### Welcome to worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and our celebration of the Season after Pentecost, the Time of the Church!

###### Gathering

########## The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

PRELUDE

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

## We are “The star on the hill” — Let your light shine!

P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose ☩ mercy endures forever.

COVID-19 Practices — Out of love for God and Neighbor

########## C: Amen.

- 1) Use hand sanitizer upon entry. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often while in the facility.

P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- 2) Members and visitors who are vaccinated and boosted are not required to wear a mask.
- 3) Members and visitors are free to wear a mask if they wish to do so.

4) Unvaccinated and not boosted members and visitors must wear a mask. 5) There are no physical distancing requirements, but you are welcome to keep a distance from others in the sanctuary as you are able. 6) All are welcome to enjoy coffee fellowship in the dining room following worship.

- C: Amen.

P: The Bible teaches that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Worship Book and Hymns. This morning’s service is printed in the bulletin. All the hymns can be found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), “the red book”, which are Hymns in ELW are indicated by a large bold number in the left or right in the pew racks. margin of each page.

Most merciful God,

All: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Abbreviations. Throughout this worship folder hymns are signified by the pound symbol (#), P: refers to the presiding minister or preacher, A: denotes an assisting minister, and C: and/or bold text indicates the congregation.

########## Mistakes do not happen in our worship service; only unexpected events which are opportunities for joy!

P: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen ☩ you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.

########## An An signifies that you may stand as you are comfortably able.

########## C: Amen.

Introduction to the Day. God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’s invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is repeated often. In holy communion, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.

ÚOPENING HYMN Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word ELW # 663