Fourteenth Week of Pentecost

The Lihu’e Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hawai’i

Ka Hale Pule 'O Na Lahui Apau . . .

Church Of All Peoples . . .

. . . Hele Pu Makou me Iesu Kristo

. . .Walking Together With Christ

August 29, 2021

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The Lihu’e Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hawai’i 4602 Ho’omana Road, Lihue, HI 96766

The Rev. Dr. JP Paxton Tony Kment, Technology Rhonda Pabo, Organist Cheryl Claypoole, Lector

Church: (808) 245-2145 Fax: (808) 246-8626 E-Mail: staff@lihuelutheran.com Website: lihuelutheranchurch.com

Welcome to Our Guests It is always a joy to share our faith and worship with people visiting from around the world. Please know your presence and participation in our service is most appreciated. At Lihue Lu-theran we celebrate Holy Communion at every service. You are certainly welcome in joining us as our Lord comes to us in this holy meal.

Prayer Concerns Please remember these people in your prayers during the week: Benjamin Oshiro Nalawagan,

Bob & Joann Clash, Sally Rasay, Linda Garrett, Stan Weeks, Ronnie Pacheco, Pagatpatan ohana, Villanueva ohana, Geronimo ohana, David Gragg, Joe Morgan, Zosimo and Virginia

Austria, Karen Kinoshita, Jake Whisenhunt, Rick Rentz, Norman Dibble, Kazue Zaima, Virginia Hines-Aflague, John Mattek, Girald II (Bobby Girald’s son), Kristie Schmid (Tony’s sister), Lolli Hagen, Abraham Torres, Sr., Kristy Kahananui, Sonny Koerte, Uncle Joe, Mallory Rodriguez, Steve Schantz, Peter Alisna, Tirzah Pope, Pastor Matthew Weber, Joyce Anglemyer, Stephen Shioi, Peggy Hood, Jason Shimono, Richard Rasay, Nancy Nelson (formely Mandell), Karen &

Patrick Pavao, Edward Rasay, Karen Richards (friend of Nancy Mandell), Marcos Larson (Liedeke’s son), Dora Jane Rowell, Franklin Parraga, Penny Parraga, Leticia Ancog (Kurt

Javinar’s sister), Yvonne Shinseki, Al Dressler (Larry’s Father), Shirley Hallman (Denese Al-cott’s Mother), Mercy Ballesteros, Mike LaBerge, Anna Marie & Phil Croghan, Judy Carlson, Caroline Johnson, Sheila Belarmino, Ray Roderick, The Church Council, and leaders in the

ELCA. If you have additional prayer requests, please let the church office know. “Ask it in my name . . .” Mahalo for your love.

Remembering Our Military As we gather for worship, please remember those serving us in the military, and the families of our Hawai’i National Guard. These names have been given by loved ones and family members: Navy – TJ, Javinar, Kristian Matsumoto, Coast Guard - Brian Rodriguez, Navy - Kiana Alisna, Coast Guard - Ke’ale Renta Army - Jason Lumacad, Levi Fajardo: Air Force - Steven Javinar, Ikaika Fajardo, Army - Brandon Perkinson, Drew Cox, Tony Garton: National Guard - Benji Mac-Kenzie, Eddie Resinto, Fred Casticimo, Philip Kamakea, Anthony Y. Torres, Master Sgt. If you know of someone you would like added to our prayer list, please advise the church office.

Lihue Lutheran Spotlight Congratulations to Kiera for her spectacular win in Biodiots!

Happy belated birthday to Rhonda Pabo, August 21!

Happy belated anniversary to Cindy and Stan Weeks, August 8

and Bobby and Gloria, August 10.

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Introduction Jesus protests against human customs being given the weight of divine law, while the essence of God’s law is ignored. True uncleanness comes not from external things, but from the intentions of the human heart. Last week Jesus told us “the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). Now James says God has given us birth by the word of truth. We who were washed in the word when we were born in the font return to it every Sunday to ask God to create in us clean hearts. Overview The Heart of the Matter When clay becomes a pot, it must first have a center. As a potter spins, push-

es, and pulls the clay into its final form, it can easily lose its center and become misshapen. Having lost its center, it fails to fully be what it is being created to be—a pot, a pitcher, a plate, a thing of beauty, a vessel for others.

