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Welcome to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Building up God’s people through His word for His world

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 15, 2021

Wisdom prepares a feast, sets her table, and invites all to come and eat her bread and drink her wine.

The first chapter of John’s gospel owes much to the biblical tradition that imagined Wisdom as existing before anything was created and having a role in the work of creation. Christ, the wisdom of God (1

Cor. 1:24), today invites us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. John’s gospel includes no account of the

institution of the Lord’s supper, but here we can't help hearing Jesus’ words as an invitation to the meal of bread and wine we share.

Flowers and plants in our sanctuary are supported by financial donations to the Flower Fund. These floral

offerings beautify the chancel (area around the altar), uplift the service participants, and remind us all of God’s good

creation. You can find information about being a flower sponsor on the bulletin board near the Fellowship Hall and

at gslcva.org/ministries/worship, under “Flower sponsorships.” This week, flowers are sponsored by Ted and Joey

Tempel in memory of Amy Hebert on the anniversary of her birth.

PRELUDE “O God Beyond All Praising” (THAXTED) arr. Charlie Callahan

WELCOME Pastor James

(Please stand)

OPENING HYMN “O Day of Rest and Gladness” Hymn No. 906

INVOCATION, CONFESSION, AND FORGIVENESS

(The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.)

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, T one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy.

C Amen.

P Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin.

(Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination. Please kneel/stand.)

P God our provider, help us. C It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when

they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen.

P Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, T the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life.

C Amen.

(Please stand)

SERVICE OF THE WORD

KYRIE [Lord, have mercy] Music in Hymnal, Pages 152–153

HYMN OF PRAISE — This Is the Feast Music in Hymnal, Page 155

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SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY Music in Hymnal, Page 156

P The Lord be with you. C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

Ever-loving God, your Son gives himself as living bread for the life of the world.

Fill us with such a knowledge of his presence that we may be strengthened and

sustained by his risen life to serve you continually, through Jesus Christ, our

Savior and Lord. C Amen.

(Please sit)

FIRST READING Proverbs 9:1–6

Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who invites people to partake of her banquet. Just as ordinary food is

necessary for physical life, Wisdom’s food—insight and understanding—is necessary for fullness of life

with God. Partaking of Wisdom’s banquet is the way to life.

L 1Wisdom has built her house,

she has hewn her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,

she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls

from the highest places in the town, 4“You that are simple, turn in here!”

To those without sense she says, 5“Come, eat of my bread

and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6Lay aside immaturity, and live,

and walk in the way of insight.”

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING Ephesians 5:15–20

True wisdom integrates our new reality in Christ with our Christian fellowship and daily conduct.

Because we are filled with the Spirit, Christians regularly rejoice together, give thanks to God for one

another, and care for one another. In this way we revere our Lord Jesus Christ.

L 15Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16making

the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17So do not be foolish, but

understand what the will of the Lord is. 18Do not get drunk with wine, for that

is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19as you sing psalms and hymns and

spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in

your hearts, 20giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

L This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

(Please stand)

ALLELUIA VERSE Music in Hymnal, Page 156

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HOLY GOSPEL John 6:51–58

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the sixth chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord. Music in Hymnal, Page 157

In John’s gospel, the feeding of the five thousand leads to extended teaching in which Jesus identifies himself

as the true “bread of life.” Finally, in these verses, he makes a connection that would not be understood until after his death, in light of the church’s celebration of holy communion.

P [Jesus said,] 51“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats

of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the

world is my flesh.”

52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give

us his flesh to eat?” 53So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat

the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Those

who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on

the last day; 55for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56Those who

eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living

Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live

because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that

which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live

forever.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ. Music in Hymnal, Page 157

(Please sit)

KIDS’ MESSAGE “Every Day Stuff” Pastor Johann

HYMN OF THE DAY “Amazing Grace” Hymn No. 744

MESSAGE “What Would You Like To Eat Today?” Pastor Johann

(Please stand)

NICENE CREED

C We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

(Please sit)

ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor James

SOLO “If with All Your Hearts” (Mauricio Miranda, tenor)

Felix Mendelssohn

If with all your heart ye truly seek Me,

Ye shall ever surely find Me,

Thus saith our God.

If with all your heart ye truly seek Me,

Ye shall ever surely find Me,

Thus saith our God. Thus saith our God.

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might even come before His

presence.

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might even come before His

presence, come

before His presence.

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him.

If with all your heart ye truly seek Me,

Ye shall ever surely find Me,

Thus saith our God.

Ye shall ever surely find Me,

Thus saith our God.

(Please stand)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

C Jesus, Bread of life, you have set this table with your very self, and called us to

the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown among us, and strengthen us

in this meal. Make us to be what we receive here, your body for the life of the

world. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

At the end of each petition, the prayer leader will say “God in Your mercy.”

The congregation responds “Hear our prayer!”

