Online Bulletin

SANCTUARY  |  Church Online

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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 12, 2026  
8:30am 

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Prelude Hymn Improvisation on "Ar hyd y nos" Michael Burkhardt
Katie Ledsinger, organ

 

Weekly Church News

 

Welcome Vicar Micah Raebel

 

Ringing of the Bell

 

Opening Hymn “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”
verses 1, 3 and 4
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 901.

Open now thy gates of beauty;
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessèd is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace!

Here Thy praise is gladly chanted;
Here Thy seed is duly sown.
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone,
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

Thou my faith increase and quicken;
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe’er temptations thicken;
May Thy Word still o’er me shine
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in all strife.

 
Invocation
Liturgist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.

Confession and Absolution
Liturgist: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” (Romans 12:3a)
People: We confess that we have been prideful. We often think of ourselves more highly than those around us. Christ, You are the vine and we are the branches. Teach us to bear the fruit of humility as we share Your love with our neighbors.
Liturgist: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)
People: We confess that we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not lived peacefully in the unity of the Spirit. Christ, You are the vine and we are the branches. Teach us to bear the fruit of peace as we share Your love with our neighbors.
(silence for reflection)
Liturgist: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6a) Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. Christ Himself has equipped you “for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:12-13a) Be who Christ has called you to be – serve Him in the world! It is my joy to announce to you the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Liturgist: Christ is the vine and we are the branches. Forgiven and renewed, let us bear fruit as we serve our neighbor and share the Good News with all.
People: Amen.

 
Hymn of Praise

Open now, thy gates wide-flinging;
Zion, city of the Lord!
O, to witness angels singing,
O, to hear their perfect chord!
Since we have been cleansed of sin,
Thankful souls: we enter in!

 

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55:10–13 NIV

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Epistle Reading Romans 8:12–17 NIV

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Anthem "He Is Here" arr. Camp Kirkland
Summer Choir

 

Holy Gospel  Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 NIV

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn of the Day “Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 577.

Almighty God, Your Word is cast
Like seed into the ground;
Now let the dew of heav’n descend
And righteous fruits abound.

Let not the sly satanic foe
This holy seed remove,
But give it root in ev’ry heart
To bring forth fruits of love.

Let not the world’s deceitful cares
The rising plant destroy,
But let it yield a hundredfold
The fruits of peace and joy.

So when the precious seed is sown,
Life-giving grace bestow
That all whose souls the truth receive
Its saving pow’r may know.

 

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Message Vicar Micah Raebel

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Apostles’ Creed 
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.

And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence 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.

  
Prayers of the Church
Each petition concludes with:
Liturgist:  Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.

 

Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings 


Music at the Offering

"Meditation" from Thaïs  Jules Massenet
Carrie Bark, violin
Dr. Rachel Ehring, piano

  

Offertory Hymn “Sing to the Lord of Harvest”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 893.

Sing to the Lord of harvest,
Sing songs of love and praise;
With joyful hearts and voices
Your alleluias raise.
By Him the rolling seasons
In fruitful order move;
Sing to the Lord of harvest
A joyous song of love.

God makes the clouds rain goodness,
The deserts bloom and spring,
The hills leap up in gladness,
The valleys laugh and sing.
God fills them with His fullness,
All things with large increase;
He crowns the year with blessing,
With plenty and with peace.

Bring to this sacred altar
The gifts His goodness gave,
The golden sheaves of harvest,
The souls Christ died to save.
Your hearts lay down before Him
When at His feet you fall,
And with your lives adore Him
Who gave His life for all.

 
The Lord's Prayer 
Liturgist: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People: 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.

 
Benediction
Liturgist: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)
People: Amen.

 

Closing Hymn “For the Fruits of His Creation”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 894.

For the fruits of His creation,
Thanks be to God.
For His gifts to ev’ry nation,
Thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor,
God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor,
God’s will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit,
Thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
Thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us,
Thanks be to God.

 

Postlude Chorale Prelude on "Unser Herrscher" Timothy Albrecht
Katie Ledsinger, organ

 

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher: Vicar Micah Raebel
Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg
Organ: Katie Ledsinger
Violin: Carrie Bark
Piano: Dr. Rachel Ehring
Choir: Summer Choir (8:30)
Choir Director: Alex Guebert
Audio/Visual: Hector Cerda, Mark Todd, and Blaine Currer

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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July 12, 2026

Prayers of the Church
July 12, 2026

Holy Lord, Your Word does not return to You empty but accomplishes Your purpose.

By Your Spirit, make our hearts good soil for Your Word, that by such faith,
we may bring forth in our lives the good works to which You have called us.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Gracious Lord, You have taught us that love is patient and kind, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

We thank You for 40 years of marriage for Dennis and Ellen Koldewey,
and for 49 years of marriage for Bob and Nola Vroom.

