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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
July 12, 2026
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Pastor: The Reverend Leonard H. Bolick
Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend Terrell G. Long, Jr.
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to worship today! May God richly bless you as we worship together. If you are visiting for the first time, please sign the guest register in the front entrance of the church. The congregation appreciates Pastor Malcom Lerch presiding over the service today and Karen Wilson who will be our accompanist.

Gathering Music
P: Welcome and announcements
Prelude
GATHERING: We have been gathered by the Holy Spirit.
*(As the music begins, we are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)
*Gathering song: “on what has now been sown”
Elw#550
*greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity,Xone God,
whose compassion endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin to God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God,
we confess to you all our sins.
Our burden is heavy, and we cannot free ourselves.
In your mercy, call us back to you.
Your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
Restore us to dwell in your peace.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen.
*greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
*Thanksgiving for Baptism
(The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, Xone God,
The fountain of living water,
The rock who gave us birth,
Our light and our salvation.
Amen.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
We are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
(Water poured as all give thanks.)
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains 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.
Amen.

*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

Jesus says, “Come to me,
all you who are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
In the name of God,
Father, XSon, and Holy Spirit,
your sins are forgiven.
Rest in God’s love.
Amen.

p: *Kyrie-spoken

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CANTICLE OF PRAISE-assisting minister-spoken

(Continued on next page.....)

*PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray

(The congregation may be seated .)

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Word: God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

First Reading: Isaiah 55: 10-13
God’s word to Israel’s exiles is as sure and effective as never-failing precipitation. Their return to the Holy Land in a new exodus is cheered on by singing mountains and by trees that clap their hands.
A reading from Isaiah, the fifty-fifth chapter
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12 For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle, and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

second reading romans 8: 1-11
There is no condemnation for those who live in Christ. God sent Christ to accomplish what the law was unable to do: condemn sin and free us from its death-dealing ways. The Spirit now empowers proper actions and values in our lives and gives us the promise of resurrected life.
A reading from Romans, the eighth chapter
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed, it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Psalm 65 [1-8] 9-13 (spoken in unison)
1 You are to be praised, O God, in Zion; to you shall vows be fulfilled. 2 To you, the one who answers prayer, to you all | flesh shall come. 3 Our sins are stronger than we are, but you blot out | our transgressions.

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4 Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there! They will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple. 5 Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation, O hope of all the ends of the earth and of the oceans far away. 6 You make firm the mountains by your power; you are girded about with might. 7 You still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples. 8 Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs; you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy. 9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; the river of God is full of water. You prepare the grain, for so you provide for the earth. 10 You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase. 11 You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths overflow with plenty. 12 May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, and the hills be clothed with joy. 13 May the meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; let them shout for joy and sing.

*P Gospel Acclamation-spoken

P* Holy Gospel (Stand as you are able.) matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
In Matthew’s gospel, both Jesus and his disciples “sow the seed” of God’s word by proclaiming the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near.” Now, in a memorable parable, Jesus explains why this good news produces different results in those who hear.
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the thirteenth chapter
P: Glory to you, O Lord.
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 If you have ears, hear!” 18 “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
P: The gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ.

(The congregation may be seated.)

Sermon The Reverend malcom lerch

*hymn of the day “as rain from the clouds” ELW #508

P: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the
words of the Apostles’ Creed:

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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Assisting Minister: Trusting in God’s steadfast love for all God has made, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
God our gardener, you scatter grace like seed across the world. Continue to cultivate the garden of your church with your abundant Spirit. God of grace,
hear our prayer.

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God our joy, your bountiful creation reflects your commitment to life despite our actions disregarding its wonder. We look toward Isaiah’s vision, when all creation rejoices, and the trees will clap for joy at your salvation. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our life, you give us the same Spirit by which you raised Christ from the dead. Set our minds on that Spirit whenever fear or condemnation overwhelm throughout the world. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our host and table, we pray for children who hunger and rely on school meals, for all who toil under the hot sun without refreshment, for the chronically ill who have exhausted their resources, and for local concerns. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God our source, tend this assembly with your grace throughout this summer season. May those who travel for work or recreation do so safely, and may visitors find refreshment among us. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give you thanks that the roots of your goodness run deep throughout history. We remember those saints who have gone before us in faith. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: Grateful for your abundant provision and trusting in your goodness, we cast all our cares upon you, through the abundant grace of Christ Jesus.
Amen.

*Sharing of the Peace
p: The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Offering/noisy money offering (You may remain seated.)
(The children collect coins all year and then work together to choose and purchase items through ELCA Good Gifts. The items such as honeybees, chicks, livestock, garden supplies, safe water, etc. help communities around the world. For more information go to ELCA Good Gifts.)
Offertory

Offering Prayer
Loving God,
we offer at your table the gifts of our hearts.
Help us take heart in you and share freely of your love,
so that all creation can taste your abundance.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
through the Spirit abiding with us now and forever.
Amen.

*Lord's Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.

P*Blessing
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
Xone God,
bless, heal, and hold you
today and always.
Amen.

Sending Hymn: “for the fruit of all creation” elw#679

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Heaven has come near. Go, share the good news!
Thanks be to God.
Postlude

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Their Children & Grandchildren by
Jim & Kim Ledford

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in honor of Riley Tippett’s Sixteenth Birthday by Jim & Kim Ledford

PRAYER WORKS: A ministry of prayer and care.
Prayer Works is a weekly publication highlighting prayer requests of the Philadelphia congregation. Updates may be made via the Prayer Board in the narthex or by e-mail at philadelphialuth@charter.net. Prayer requests will remain on the list four weeks unless updated. Please get permission before sharing someone else’s prayer concern (7-5-2026).
9)

The next bible school date will be Saturday, July 25th from 1:00–4:00 PM. The current plans are for bible stories, crafts, and water play. Invite your friends to a time of fun play and learning! If you have any questions, please see Kay Callihan or Katie Hamann.

!! Save the Date!!
Brenda Henry will meet with the congregation in the fellowship hall following the morning worship service on Sunday, July 26th. She will be discussing with the congregation options for the church’s future ministry.

WELCA’s July project is collecting food and hygiene items for the blessing boxes in PLC’s parking lot. The congregation is welcome to participate. You may place your donations in the cart in the narthex.

Week of july 12th
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:oo a.m. Worship Service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 7:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Sunday Servants july 12th
Assisting Minister............................................................................................Leah Isley
Lay Reader.......................................................................................................Leah Isley
Ushers ………………..................................................James McGee & Rodney Setzer
Greeter............................................................................................Harold & Judy Smith
Acolyte………………..………….........................................................David Hartmann
Crucifer.....................................................................................................Rodney Setzer
Tabulators……………….................................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild……..................................…...Leah Isley, Kelly Taylor & Amanda Pritchard
Presenters.....................................................................................Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message..................................................................................Katie Hamann

“may the hope of jesus find you” choir

Amen.

Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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