Time after Pentecost July 19, 2020

Christ Lutheran Church

2610 Campbell Street • Valparaiso, Indiana 46385 • (219) 462-6660

Website: clcvalpo.org • E-mail: clcvalpo@clcvalpo.org

INTRODUCTION It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both

grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering.

Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go

forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.

GATHERING

The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God

WELCOME

If you are joining us for the first time, welcome! We’d love to meet you, or if there’s anything you’d like

to know about the ministry of Christ Lutheran Church, please consider filling out a Connection Card.

May the peace of the risen Christ be with you!

PRELUDE Lord Jesus Christ, Turn Thou to Us Walther

CONFESSION

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

whose steadfast love is everlasting,

whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Amen.

Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Reconciling God,

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.

Beloved of God,

by the 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.

GATHERING HYMN #853 When Morning Gilds the Skies

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Children: This is the day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

A brief silence is kept before the prayer.

Divine reaper,

who alone can judge

without vengeance or fear:

free us from our desire to repay evil with evil;

root us in creation’s longing for freedom from oppression;

shape us by hope unseen for the victory of love;

through Jesus Christ, with whom we suffer and we are

glorified. Amen.

WORD

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching and song

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG #781 Children of the Heavenly Father

READING: Genesis 28:10-19a God’s graciousness to Jacob is shown in God’s revelation of the divine self to the patriarch, who is running for his life after

cheating his brother Esau out of the family inheritance. Jacob promises that if God brings him back to the land, he will be

loyal to God and give God a tenth of everything (vv. 20-22).

10Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11He came to a certain place and stayed there for the

night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay

down in that place. 12And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to

heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13And the LORD stood beside him

and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you

lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and

you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families

of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15Know that I am with you and will keep you

wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I

have promised you.” 16Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place—and

I did not know it!” 17And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than

the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

18So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it

up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19aHe called that place Bethel.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Jesus tells a parable about the coexistence of good and evil in this world. God’s judgment will remove all evildoers and

causes of sin, but not until the end of human history.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

24[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to

someone who sowed good seed in his field;25but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed

weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the

weeds appeared as well. 27And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not

sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28He answered, ‘An enemy has

done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29But he replied, ‘No;

for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30Let both of them grow

together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind

them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”

36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying,

“Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37He answered, “The one who sows the good seed

is the Son of Man; 38the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds

are the children of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of

the age, and the reapers are angels. 40Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be

at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all

causes of sin and all evildoers, 42and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be

weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their

Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY #689 Praise and Thanksgiving

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.

*Or, “he descended into hell,” another translation of this text in widespread use.

A NOTE ABOUT OFFERINGS

During this time of social distancing, your congregation continues to serve: keeping us connected,

caring for one another, holding our building ready for our return, supporting our staff and those they

serve. Your offerings make that happen. Because our offerings are never only for us, a portion is given

to the to the ELCA’s Global Missions’ Selian Lutheran Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania and

AMOS, “A Mission of Service” in Guatemala/Honduras.

We have had many questions about how we can receive offerings during this time of coronavirus.

Offerings can be given online at http://clcvalpo.org/give, by texting ‘CLCVALPO’ to 77977, by US Mail

to 2610 Campbell St., or by dropping an envelope in the locked box outside Door #3 facing the High

School.

If you have been impacted by the coronavirus economically, remember that your value to God,

and to us, is not dependent on your financial resources. We want to walk with you and want to help;

please reach out to pastors@clcvalpo.org. Likewise, if you know someone who has been affected, either

with the virus or via the economic situation, please let us know!

PRAYERS

Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are

in need.

A brief silence.

God of the harvest, you sow the good seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ into your field. Help your

church throughout the world to be both diligent and patient, full of resolve and gentleness, that our

witness may be faithful to your intentions. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of all space and time, your whole creation groans in labor pains, awaiting the gift of new birth.

Renew the earth, sky, and sea, so that all your creation experiences freedom from the bondage of decay.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of the nations, teach us your ways, that we may walk in your truth. Mend the fabric of the human

family, now torn apart by our fearful and warring ways. Guide us by your mercy, grace, and steadfast

love. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of hope, you accompany those who suffer and are near to the brokenhearted. Open our hearts to

your children who are lonely and abandoned, who feel trapped by despair, and all who suffer in any

way. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of the seasons, in the midst of summer, give us refreshment, renewal, and new opportunities. We

pray for the safety of those who travel. We pray for those who cannot take the rest they need. Lord, in

your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of life, those who have died in you shine like the sun in your endless kingdom. We remember with

thanksgiving the saints of all times and places and saints close to us especially Mary Magdalene,

Birgitta of Sweden, and James. Gather us with them on the day of salvation. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SHARING OF THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

SENDING

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world

INVITATIONS

BLESSING

Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor

height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in

Christ Jesus. God, the creator, ☩ Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, bless you and

keep you in eternal love.

