CELEBRATING THE GOODNESS OF GOD

August 22, 2021

GLORIFY HIM … GROW IN HIM …

GO WITH HIS GOSPEL

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13th Sunday after Pentecost August 22, 2021

A place to call home: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church & School

In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, welcome home. We especially welcome to our house of worship our guests who have joined us today. We pray you will be strengthened by the good news about God’s grace, love, and forgiveness to us through Jesus. We say with the Psalmist, whether here on campus or viewing online, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1). May the Lord continue to help us grow in His grace and knowledge as we hear, speak, and sing His holy Word.

Some items to keep in mind as we gather for worship in this place: Members & our Guests … Please pick up and fill out a Connection Card which can be found in the Entryway; before you leave place it in the basket labeled “Filled out Connection Cards.” Thank you! We do have LARGE PRINT copies of the Bulletin; you will find them on the table with the Bulletins. Hymns from ‘Christian Worship’ are in the ‘red’ book / ‘Christian Worship Supplement’ in the ‘blue’ Personal hearing assistance devices are available on the entryway wall near the west entrance. The sanctuary is also ‘looped’ for those who have hearing aids that can pick up the signal. Holy Communion is offered on the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sundays. Since Holy Communion is a confession of faith, we ask that at this time only members partake of the Sacrament. If you are not a member and would like to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please reach out to our Pastor.

Explore our website. You will find information on Worship, Bible Study, Devotions, Children’s Sunday School, and More. Follow us to stay connected: Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/stmarksch; Follow us on Instagram: Instagram.com/stmarkslutheran; Subscribe to our videos on Vimeo: vimeo.com/channels/stmarksch.

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THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Worship Focus: Would you consider yourself to be a smart person, a person who makes good decisions, a person who can recognize foolishness or danger? One can be the smartest person in the world but not have Jesus in their heart, that is not smart. Jesus points out what is smart and how to get smart where it matters most, and why this is the case. Thank God for the ‘smarts’ He gives us, along with ways to show we are smart.

PRELUDE Holy God, We Praise Your Name Paul Manz

Greeting & Invocation

Minister: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the

Holy Spirit be with you.

Congregation: Amen.

M: O Lord, keep our ears attentive to your Word through word and song,

C: and accept our words of thanks and praise.

OPENING HYMN Holy God, We Praise Your Name (Musical introduction) Christian Worship # 278

(1) Holy God, we praise your name; (3) Blest Redeemer, virgin’s Son, Lord of all, we bow before you. Over death his vict’ry claiming,

All on earth your scepter claim; Now ascended to his throne,

All in heav’n above adore you. Judge and king, his grace proclaiming,

Infinite your vast domain, Opens heav’n to all his own.

Everlasting is your reign. Praise and thanks to God alone!

(2) Hark! The glad celestial song (4) Holy Father, holy Son,

Angel choirs above are raising; Holy Spirit, three we name you;

Prophets, martyrs join the throng, Though in essence only one,

In unceasing chorus praising Undivided God we claim you,

With the Church in one accord: Then, adoring, bend the knee

Holy, holy, holy Lord! And confess the mystery.

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M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear

children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment.

Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have

sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus,

my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me

from my sin, and take away my guilt.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of

our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May

God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen. Thanks be to God.

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

(musical introduction)

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray. Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift of grace that we come into

your presence and offer true and faithful service. Grant that our worship on earth may

always be pleasing to you and in the life to come give us the fulfillment of what you

have promised;

C: through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

SONG (by our Vocalists) Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Wonderful, merciful Savior Almighty, infinite Father

Precious Redeemer and Friend Faithfully loving Your own

Who would have thought that a Lamb Here in our weakness You find us

Could rescue the souls of men Falling before Your throne

Oh, You rescue the souls of men Oh, we're falling before Your throne

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper You are the One that we praise

Spirit we long to embrace You are the One we adore

You offer hope when our hearts have You give the healing and grace

Hopelessly lost our way Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way Oh, our hearts always hunger for

You are the One that we praise You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for Oh, our hearts always hunger for

A READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE Proverbs 9:1-6

There are two paths through this life. Which one of the two are you walking on?

Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and

mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the

highest point of the city, 4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no

sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways

and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” TWoTL

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PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 1 (Musical introduction) Christian Worship p. 64

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked*

or stand in the way of sinners.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,*

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season*

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Refrain

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,*

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,*

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

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A READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE Ephesians 5:15-20

Are you making good decisions about your life? How can you tell? Here is one way to tell. 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every

opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the

Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the

Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make

music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. TWoTL

RESPONSIVE SENTENCES … Psalm 98 with Hymn 279, “O Word of God Incarnate”

M: Sing to the Lord a new song,

C: for he has done marvelous things. (sing, intro) O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,

O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky,

We praise you for the radiance That from the hallowed page,

A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

M: The LORD has made his salvation known

C: and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

M: He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;

C: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

(sing, no intro) The Church from you, dear Master, Received the gift divine,

And still that light is lifted O’er all the earth to shine.

It is the chart and compass That, all life’s journey through,

Mid mists and rocks and quicksands Still guides, O Christ, to you.

M: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,

C: burst into jubilant song with music;

M: make music to the LORD with the harp,

C: with the harp and the sound of singing.

M: Shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

C: He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. (sing, no intro)

Oh, make your Church, dear Savior, A lamp of burnished gold

To bear before the nations Your true light, as of old.

Oh, teach your wand’ring pilgrims By this their path to trace

Till, clouds and darkness ended, They see you face to face.

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Our Worship centers on the Gospel Reading for the day.

A READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE John 6:51-58

What you eat can impact your life in a serious way; this is also true with your spiritual diet. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.

This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 52 Then the Jews began to

argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 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. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise

them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my

flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I

live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the

bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on

this bread will live forever.”

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ.

HYMN OF THE DAY O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace (Musical introduction) Christian Worship # 185

O Holy Spirit, grant us grace That we our Lord and Savior

In faith and fervent love embrace And truly serve him ever,

So that when death is near at hand We at his cross may firmly stand

And there find our salvation.

Help us that we your saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure;

Let e’er that bread of life afford New grace in richest measure.

Make us to die to ev’ry sin; Each day create us new within

That fruits of faith may flourish.

Then when our earthly race is run, Death’s bitter hour impending,

May your good work in us begun Continue till life’s ending,

Until we gladly may commend Our souls into our Savior’s hand

To rest in peace eternal.

FOCUS ON THE SCRIPTURES Based on Proverbs 9:1-6

“Leave Your Simple Ways”

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A CONFESSION OF FAITH – THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

OUR THANK OFFERING

Thank you for continuing to support our ministry. Your thank offering can be received in the

following ways: placed in the basket on the table, mail your thank offering to the church, or

give online through our website under the “Resources” tab. The QR Code to the giving link is

at the end of the bulletin.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

M: Lord God, our maker and preserver, we praise and thank you for all that you give us day after

day.

C: We are not worthy of all the mercies you show us.

M: You have given us your precious Word to nourish our souls and to protect us from the

temptations of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.

C: We thank you for those who teach and preach your saving truth at this place and

everywhere. Grant them a rich measure of patience, wisdom, and love.

M: Heavenly Father, we pray that you shield us from every kind of danger: sudden catastrophe,

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terrors of crime, and the pain of disease. Watch over those who travel by land, sea, and

air. Keep our loved ones from whatever perils may threaten them.

C: Heal those who are sick, cheer those who are sad, calm those who are distressed, and

comfort all who are old and infirm.

M: Bless our land, our people, and those who hold offices of high trust. Keep our government and

schools upright and strong for the advancement of good citizenship and useful vocations,

that we may enjoy your gifts of peace, security, and well-being.

C: Grant your blessing to every nation on earth. Where there are wars, may there be peace.

Where there is hatred, let it be healed. Where there is poverty, danger, or disaster,

come with your almighty power to help and restore.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

M: We bring these requests before you in the name of Jesus our Lord, and ask you to hear us.

Take all that we have, our bodies and minds, our time and skills, our ministries and

offerings, and use them to your glory.

C: We give ourselves to you that we may serve you in whatever way is pleasing in your

sight. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we

forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Installation of Teachers at 10:45

HYMN Speak, O Lord (Musical introduction) Christian Worship Supplement # 735

Speak, O Lord, as we come to you

To receive the food of your Holy Word.

Take your truth, plant it deep in us;

Shape and fashion us in your likeness

That the light of Christ might be seen today

In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.

Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us

All your purposes for your glory.

