INTRODUCTION
God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’ invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In holy communion, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Congregational Meeting 7/20/25
PRELUDE Glory to God
* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Baptized into Christ, let us confess our sin.
Merciful God,
you free us to love others, but we neglect our neighbors and follow our own way. You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace, but we turn away from the abundant life you offer. You surround us with patience, kindness, and generosity, but we grow weary in doing what is right.
In your mercy, forgive us. Do not give up on us. Heal us, break our bonds, and show us the path of life. Amen.
You belong to Christ Jesus and you are God’s children through faith.
In the cross of Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven. Clothed with Christ, you are a new creation.
Amen.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life’s journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
GATHERING SONG When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (ELW 803)
FIRST READING: Isaiah 66:10-14
10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her—
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom.
12 For thus says the LORD:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.
13 As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants,
and his indignation is against his enemies.
PSALM: Psalm 66:1-9
1 Be joyful in God, | all you lands;
be joyful, | all the earth.
2 Sing the glory | of God’s name;
sing the glory | of God’s praise.
3 Say to God, “How awesome | are your deeds!
Because of your great strength your enemies | cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows | down before you,
sings to you, sings | out your name.”
5 Come now and see the | works of God,
how awesome are God’s deeds | toward all people.
6 God turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot,
and there we rejoiced in God.
7 Ruling forever in might, God keeps watch over the nations;
let no rebels exalt themselves.
8 Bless our | God, you peoples;
let the sound of | praise be heard.
9 Our God has kept us among the living
and has not allowed our | feet to slip.
SECOND READING: Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16
1 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads. 6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16 As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
*GOSPEL: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ ”
16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
MEDITATION
*HYMN OF THE DAY We All Are One in Mission (ELW 576)
* 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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Drawn into the embrace of the holy Trinity, we lift our prayers for the wholeness of the church, the world, and all creation.
You send your church into the world with a message of peace. Center the whole church in this peace, and strengthen our faith by the example of all those who creatively and faithfully proclaim your good news. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
All the earth sings out your name. Inspire your people to drink deeply from the beauty of all your creation. When ecosystems are wounded, bring your healing. When our actions endanger the survival of other species, curb our greed and waste. God of grace, hear our prayer.
You call us to work for the good of all. Give resolve to those who lead, that they do not grow weary in doing what is right. Guide them to seek peace between nations and freedom for all people. God of grace, hear our prayer.
As a mother comforts her child, so you comfort us. Bring this comfort to those in any pain. Carry your people when grief is heavy, and lift burdens of shame and self-doubt. We pray especially for Richie, Jules, Thomas, Derek, Chris, Bill, Donna, Trena, Keyasi, Sorie, Bill, Carol, Vince, Danielle, Barbara, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Curt, Calvin, Robin, Helen, Hoon, Pat, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, and those we now raise before you in our hearts. We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit. Grant them healing and wholeness. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Your harvest is plentiful, O God. Make us laborers and companions with one another in this assembly. Send your peace to rest upon us, heal divisions among us, and open our hearts to receive one another as gifts from you. God of grace, hear our prayer.
You have written our names in heaven, O God, and we rejoice. We thank you for those who have lived and died in your love. Accompany us on our life’s journey and draw us at last to life forever in you. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Gather all our prayers in your mercy, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
* LORD'S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our website: stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org or sent by mail to
St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.
* OFFERING PRAYER
Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world,
through Jesus Christ, our true vine. Amen.
*BLESSING
The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us,
be upon you now and forever. Amen.
* SENDING SONG Spirit of Gentleness (ELW 396)
DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Live by the Spirit. Thanks be to God.
The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of July by MaryAnne Rossi in honor of loved ones.
YOU CAN HELP! You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done. Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards. Please see MaryAnne Rossi if you wish to purchase and gift cards. Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry.
Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON. Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.
The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!
With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.
Our Financial Response (May)
CURRENT
Budgeted costs per month $ 7,263.55
Offering last month $ 4,878.14
Budget required to date (5 months) $ 36,317.75
Total received to date $ 27,236.70
MISSION SUPPORT
Budget required to date (5 months) $ 2,000.00
Total received to date $ 1,889.60
Please continue to support St. John's. Our expenses continue each month.
Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our website: stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org or sent by mail to
St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.
