August 2, 2015

9:00 am

Today Jesus offers himself as the Bread of Life – the living bread that comes down from heaven.

This gift enables all believers to grow in Christ and receive strength and nourishment for life.

Welcome to Grace of God today as we gather to receive this living bread – Jesus Christ.

TODAY IS SUMMER SABBATH on SUNDAY!

Featuring many of the songs from our alternative Wednesday evening worship this summer.

Small children are welcome in worship

“Busy bags” for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors.

That room also has a speaker to hear the worship service.

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Confession and Forgiveness

Introduction: (Silent confession over chords)

I confess to you, O Lord,

that I have sinned.

I confess to you, O Lord,

all my sin within.

I have failed to live for you

In the things I say and do,

And have fallen short

of living in your love.

Chorus 1

Lord, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy, set me free.

O forgive me, Lord, I pray

And take my sin away,

By the cross and empty grave for my

soul

I confess to you, O Lord, that I have sinned.

I confess to you, O Lord, all my sin within.

I have placed myself above,

And have hurt the ones I love,

And I know that only you can set me free. (Chorus 1)

Take us back to the water.

Wash away our sins.

Welcome us, O Father,

Back to Your home again.

Bless Your sons and daughters,

And let the feast begin,

Let it begin!

Chorus 1

Lord, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy, set me free.

O forgive me, Lord, I pray

And take my sin away,

By the cross and empty grave for my soul

Absolution: (Spoken over chorus chords.)

The Lord has had mercy on us and has sent his Son Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. By his

word and promise I declare to you the forgiveness of all of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son

(+) and of the Holy Spirit. You are forgiven. You are set free.

You take us back to the water.

You wash away our sins.

You welcome us, O Father,

Back to Your home again.

You bless Your sons and daughters.

Now let the feast begin,

Let it begin!

Chorus 2

Lord, Your mercy covers me.

Lord, Your mercy has set me free.

You’ve forgiven me today,

And my sins are washed away

By the cross and empty grave for my soul.

Greeting

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with

you all.

People: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: O God, eternal goodness, immeasurable love,

you place your gifts before us; we eat and are satisfied.

Fill us and this world in all its need

with the life that comes only from you,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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Song "Awake My Soul"

Breathe on me, breath of God, breathe on me

Breathe on me, breath of God, breathe on me

I come alive, I'm alive when you breathe on me

I come alive, I'm alive when you breathe on me

Speak to me, word of God, speak to me

Speak to me, word of God, speak to me

I come alive, I’m alive when you speak to me

I come alive, I’m alive when you speak to me Chorus

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First Reading Exodus 16:2–4, 9–15

2The whole congregation of the Israelites complained

against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3The

Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand

of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the

fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought

us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly

with hunger." 4Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread

from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go

out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test

them, whether they will follow my instruction or

not. 9Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole

congregation of the Israelites, 'Draw near to the LORD,

for he has heard your complaining.'" 10And as Aaron

spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they

looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the

LORD appeared in the cloud. 11The LORD spoke to

Moses and said, 12"I have heard the complaining of the

Israelites; say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and

in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you

shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" 13In the evening quails came up and covered the camp;

and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the

camp. 14When the layer of dew lifted, there on the

surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as

fine as frost on the ground. 15When the Israelites saw it,

they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not

know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread

that the LORD has given you to eat.

Second Reading Ephesians 4:1–16

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a

life worthy of the calling to which you have been

called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to

maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of

peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you

were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord,

one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is

above all and through all and in all. 7But each of us was given grace according to the measure

of Christ's gift. 8Therefore it is said,

"When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a

captive;

he gave gifts to his people." 9(When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but

that he had also descended into the lower parts of the

earth? 10He who descended is the same one who

ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all

things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be

apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors

and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of

ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of

us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of

the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full

stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children,

tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of

doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in

deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we

must grow up in every way into him who is the head,

into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and

knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped,

as each part is working properly, promotes the body's

growth in building itself up in love.

Chorus:

Awake, awake, awake my soul,

God resurrect these bones

From death to life, for you alone.

