Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Boundless, O God, is your saving power; your harvest reaches to the ends of the earth.

Fill our hearts with zeal for your kingdom and place on our lips the tidings of peace. Grant us perseverance as heralds of the gospel and joy as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – Grace Community Church – Sun Valley, California

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 10:1-20 (NLT)

Jesus Sends Out His Disciples

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.

“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.

“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.”

Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
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Intercession:

Gracious God: We come before you in Jesus’ name, that we might receive mercy and help in this our time of need. We pray especially:

+ That missionaries everywhere may courageously spread the good news of your Kingdom….
+ That listeners everywhere may welcome the good news of your Kingdom with great joy….
+ That violence and hatred may be defeated by love exhibited by believers everywhere….
+ That people at war with each other may make peace, with believers leading the way….
+ That visitors to our communities may receive hospitality from believers….
+ That the downhearted may find peace in your love and encouragement from believers….
+ That the sick may experience your healing, giving you all the glory….

Glorious and mighty God, you are ever willing to come to our help, hear our prayers and respond according to your loving-kindness and perfect will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Send the Light” – Altar of Praise Men’s Chorale

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Closing: – Psalm 66 (excerpts)

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

+ Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
+ Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Come and see the works of God, He rules by his might forever.
+ Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his loving-kindness!

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen