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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSUNDAY August 16th, 2020

To our Church FamilyWe’re Glad You’re Here.

WELCOME

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Today's Hymns from the Tower                 Church Carillon The Westminster StrikeAnnouncementsPrelude: Quiet Meditation from Four Miniatures for Organ Michael Calabris

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESSThe assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

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.Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.Silence is kept for reflection.Gracious God,have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our 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 your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

GATHERING HYMN Gather Us In ELW 532

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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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us prayGod of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

 1Thus says the LORD:  Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come,  and my deliverance be revealed.

 6And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,  to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD,  and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,  and hold fast my covenant— 7these I will bring to my holy mountain,  and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices  will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer  for all peoples. 8Thus says the Lord GOD,  who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them  besides those already gathered.

The Word of the LordThanks be to God.

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Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

[Paul writes:] 1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2aGod has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

  29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

The Word of the LordThanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Gospel: Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28

The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 14th chapterGlory to you, O Lord.

[10[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:11it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what

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defiles. 19For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”]  21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

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

SERMON The Rev. Mark Kreemer

HYMN OF THE DAY When Peace Like a River ELW 785

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

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

After each petition the following response is given: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.

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Amen.

SHARING OF THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.

OFFERING

Anthem: Be Still, My Soul (Finlandia) Jean Sibelius Arr. Chris Rice

DIALOGUE

The Lord be with you.And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLEHoly God, our Maker, Redeemer, and Healer, in the harmonious world of your creation, the plants and animals, the seas and stars were whole and well in your praise.

When sin had scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills and to form us again into one.

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, therefore, his acts of healing, his body given up, and his victory over death, we await that day when all the peoples of the earth will come to the river to enjoy the tree of life.

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Send your Spirit upon us and this meal: as grains scattered on the hillside become one bread, so let your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth, that all may be fed with the Bread of life, your Son.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.Amen

LORD’S PRAYER

Make us bold, O merciful God, to address you as our Abba as we pray:

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.

SENDING HYMN Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service ELW 712

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BLESSING

May the Lord bless you and keep you.May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peaceAmen.

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DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Live in love as Christ loved us.Thanks be to God.

Postlude: Finale from Chorale in B Minor César Franck

Prelude: Michael Calabris is a local composer, living in Massillon, who recently earned three Master of Music degrees from Cleveland State University, studying organ, harpsichord, and composition. A friend of Chad’s, Michael’s music has recently been recorded and performed by renowned musicians across the country, including Carson Cooman. Michael likes to write in the styles of the middle Baroque and late contemporary eras of music, drawing on inspiration from his favorite composers. He has been composing music for more than twenty years. Just a few years ago, he was a substitute organist for St. Paul’s Lutheran in Massillon and currently serves as Organist for Richville United Church of Christ in Navarre.

Offertory: Released at the very dawn of the twentieth century in 1900, Finlandia, also known by the hymn title “Be Still, My Soul” was a bold national statement of strength, resilience and pride against censorship and oppression from the Russian government. In order to avoid censorship and suspicion from the Kremlin, the work was performed under a different name. Most of the piece is taken up with rousing and turbulent music, evoking the national struggle of the Finnish people. Near the end, a calm comes over the orchestra, and the serene and melodic “Finland Hymn” is heard.

Postlude: César Franck worked as a musician in Paris for most of his adult life, most notably serving the famous Basilica of St. Clotilde as Music Director and Organist. He is considered one of the giants of the organ and church music area, frequently performed and presented in houses of worship and concert halls around the world. Reflecting his turbulent and difficult life, Franck’s music is powerful and emotional. The Chorale in B Minor is a 15-minute work based on a simple chorale (hymn), written be the composer and developed in various musical styles throughout the work. Quiet moments of peace and loud dramatic moments both dominate each end of the work, portraying Franck’s deep faith in God and reflecting a difficult and turbulent life.

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Hymns, Liturgies, and Live stream permissions granted by the following:

Music in today’s Liturgy in covered by:"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-734490. All rights reserved

GATHERING HYMN Gather Us In ELW 532"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-734490. All rights reserved

HYMN OF THE DAY When Peace Like a River ELW 785Public Domain

SENDING HYMN Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service ELW 712"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from CCLI, License #20472231 All rights reserved.”

In our prayers today we will remember

Chris Collard, Chuck Evans, Josh Keller, Bob Cocklin, Dr Donald Zimmerman Nancy Straughn, Martha Scott, Judy Hall, Don and Wanda Evans, Catherine Richards, Bob Keefer, Linda Klein, Sara Hughes, Chrissy Sturtz, Donna Viles, Betty Ayers, Phyllis Darrah, Jean Dexter, Janet Duke, Betty George, Marjorie Hill, Bob Kirsch, Dan Landig, Anna Langenfeld, Daniel Leone, Darlene Lewis, Angela Sutter, Amy White, Maria Lictenberger, Diane Brant, Karen Lunkwitz, Dave Paul, Ron Meimer, Jim Mullen, Hazel Draper, Jennifer Mays, Alice Ferguson, Cheryl Shaw