I will launch this service at around 9:30 a.m.
These Services will be provided by Zoom again. The Zoom password that you will need if asked: 762034
We will be holding Sunday Church Services this way until further notice.
Thank you,
Jeremy Grasby
Welcome and Announcements
1. Redeemer Council, meeting on Wed, June 17 @ 7:00 pm
2. You can call Pastor Laurel at 1-204-727-8928
3. Email: brandonredeeemer@gmail.com
*A moment of silence*
Let us begin:
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
Confession & Forgiveness
P. Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
whose steadfast love is everlasting,
whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
Amen.
P Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P. Reconciling God,
C. we confess that we do not trust your abundance,
and we deny your presence in our lives.
We place our hope in ourselves
and rely on our own efforts.
We fail to believe that you provide enough for all.
We abuse your good creation for our own benefit.
We fear difference and do not welcome others
as you have welcomed us.
We sin in thought, word, and deed.
By your grace, forgive us;
through your love, renew us;
and in your Spirit, lead us;
so that we may live and serve you in newness of life.
Amen.
P. Beloved of God,
by the radical abundance of divine mercy
we have peace with God through ☩ Christ Jesus,
through whom we have obtained grace upon grace.
Our sins are forgiven.
Let us live now in hope.
For hope does not disappoint,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Greeting
P. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C. And also with you.
Kyrie: (Spoken)
L. In peace, let us pray to the Lord
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy gathering, for all who offer in our gathering their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
Lord, have mercy. Amen. Amen.
Canticle of Praise: (sung)
Refrain: This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
1)Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Refrain
2) Power and riches, wisdom and strength, and honour and blessing and glory are his.
Refrain
3) Sing with all the people of God, And join in the hymn of all creation. Blessing, honour, glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. AMEN
Refrain
4) For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
Final Refrain
Prayer of the Day
P) The Lord be with you.
C) And also with you.
P) Let us pray
Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: Exodus 19:2-8a
[The Israelites] had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”
So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.”
Word of God. Word of life. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, | all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence | with a song.
3 Know that the Lord is God, our maker to whom | we belong;
we are God’s people and the sheep | of God’s pasture. R
4 Enter the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving and the | courts with praise;
give thanks and bless God’s | holy name.
5 Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love is | everlasting,
whose faithfulness endures from | age to age. R
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-8
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God
Gospel: Matthew 9:35--10:8 [9-23]
The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew:
Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”
10:1 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”]
Here ends the Gospel. Praise to you, O Christ
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. The kingdom of God | has come near;* repent, and believe in | the good news. Alleluia. (Mark 1:15)
Reflection
Hymn of the Day
"Rise up O Saints of God!" ELW #669
(Hymn lyrics printed under OneLicence # 11411292)
1. Rise up, O saints of God! From vain ambitions turn;
Christ rose triumphant that your hearts with nobler zeal might burn.
2. Speak out, O saints of God! Despair engulfs earth’s frame;
as heirs of God’s baptismal grace, the word of hope proclaim.
3. Rise up, O saints of God! The kingdom’s task embrace;
redress sin’s cruel consequence; give justice larger place.
4. Give heed, O saints of God! Creation cries in pain;
stretch forth your hand of healing now, with love the weak sustain.
5. Commit your hearts to seek the paths which Christ has trod;
and, quickened by the Spirit’s power, rise up, O saints of God!
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.
Offertory Prayer
All: Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration,
but you make of them an abundance,
just as you do with our lives.
Your love endures forever.
You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine.
Nourish us with these gifts that we ight be for the world signs of
your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Response to petitions: God who is with us, Hear our prayer
Peace
P. Peace of Christ be with you always. C. And also with you.
Communion
Great Thanksgiving
P. The Lord be with you. C. And also with you.
P. Lift up your hearts. C. We lift them to the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Preface
P. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy….. their unending hymn:
C. (spoken)
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Lord God of power and might.
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna to the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
P. In the night in which he was betrayed…remembrance of me.
Lord's Prayer
P. Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
C. Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P. Friends of Jesus, come and
receive nourishment for your journey.
Instructions from Pastor
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
For the first time since the COVID 19 pandemic brought into the internet world of ZOOM worship services, we will be celebrating Holy Communion.
This will be optional for you all.