Amen.

SENDING HYMN #679 For the Fruit of All Creation

MUSICAL MEDITATION

MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ

PRAYER

God of goodness and growth,

all creation is yours,

and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

Water and word, wine and bread:

these are signs of your abundant grace.

Nourish us through these gifts,

that we might proclaim your steadfast love

in our communities and in the world,

through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song.

Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS

TABLE PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

Children: The Spirit makes us one. We 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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Friends of Jesus, join together at God’s table. Receive nourishment for your journey.

Thanks be to God!

The body of Christ, given for you

Amen (receive the bread)

The blood of Christ, shed for you

Amen (receive the cup)

PRAYER

God of the welcome table,

in this meal we have feasted on your goodness

and have been united by your presence among us.

Empower us to go forth sustained by these gifts

so that we may share your neighborly love with all,

through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Children: Go in peace. Christ is with you.

Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE The Rejoicing Callahan

COMMEMORATIONS

Week of July 19, 2020

July 22

Mary Magdalene, Apostle

The gospels report Mary Magdalene was one of the women of Galilee who followed Jesus.

She was present at Jesus’ crucifixion and his burial. When she went to the tomb on the first

day of the week to anoint Jesus’ body, she was the first person to whom the risen Lord

appeared. She returned to the disciples with the news and has been called “the apostle to the

apostles” for her proclamation of the resurrection. Because John’s gospel describes Mary as

weeping at the tomb, she is often portrayed in art with red eyes. Icons depict her standing by

the tomb and holding a bright red egg, symbol of the resurrection.

July 23

Birgitta of Sweden, renewer of the church, died 1373

Birgitta (beer-GEE-tuh) was married at age thirteen and had four daughters with her

husband. She was a woman of some standing who, in her early thirties, served as the chief

lady-in-waiting to the queen of Sweden. She was widowed at the age of thirty-eight, shortly

after she and her husband had made a religious pilgrimage. Following the death of her

husband the religious dreams and visions that had begun in her youth occurred more

regularly. Her devotional commitments led her to give to the poor and needy all that she

owned, and she began to live a more ascetic life. She founded an order of monks and nuns,

the Order of the Holy Savior (Brigittines), whose superior was a woman. Today the Society

of St. Birgitta is a laypersons’ society that continues her work of prayer and charity.

July 25

James, Apostle

James is one of the sons of Zebedee and is counted as one of the twelve disciples. Together

with his brother John they had the nickname “sons of thunder.” One of the stories in the New

Testament tells of their request for Jesus to grant them places of honor in the kingdom. They

are also reported to have asked Jesus for permission to send down fire on a Samaritan village

that had not welcomed them. James was the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom and is

the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in scripture. He is sometimes called James the

Elder to distinguish him from James the Less, commemorated with Philip on May 1, and

James of Jerusalem, commemorated on October 23.

Stewardship Snippet

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now;

and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the

Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our

bodies.

Romans 8:22-23

Is the world about to turn? Look at what’s happening. God is leading us toward

the reign of Christ, where the scales of justice will balance, where every

beloved child of God has voice and place, and all of creation breaks free of the

sin that binds us.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual

License #26201. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in

the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

Portions printed under OneLicense.net License # A-711129. Portions from Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare.

Cover art permission by Stushie Art.

GOSPEL MESSAGE

Impossible Purity

Maybe you have bought or been offered bottled water recently. Did it say “purified” on it?

Did you assume that meant the water was totally pure? What if you learned that bottled

water, even purified, always has some contaminants in it? Would you still drink it? You

probably did.

Jesus’ parable of the weeds among the wheat reminds us of our desire for purity. It is

tempting on first reading the parable to immediately ask ourselves, So, who is a weed and

who is wheat? We might wonder if the people we don’t like much are weeds. We might also

be anxious to know whether we are wheat, children of the kingdom. Sorting it all out now

and purifying the field would make things simpler.

Except everything in the parable says we don’t get to sort things out! Surprisingly, Jesus

lowers our sense of urgency to sort out good from bad in life. Jesus says it is better to live

with ambiguity, better to accept impurity, than to try so hard to clean everything up now.

Why? Because we risk great harm to others in trying to obtain a level of purity we can never

have in this life.

The desire for purity, especially among religious persons, can be strong. For some, this

means getting rid of people who fail to live up to certain moral standards. For others, it

means judging people based on who we label them to be. But total purity never exists in

nature, nor in humanity as a whole, nor in any single person.

Rather than worrying about whom to get rid of, with Jesus’ help we trust that we are children

of the kingdom by God’s grace. We are included. When we know we are included and

loved, we don’t need to worry about another’s status. That’s for God to worry about. We are

free to love others and ourselves, and to let God sort out the rest.