This week we welcomed Pastor Joshua Free of St. Paul's in Livonia, MI.

Thank you so much for leading us in our worship service today.

It was a joy to meet he and his wife Joanna (Joey). and children: Ellie (8), Olive (5), and Henry (2)

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost—July 24, 2022

About Our Worship Today

Jesus today forsees the plentiful harvest of people who are brought into this kingdom through the preaching of his word. He sends out seventy-two workers and instructs them how to help gather in this harvest. He still expects and desires us to sends workers into the harvest today; while at the same time to pray for more workers of the harvest.

Seasonal Color: Green, the color of life, growth, and nourishment.

Opening Hymn Lift High the Cross

Christian Worship Hymn 579

Please Stand

Invocation

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Confession of Sins

Pastor: God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us.

People: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Pastor: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Pastor: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

Prayer and Praise

Glory Be To God

Prayer of the Day

Pastor: God of all power and might, you are the giver of all that is good. Help us love you with all our heart, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in your care; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

The Word

First Lesson 1 Kings 17:1-16

With his water supply gone, Elijah was directed to go to Zarephath, where a widow would provide for him.

1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’ ” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

Song Father, I Adore You

LAPPY 6 7

Second Lesson Philippians 4:10-20

Because Christ empowered him (4:13), Paul could be content in any and all circumstances.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Please Stand

Gospel Luke 10:1-9, 16-20

Having commissioned his 12 apostles, Jesus now sent out 72 more followers to evangelize and spread his saving name.

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

16 “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise be to you, O Christ.

Please be Seated

Hymn of the Day Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling

Christian Worship Hymn 573

Sermon Luke 10:1-3, 16

A Labor of Love

Please Stand

Meditation on the Apostles’ Creed

First Article

Pastor: Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, you give us all that we need for body and life.

People: Every good and perfect gift comes from you, the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17

Second Article

Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering and death you have opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

People: We approach your throne, O God, with confidence, for mercy and grace in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Third Article

Pastor: Holy Spirit, counselor and guide, you have raised us from death by your powerful Word.

People: You, O Spirit of God, have made us. Your breath, almighty One, gave us life. Job 33:4

Pastor: Lord, fill our hearts with thanksgiving for your mercy and love.

People: Move us with our hearts to believe and with our mouths to confess your saving name. Amen.

Romans 10:10

Please be Seated

Offering

Please Stand

Prayer of the Church

Pastor: Almighty God, heaven and earth are full of your glory. All the stars, the sun and moon, all energies and forces, the sea and clouds are messengers of your wonder and might. For your creation, we praise you, O Father. We pray for your Church and your people. Grant us ministers and teachers who are led by your Spirit and earnestly hold forth your Word of Life. Save us from all false prophets and deceitful guides that we, being knit together in love, may with one mind strive for the truth of your Word.

Guard and defend our homes, that parents may be kept in the bonds of love and rule their children well, nourishing them in truth and righteousness.

Bestow your favor on all useful labor in industry and agriculture, education and science, the professions and the arts, that in their advancement your people may prosper.

We pray for all who may be ill in body, mind, or spirit; for all who may be in danger; for all who may be in anxiety or perplexity; for all who may be suffering disappointment or defeat. Be present with them in their afflictions, show them the way out of all their troubles, and save them for your mercy’s sake.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

Heavenly Father, you did not spare your own Son but freely gave him up for us all. Mercifully grant these and all other acceptable petitions that you read in our hearts in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

People: 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.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

Please be Seated

Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Christian Worship Hymn 411

Prayer

Pastor: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your Holy Word, we may cling to the hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

People: Amen.

Blessing

Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and † give you peace.

People: Amen.

Acknowledgments:

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,Inc.TMUsed by permission of Zondervan

Closing Hymn I Love to Tell the Story

Christian Worship Hymn 562