Licensing
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is covered under the following licenses:
- CCLI: 1510407
- OneLicense: 732293-A
- Augsburg Fortress: SAS006846
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
whose steadfast love endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
+ Silence is kept for reflection. +
Merciful God,
we confess that we have not followed your path
but have chosen our own way.
Instead of putting others before ourselves,
we long to take the best seats at the table.
When met by those in need,
we have too often passed by on the other side.
Set us again on the path of life.
Save us from ourselves
and free us to love our neighbors.
Amen.
Hear the good news!
God does not deal with us according to our sins
but delights in granting pardon and mercy.
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven
You are free to love as God loves.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens (ELW #771+ Verses 1&3)
1 God, who stretched the spangled heavens
infinite in time and place,
flung the suns in burning radiance
through the silent fields of space:
we, your children in your likeness,
share inventive pow’rs with you;
great Creator, still creating,
show us what we yet may do.
3 As each far horizon beckons,
may it challenge us anew:
children of creative purpose,
serving others, hon’ring you.
May our dreams prove rich with promise;
each endeavor well begun;
great Creator, give us guidance
till our goals and yours are one.
Text © 1967 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Arr. © 1969 Contemporary Worship 1, admin. Augsburg Fortress
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE: Lord I Lift Your Name On High (ELW #857)
Lord, I lift your name on high.
Lord, I love to sing your praises.
I’m so glad you’re in my life,
I’m so glad you came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way,
from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
from the cross to the grave,
from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift your name on high.
Text and music © 1989 Maranatha Praise, Inc., admin. Capitol Christian Music Group
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church. Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
READINGS
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
+ Isaiah announces God’s displeasure with the offerings and sacrifices of a people who are without compassion. He urges them instead to do justice and defend the oppressed. Indeed, if they repent, God promises that they will be made as clean as new-fallen snow. +
The first reading is from Isaiah beginning at the 1st chapter.
1The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
10Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the teaching of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the Lord;
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs, or of goats.
12When you come to appear before me,
who asked this from your hand?
Trample my courts no more;
13bringing offerings is futile;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation—
I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.
14Your new moons and your appointed festivals
my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15When you stretch out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
16Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
17learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
18Come now, let us argue it out,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
19If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
20but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be devoured by the sword;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Word of God, Word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
+ To those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God. (Ps. 50:23) +
We will now read responsively from Psalm 50
1The mighty one, God the Lord, has spoken;
calling the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty,
God shines forth in glory.
3Our God will come and will not keep silence;
with a consuming flame before, and round about a raging storm.
4God calls the heavens and the earth from above
to witness the judgment of the people.
5“Gather before me my loyal followers,
those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.”
6The heavens declare the rightness of God’s cause,
for it is God who is judge.
7“Listen, my people, and I will speak: Israel, I will bear witness against you;
for I am God, your God.
8I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are always before me.
22Consider this well, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart and there be none to deliver you.
23Whoever offers me a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me;
I will show the salvation of God to those who go the right way.”
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
+ Abraham and Sarah exemplify the vision of faith that people of God enact in every age. Their hope and trust in God’s promise allowed them to face an unknown future and to receive the promise of God. +
The second reading is from Colossians beginning at the 11th chapter.
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
13All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Luke 12:32-40
+ Jesus encourages disciples to invest their hearts and live fully into God’s reign. Instead of facing life with fear, those who know God’s generosity are always ready to receive from God and to give to others. +
The Holy Gospel according to Luke beginning at the 12th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord
[Jesus said:] 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Vicar Hephzi Penumaka
HYMN OF THE DAY Have No Fear, Little Flock (ELW #764 + Verses 1&3)
1 Have no fear, little flock;
have no fear, little flock,
for the Father has chosen
to give you the kingdom;
have no fear, little flock!
3 Praise the Lord high above;
praise the Lord high above,
for he stoops down to heal you,
uplift and restore you;
praise the Lord high above!
Text and music © 1973 Concordia Publishing House
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Let us confess our faith saying the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Trusting in God’s extraordinary love, let us come near to the Holy One in prayer.