Please see the News and Announcements sheet for a listing of intercessions.

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

PREFACE AND PROPER PREFACE Music in Hymnal, Page 160

SANCTUS [Holy, holy, holy] Music in Hymnal, Page 161

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LORD’S PRAYER

C 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.

PAX DOMINI [The peace of the Lord]

P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you.

AGNUS DEI [Lamb of God] Music in Hymnal, Page 163

(Please sit)

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

DISTRIBUTION

We believe that Christ is truly present in the bread and wine, according to His Word: “This is My body ... this is My blood” (Matthew 26:26–27), and that in this sacrament our Lord gives us forgiveness of our sins, unity with God, and strength for a life of service.

We invite all baptized Christians who have made their First Communion, examined themselves, discern the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of their sins, and sincerely seek to amend their lives to join us at His Table.

Distribution procedure: Pastor James will instruct the congregation on this procedure.

(Please stand)

POST-COMMUNION COLLECT

P Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever

ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world

with your own life. In your name we pray.

C Amen.

BLESSING

P The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, T be

upon you now and forever.

C Amen.

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CLOSING HYMN “Faith of Our Fathers”

Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863, alt. Music: Henri F. Hemy, 1818-1888, James G. Walton, 1821-1905, refrain. Public domain.

DISMISSAL

P Go in peace. You are the body of Christ. C Thanks be to God.

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POSTLUDE “Toccata Brevis” Daniel Gawthrop

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Note: Please join us for coffee fellowship following the service.

We hope you will continue to connect with us by liking our Facebook page and following our Instagram account.

Find them by searching @gslcva within those social media platforms. We also encourage you to subscribe to our

YouTube channel and follow us on Vimeo so that you don't miss any of our virtual services, kids' messages, and

more! If you have any questions, please reach out to jeff@gslcva.org.

Worship Assistants

Worship Leader

Preacher

Pastor James

Pastor Johann

Organist Donna Whited

Reader Kirsten Bates

Cantor Mauricio Miranda

Guest Welcome Donna Harper

Greeter George Nield

Kelly Nield

Deanine Thrash

Projectionist Jeff Donahue

Ushers

Building Closer

*

*

*

* = worship assistant needed

Portions of this service from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License

#47667. Hymns of this service from Lutheran Service Book. Copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. LSB license #10005343.

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STAFF

Jotham Johann, Senior Pastor Room 201; pastorjo@gslcva.org; 703-439-2754

Gary James, Assisting Pastor Room 209; pastorgary@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020

Interim Preschool Director Kathy Otterbacher Room 101; preschool@gslcva.org; 703-437-4511

Nemeh Azzam, Music Director Room 215; nemeh@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 x807

Jeff Donahue, Communications Director Room 209; jeff@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 x811 Heidi Cooper, Director of Engagement heidi@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 Georgia Thorstenson, Business Manager Room 212; georgia@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 x803

Jeannie Johns, Administrative Assistant Room 211; jeannie@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 x802

Michele Clair, Office Assistant Room 210; michele@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 x806

Holly Vanderhoof, Community Service Coordinator and Interim Youth Ministry Facilitator Room 208; holly@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020 x213

Dan Lamaestra, Praise Band Director and Audio Production Specialist dan@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020

Matt Hardy, Video Production Specialist matt@gslcva.org; 703-437-5020

BOARD OF SERVANT LEADERS

Vicki Peter, Chair Allen Hodges Ted Lillestolen June McGurn, Vice-Chair Leta Kent John Stoothoff Kathy Eickelberg, Secretary

CORE MINISTRY AREAS

Worship Team Leaders: Georgia Thorstenson and Julie Schorfheide;

Staff Liaison: Pastor Johann music, seasonal celebrations, arts, worship schedule, Sanctuary Choir, Children’s Choir (Laura Owens), traditional, contemporary, physical space, support personnel (e.g., ushers, greeters, acolytes)

Discipleship Team Leader: Pastor James (temporary) adult education, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, family ministry, children’s ministry, youth ministry

Parish Life Team Leader: Brian Cors; Staff Liaison: Pastor Johann Life Groups (Brian Cors), member engagement, fellowship events, new member inclusion (Melinda DeWan), concerts, public events, picnics, intergenerational events

Administration Team Leader: Pastor Johann property (Roger Thorstenson), financing the mission (Mike DeWan), stewardship (Don Kidwell), human resources/personnel (Matt Franker), communications, contracts, church office, calendar/program management, technology

Mission Team Leader: Vacant; Staff Liaison: Pastor Johann world missions, synod, outreach, social ministry, community service, evangelism, publicity, media, social media

Congregational Care Team Leader: Marilyn Voigt; Staff Liaison: Pastor Johann member care visits, emergency transportation, maintain roster of the willing, guest follow-up

Good Shepherd is a member congregation of the Southeastern District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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