INTRODUCTION

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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

Most merciful God, 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.

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.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

*GATHERING SONG Lift High the Cross (ELW 660)

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 15:15-21

A reading from Jeremiah.

 15 O LORD, you know;

  remember me and visit me,

  and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors.

 In your forbearance do not take me away;

  know that on your account I suffer insult.

 16 Your words were found, and I ate them,

  and your words became to me a joy

  and the delight of my heart,

 for I am called by your name,

  O LORD, God of hosts.

 17 I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,

  nor did I rejoice;

 under the weight of your hand I sat alone,

  for you had filled me with indignation.

 18 Why is my pain unceasing,

  my wound incurable,

  refusing to be healed?

 Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook,

  like waters that fail.

 19 Therefore thus says the LORD:

 If you turn back, I will take you back,

  and you shall stand before me.

 If you utter what is precious and not what is worthless,

  you shall serve as my mouth.

 It is they who will turn to you,

  not you who will turn to them.

 20 And I will make you to this people

  a fortified wall of bronze;

 they will fight against you,

  but they shall not prevail over you,

 for I am with you

  to save you and deliver you,

 says the LORD.

 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked

  and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

PSALM: Psalm 26:1-8

 1 Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived with integrity;

  I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered.

 2 Test me, O LORD, and try me;

  examine my heart and my mind.

 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes;

  I have walked faithfully with you.

 4 I have not sat with the worthless,

  nor do I consort with the deceitful.

 5 I have hated the company of evildoers;

  I will not sit down with the wicked.

 6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD,

  that I may go in procession round your altar,

 7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving

  and recounting all your wonderful deeds.

 8 LORD, I love the house in which you dwell

  and the place where your glory abides. 

SECOND READING: Romans 12:9-21

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.

  14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-28

The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

21 From that time on, [after Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah,] Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

  24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

  27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

HYMN OF THE DAY Will You Come and Follow Me (ELW 798)

OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD

Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. Your offering and tithes may be made online through our website, stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.

* OFFERING PRAYER

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

With bold trust in God’s unfailing provision, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.

For the church in every land, that its mission and ministry is anchored in the love of Christ. When threats or challenges arise, teach us to take up our cross and follow you in faith. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

For the well-being of your creation, that all that lives and grows on the earth may thrive. Bring relief to areas ravaged by droughts, floods, fires, storms, and other disasters. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

For the nations and all in authority, that they seek to live in peace with one another. Bless the work of international and diplomatic organizations and all who work to bring peace to a world scarred by violence. Merciful God,

receive our prayer.

For all those in need, that they be satisfied. Ensure all your children have safe access to food, water, shelter, and medical care. Bring healing to all who bear wounds in body, mind, and spirit. We pray for the family and friends of Bishop Pat Davenport, the family and friends of Hikeen and Charles, the family and friends of Dawn Butler, Folcroft Police and Fire Company members, Ceasar, Bruce, Paul, Ruth, Deb, Richie, Donna, Carol, Barbara, Vince, Danielle, Connor, Bryant, Walt, Lisa, Pastor Wende, Ray, Lillian, Alexis, Dadiana, Martie, Derek, Robert, Sandy, Tonie, Frank, Billy, Birtey and those we now raise before you in our hearts. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

For the congregation gathered here to serve you, that they remain strong in faith and united in purpose. Guide our committees, study groups, and other meetings toward honesty and humility, always seeking genuine love. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

For the faithful departed, that their witness continues to strengthen and guide the church. Renew our hope in your promises in this life and the life to come. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Receive our prayers and answer, O God, as you have promised. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

* LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us 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.

*BLESSING

Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

Amen.

* SENDING SONG Bind Us Together (WOV 748)

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of August by John Bindi.

YOU CAN HELP!  You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done.  Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards.  Please see MaryAnne Rossi if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry. 

Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON.  Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. If you are in need of food, please notify Mary Anne Rossi and she will let you know what we have available.

September through December, we will be collecting the following items:

           

     September   October-November        December

More information will be forthcoming shortly. Stay tuned.

The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!

With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or 

MaryAnne know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.

Our Financial Response (thru July)

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month $ 7,305.04

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month. 

Your offering and tithes may be made online through our website, 

stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.