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Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church
August 9, 2009 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost



Prelude Holy Spirit, Light Divine Orlando Gibbons
arr. Healey Willan

Entrance Hymn As We Gather at Your Table Hymn 522

First Reading 1 Kings 19:4–8

First Kings chapter 18 describes the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The contest proves that the Lord is God; and afterwards Elijah orders the killing of the Baal prophets. Angered by the deaths of her prophets, Queen Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah. Now in chapter 19, we find Elijah fleeing, fatigued, and in utter despair.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.


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

Psalm Hymn For the Bread Which You Have Broken Hymn 494 x

Second Reading Ephesians 4:25—5:2

Christians are called to be imitators of God. This does not mean Christians are perfect. Rather, the Spirit is at work in our lives so that our actions and attitudes genuinely reflect the love and forgiveness we have received through Christ and his death.

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.






Gospel John 6:35, 41–51

P The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the sixth chapter.
C Glory to you, O Lord

After feeding more than five thousand people in the wilderness, Jesus teaches them regarding the true significance of this remarkable sign.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 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."

The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.


Sermon “The Community of Character” Pastor Robert Wallace

Hymn of the Day O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts Hymn 658

Order of Baptism (11:00 am) Page 227

Solo (8:30 am) If You But Trust in God to Guide You George Neumark
 Paul Bendt, baritone

Solo (11:00 am) The Lord Is My Shepherd Rhett Barnwell
Mary Moser, soprano

Communion Hymns 471, 632

Sending Hymn Jesus Shall Reign Hymn 434






Worship Leaders

Preacher/Celebrant: The Reverend Dr. Robert Wallace
Organist/Director of Music: Mr. W. Douglas Ludlum






Reproduced with permission by Augsburg Fortress. Liturgies License # 23349