Bless all spouses with Your enduring love. Deepen their commitment to one another and keep Christ at the center of their marriage, that they may encourage one another in faith and rejoice together in Your many blessings.

Strengthen those who faithfully serve You in the gift of singleness, surrounding them with Christian community and every good gift from Your hand. Uphold widows and widowers with Your abiding presence, for You are the defender of widows. Grant that all Your people, whatever their station in life, may find their identity, purpose, and lasting hope in You.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Almighty God, all the nations of the earth are Yours,
and besides You there is no other God.

Give our leaders – President Trump, Governor Newsom, and Mayor Slater – the desire for peace and stability and the ability to govern wisely. Let them plead the cause of widows and orphans and serve the needs of the least among us.

Protect our active and reserve military and our first responders.
Bring an end to war and strife and allow all to live in peace and safety. Lord, in Your mercy,

O Lord, look with mercy upon those who suffer from illness of body or mind.

Be especially with Linda Blakesley, Terry Ferrantello, Joel Hicks, David Hodgson, Patrick Keith, Faye Klemme, Geraldine Kleveter, Claude and Noel Parrish, those on our printed prayer lists, and those especially close to our hearts…

Give them healing and comfort them with Your presence.
Grant them patience to endure suffering and always assure them that they are Your dear children. Lord, in Your mercy,

Merciful Father, You are near to the brokenhearted
and save those who are crushed in spirit.

We commend to Your loving care all who grieve the death of loved ones,
especially the family and friends of Joyce Bywater,
mother of Jodi DiTolla and Janna McKhann,
the family and friends of Carol Graham, mother-in-law of Seth Beasley,
and the family and friends of Mike Perkins, neighbor of Brady and Nancy MacDonald.

Wipe away their tears with the sure promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Lord, in Your mercy,

Merciful Lord, we give You thanks for the many blessings You pour out upon us.

Preserve us by Your Word, that our faith might not be choked by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, but that we may use all Your gifts to faithful service to You and our neighbors. Lord, in Your mercy,

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WALKER HALL  |  Church Online

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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, July 12, 2026
10:30am

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Weekly Church News

Welcome  Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom

Invocation

Worship Set

“I Thank God”
“Battle Belongs”
Confession and Absolution
“Gratitude”

Scripture Readings

Message Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom

Apostles’ Creed

Prayers of the Church

Gathering of the Offering

"Jesus Thank You"

The Lord’s Prayer

“Gratitude"

Benediction

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Director of Worship & Music: Alex Guebert

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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July 12, 2026

Prayers of the Church
July 12, 2026

Holy Lord, Your Word does not return to You empty but accomplishes Your purpose.

By Your Spirit, make our hearts good soil for Your Word, that by such faith,
we may bring forth in our lives the good works to which You have called us.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Gracious Lord, You have taught us that love is patient and kind, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

We thank You for 40 years of marriage for Dennis and Ellen Koldewey,
and for 49 years of marriage for Bob and Nola Vroom.

Bless all spouses with Your enduring love. Deepen their commitment to one another and keep Christ at the center of their marriage, that they may encourage one another in faith and rejoice together in Your many blessings.

Strengthen those who faithfully serve You in the gift of singleness, surrounding them with Christian community and every good gift from Your hand. Uphold widows and widowers with Your abiding presence, for You are the defender of widows. Grant that all Your people, whatever their station in life, may find their identity, purpose, and lasting hope in You.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Almighty God, all the nations of the earth are Yours,
and besides You there is no other God.

Give our leaders – President Trump, Governor Newsom, and Mayor Slater – the desire for peace and stability and the ability to govern wisely. Let them plead the cause of widows and orphans and serve the needs of the least among us.

Protect our active and reserve military and our first responders.
Bring an end to war and strife and allow all to live in peace and safety. Lord, in Your mercy,

O Lord, look with mercy upon those who suffer from illness of body or mind.

Be especially with Linda Blakesley, Terry Ferrantello, Joel Hicks, David Hodgson, Patrick Keith, Faye Klemme, Geraldine Kleveter, Claude and Noel Parrish, those on our printed prayer lists, and those especially close to our hearts…

Give them healing and comfort them with Your presence.
Grant them patience to endure suffering and always assure them that they are Your dear children. Lord, in Your mercy,

Merciful Father, You are near to the brokenhearted
and save those who are crushed in spirit.

We commend to Your loving care all who grieve the death of loved ones,
especially the family and friends of Joyce Bywater,
mother of Jodi DiTolla and Janna McKhann,
the family and friends of Carol Graham, mother-in-law of Seth Beasley,
and the family and friends of Mike Perkins, neighbor of Brady and Nancy MacDonald.

Wipe away their tears with the sure promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Lord, in Your mercy,

Merciful Lord, we give You thanks for the many blessings You pour out upon us.

Preserve us by Your Word, that our faith might not be choked by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, but that we may use all Your gifts to faithful service to You and our neighbors. Lord, in Your mercy,

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.