SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS AT HOME WORSHIPTWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

AUGUST 15, 2021

PRAYER OF THE DAYEver-loving God, your Son gives himself as living bread for the life of the world. Fill us with such a knowledge of his presence that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 6:51-58In John’s gospel, the feeding of the five thousand leads to extended teaching in which Jesus identifies himself as the true“bread of life.” Finally, in these verses, he makes a connection that would not be understood until after his death, in light of the church’s celebration of holy communion.Jesus said, 51“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION BY ASSISTING MINISTER TERRY SCHREIER

When read literally, this passage can be viewed as rather gruesome:  "...eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood..." Yikes! But this passage in the John Gospel is, indeed, much more than this.  For example, many times in this sixth chapter of John, reference is frequently made to Jesus coming down from heaven to be among God's people or other references are made to bread coming down from heaven.  In verse 58, Jesus contrasts the bread of Himself "... the bread that came down from heaven..." with the bread eaten by "...your ancestors...and they died."

God reveals His love for us by reminding us that we who eat this bread from heaven will have eternal life and "...will live forever."  Faith becomes so vitally important through this portion of the Gospel as we are consistently shown God's love for us through the words of Jesus and God.

I hear the Holy Spirit revealing God's Grace in this Gospel as Jesus declares "Very truly, I tell you..." We should pay close attention to what Jesus is saying to us!  Because Jesus promises that those of us who eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood will "...have eternal life..." and we will abide in Jesus and Jesus will abide in each of us. 

I also see God calling us as individuals and as a faith family to join, all of us, in the timeless celebration of the resurrection of Jesus by together eating the bread and drinking the blood which He commemorated at the Last Supper.  Of course, the disciples did not know of what was coming.  Even the Jews disputed among themselves. But we know what is coming!  We are benefitted by history and looking back.  For that is the Good News.  It is not gruesome, but it is a true calling for us as Christians, for us as individuals, and for us as a faith family.  Thanks be to God!

HYMN OF THE DAY|

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSIONRooted in Christ and sustained by the Spirit, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.A brief silence.

God of wisdom, enlighten your church. Guide theologians, biblical scholars, authors, and seminary professors as they seek greater knowledge and invite others into deeper a understanding. Teach us to ask faithful questions and open our minds to new ideas. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of creation, mend the earth. Cool warming oceans and preserve melting ice caps. Increase our awareness of changing climate patterns and reveal new approaches to the ecological challenges we face. Shield those in the path of hurricanes or tropical storms, wild fires and flooding. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all nations, direct our leaders. Grant them courage to lay aside political grudges and renew their determination to address difficult conflicts. Guide them in the work of reconciliation. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the weary, grant us wisdom and strength as we face the struggles of surging Covid infections. Unite us to battle the enemy of disease rather than each other. Shape our decisions by a desire to keep our children out of harm’s way. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of compassion, tend to the wounded. Rescue those tormented by mental illness or mired in addiction. Ease the anxiety of those struggling with dementia. Come quickly to help all who are grieving and all those who suffer, especially those seeking healing and encouragement through our Prayer Chain. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of beauty, inspire artists. Bless those whose visual and musical gifts enliven this assembly. Bless the creative work of poets, hymnwriters, composers, painters, sculptors, and others that enrich our worship and daily life. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of resurrection, bring us to new life. Give us the living bread from heaven through which we abide in your love, and on the last day raise us with all the saints to eternal life. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift these and all our prayers to you, O God, confident in the promise of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FURTHER READINGS:Here are the lessons for the Day so you can read further:

First Reading: Proverbs 9: 1-6Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20Psalm: Psalm 34:9-14

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP: Click on the items below for children’s activities:

BENEDICTION & SENDINGFilled to the brim with the goodness of God, the nourishment of the Bread of Life, and the power of the Holy Spirit, go now in peace to serve God in all that you think, do and say. God’s peace will be with you always. Amen.

SHEPHERD CALENDAR OF EVENTS WEEK OF AUGUST 15– AUGUST 22, 2021

Sunday, August 15 th —Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost9:30 a.m.—Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Worship w/Holy CommunionWednesday, August 18 th 11:00 a.m.—Amazing Grace Bible Study by ZoomFriday, August 20 th 7:00 a.m. — Men’s Zoom Breakfast Bible Study5:00 p.m.—Friday Night Perspectives Zoom GatheringSunday, August 22 nd 9:30 a.m.—Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Worship with Holy Communion

DAILY LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 15, 2021, YEAR B:Monday, August 16, 2021

Psalm 36; Genesis 43:1-15; Acts 6:1-7

Tuesday, August 17, 2021Psalm 36; Genesis 45:1-15; Acts 7:9-16

Wednesday, August 18, 2021Psalm 36; Genesis 47:13-26; Mark 8:14-21

Thursday, August 19, 2021Psalm 34:15-22; Joshua 22:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Friday, August 20, 2021

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS:

GEORGE C. AUG 1GERRY M. AUGUST 2MOLLY V. AUGUST 15

Psalm 34:15-22; Joshua 22:10-20; Romans 13:11-14

Saturday, August 21, 2021Psalm 34:15-22; Joshua 22:21-34; Luke 11:5-13

Sunday, August 22, 2021Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15; Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35