For those not participating: This is near the conclusion of the worship service thus you can simply reflect on the words of the Gospel or the Prayer of Thanksgiving until you join us in concluding the service with the hymn, prayer and blessing.
For those who would like to participate, we hope you can create a space that is meaningful to you. With this in mind, we ask you to prepare for communion by doing the following prior to the service beginning:
1. In your home, set apart a space for the Communion elements close to where you will be ZOOMing the worship service. Prepare your space you with a nice table cloth, a Cross, your Bible, or some flowers (or a combination). These items can beautify this space and mark it as special.
2. On this same table or shelf space place a plate with bread (or a rice cracker(s) as we have used in church) and glasse(s) with wine or juice in them. Consider what cup and plate might be meaningful to hold the elements of bread/crackers and wine/juice for you. If possible, you can cover these elements with a clean white cloth (napkin). When it comes to the point in the worship service where we have the offering, you can uncover the elements, getting the bread and fruit of the vine ready.
3. During the service, after the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Lord’s Prayer all will be invited to eat the bread, and following that, to drink the cup. You will be invited to lift your bread and wine at the same time as instructed and we will all partake the elements together.
There has been, and continues to be much discussion, around the world about whether or not such a form of Holy Communion is appropriate during this time of social isolation and physical distancing. The ELCIC Bishops released a statement in April/20 that states in part: “We trust you, Christ’s ministers of Word and Sacrament and Word and Service, to steward the mysteries of God that have been entrusted to you with integrity and grace. We know that your decisions will be made in conversation with congregational leaders and in a way that provides the best pastoral leadership to your communities. We know that in our Lutheran theological tradition Holy Communion is not necessary for salvation, but is a means of grace and one of the ways by which and through which Christ is embodied and proclaimed as God’s unconditional love for us.”
The ELCIC Bishops realize that we are worshiping during an “extraordinary circumstance”. This circumstance has been shown to have an indefinite timeline. Bishop Jason Zinko acknowledges that many members of congregations may wish to fast from the sacraments throughout the pandemic. They await the time that we can safely share it in person. Other members seek and feel the need for the comfort and grace of the body and blood especially in these uncertain times. Just as there have been baptisms performed at hospitals by nurses or doctors in life-threatening circumstances, so too this manner of celebrating Holy Communion is not intended to supplant the preferred practice, but rather to bring comfort for we who cannot gather and face an unknown future due to this unusual circumstance.
Many of you will remember Martin Luther’s words in the Small Catechism about Holy Communion (ELW page 1166): “It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and to drink… The words “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin” show us that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament through these words, because where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation… These words, when accompanied by the physical eating and drinking, are the essential thing in the sacrament, and whoever believes these very words has what they declare…”
These words of Rev. Martin Luther remind us that God is the one who acts in the sacrament; and that we can be confident that Christ comes to us even when we gather through an electronic means. On Sundays the words of our Lord are spoken. This Sunday the bread and wine will be taken into our bodies together with Jesus’ words, and we will do this trusting in the grace and mercy of God. "On Sunday we will be gathered together by the Holy Spirit, even as we are separated by circumstances – the communion of saints transcends time and place.” This we believe through faith. Thanks be to God!
Remember, participating in Holy Communion is optimal for each member at our ZOOM worship.
However, the idea of setting up a special space (or altar) for each Sunday is a good way to prepare for any worship service you attend online. It visually assures us that, even though we are in our own home, this blessed couple of hours out of our week is especially set aside for gathering and worshiping the Lord, praying and singing to the Lord, and being in the company of our beloved friends and family of God.
Thanks be to God!
Christ be with you all,
Respectfully submitted
Pastor Laurel Seyfert
Post Communion Prayer
Together we pray: We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sending Hymn
"We all are one in mission" ELW # 576
(Hymn lyrics printed under OneLicence # 11411292)
1. We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single great commission compels us from above
to plan and work together that all may know Christ’s love.
2. We all are called to service, to witness in Christ’s name.
Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same:
to touch the lives others with God’s surprising grace,
so every folk and nation may feel god’s warm embrace.
3. Now let us be united, and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming Word.
We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.
Benediction
May almighty God,
The Father who created us to live in love,
The Son (✝) who died and rose to bring us new life,
And the Spirit who has already empowered us,
bless us all, now and forever. Amen.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Christ goes with you.
Thanks be to God!