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Teach us, Lord, full obedience,

Holy reverence, true humility.

Test our thoughts and our attitudes

In the radiance of your purity.

Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see

Your majestic love and authority.

Words of pow’r that can never fail,

Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;

Help us grasp the heights of your plans for us.

Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,

That will echo down through eternity.

And by grace we’ll stand on your promises,

And by faith we’ll walk as you walk with us.

Speak, O Lord, as your Church is built

And you fill the earth with your glory.

M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us

strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us

your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

M: Brothers and sisters go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with

gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be

gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (Musical introduction) Christian Worship Supplement # 771

Vocalists will lead us in the singing of this song, Congregation to join along on verses 1 & 3

(vs 1) I want to walk as a child of the light; I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world; The star of my life is Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all; The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

(vs 2) I want to see the brightness of God; I want to look at Jesus.

Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path And show me the way to the Father.

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(vs 3) I’m looking for the coming of Christ; I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race, We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all; The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE Entrata Festiva David Laskey

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TODAY AT ST. MARK’S

Serving in Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Jonathan Kolander

Musical Accompanist: Lisa Thiesfeldt

Vocalists: Jenny Kolander and Greg Meyer

Content requiring a copyright license is reproduced under OneLicense.net #A-711071. All rights reserved. Scripture Quotations: From the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV 2011), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

Sunday Bible Studies

Adults, 9:30-10:15 am, in person & online … The Life of David

Young Children, in person Sunday School … Meet at 9:15 in the Chapel

Teens, in person, at 9:30 in the Teen Room … Be Prepared to Answer

For Reflection based on Today’s Scripture Readings ...

On what is ‘wisdom’ see Proverbs 1:7. Godly wisdom starts with having a good/proper

understanding of His what? Who are those who lack judgment, and how so? Wisdom is

concerned about what? Read the rest of Proverbs 9. See Matthew 5 & 6.

What two words would you use to sum up the encouragement from the negative action? What

words would you use to sum up the encouragement for positive action? What is behind the

making of good decisions? What is one way to avoid foolishness? What are you thankful for

today? See Philippians 4:8-9 and Hebrew 11:6.

What does Jesus want from us, bottom line, as noted here? What are ways in which you are

‘eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood?” What objections do people come up with as Jesus

states such about Himself? See John 15.

To connect to the auto giving option: To online Connect Card:

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THIS WEEK AT ST. MARK’S

Weekly Calendar

Today 8:00 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:45 a.m. Worship Service 4:00 p.m. School Opening Service Monday ***First Day of School!!! 7:00 p.m. Worship Service Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Board of Child Discipleship Meeting Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Nativity Planning Committee Meeting Thursday 7:00 p.m. Coordinating Council Meeting Friday 5:00 p.m. Indoor Movie w/Hawaiian Food Truck Event Next Sunday 8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion 9:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:45 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

Birthdays Anniversaries

Martha Kohler Aug 22

Michael Manthei

Jake Kluenker Aug 24

Phillip Wright Jr.

Sue Covey Aug 25

Jim Oswald

Michelle LeMay Aug 26

Keith Williamson Aug 28 Al & Bobbi Wiegel

Keith & Donna Williamson

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Founded on the Word. Focused on the Cross.

7869 Kingswood Drive Citrus Heights, California 95610

Phone: (916) 961-7891 Fax: (916) 961-5034

Website: www.StMarksLutheran.com St. Mark’s Guest Wi-Fi Password: stmarks7869

Sunday Services at 8:00 am (Live streamed) & 10:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School Study, 9:15-10:30, meet in the Chapel

Sunday Bible Discussion 9:30-10:15 (Live streamed) … Teens in the Teen Room Monday Evening Service at 7:00 PM in the Adm Building Chapel

Wednesday School Chapel Service at 8:20 a.m.

Jonathan Kolander Pastor Stacie Malone Office Adm Linda Halfhill Office Adm Mike Rausch Teen Study Leader Darren Vogt Principal, Grades 7-8 Tyler Wahl Grades 5-6 Hannah Ripley Grades 3-4 Rosemarie Boushek Grades 1-2 Alyssa Bergemann Jr.K/Kindergarten Greg Thiesfeldt Associate Teacher, Grades 3-8 Ruth Vogt Art Dena Oswald Ext. School Day Care

Glorify God • Grow in Grace • Go with the Gospel

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