~ A brief silence. ~
Let your lovingkindness be upon your church. Fill all who proclaim the gospel with your Spirit. Equip your flock to speak your word of promise and hope in the midst of fear and uncertainty. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Let your lovingkindness be upon your creation. Dwell among us and sustain our earthly home. In places of famine, provide nourishment. In places of plenty, fashion us to be good stewards of your bounty. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Let your lovingkindness be upon your world. Be our helper and our shield in places torn by strife and violence. Raise up courageous leaders to govern with compassion and justice. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Let your lovingkindness be upon your children. Look upon all who wait for your steadfast love. Console those who grieve and embrace those who cry out to you especially Harry Lund, Evelyn Lund, Karen Campbell, Janice Rajgopaul, Robert Jones, Darrell Weller, Deven Guarriello, Guenther Ukstinas and Laura Occhiogrosso. We also pray for all impacted by senseless gun violence in our world. Help us to trust your promise and not be afraid. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Let your lovingkindness be upon this community. Fashion our hearts to strive for the way of peace. Strengthen the outreach ministries of this congregation and all who care for those in need. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We lift to You our concern for people at high risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from the virus and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others. Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism in our world so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
With thanksgiving we remember all who have died in faith and now rest in you. As they placed their hope in you, so strengthen us to trust in your promise of new life. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Receive the prayers of your children, merciful God, and hold us forever in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ, our holy Wisdom.
Amen.
SHARING OF CHRIST’S PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always!
And also with you!
Let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another.
OFFERING MESSAGE
Please consider continuing to mail in your offering or giving online! We continue to have expenses that need to be covered during this time. We are most grateful for your generosity.
OFFERTORY HYMN Create in Me (ELW #186+ Verses 1 & 3)
1 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your free Spirit.
Text © Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of abundance:
you have set before us a plentiful harvest.
As we feast on your goodness,
strengthen us to labor in your field,
and equip us to bear fruit for the good of all,
in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, loving all your family with a mother’s tender care: As you sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread, assist those who set forth to share your word and sacrament with those who are gathered here this morning. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those who will receive this sacrament, and give us all the comfort of your abiding presence through the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
When our congregation gathers in worship, we hear again of God’s mighty acts and the love shown us in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We share in the holy meal of the Lord’s supper. Now we bring to you this word of life, and this bread and cup of blessing, so that you may share in these same gifts and be strengthened in communion with all the people of God.
Merciful God, we do not presume to come to your table trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat and drink the body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may live in him and he in us, now and forever. Amen.
Gathered at the Lord’s table, our congregation remembers with thanksgiving that “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.
This is the supper of our Lord Jesus Christ. This same bread and cup, shared in our community of faith, are here given for you.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to 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.
COMMUNION
In Christ’s presence there is fullness of joy.
Come to the banquet.
TABLE BLESSING & COMMUNION PRAYER
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Life-giving God,
through this meal you have bandaged our wounds and fed us with your mercy.
Now send us forth to live for others,
both friend and stranger,
that all may come to know your love.
This we pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SHOE DRIVE
The Women’s group is organizing a shoe drive fundraiser through this Wednesday August 10th. Please bring new and gently used shoes to the stage that you’d like to donate. Thank you to the Women’s group for organizing this effort.
SUMMER LEADERSHIP SCHEDULING
If you participate in worship leadership in any way, including readers, worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, videography etc. Please let Ruth know any dates you will be unavailable in the month of September.
HTLC T-SHIRTS
There are a few Holy Trinity T-Shirts left in the office for purchase. Shirts are $15 and available in a variety of sizes and colors. Please contact Ruth for info.
YOGA PRACTICE
Yoga is on Thursdays, at 7 pm in Friendship Hall. One hour for only $10. Contact Carol Robinson, 917-208-7340, for additional information.
CHRIST IN OUR HOME
New issues of Christ in our Home are available on the table near the entrance doors.
COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 13th @ 7:30 pm
Other announcements are located in the downloadable bulletin at the top of this webpage.
BLESSING
The God of peace,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you, comfort you,
and show you the path of life
this day and always.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN The God of Abraham Praise (ELW #831+ Verses 1& 3)
1 The God of Abr’ham praise,
who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days,
and God of love–
“I Am the One I Am”–
by earth and heav’n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name
forever blest.
3 The God of Abr’ham praise!
Your all-sufficient grace
shall guide me all my pilgrim days
in all my ways.
You deign to call me friend;
you call yourself my God!
And you will save me to the end
through Jesus’ blood.
Public Domain
DISMISSAL
What is our Mission? Welcoming all to grow in faith;
living Christ’s message of serving and loving neighbors
near and far.
Go in peace. Love your neighbor.
Thanks be to God.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose 