Tenth Sunday after Pentecost                                          August 6, 2023

WELCOME to each of you gathered for worship this morning.  Please take a moment to complete the attendance sheet and place it in the offering plate when it is passed.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT “Sharing God’s love and His promise for tomorrowEngaging with God’s children to carry the light ofJesus Christ from the altar through the door.” Louis Sanders – Council PresidentVacant – Vice-PresidentDr. Eric Hahn – SecretaryAnni Hahn – Treasurer 
Love Lutheran Church
3730 MacArthur Blvd.
New Orleans, La 70114
504-362-1967
 

Love Lutheran e-mail addresses:  lovelutheran68@gmail.com

Love Lutheran Website:  www.lovelutheran.org

Love Lutheran is a Member of the ELCA

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website at: www.elca.org

Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans

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PRESIDING AT WORSHIP:  Rev Nancy Day

LECTOR:  Louis Sanders

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                       IN OUR PRAYERS

Congregation Prayers:

Mary Sanders

Melissa Gallant

Sharon Steele

Dianne Revuelta

Lyn Weixel

Robert Onsgard

Kevin Trimble

Ken and Sandy Flora

Phillip Brubaker

Denise Daigrepont Roy

Ila Duncan

Jamie Johnson

Hans Heinemann

Rick and Gabe Lyons

Laurie Smith

Andrew Douglas

Arlene Ogg

Elaina Cannon and Children

Leya and Aaliyah

Wayne Prayers:

Sarah Steele

Dirk Anderson

Joyce Barber

Jodee James

Lu Carrigan

Janice Bela

Dixie Adkins

Alex Adkins

Adam Adkins

Julien Adkins

Alisha Adkins

Dixie Prayers:

Sarah Steele

Dirk Anderson

Joyce Barber

Jo Ellen Smith Nursing Home

Elaine Prayers:

Elaine Teague

David and Kim Teague

Joshua Teague

David Teague Jr.

Steven Teague

Terri Marino

Jackie Pavur

Shirley Lyons

Louis Mayer

Lane Wise

Paul Steele

Pastor Lisa Prayers:

Community and World

We pray for the Steele family as they mourn the loss of Charlie Steele

For those who work and live in nursing homes

Staff of United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund

Our military serving here and abroad

We pray also for Love Lutheran Church and for all those in need of healing power of God’s love.

Ask and it will be given to you:  Our Lord invites us to bring all our cares and concerns to him and trust in his mercy and grace.  If you have prayer concerns please let Pastor Gaye know by noon on Wednesday so that your prayer request may be included in the prayers of the people at Sunday worship.  Please inform Pastor Gaye if your prayer request needs to be extended longer than two weeks.

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LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH   Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye                       Adult Bible Study:  9:00 A.M. Office: 504-362-1967                                               Worship:  10:00 A.M.  

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost                                          August 6, 2023

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Stand as you are able)

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P:  In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

(Silence is kept for reflection)

P:  Most merciful God,

C:  We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.  We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.  Amen.

P:  In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority.  I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

OPENING HYMN:  #ELW 461 “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

THE 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.

THE KYRIE

THE HYMN OF PRAISE:  “Now the Feast and Celebration”

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P:  Let us pray.

C:  Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

(You may be seated)

First Reading:  Isaiah 55:1-5

God invites Israel to a great feast at which both food and drink are free.  God also promises to make an everlasting covenant with all peoples, with promises that previously had been limited to Israel.  As David was a witness to the nations, these nations shall now acknowledge the ways in which God has glorified Israel.

1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.  I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.  4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.  5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

The Word of the Lord.                   Thanks be to God.

Psalm:  Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Ps. 145:16)

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

14 The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.

17 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Second Reading:  Romans 9:1-5

This begins a new section in Paul’s letter in which he will deal with the place of Israel in God’s saving plan.  He opens by highlighting how Israel’s heritage and legacy include being God’s children, having God’s covenants, being given God’s law, participating in worship of God, and receiving divine promises.

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ–I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit– 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.  4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.                   Thanks be to God.

(Stand as you are able)

Gospel:  Matthew 14:13-21

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew           Glory to you, O Lord.

After John the Baptist is murdered, Jesus desires a time of solitude.  Still, his compassion for others will not allow him to dismiss those who need him, and he is moved to perform one of his greatest miracles.

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.  But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.  14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.  15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”  16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”  17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”  18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”  19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.  Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.        20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.  21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord.              Praise to you, O Christ.

(You may be seated)

SERMON

(Stand as you are able)

HYMN OF THE DAY:  #ELW 464 “Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

P:  God has made us his people through our Baptism in Christ.  Living together in hope, we confess our faith.