Faith and religious practice have lost their center in today’s readings. Quoting Isaiah, Jesus calls into question “This people” that “honors me with their lips” but whose “hearts are far from me” (Mark 7:6). Some in the religious community have begun focusing on surface matters (the washing of hands, what one eats, the traditions of the elders) and have forgotten the core. What really matters is how one’s faith is expressed in mercy, in words and actions that build up rather than tear down the neighbor.

In the second reading James wonders about those who look at themselves in a mirror and upon walking away forget who they are (James 1:23-24). For James, they are simply hearers of the word and not doers. Their lives do not reflect the love and mercy that has claimed them.

And so it is with us. We do not live as the people God has claimed us to be. Our lives lose their center. Our faith practices focus on surface things rather than the core. We fail to be what God has created and is creating us to be—vessels poured out for others. We look at ourselves in the mirror and upon walking away forget who and whose we are.

At the heart of the Christian assembly is Jesus—in word, in song, in prayer, in the neighbor, in water, bread, and wine. Jesus, who embodies forgiveness and mercy, is the heart. Again and again, life becomes misshapen. Again and again, the potter reshapes the clay. The splash of a watery cross, the taste of bread and wine: these things center life in Christ. God’s mercy washes over us. God’s mercy is implanted in us. God creates life anew; deformed hearts are reformed for works of mercy and love. Theological Reflection James describes God as having “no variation or shadow due to change” (1:17). Jesus challeng-es the traditions of the elders. Here we see the tension between the constancy of God and the perceived constancy and stability of tradition. The psalms regularly refer to God’s steadfast love. How does the consistency of God’s grace enable the church to honor the best of our traditions but also to be ever reforming?

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Announcements and Weekly Events!

Welcome, Check-In, and Announcements In the Facebook chatbox share something good God is doing in your life.

Announcements

Pastor JP is on vacation. Pastor Gary Stevenson and his wife, Corinne, will be here on va-

cation of providing pulpit supply.

Weekly Events

Youth Group

Sunday, Sept 5, NO YOUTH GROUP NEXT WEEK

Ghetto Sweet Tarts

Monday, Sept 5, NO GHETTO SWEET TARTS NEXT WEEK. Resume Sept. 27

Meeting with the Bishop (All are invited via Zoom to join!)

Wednesday, Sept 22, @ 4pm via Zoom. Link forthcoming

BOBS Bible Study—The Forgotten Luther (6-week study)

Tuesday, Oct 5, @ 5:30-7pm in the fellowship hall

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Fourteenth Week of Pentecost Order for Worship

*Confession and Forgiveness P In the name of Makua, ☩ Keike Kane, and Uhane Hemolele.

C Amen. P God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your for giveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Silence is kept for reflection. P Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Most merciful God, C we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free our selves. 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. P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and or dained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare

to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of Makua, ☩ Keike

Kane, and Uhane Hemolele. C Amen.

*Gathering Song Immortals, Invisible, God Only Wise

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*Thanksgiving for Baptism P Joined into Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy

and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism. Silence is kept for reflection. P We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the wa-

ters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

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By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all. We praise you for the gift of water that sus-tains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C Amen.

*The Apostolic Greeting P 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.

*Prayer of the Day P Let us pray. O God our strength, without you we are weak and wayward creatures.

Protect us from all dangers that attack us from the outside, and cleanse us from all evil that arises from within ourselves, that we may be preserved through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen.

First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 The Israelites believed the law was a divine gift that provided guidelines for living out the covenant. Mo-ses commands the people to obey the law and to neither add to nor subtract from it. The Israelites are also to teach the law to their children and their children’s children.

will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” 7For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? 8And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? 9But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your chil-dren and your children’s children.

1So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordi-nances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2You must neither add anything to what I com-mand you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. 6You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes,

A The Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

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Psalm Psalm 15 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? (Ps. 15:1)

Second Reading James 1:17-27 The letter of James was intended to provide first-century Christians with instruction in godly behavior.

Here Christians are encouraged to listen carefully and to act on what they hear, especially by caring for

those least able to care for themselves.

*Gospel Acclamation

1Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? 2Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right, who speak the truth from their heart; 3they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends; they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor.

4In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the Lord. They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word. 5They do not give their money in hope of gain, nor do they take bribes against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.

