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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
July 5. 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 mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. The prophet describes an everlasting realm that contrasts with earthly nations, one marked by peace, humility, and freedom. Jesus associates with those excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with selfish desires; we lament flawed systems; and we seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather around word, water, and meal by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Here we find rest for our souls and hope for life in beloved community.

Gathering Music
P: Welcome and announcements
Prelude “my country ‘tis of thee” parks
(Remain seated during 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: “what a friend we have in jesus” elw# 742
*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.
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, Xone God,
source of hope in every nation,
rest for the weary,
glory and peace to the ends of the earth.
Amen.
P: Let us bring every burden to God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: God of all mercy,
C: we have sinned against you,
our neighbors, and your creation.
Within ourselves and our communities,
our desire to do what is good
is at war with the evil that dwells in us.
We lament the evil that holds us captive.
We repent of the evil we have done,
and the evil done on our behalf.
Rescue us, forgive us, and restore us
for lives of compassion and courage
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
P: All-merciful, Almighty God
forgive you all your sins
*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.)

through the grace of XJesus Christ,
and by the Spirit’s power
strengthen you in doing what is good.
C: Amen.

P: *Kyrie

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CANTICLE OF PRAISE-assisting minister
[Refrain-Everyone] Verses (1) (3) women verses (2) (4)Men

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*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: zechariah 9: 9-12
The coming messianic king will inaugurate an era of disarmament and prosperity. Because of God’s covenant with Israel, the people are designated as “prisoners of hope.”
A reading from Zechariah , the ninth chapter
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

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10 He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

second reading romans 7: 15-25a
Life captive to sin is a catch-22 existence in which we know good but do not do it and do things we know to be wrong. Through Jesus Christ, God has set us free from such a futile existence.
A reading from Romans, the seventh chapter
15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that the good does not dwell within me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do the good lies close at hand, but not the ability. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25a Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Psalm 145 8-14 (sung in unison)
8 The Lord is gracious and full | of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love. 9 Lord, you are | good to all, and your compassion is over | all your works. 10 All your works shall praise | you, O Lord, and your faithful | ones shall bless you. 11 They shall tell of the glory | of your kingdom and speak | of your power, 12 that all people may know | of your power and the glorious splendor | of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures through- | out all ages. You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in | all your works. 14 The Lord upholds all | those who fall and lifts up those who | are bowed down.

P*Gospel Acclamation

P*Holy Gospel matthew 11: 16-19; 25-30
Jesus chides people who find fault with both his ministry and that of John the Baptist. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not needed to receive what God has to offer.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh chapter
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] 16 “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ 18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” 25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
P: The gospel of the Lord
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon the REverend leonard h. bolick
*hymn of the day “mine eyes have seen the glory”
elw# 890

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.)
Gathering God, send your Spirit on the church you have called out from every nation. Knit us together into one body and heal the divisions we have caused. Overcome our timidity to witness and act in the public square when your purpose is being thwarted. Bless rostered and lay leaders with clarity and courage as they center your people in the gospel. God of grace,
hear our prayer.

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All your works praise you, O God. From the Arctic to the Caribbean, from the Atlantic to the western islands, these lands and waters have sustained its peoples over many centuries. As we take our part in creation’s praise, revive our wonder at what you have fashioned, and enliven our will to ensure its health for future generations. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Holy Trinity, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. We come from many nations with many languages; make us a united people that delights in our many different gifts. As the United States of America marks its declaration of independence, give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, and curb every abuse of that trust, so that both here and abroad, justice, humility, and peace may flourish. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You are the Mother of exiles, O God. Extend your arms to all who are tired, who live with poverty, the tempest-tossed, all who yearn to breathe free. Embrace people seeking refuge; those incarcerated, detained, or disappeared; and neighbors fearing those they once trusted. Give healing and hope to people in any oppression and need. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We remember before you those who have died in every generation: Jan Hus, executed for protesting the ecclesial system; Benedict, teacher of a prayerful life; and those who have died ensuring the freedoms of this country: people in the armed services, peace officers, advocates, and activists. Gather us, together with those who have gone before us, and with saints of every tribe and nation, into the holy city you have prepared. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: Into your mercy, O God, we entrust our restless hearts and all our cares, through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

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

Offering (You may remain seated.)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful response for all God’s gifts.)
Offertory “god bless america” bErlin

Offering Prayer
P: Blessed are you, O God,
for waves of grain and harvesters,
fruitful vines and winepresses,
for our labor and our rest,
for the gifts of your hand in this land.
Transform us and what we offer
into the banquet of your compassion,
serving your love without limits
through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

MEAL: (God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ).

great Thanksgiving-spoken
The presiding minister greets the assembly and invites all present to give thanks.

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our god.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The presiding minister continues:
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise… here the minister continues with the preface for the day, concluding: ...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

Words of remembrance
The presiding minister continues.
P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

*Lord's Prayer
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.

Invitation to Communion: P: Citizens of the commonwealth of heaven:
Taste and know that God is good to all.
White grape juice is available in the center of the tray for those unable to drink wine.
When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond: Amen.
**if you would like to take communion in your seat, please indicate to an usher and they will bring it to you.**

Communion Song

Communion music

*After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands; and the minister
continues:
The Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in His Grace.

Post Communion Canticle

P: Prayer after communion
We thank you, God of heaven and earth,
that you fill our deepest need
with the very gift of Jesus Christ,
broken and poured out for us.
Pour us out into a broken world.
Channel our common life
toward the common good,
following the way our Savior leads us
now and forever.
Amen.

P*Blessing
The Author of life,
the Word of salvation,
the Breath of new birth,
Xone God, bless you
and equip you for living and serving,
today and every day.
Amen.

Sending Hymn: “just a closer walk with thee” elw#697

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Seek liberty and justice for all.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude “sortie on national hymn” smith

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Evelyn Phillips’ Birthday by Kelly Taylor & Amanda Pritchard

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

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 donations for the Care and Share Blessing Boxes. Non-perishable food items, bottled water, and hygiene products are needed. The project is open to the congregation. Your donations may be placed in the cart in the narthex. WELCA will not meet this month.

Thank you for being a wonderful church family to my mother. She loved the Lord, this church, and all of you very much.
Justin L. Oxford

Week of July 5th
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship Service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 7:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Sunday Servants july 5th
Assisting Minister...............................................................................David Hartmann
Lay Reader.................................................................................................Kelly Taylor
Ushers ………………...............................................James McGee & Rodney Setzer
Greeter........................................................................................................Karan Cline
Acolyte………………..…………......................................................David Hartmann
Crucifer.................................................................................................Rodney Setzer
Tabulators………………..............................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild……................................Kelly Taylor, Amanda Pritchard, & Malinda Clay
Presenters....................................................................................Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message................................................................................Katie Hamann

You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Amen.

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