Awake my soul

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Holy Gospel John 6:24–35

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 6th chapter.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his

disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats

and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they

said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26Jesus

answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking

for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate

your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that

perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life,

which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that

God the Father has set his seal." 28Then they said to him,

"What must we do to perform the works of

God?" 29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God,

that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30So they said

to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that

we may see it and believe you? What work are you

performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the

wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from

heaven to eat.'" 32Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I

tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from

heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread

from heaven.33For the bread of God is that which comes

down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34They

said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever

comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes

in me will never be thirsty.

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Message

Song “This Is Amazing Grace”

Verse 1:

Who breaks the power

of sin and darkness

Whose love is mighty

and so much stronger

The King of Glory,

the King above all kings

Who shakes the whole earth

with holy thunder

Who leaves us breathless

in awe and wonder

The King of Glory,

the King above all kings

Chorus:

This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Jesus, I sing for

All that You've done for me

Verse 2:

Who brings our chaos

back into order

Who makes the orphan

a son and daughter

The King of Glory,

the King above all kings

Who rules the nations

with truth and justice

Shines like the sun in

all of its brilliance

The King of Glory,

the King above all kings

Bridge:

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave (repeat)

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Sermon

Apostles’ Creed

All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

He 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.

He will come again 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 (Response to each petition)

Pastor: Lord, in your mercy People: Hear our prayer.

Sharing of the Peace

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

People: And also with you.

(As a sign of our friendship in Christ, we share the peace of God with one another with the words “Peace be with you” or

“The peace of the Lord.” Appropriate signs of peace such as a handshake, hug or kiss may also be shared.)

Offering

Offertory Prayer

Pastor: Let us pray.

People: God of mercy and grace,

the eyes of all wait upon you,

and you open your hand in blessing.

Fill us with good things at your table,

that we may come to the help of all in need,

through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord. Amen

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Thanksgiving at the Table

Pastor: Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God.

The universe declares your praise:

beyond the stars; beneath the sea;

within each cell; with every breath.

People: We praise you, O God.

Pastor: We give you thanks for your dear Son:

at the heart of human life; near to those who suffer;

beside the sinner; among the poor; with us now.

People: We thank you, O God.

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Pastor: In the night in which he was betrayed,

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.

Remembering his love for us, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Pastor: We pray for the gift of your Spirit:

in our gathering; within this meal;

among your people; throughout the world.

Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus,

by your Spirit, in your church, without end.

All: Amen

Lord’s Prayer

All: 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

Communion Distribution

Scripture says, “Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he

comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism says, “Holy Communion 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 drink.” All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith

and who share our belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are

invited to the Lord’s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion are invited to As

you approach the table down the center aisle, receive an empty cup from the cart.

Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar.

After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace.

As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right.

Non-alcoholic wine is offered pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack.

Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who

prefer this option.

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Song “Revelation Song”

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Chorus

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come

With all creation I sing praise

to the King of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color

Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder

Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be

To You the only wise King Chorus

Filled with wonder awestruck wonder

At the mention of Your name

Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water

Such a marvelous mystery Chorus

“Marvelous Light”

I once was fatherless,

a stranger with no hope;

Your kindness wakened me,

Awakened me, from my sleep

Your love it beckons deeply,

a call to come and die.

By grace now I will come

And take this life, take your life.

Sin has lost it's power,

death has lost it's sting.

From the grave you've risen

VICTORIOUSLY!

(Chorus)

Into marvelous light I'm running,

Out of darkness, out of shame. By the cross you are the truth,

You are the life, you are the way

My dead heart now is beating,

My deepest stains now clean.

Your breath fills up my lungs.

Now I'm free. Now I'm free!

Lift my hands and spin around,

See the light that I have found.

Oh the marvelous light

Marvelous light

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Dismissal

Pastor: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace.

People: Amen

Thanksgiving Prayer

Pastor: Let us pray.

Wise and generous God, we thank you that at this holy table

you have fed us again with the food of everlasting life.

Send us with your blessing to seek the good of our neighbor

and call others to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

People: Amen.

Benediction

Pastor: As you go on your way may Christ go with you.

May he go before you to show you the way;

May he go behind you to encourage you;

beside you to befriend you;

above you to watch over you; and within you to give you peace.

People: Amen.

