BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Pastor Lori Bonkoski
Music: Glenda McGaffee
Lay Reader: Dan Ellingson
WELCOME/ANNOUCEMENTS
SILENT PRAYER
*Please stand if you are able
*GATHERING HYMN #526 “God Is Here!”
1. God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer, may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share. Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
2. Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace; here are table, font, and pulpit; here the cross has central place. Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech, here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.
3. Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold; here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old. Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore what it means in daily living to believe and to adore.
4. Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt, keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out. Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive; we, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
*GREETING: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.
*DIALOGUE
P: Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise God in the firmament of his power!
C: Praise God for his mighty acts; praise God according to his excellent greatness!
P: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
C: Praise the Lord!
*SCRIPTURE SONG #512 “Lord Let my Heart be Good Soil”
Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your word. Lord, let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away. When my heart is cold, warm it with the day. When my heart is lost, lead me on your way. Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart be good soil.
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn our hearts to love our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 30:9-14
9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, 10 when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
11 “Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 14 No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.
R: The Word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God
SECOND READING: Colossians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. 7 This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
R: The Word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
Alleluia! Lord and Savior: open now your saving word. Let it burn like fire within us; speak until our hearts are stirred. Alleluia! Lord, we sing for the good news that you bring.
*GOSPEL READING: Luke 10:25-37
25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
P: This is, the Gospel of the Lord C: Thanks be to God
MESSAGE:
*HYMN OF THE DAY #800 “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”
1. Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; wean it from earth, through all its pulses move; stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart, and make me love you as I ought to love.
2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no op’ning skies; but take the dimness of my soul away.
3. Have you not bid me love you, God and King; all, all your own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind? I see your cross; there teach my heart to cling. Oh, let me seek you and, oh, let me find!
4. Teach me to love you as your angels love, one holy passion filling all my frame:
the baptism of the heav’n-descended dove, my heart an altar, and your love the flame.
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
P: In Christ, you have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
C: We believe in him and are marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit.
P: Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
C: 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 again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
P: Build yourselves up on your most holy faith;
C: pray in the Holy Spirit.
P: Keep yourselves in the love of God;
C: look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
P: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
C: Everything old has passed away; behold, everything has become new!
P: God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, let us be reconciled to God and to one another.
P: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone. Uphold us by your Spirit so that we may live and serve you in newness of Life, to the honor and glory of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
P: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
C: Amen
*PEACE
P: Sisters and brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
OFFERING
*OFFERING RECEIVED #884 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
*OFFERING PRAYER
P: Let us pray. God, our Creator,
C: you open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living creature. With these gifts we bless you for your tender nurture and care. Help us to delight in your will and walk in your ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P: God of grace, C: hear our prayer.
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.
BENEDICTION
P: The church is surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. May you find strength and courage in their presence.
C: Amen
P: The word that goes out from God does not return empty. May the word bear fruit, accomplishing its purpose in you.
C: Amen
P: May your minds be set on things above, where Christ is seated, at God’s right hand.
C: Amen
P Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen
*SENDING HYMN #858 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation! Let all who hear now to his temple draw near, joining in glad adoration!
2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining. Have you not seen all that is needful has been sent by his gracious ordaining?
3. Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do if with his love he befriend you.
4. Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him! Let the amen sound from his people again.
Gladly forever adore him!
*DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer Concerns: Doug Boeve, Marvin Albers, Glenda Warner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We have a new website: bethlehem-lutheran.com
Reminder to please get the VBS food you signed up for to the church. Contact Brianna Leuthold if you don’t remember what you signed up for!
Music teacher needed for Sunday School. Please contact a member of the Board of Education if interested.
Mark your calendars for August 9, Flowerfield cemetery clean-up, 9-noon. Cleaning the stones, bring soft bristle brushes, buckets, scrapers and putty knives.
Pick up a Summer Reading Bingo card today! Return when you complete a bingo or blackout. Prizes for all ages!
If you are interested in being a lay reader, please contact the church office.
Are you interested in a new church directory? Questions, suggestions, please contact a member of the Board of Deacons.
Help Wanted: Need someone to help with power point on Sunday morning worship.If interested, please contact Dawn Leenderts. Will train! (507-962-3560)
Recycling Please use the bins for bulletins and water bottles. Let’s help our planet by
recycling!