WELCOME to Bethel Lutheran Church!

Thanks for being with us for worship this morning! In light of all that has been going on in the Twin Cities, and our country, let’s

take some time to think about our attitudes, words, and actions as they pertain to people of color and other races. Does the Bible

have anything to say to us that is relevant to our situations in life today? I think it does! So let’s approach this topic together today.

May you be encouraged, challenged, and inspired through our service.

* You are invited to stand as you are able.

* Sharing God’s Peace: L: The peace of the Lord be with you, always. P: And also with you!

The Children’s Message: Pastor John Lestock

Music Ministry: “Consolation” Felix Mendelssohn

The First Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:6-7 L: The Word of the Lord.

P: Thanks be to God!

The Second Lesson: James 2:1-4 L: The Word of the Lord.

P: Thanks be to God!

* The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 15:21-28

The Message: “On God’s Side, or In God’s Way?” Pastor John Lestock

The Solo: “The Reconciliation Song” Chapman Tracey Jenkinson, vocals & piano

* The Offering Prayer: L: Our Great and Generous Giver... P: Give us the courage, the wisdom, and the grace to share

what we have been given. May our generosity make a difference, in time and eternity. In Your name and Spirit, we pray. Amen!

Giving our First and Best to God through our Offering

The Offering Music: Improvisation on “Once to Every Man and Nation”

* The Prayers of God’s People: L: Lord of all people... P: Hear our prayer!

*The Lord’s Prayer: 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.

* The Closing Blessing:

* The Closing Hymn: “Who Will Speak if You Don’t” Marty Haugen (See insert for lyrics)

* The Sending: L: Go now, as agents of peace, justice, and truth... P: We go, to make a difference for Jesus in this world!

Postlude: Improvisation on “Who Will Speak” James

The Prelude: Selection from “Songs Without Words” Mendelssohn

The Welcome/Announcements

* The Opening Hymn: “Choose to Hope” (see insert for lyrics)

* The Pastoral Greeting: Leader: We begin our worship in the name of the Creator the Savior, and the Sustainer of all life! People: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come to us again today, and may our worship be acceptable to You. Amen!

* Today’s Litany:

L: Lord, when we feel threatened by those that are different than us...

P: Help us to remember that You love all Your children and revel in our differences!

L: When we become fearful and suspicious of others... P: Give us Your love that casts out all fears! L: When others slander us and speak evil of us... P: Help us to speak only the best about them! L: When we are tempted to hurt others and to lash out in revenge... P: Help us to restrain our bitterness and to live and love as

You did! L: And even when it is difficult to stand up and speak out for

what we know is right... P: Give us the courage and conviction to rise up and be true

to Your Word!

* The Prayer of the Day: L: Lord of Compassion, Understanding, and Love... P: Send Your Holy Spirit to transform our human tendencies. Change our hearts and minds, to live and work for the good of others, even our competitors, adversaries, and enemies. Make us more like Jesus. Amen!

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2020| 8:00 AM WORSHIP Downtown Campus

Radio: WEVR (1550 AM/106.3 FM) Bethel’s Facebook page (facebook.com/blchudson/)

Pastor John Lestock, Preacher Pastor Kris Kurzejeski,

Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg, Worship Leaders

THOSE WHO ARE SICK, INJURED AND IN NEED OF HEALING Carol Amdahl, Marlin Amdahl, Jason Benson, Peter Bo, Jeff Bowers, Wallace Dachel, Teresa Dickman, Dale Drum, Paul Engebretson, Marlys Fiedler, Patrick Gibbons, Jane Hanson, Joy Hanson, Tyler Hanson, Sharon Haugo, Chuck Hildebrandt, Barb Holt, Jackie Hugdahl, Gary Jensen, Lee Jeska, Joe Kinney, Pat Larson, Ruth Lewis, Laura Lindahl, Bruce Miller, Brent Myster, Mary Kay Nolan, Donna Offerdahl, Bill Olson, Terri Pomeroy, Betty Seastedt, Joan Sorenson, Richard Thoemke, Dick Trende, Jim Webber

THOSE SERVING OR DEPLOYED IN THE MILITARY Scotty Krause, Charlie Richards, Peyton Massie, Cheyanne Massie, Charles Kemper

IN SYMPATHY We offer our sympathies and prayers of comfort and strength, for the family and friends of Jen Mitchell, in the death of her brother, Christopher Rowan; for Larry Quam, in the death of his father, Lawrence; and for Steve Heilmann, in the death of his mother, Miriam.God bless and comfort them with the promise of Christ:“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

CONGRATULATIONS to Rick and Janet Wilson on their 50th wedding anniversary! We appreciate their great example of committed love and faithfulness! May they celebrate many more years together!

TODAY’S WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Piano: Skip James Song Leader: Tracey Jenkinson Reader: Linda Malick Technical Assistants: Bill Jenkinson & Garnett Strack

WE HOLD IN PRAYER

“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that our great stumbling block in our stride towards freedom is not the White

Citizen Counciler or the Klu Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice….Shallow

understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will”

— Dr Martin Luther King Jr.