Bulletin

RUSHFORD LUTHERAN CHURCH
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 17, 2025 (No Monday)

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Led by: Lay Leader Glen Kopp0erud

Scripture Reader
8:00 AM: Carol Jeffers
9:15 AM: Pam Nielsen

Organist
8:00 & 9:15 AM: HWY 30

Projectionist
8:00 AM: Becky Stocker
9:15 AM: Sandy Rasmussen

Videographer
9:15 AM: Barb Johnson

Ushers
8:00 AM: Kerry Heiden, Wayne Meyer
9:15 AM: Mike Messenger, Chad Steffens

Altar Guild:
Deb Holm, Kendra Eide

(9:15 AM SERVICE IS LIVE STREAMED ON YOU TUBE.)

PRESERVICE MUSIC HWY 30

“Come All Ye People”

“Travelers On the Journey”

HWY 30 includes:

Willa Holger, Barb Morrison, Beth Vitse, Keith & Jo Anne Agrimson

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Lay Leader, Glen Kopperud

GREETING ONE ANOTHER

OPENING HYMN (Please remain standing) “Gather Us In”

Modified from WOV 718

Text and Music Marty Haugen
Here in this place new light is streaming,
Now is the darkness vanished away,
See in this space our fears and our dreamings,
Brought here to you in the light of this day

Gather us in the lost and forsaken,
Gather us in the blind and the lame
Call to us now and we shall awaken,
We shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young, our lives are a myst’ry
We are the old who yearn for your face
We have been sung throughout all of hist’ry
Called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in the rich and the haughty,
Gather us in the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly,
Give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we will take the wine and the water,
Here we will take the bread of new birth,
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,
Call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion,
Give us to eat the bread that is you;
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
Lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

Not in the dark of building confining,
Not in some heaven, light-years away,
But here in this place the new light is shining,
Now is the Kingdom, now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever,
Gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in all peoples together,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

INVOCATION

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Leader: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sin to God our Father, imploring him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

People: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: I said I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.

People: And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Leader: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess to you that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Therefore we flee for refuge to your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring your grace for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Most merciful God, you have given your only Son to die for us. Have mercy on us, and for his sake grant us remission of all our sins. By your Holy Spirit, increase in us true knowledge of you and of your will and true obedience to your word, so that by your grace we may come to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leader: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy on us and has given his only Son to die for us and for his sake forgives us all our sins. To all who believe in his name, he gives power to become children of God and bestows on them his Holy Spirit. All who believe and are baptized shall be saved. Grant this, O Lord, unto us all.

People: Amen.

RESPONSIVE PSALM Psalm 119:81–88 (ESV)

Leader: My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

People: My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

Leader: For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

People: How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?

Leader: The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.

People: All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

Leader: They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

People: In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

SPECIAL MUSIC (Please be seated) HWY 30

“Lay Down Your Troubles”

OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 23:16-29 (ESV)

Lector: A reading from the prophet Jeremiah, chapter twenty-three, verses sixteen to twenty-nine.

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’ ” 18 For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? 19 Behold, the storm of the Lord! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. 20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly. 21 “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds. 23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3 (ESV)

Lector: A reading from the book of Hebrews chapter eleven, verses seventeen to thirty-one, and chapter twelve, verses one to three.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God

HOLY GOSPEL (Please stand) Luke 12:49-56 (ESV)

Leader: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twelfth chapter.

People: Glory to You, O Lord.

49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to You, O Christ.

CONFESSION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
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.

HYMN OF THE DAY (Please be seated) HWY 30

“If You Believe”

TODAY’S MESSAGE Joanne Agrimson

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE (Please stand) Lay Leader, Glen Kopperud

Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Each petition ends with: Lord, in your mercy,

To which we respond: Hear our prayer.

COMMUNION PREPARATION

Leader: Communion reception today will be continuous communion. Please form two lines in the center aisle, coming forward to receive the bread. And then continuing on to receive the wine. The empty glass can be place in the receptacle. If you are a guest with us and you normally communion at your home church, we encourage you to join us for communion today.

