Abounding Joy Lutheran Church

Welcome to worship. We rejoice in your presence among us and

invite you to participate fully as we experience the Lord of grace

who comes to us today in Word and Sacrament.

Communion Invitation and Directions:

At Abounding Joy we celebrate Holy Communion as a means of God's saving grace for us in Jesus. All Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Lord's Supper bringing His gift of the forgiveness of sins are welcome to participate. You'll be ushered up the center aisle. Go to the front, receive the bread in an open hand and take a glass of wine (or white grape juice for those who, for medical reasons, are not able to receive wine). Once you've communed, place your empty glass in the basket, and return to your seat by way of the side aisle. If you have mobility problems, contact an usher and communion will be brought to you where you are seated. Gluten free wafers are available upon request.

Abounding Joy Lutheran Church LCMC - Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (www.lcmc.net)

NALC - North American Lutheran Church (www.theNALC.org)

Ministers: All the people of Abounding Joy

Pastor: Thomas Wright Pastor Tom's contact info: (320) 291-2287 email: Pastor.Tom@ajlcmc.org

Church Secretary: Marilyn Schultz Custodian: Joyce Lloyd Minister of Music: Ginny Shimota Choir Director: Jared Bahe

The Church Council welcomes your feedback and suggestions. Earl Mathison, President Mark Schultz, Vice-President Dean Peterson, Secretary

Wally Osterholt, Treasurer Al Kutz, Member Larry Miller, Member

Phone: (320) 217-8784

6000 County Road 120, St. Cloud, MN 56303 Email: general.info@ajlcmc.org OR bulletin@ajlcmc.org

Website: www.aboundingjoy.org

June 30, 2019

Sunday, June 30 9:00 am Worship Service

10:00 am July Service Team Meeting 10:00-10:45 am Fellowship/Refreshments

Monday, July 1

Pastor’s Sabbath/Office Closed Pastor on Vacation thru July 9th

Wednesday, July 3

No Men’s Faith Talk or Noon Bible Study

Thursday, July 4

Happy 4th of July Office Closed

No “At Every Stage” Study

Friday, July 5 Office Closed

Sunday, July 7

Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-7; Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18; Luke 10:1-20 9:00 am Worship Service

10:00-10:45 am Fellowship/Refreshments

Monday, July 8 Pastor’s Sabbath/Office Closed

Theme for Today Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-

control. These are the spiritual fruits that God works within us as we follow Jesus and

proclaim the Kingdom of God. This is how we know that God is active among us as

His people: the fruits of His love become manifest in our lives, not by our own doing,

but by the power of His Holy Spirit working in and through us.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FLOWERS this morning are shared by Terry and Jo Duea in celebration and honor of their granddaughter Kendra’s 16th birthday. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS this week go to:

Michelle Bellrichard, Today, June 30; Jenny Luepke, Thursday, July 4 Al Fiskness, Jerry Lahr, Saturday, July 6

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and CONGRATULATIONS to: Steve and Carol Sarff celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary Today, June 30; and

Don and Kathi Anderson marking 52 years of marriage on Monday, July 1. God’s blessings to these couples as they continue their lives together.

: Jeffrey Karbedeh, Bruce Rhoe, Don Anderson, Deanna Busch, Margarete Huebner, Carol Sarff, Verna Watts, Gloria (Pastor Tom’s mom), Kristen (Kevin & Patty Johnson’s daughter), Ryan (Rob Claseman’s brother), Monica (Pastor Tom & Diana’s sister-in-law), Shannon (Rob Claseman’s step-sister), Jan (friend of congrega-tion), Karen (Vicki Peterson’s sister-in-law), Larry (Dolly Swenson’s nephew), Elliot (Jack Horton’s cousin’s grandson), Colleen (Jack & Penny Horton’s friend), Pat (Don & Sandy Johnson’s friend), Mable (Michelle Bellrichard’s co-worker’s mom), MiKenna (Michelle Bellrichard’s coworker’s daughter), and Erin (Amy Armstrong’s friend’s daughter). Hospitalized: Bruce Rhoe, Jeffrey Karbedeh, Verna Watts PRAYER REQUESTS are made by filling out the lavender Prayer Request Forms, or phoning in an immediate request anytime for the prayer team. Daily prayer will be of-fered for one month. Long-term prayer needs will receive daily prayer but may be rotat-ed weekly in the bulletin and altar prayer list. If you wish to have continued prayer, please submit a new request. Our Prayer Team coordinator is Betty Batdorf: carlandbetty76@gmail.com and cell: 291-5141. HOSPITALIZED? When you or a loved one are, or plan to be, hospitalized, please be sure to contact Pastor Tom so he may be able to visit you. JULY SERVICE TEAM MEETING will meet today at 10:00 am. Please get your refresh-ments and meet in the classroom down the hall on the left. If you are wondering what month you are serving, a complete list is posted on the bulletin board.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LCMC ANNUAL GATHERING We are looking for 2-4 people to represent Abounding Joy at the LCMC annual gathering in Omaha, NE, Sept. 29-Oct.2. All of your expenses will be paid. If interested in learning more, please contact our church office no later than July 15. HOPE FOR CLARA’S HOUSE Outreach We extend an invitation for all WOW (Women of the Word) ladies to participate in these outreach missions for Hope for Clara’s House. 1) We are making hygiene kits. Such items as soap, shampoo, condi-tioner, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant are needed. Personal sizes are good for the bags. If you wish to assemble your items into a bag or donate them for later bagging, either is great. A labeled copper container for your donations is by the fireplace. 2) Another project for Hope for Clara’s House is the fleece blan-kets. A sign-up sheet is on the info table if you wish to participate. We will meet at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, July 16, here at Abounding Joy. All blankets will be ready — just come willing to learn, tie, and enjoy fellowship.