A The Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

hearers who deceive themselves. 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24for they look at themselves and, on going away, im-mediately forget what they were like. 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their do-ing. 26If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shad-ow due to change. 18In fulfillment of his own pur-pose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his crea-tures. 19You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not merely

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*Holy Gospel Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Mark’s gospel depicts Jesus as challenging traditional ways in which religious people determine what is pure or impure. For Jesus, the observance of religious practices cannot become a substitute for godly words or deeds that spring from a faithful heart.

1Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], 2they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me; 7in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” 14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” 21For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, mur-der, 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, li-centiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

P The Gospel of the Lord.

P The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark, the seventh chap-ter.

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Keiki Sermon Sermon *Hymn of the Day Just a Closer Walk With Thee

*Apostles’ Creed P Let us join together in reciting the Apostles’ Creed

A 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.

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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.

*The Prayers of the Church P Made children and heirs of God’s promise, we pray for the church, the world,

and all in need.

A We pray for the church, that it is a safe haven for all who seek your presence. Fill it with pastors, deacons, and leaders who echo your expansive and gener-ous welcome. Lord, in your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

A We pray for the whole of creation, that plants and animals have the habitat and resources to thrive and flourish. Inspire us to protect threatened habitats and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Lord, in your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

A We pray for individuals in positions of authority. Raise up wise and discerning

leaders in federal, state, and local governments and guide them to seek the

benefit of every person. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.

A We pray for all who are in need. Support and encourage those who are unem-

ployed, underemployed, or experiencing poverty. Bring food, shelter, clothes,

and stability for daily life. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.

A We pray for this congregation, especially those beginning a new school year,

including students in our youth group, college students, Carah Koerte-Llego,

Matt Vickers and teachers and KCC staff, Sarah Iha and Diane and Bob Kajiwa-

ra. Empower teachers and school administrators. Guide students in their learn-

ing and development. Accompany parents, foster parents, and caregivers who

provide encouragement and love. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. Here other intercessions may be offered.

A We give thanks for the faithful departed who showed us how to honor God with our heart. Inspire us by their example and renew our faith, trusting that we will be united with them in glory. Lord, in your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Receive these prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen

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3. For thy grace I beseech thee. Bring us ‘neath thy protection. And peace will be thy portion Now and forever more. Amen

English Translation 1. O Lord thy Loving Mercy, Is high as the Heavens. It tells us of thy truth. And ‘tis filled with holiness

*The Queen’s Prayer

The Sharing of the Peace P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you.

P Let us share the peace of the Lord with those here locally and those joining us online via Facebook live! As the ushers come forward, take a minute to share “Aloha” with those join-ing us online!

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Offertory Word If God puts it on your heart to give, donations can be given here today, mailed in, or given online our website here or you can copy and paste the weblink below @

https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?a pver3=tYgT1GfNxRUldiimjHMvORYXmm3bazY6GfrmTtVDZydskSODEa-Up5lt373GHnco2evTpo0mld6BrVzd2nG0p8xSFKZ9u6c4AzLo4CjNx7k=&ver=3

Offertory Response Lord of Aloha

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*Offertory Prayer P Let us pray. Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth

and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Christ has set the table with more than enough for all. Come!

*The Words of Institution (All are welcome to share in this meal with us. The sacraments are provided in accord-ance to synodical guidelines in collaboration with CDC, state, and local precautions. If you do not have sacraments, please raise your hand and an usher will bring them to you.)

*The Lord’s Prayer

P Let us pray the prayer our Lord taught us to pray... C 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 for give 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.

*The Post-Communion Blessing P May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in His grace. C Amen.

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*The Prayer After Communion P Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. C Amen.

Announcements

*The Blessing P The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us ☩

be upon you now and forever. C Amen.

*The Sending Song Lord of All Hopefulness

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Dismissal P Go in peace, you are the body of Christ. C Thanks be to God.

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Commemorations

Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, bishop, renewer of the church, died 1872 Thursday, September 2, 2021 Grundtvig was, with Søren Kierkegaard, one of the two great Danish theologi-ans of the nineteenth century. As a pastor, he battled the prevalent idea that Christianity was more a philosophy than divine revelation. He wrote over a thou-sand hymns.

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What’s the point of our religion?