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 into hell.

   On the third day he rose again;

   He ascended into heaven,

   And 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 Christian church.

   The communion of saints

   The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

   And life everlasting. Amen.

(You may be seated)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

A:  Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation.

(A brief silence)

A:  You gather your church together by the Holy Spirit.  Inspire all the baptized to proclaim your abundant love throughout the world.  Guide us in the mission of the gospel through word and deed.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  You cherish your creation, from the smallest microbe to the largest mountain.  Protect fragile ecosystems, send favorable weather, supply food and water to nourish creatures, and raise us up to care for all you have created.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  You desire peace and justice in the world.  Instill within all political leaders your desire, support the work of international peace organizations, and provide relief for those in war-torn areas.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  You comfort those who are hurting.  Accompany those who are alone, heal those who are sick, provide for all who hunger or thirst, console the bereaved, bring joy to the sorrowful, and attend to all who call on you (especially…).  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  You place us within communities for mutual support and love.  Reveal yourself to us in worship, fellowship, and ministry with our neighbors.  Provide for feeding ministries and food banks in our area, that we share your abundance with all who hunger.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)

(After each petition we respond:)

A:  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  You have placed before us examples of faithful living who have witnessed to your promises throughout time and space.  Rouse us by their lives of service and dedication to be your hands and feet in this world.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

P:  Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, Jesus Christ our Savior.

C:  Amen.

P:  Lord Jesus, you said to your apostles: I leave you my peace, my peace I give you.  Look not on the sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.

C:  Amen.

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

(You may be seated)

THE OFFERING

(Stand as you are able)

THE OFFERTORY:  “As the Grains of Wheat”

THE OFFERTORY PRAYER

A:  Let us pray, Merciful God,

C:  everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.  We joyfully release what you have entrusted to us.  May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE 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 him thanks and praise.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

PROPER PREFACE

P:  It is truly good, right, and salutary, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who ascended above the heavens and, sitting at Your right hand, poured out on this day, as He had promised, the Holy Spirit on the chosen disciples.  At this the world rejoices with exceeding joy.

     Therefore with angels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

THE SANCTUS:

(printed on the following page)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

P:  “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed,

     took bread and when He had given thanks,

     He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying:

    ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.

     Do this in remembrance of Me.’

    “In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, gave thanks,

     and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you;

     this cup is the New Testament in My blood,

     which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.

     Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

     With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

P:  We say together

C:  Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.  Amen

P:  We pray together THE LORD’S PRAYER

C:  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.

THE COMMUNION

P:  The gifts of God for the people of God, feed on them in your heart with thanksgiving.

C:  Amen

(You may be seated)

The Communion follows:

During the communing of Pastor and Assistant the congregation sings “Lamb of God”

(printed on the following page)

(Stand as you are able)

COMMUNION HYMN:  #ELW 689 “Praise and Thanksgiving”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A:  Let us pray.

We thank you, generous God, for the refreshment we have received at your banquet table.  Send us now to spread your generosity into all the world, through the one who is our dearest treasure, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C:  Amen.

THE BENEDICTION

P:  The God who calls across the cosmos and speaks in the smallest seed (+) bless, keep, and sustain you now and to the end of the age.

C:  Amen.

SENDING HYMN:   #ELW 494 “For the Bread Which You Have Broken”

DISMISSAL

P:  Go in peace.  Share the harvest.

C:  Thanks be to God.

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Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible with Apocrypha.

Copyrighted elements of Revised Common Lectionary, liturgical texts, and liturgical music used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license number SB144485.  All music and portions of the liturgical music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-705233.  All rights reserved.  Clipart and images as reprinted from Churchart.com license.

Scripture Next Sunday: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 19:9-18;

Psalm 85:8-13;

Romans 10:5-15;

Matthew 14:22-33

Hymn

ANNOUNCEMENTS

In the event of an emergency you may contact Pastor Gaye at the church office (504) 362-1967.

Cell Phones:  We are requesting that members and visitors please silence your cell phones to “off” while in the sanctuary and we are in worship service.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Wednesday, 16 August 2023 – Council Meeting, 6:00 PM Sunday, 20 August 2023 – Guest Musician, Erin Slatton

Please consider a donation to the Memorial Engelbracht Guest Musician Fund.  Donation envelopes can be found in the rear of the church.

If you wish to help to aid in the recovery of victims of disaters, donations can be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.

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Daily devotional website as suggested by Pastor Lisa Gaye

https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/

Last modified: August 21, 2023