. Enliven your church, so that the good news of your grace may root and grow throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Creator, even the trees, shrubs, and flowers delight in your goodness. From the depths of the soil to the highest mountain, bring forth new plants. Restore growth to places suffering drought. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Judge of nations, we pray for our leaders and those in power. Grant them the ability to regard those under their charge with humility, dedicating their lives in service to others. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Divine comforter, you show compassion to those in need and provide relief to those who call on you. Bless all who suffer, especially people trapped in cycles of poverty and homelessness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Sovereign God, this house of worship belongs to you. We give thanks and pray for our church musicians, Mason and Sam. We dedicate to you the joyful noise that comes from this place; the cries of children, the melody of voice and instruments, and the songs from our hearts. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Please verbally add your personal prayer requests. Eternal God, we give thanks for our ancestors in the faith who are now at home with you. We look forward to that day when we are reunited in your new creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your abiding grace. Amen. The congregation may stand. OFFERING PRAYER Jesus, Bread of life, you have set this table with your very self, and called us to the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown among us, and strengthen us in this meal. Make us to be what we receive here, your body for the life of the world. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION On the night of his betrayal 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. Again, 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 for the remembrance of me.

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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION Christ has set the table with more than enough for all. Come! The congregation may be seated.

DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

COMMUNION MUSIC The Table Chris Tomlin I will feast at the table of the Lord. I will feast at the table of the Lord. I won't hunger anymore at His table. I will feast at the table of the Lord. I will feast at the table of the Lord. I won't hunger anymore at His table. Come all you weary, come and find His yoke is easy, His burden light. He is able; He will restore at the table of the Lord.

There is peace at the table of the Lord. There is peace at the table of the Lord. I won't worry anymore at His table. There is healing at the table of the Lord. There is healing at the table of the Lord. Oh, and I won't suffer anymore at His table. Come all you weary, come and find His yoke is easy, His burden light. He is able; He will restore at the table of the Lord.

I know He has a place for me. Oh, what joy will fill my heart With the saints around the mercy seat of God.

Come all you weary, come and find His yoke is easy, His burden light. He is able; He will restore at the table of the Lord, at the table of the Lord.

I'm invited to the table of the Lord. I'm invited to the table of the Lord. He says come just as you are to His table. The congregation may stand. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. Amen.

BENEDICTION The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, be upon you now and forever. Amen.

SENDING HYMN Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing ELW 841 Lift ev’ry voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the list’ning skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast’ning rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our parents sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered; we have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee; lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee; shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, true to our native land.

DISMISSAL Go in peace. You are the body of Christ. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Bring the Rain MercyMe

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23029. Hymns and service music reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709485.

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Audio Chase Sennott Lector Michele Eidle Video Aiden Martin Prayers Andy & Susan Varzally Guest Musician Sam Kulp Ushers Charles Haddad, Jay Herbert, Jerry Krause, Terry Wadsworth

ALTAR FLOWERS Given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Sullivan and the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Herbert by Mr. and Mrs. John J. Herbert and family.

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S

SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 AM God’s Word Blesses Us Telephone conference 9:30 AM Worship Celebration Sanctuary & Livestream 11:00 AM God’s Word Blesses Us Telephone conference MONDAY, JUNE 14 10:00 AM One Boyertown Fellowship Hall 5:00 PM Newsletter Submissions Due TUESDAY, JUNE 15 7:00 PM Small Group Bible Study Online 7:00 PM Finance Team Conference Room WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 9:30 AM Pottstown Soup Kitchen Pottstown Salvation Army 6:30 PM Ministry Action Plan Fellowship Hall THURSDAY, JUNE 17 9:00 AM Community Leaders Online 10:00 AM Chestnut Knoll Service Chestnut Knoll 6:30 PM Troop Committee Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM Boy Scouts Fellowship Hall 8:00 PM Worship Broadcast Comcast Ch. 28 FRIDAY, JUNE 18 7:00 AM Men’s Small Group Bible Study Telephone conference SATURDAY, JUNE 19 4:30 PM Come to the Table Parking Lot SUNDAY, JUNE 20 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 AM God’s Word Blesses Us Telephone conference 9:30 AM Worship Celebration Sanctuary & Livestream 11:00 AM God’s Word Blesses Us Telephone conference

PURPOSE STATEMENT

We believe God’s purpose for the people of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is to develop joy-filled children of God who love the Lord and share God’s Word. We do this by: ▪ Maintaining a trusting and welcoming environment. ▪ Praying daily. ▪ Reading scripture regularly. ▪ Sharing our faith through action-based service. ▪ Encouraging holy conversations. ▪ Feeding our faith with music. With a focus on: ▪ Activities that build relationships. ▪ Worship that is relevant. ▪ Meeting the needs of the vulnerable in our community.

Pastor Bob Machamer [email protected] KayPastor Christman, Bob Machamer Finance Team [email protected] Mason Emmert, Director of Worship and Music [email protected] Sue Grofe, Finance Team [email protected] Bonnie Moatz, Finance Team [email protected] Michael Omlor, Treasurer [email protected] Shannon Omlor, Communications Coordinator [email protected] Becky Scheiry, Parish Administrator [email protected] Amber Shubert, Sexton [email protected] Amy Willson, Preschool Director [email protected]

45 N. Reading Avenue | Boyertown, PA 19512 610.369.1024 | fax 610.369.1463 stjohnsboyertown.org Office Hours | Monday-Thursday 8:30am - 3:30pm | Friday 8:30am - 12:00pm