Did you ever stop to think that there’s a purpose to our religion? And I’m

not talking about “personal” salvation. While our Old Testament lesson is situat-ed in Deuteronomy chapter 4, two chapters ahead we are presented with one of the most iconic texts in the Hebrew Bible, and the Bible as a whole. For those of you who are familiar with Deuteronomy 6:4-9, you’ll recognize this as the “shema”. While some of you may not know what the shema is, you’ll probably recognize it in the next sentence. The shema goes, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind…”

The word “shema” means to listen in Hebrew. The meaning, however, goes beyond just listening. It also includes responding to what one has heard. In other words, the essence of “shema” is responding to God with obedience!

Obedience to God’s law has a three-fold function. First, it is to benefit and bless those who would hear, follow, and obey God’s commands. We examined this two weeks ago when our Old Testament lesson was grounded in Proverbs 9. The purpose of wisdom is to “give life to those who possess it.” Second, the law teaches its followers about the character and core values of God. Judges 17:6 makes it very clear that we don’t know the will or way of God. Judges 17:6 says, “In those days, there was no ruler over Israel so everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” The thing is, unless God tells us or teaches us what to, we will just “go our own way”, as the Fleetwood Mac song goes. Third, the reach of the law works through those who obey to benefit and bless others. In other words, the reason why we follow God’s commands is because 1) it is what is best for our neighbors and 2) obedience teaches our neighbors who God is and how great God’s love, mercy, and kindness are!

Yet, there are some of who are ignorant, deceived, or just flat out wicked, who just do what they think is best. This is because they are their own God. God isn’t God, they are god. They call the shots. The might listen to God, like a pan-elist giving a presentation, but they don’t listen and respond with obedience.

Could it be that the surplus of problems in our world is because the world is full of people who are content with merely listening and not doing what God says? By merely listening, and not obeying, we are withholding God’s benefit and God’s blessing, not only to us, but also to the world. For it is in and through obedience that God ministers to a hurt and broken world.

“Hear O, Israel”.

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For Further Reflection

Connections with Creation Deuteronomy 4 makes a key ecological connection sometimes overlooked: heeding God’s commandments is directly tied to the nation of Israel having a right relationship with the land as well as with each other. There is a theological assertion at work here, that God’s requirement of ethical relationships has ramifications for thriving within the human community and the earth community. Both Jesus’ and James’s instructions on restraining impulses that lead to violence also have implications for the land. Especially when noting how the extremes of anger and wickedness (namely war and armed con-flict) devastate the land, we must heed the instructions regarding selfrestraint on both individual and national levels. Jesus is especially harsh in his critique of those who claim religious purity yet defile with their actions. Contemporary examples abound of corporate heads of polluting industries and colluding politicians lying and covering up about spills and toxic emissions. Accountability and judgment are called for. Illustration Today’s text from Deuteronomy finds the people of Israel being told not to add or sub-tract anything from the commandments of the Lord. Using math as a framework, con-sider what we add and subtract from the commandments we find in scripture. What drives us to highlight some commandments and minimize others? How do these addi-tions and subtractions contribute to division among us? If the people’s role is faithful-ness to the commandments, what role does God play in multiplying grace in, among, and through that faithfulness? Denominational Resource Mark’s gospel provides a list of evil things that come from within. James uses the meta-phor of a mirror to challenge people who are hearers but not doers of the word. They see themselves in the mirror and then forget what they are like. Instead, James invites people to “look into the perfect law” (1:25). The interplay between these texts could be illustrated with three items: a magnifying glass, a handheld mirror, and the Bible. The magnifying glass represents the way we judge others by peering into their sinfulness, as articulated in the list of evils from the gospel passage. The mirror can be used in James’s sense of seeing ourselves and forgetting what we are like. Finally, in the way James suggests we peer into the law, the Bible represents God’s law, which serves as a mirror to show that even our good works are imperfect (Book of Concord [Fortress Press, 2000], pp. 587–591). In this way we do not rely on the holiness of our own works but on God’s gift of grace.

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Worship Reflection

What biblical texts stood out to me and why?

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What do I feel God is trying to say to me in and through this sermon?

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Is the Holy Spirit prompting me to change something in my heart or life? If yes, what is it? What is one step I can take to make a positive change in my life this week?

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Where did I see/hear God in the sermon?

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