Pastor: Go in peace. Christ lives in you.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sending Song “Stir Us Up”

Let the widow’s humble heart be the witness.

That the sum of what you give is more than mites.

It is not the way the world defines abundance

But when you give your heart away – you find your life.

Bridge

Stir us up, oh God

So that all I am and have

Is a living sacrifice

offered to a world in need…

Chorus

Let my life be – a beautiful refrain

The shelter from the rain

Healing for the broken.

Let me live life – as a generous response

A treasure in a box

A heart that’s fully open – to your grace, the fullness of your grace, the fullness of your

grace

Let your heart be a seed in search of good soil

You’re the single grain of wheat who feeds the world

You’re a miracle wherever you are planted

And you’re nurtured in the water and the word

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Worship leader and Preacher Jon Marxhausen

Music Caleb Marxhausen and Alyssa Henderson

Elder Matt Onken

Lector Janice Henderson

Ushers Jerry Corson/Byron Epland

Greeter Janice Henderson

Acolyte/Crucifer Jacob Fahey

We hunger and thirst for love and community.

Offer a refreshing drink of your hospitality and care. Feed a hungry spirit with your words of love.

Thank you for worshipping with us today.

Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway.

Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God.

You are always welcome at Grace of God!

A $1 suggested donation for treats and coffee helps us to continue to serve our fellowship times!

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An Independent Lutheran Congregation

420 Hayward Ave. North Oakdale, MN 55128

651.730.4900

Email: grace@graceofgodlutheran.com

www.graceofgodlutheran.com

www.facebook.com/graceofgodlutheran

Jon Marxhausen, Pastor

SERVING IN WORSHIP

DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS

8/2/2015 Matt Onken Jacob Fahey Janice Henderson Jerry Corson/Byron Epland Janice Henderson

8/9/2015 Matt Onken Parker McMorrow Dan Evenson Franklin & Sue Hotzel Angie McMorrow

8/16/2015 Matt Onken Riley Benson Bruce Gilman Kevin Mackie & Bruce

Gilman

Marilynn and Byron

Epland

8/23/2015 Matt Onken Joanna Dinesen Marilynn Epland Allen & Sally Warren Kathy and George

Rehbein

8/30/2015 Matt Onken Aaron Smith Pam Fallert Randy Henderson & Tom

Schoenberg Patti Simmet

CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE

Aug. 5 - 8 TEAM 8

Evenson Family/Dinesen Family

Aug. 12 - 15

TEAM 9

Wendy Bartz/Errol & Cindy Bartz Eileen

Ocone

Aug. 19 - 22

TEAM 10

Barb Fallert/Kathy Rehbein/Dean

Christenson/Franklin Hotzel

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August 2 - 9, 2015

Sunday, August 2 _______________________________________________________________

9:00 am WORSHIP – PENTECOST 10 (Summer Sabbath on Sunday)

10:15 am Fellowship

Monday, August 3 ______________________________________________________________

7:00 pm Book Club

Sunday, August 9 _______________________________________________________________

9:00 am WORSHIP – PENTECOST 11

10:15 am Fellowship

Are you a Thrivent member with Choice Dollars to direct? Consider directing your

dollars to Grace of God.

Choice Dollars® directions can help support our congregation, Grace of God.

Think of the impact you—along with other eligible Thrivent members—can help

make by directing Choice Dollars® to Grace of God. The grant funding we receive

from Thrivent Financial through this program does help our congregation.

Directing Choice Dollars is easy. Simply go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn

more and find program terms and conditions. Or call 800-847-4836 and say

“Thrivent Choice” after the prompt. Together, we can do even more to help strengthen communities and

change lives.

Alternate times for worship during the summer

months! Join us for evening worship that is brief,

casual and a wonderful time to connect with JESUS and

with your CHURCH!

WEDNESDAY, August 12

at 7:00 pm

ALL ARE WELCOME!

.

Music led by Caleb

Marxhausen and

Alyssa Henderson

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GRACE OF GOD

SUMMER BOOK CLUB

All are invited to join in discussing the book:

North of Hope by Shannon Polson

MONDAY, AUGUST 3

at 7:00 pm

YOUTH

MISSION

TRIP

BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN

July 25 – 31

PRESENTATION and SLIDE SHOW NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 after worship