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD, (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25)

PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST

Leader: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Leader: O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION (Please be seated)

COMMUNION HYMNS “The Summons”

Graham Maule, John L. Bell

CCLI Song #1040329, CCLI 11170614

Will you come and follow Me
If I but call your name
Will you go where you don’t know
And never be the same
Will you let My love be shown
Will you let My name be known
Will you let My life be grown
In you and you in Me
Will you leave yourself behind
If I but call your name
Will you care for cruel and kind
And never be the same
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare
Will you let Me answer prayer
In you and you in Me

Will you let the blinded see
If I but call your name
Will you set the prisoners free
And never be the same
Will you kiss the leper clean
And do such as this unseen
And admit to what I mean
In you and you in Me

Lord Your summons echoes true
When You but call my name
Let me turn and follow You
And never be the same
In Your company I’ll go
Where Your love and footsteps show
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
In You and You in me

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

With One Voice, 731
Pre-cious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows…drear, pre-cious Lord, linger near,
When my life is … al-most … gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall.
Take my hand, pre-cious Lord, lead me home.

When the dark-ness ap-pears and the night draws …near,
And the day is … past and … gone,
At the riv-er I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand.
Take my hand, pre-cious Lord, lead me home.
Take my hand, pre-cious Lord, lead me home.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Please stand)

BENEDICTION HWY 30

“Irish Blessing”

DISMISSAL
Leader: Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!

CLOSING HYMN (Please be seated) “How Great Is Our God”

Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves

CCLI Song #4348399, CCLI 11170614

The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice
Trembles at his voice

How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see how great
How great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God

Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see how great
How great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see how great
How great is our God

OFFERING THANK YOU FOR WORSHIPPING WITH US

All songs and hymns CCLI 11170614. Parts of the liturgy © Creative Worship, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO, 1994 to today; or © Lutheran Book of Worship, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN, 1978, or © Reclaim Resources, St. Paul, MN, 2013 Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The following individuals have requested prayer:
Dawn Christensen (Jerry & Lois Rasmussen’s daughter), Rylee from WV, Family or Alvin Paulson, Wayne Wenzel, Emily Heiden-Michaelis, Deanna Stennes

Prayer Concerns: Please contact Pastor Steve by emailing steve.chellew@gmail.com or calling 507.703.1221. You may also call the church office at 507-864-7152

WORSHIP SERVICES IN AUGUST:

August 24th Mission Trip Recap the youth will report on their summer mission trip to Pennsylvania, including sharing some special music, pictures and videos.

August 25th, regular service will be held on Monday night,

5:30 in the Fellowship Hall.

August 31st Regular Sunday and Monday night worship. We will wrap up our summer series on the book of Numbers.

FIRST COMMUNION: We invite our fifth-grade students and a parent to join us for an overview of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. First Communion classes will be held on Wednesdays starting September 3rd at 5:30 p.m. First Communion Sunday will be held at the 9:15 a.m. service on Sunday, October 5th. Older students who desire to start receiving Holy Communion, but have not yet attended class, are also invited.

CONFIRMATION CLASS: Confirmation classes for 8th and 9th grade students resume on Wednesday, September 3rd. A parent’s meeting for all parents and students will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. At the meeting we will review class expectations, curriculum, and schedule. If you have a student in 8th or 9th grade and you did not receive an informational packet in the mail this coming week, please contact Pastor Steve immediately (pastor@rushfordlutheranchurch.org).

CALENDAR

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:00 AM & 9:15 AM Worship Service w/Communion-Hwy 30 Music
Coffee served by Priscilla Circle-Fellowship Hall
10:15 AM Adult Bible Study

MONDAY, AUGUST 18
1:00 PM Pastor is at Bremmer Suites & GSLH
1:30 PM Priscilla Circle Meeting
5:30 PM NO Coffee House Worship 6:30 PM Church Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
9:00 AM Men’s Helping Hands & Ladies’ Mission Work
5:00 PM Endowment Committee Meeting in Quilting Room

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
9:30 AM Ruth Circle Meeting
1:00 PM Miriam Circle Meeting 1:30 PM Hannah Circle Meeting

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:00 AM & 9:15 AM Worship Service
Coffee served by Priscilla Circle-Fellowship Hall
10:15 AM Adult Bible Study