LOOKING FOR someone who has the mowing equipment and is willing to mow our outlying property (the area not regularly mowed). If you have the equipment and would like more information and/or to volunteer, please contact Greg Voller (291-4908).

MORNING MEN'S FAITH TALK In observance of the Independence Day holiday, July 4th, the Men’s Faith Talk will not meet on Wednesday morning July 3rd. The Men’s Faith Talk will resume on Wednesday, July 10th from 9:00-10:00 am. WEDNESDAY NOON BIBLE STUDY Pastor Tom will be on vacation so the Noon Bible Study will not meet this week (July 3). The study will resume on Wednesday, July 10th, noon-1 pm.

THANK YOU Vicki Peterson for donating the bookcase located outside the Sunday school room. Thanks to Gary Anderson for sharing his skills in making and donat-ing an additional shelf for the bookcase. The future site of a WOW Library-Book Swap is developing. DID YOU KNOW if you miss a Sunday or Wednesday worship service due to illness or being out-of-town, or simply wish to view the message again, you can. Go online to the Abounding Joy website (www.abounding joy.org), click on Worship, then on Videos, and select the one you wish to watch. LAST WEEK (Sunday, June 23): Attendance: 137

Offerings: General Fund $5,373 Building Fund $1,255

SPREADING THE JOY Update on our Capital Appeal

Goal: $500,000 with all households participating

3-year estimates of giving: $240,546 (56 households for $80,182 per year —

We are waiting to hear back from 50 more households.)

Gifts given to date: $33,225 (official 3-year giving period begins July 1, 2019)

QUILT DEDICATION Today we are dedicating the quilts made by the Joyful Stitch-ers in the past 11 months. They will be donated to the V.A. Medical Center, Anna Marie’s shelter, and the Salvation Army to be a blessing in our local community. Thanks to all who made this outreach possible by your donation of time, fabric, and financial support. Our faithful stitchers are Deb Anderson, Kathi Anderson, Karen Brolin, Ramona Casey, Carolyn Fiskness, Marlys Hopke, Marge Hubrich, Pris Krieg, Joyce Lloyd, Carole Martin, Wendy Norman, B.J. Peterson, Vicki Peterson, Marilyn Schultz, Dolly Swenson, Joan Thoren, Kathie Walz, and Diana Wright.

G A T H E R I N G (* - indicates when congregation stands)

Prelude and Welcome *Confession and Forgiveness of Sins *Opening Hymn: "Here I Am to Worship” (Tim Hughes) *Greeting and Prayer of the Day

W O R D

Children’s Lesson First Reading: I Kings 19:9b-21 Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 *Gospel Verse: “Word of God, Come Down on Earth” #716 WOV (verse 1) *Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62 Message: “Mission Improbable” *Hymn of the Day: “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” #389 LBW *Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed *Dedication of the Mission Quilts *Prayers of the Church

M E A L

*Sharing of the Peace Offering of Gifts "God Bless America” (Irving Berlin) *Words of Institution and the Lord’s Prayer Communion Distribution “Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain” #301 LBW “Jesus Your Name” (M. Chapman & C. Cloniger)

Blessing and Prayer

S E N D I N G *Benediction *Recessional Hymn: “Rise Up, O Saints of God!” #383 LBW *Dismissal and Postlude All are invited to stay for fellowship and refreshments following worship.

CAPITAL APPEAL Q & A Q: Every year I make a commitment to give offerings to both the General and Building Funds of Abounding Joy. How will this change with the new Capital Appeal giving period that begins on July 1?

A: Thank you for your support of the mission of our church. All members and regular guests are encouraged to give offerings to both the General and the Build-ing Funds each year. Going forward, each fall we will continue to invite everyone to make a General Fund “Estimate of Giving” for the following year. The Estimates of Giving for our new 3-year Capital Fund Appeal replace the former annual Estimates of Giving for the Building Fund. The purpose of the Capital Appeal is to accelerate giving so we can quickly reduce (and within three years eliminate) our mortgage and thereby free up dollars for our youth, music, and outreach ministries. Those who made Estimates of Giving for the Building Fund for 2019 are asked to give at least half of that amount by June 30th to fulfill their intentions for the year, and then begin giving Capital Appeal gifts starting July 1, 2019. If you have other questions please contact Paul Peterson, chair of our Capital Ap-peal Team, or the church office.

these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jeal-ousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

51When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samari-tans, to make preparations for him. 53But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55But he turned and rebuked them. 56And they went on to another village. 57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no-where to lay his head.” 59To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Word of God

The First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9b-21 9bBehold, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And be-hold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsak-en your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 19So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Eli-jah and assisted him.

The Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25

1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportuni-ty for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for (Continued on Next Page)

FAITH MATTERS Q: What’s the difference between a minister and a pastor?

A: Though the terms are often used interchangeably, simply put, all pastors are ministers, but not all ministers are pastors. By virtue of our baptism into Christ, God has made all of us ministers. We’ve been commissioned to be witnesses and servants (ministers) of Jesus in the context of our daily lives. Some ministers (Christians) are specifically called by God to be shepherds (or pastors) over the flock. While in some denominations the title “pastor” is loosely attached to anyone who has leadership responsibilities in the church (youth pastor, worship pastor, children’s pastor, finance pastor, education pastor, etc.), in the Lutheran Church pastors are carefully vetted and trained, which includes 4 years of college and a 4-year Masters of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary. Pastors are called by congre-gations for the specific role of publicly preaching and teaching God's Word, and administer-ing the sacraments. In God’s eyes, all of us are ministers, sent out into our daily callings to love as we’ve been loved. If you or someone you know is seeking to discern a possible call by God to become a pastor, I would be honored to meet to talk and pray about this im-portant matter. Pastor Tom