Serving on August 27, 2006

8 AM

Usher Ann Cooper
Usher Vic Cooper
First Reader Jeanne Hogan
Psalm Kathy Van Orden
Second Reader Velda Ishizaki
Prayers of the People The Reverend Bill Ledbetter
Chalice Janet Murry
Chalice Jim Babcock

10:00 AM

Usher Sandy Pringle
Usher Elizabeth Pringle
First Reader Sandy Pringle
Psalm Susan Mulledy-DeFrank
Second Reader Elizabeth Pringle
Prayers of the People The Reverend Bill Ledbetter
Chalice Robert Nelson
Chalice Sandi Nelson


The Collect of the Day
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading
A Reading from the book of Joshua.
Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel:
"Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."
Hear what the Spirit is saying to those gathered here today.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 34:15-22
Benedicam Dominum

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, * and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, * to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them * and delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted * and will save those whose spirits are crushed.

Many are the troubles of the righteous, * but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.

He will keep safe all his bones; * not one of them shall be broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked, * and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

The LORD ransoms the life of his servants, * and none will be punished who trust in him.

Come, children, and listen to me; * I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who among you loves life * and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?

Keep your tongue from evil-speaking * and your lips from lying words.

Turn from evil and do good; * seek peace and pursue it.

Glory to the One Holy and Undivided Trinity, One God, now and forever. Amen.


Second Reading
A Reading from the letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:10-20

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to those gathered here today.
Thanks be to God.

The Holy Gospel

The Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
John 6:56-69

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.

This 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." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"

But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe."
For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon: The Reverend Norm Ishizaki