EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST
August 3, 2025
10:00 a.m.
PRELUDE A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing LASST UNS ERFREUEN
arr. Diane Bish
"Lasst uns erfreuen" is a German hymn tune first published in 1623 in the Jesuit hymnal Ausserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesänge. It's best known for its use with the texts "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" and "All Creatures of Our God and King". The English Hymnal of 1906, with Ralph Vaughan Williams' arrangement, significantly popularized the tune in English-speaking churches.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN A Hymn of Glory intro by Diane Bish
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: Benevolent God, you are the source, the guide, and the goal of our lives. Teach us to love what is worth loving, to reject what is offensive to you, and to treasure what is precious in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
The teacher of wisdom who wrote Ecclesiastes sees that working for mere accumulation of wealth turns life into an empty game, a “vanity of vanities.” Nevertheless, he asserts in the next verse, it is good to find enjoyment in one’s work because such enjoyment is a gift from God.
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to humans to be busy with. 14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun, and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
2:18 I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to my successor, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21 because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? 23 For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 49:1-12 congregation repeats after the cantor
1 Hear this, | all you peoples;
give ear, all you who dwell | in the world,
2 you of high de- | gree and low,
rich and | poor together.
3 My mouth shall | speak of wisdom,
and my heart shall meditate on | understanding.
4 I will incline my ear | to a proverb
and set forth my riddle up- | on the harp. / R
5 Why should I be afraid in | evil days,
when the wickedness of those at my | heels surrounds me,
6 the wickedness of those who put their trust in | their own prowess,
and boast of | their great riches?
7 One can never re- | deem another,
or give to God the ransom for an- | other’s life;
8 for the ransom of a life | is so great
that there would never be e- | nough to pay it,
9 in order to live forev- | er and ever
and never | see the grave.
10 For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stu- | pid they perish
and leave their wealth to those who come | after them.
11 Their graves shall be their homes forever,
their dwelling places from generation to | generation,
though they had named lands af- | ter themselves.
12 Even though honored, they cannot | live forever;
they are like the | beasts that perish. / R
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-11
Life in Christ includes a radical reorientation of our values. Just as the newly baptized shed their old clothes and put on new garments, so Christians are called to let go of greed and take hold of a life shaped by God’s love in Christ.
1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, enslaved and free, but Christ is all and in all!
Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are the | poor in spirit,* for theirs is the king- | dom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3)
GOSPEL READING: Luke 12:13-21 Glory to you, O God
13 Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus,] “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Kurt Christenson
HYMN OF THE DAY Lead Me, Guide Me
Text and music © 1953 Doris Akers. All rights administered by Unichappell Music, Inc.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
The Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Lord Listen to Your Children Praying
Response to each petition: God of grace, hear our prayer.
During the prayers when the Assisting Minister asks “and for what else do the people of God pray?” you are invited to pray aloud for whatever the Holy Spirit has laid on your heart. Please do not be concerned about waiting to speak until after another soul has finished their petition. Just say your prayer over the top, underneath or alongside the others. We will hear a marvelous mix of voices which God makes into a symphony of prayer.
APOSTLE’S CREED We share together in our ancient story of faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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.
OFFERING
Give online using the QR code to the right
Music Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness Schmucke dich setting by Charles Callahan
This piece originated as the German hymn "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" by Johann Franck in the mid-17th century. Franck, a lawyer and mayor, wrote the text between 1646 and 1653. The melody, "Schmücke Dich," was composed by Johann Crüger specifically for Franck's text and first appeared in 1649. The hymn is a eucharistic piece, expressing joy and reverence for the sacrament of communion.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray…Creator God, in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good and the harvest is plentiful. Strengthen us at your table with these gifts of the earth
and our labor, that we may work for the good of all; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
On the night our Lord Jesus was betrayed…
Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup, giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you as your priestly people.
Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church; gather into one all who share this bread and wine; fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith in truth, that we may praise and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever.
Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
AGNUS DEI Lamb of God
COMMUNION MUSIC
COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER
Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Gracious God, you gathered us to your table and we drank deeply of your grace.
Send us out by your Spirit to love our neighbors as ourselves and proclaim your love in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SENDING SONG We Know That Christ is Raised
BLESSING & DISMISSAL Aaronic Blessing Numbers 6:23-27
Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Lead Me, Guide Me FLC musicians
The Rev. Kurt R. Christenson, Pastor
Bill Engel, Music Director
Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone
Michael Ruy, Guitar
Paul Engel, Cantor
Joe Slevcove, Lector
Beth Slevcove, Assisting Minister
David Pohl, Deacon Randy Sensmeier, Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel,
Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Victoria Pearson, Singers
Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Sound, Video, & Computer
Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Kersten Sutter, Ushers
Dennis Arenas, Paul Engel, Fellowship Snacks
confession & forgiveness, prayer of the day, offering prayer, and dismissal
from Sundays and Seasons 2021, Year B
© 2020 Augsburg Fortress
reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579
kyrie, preface, eucharist, sanctus, agnus dei, nunc dimittis
from Evangelical Lutheran Worship setting 2
© 2006 Augsburg Fortress
reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579
hymn of praise
from Evangelical Lutheran Worship setting 3
© 2006 Augsburg Fortress
reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License A-710629.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work
First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:
- Connecting with each other
- Fostering leadership
- Attending to our Virtual Community
- Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
- Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice
TODAY after worship: Anti-Racism Workshop Chapters 7-8
We will be meeting at 11:30 in the lobby to continue our anti-racism discussion using the book So You Want to Talk About Race? by Ijeoma Oluo. For this session, we will focus on racism in the education space. We will discuss chapters 7-8 on affirmative action and the school-prison pipeline. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Next ThursDIY: August 7
Our next ThursDIY will be August 7. Hope to see you there from 8am-noon. Please let Pastor Kurt know if you will attend. We have a full slate of projects to keep us occupied for a while!
TOMORROW! FLC Night at TACO: August 4
Joann needs a couple more people to help out with the TACO meal hosted by FLC on Monday, August 4 from 3:00-5:00. If you’d like to join, please connect with Joann to sign up.
August Book Group News
This month’s selection takes us into the heart of Northern Ireland and a real-life whodunit. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe investigates the mystery of a missing mother-of-ten. Combining the skills of an investigative reporter with the story telling power of a suspense novelist, the author "sweeps us into the heart of one of the world’s bitterest conflicts and, with unusual compassion, walks us back out again along the road to reconciliation.” Please join us for fellowship, and for discussion of this gripping story on Thursday August 21, 4:00PM in the church library. Martha Radatz will host.
Save the Date! September 7 Art Show Reception
To accompany the Season of Creation in September, we will be hosting an art installation by renowned artist Bruce Turk. FLC will host an opening art show, reception, and performance by Bruce Turk & Katie MacNichol, who have regularly graced the stage at the Old Globe theater and the North Coast Rep. More details to come!
Registration Open! Tapestry Retreat #2: September 19-21
Tapestry is a ministry of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), dedicated to inspiring and educating LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. Through our retreat weekends, we foster community and deepen our understanding of Christ from a Queer perspective. Participants leave these retreats empowered to serve as beacons of faith, providing support and connection to those seeking a safe space to express their spirituality. This is our second retreat weekend and we look forward to sharing God’s love with our communities once more. Join us for a weekend of spiritual renewal. We will hear talks from LGBTQ+ clergy and lay leaders; spend time in small groups to reflect, connect and create; enjoy free time for creating, praying or holy rest. See Heartbeat for more information and registration link.
Bible Study
Over the remaining summer weeks (through August), the Sunday morning Bible Study will be taking a long look at the books of Galatians and Colossians. These two relatively short letters written by St. Paul invite us to consider what it means to live as disciples of Jesus. Galatians in particular was a favorite of Martin Luther’s. In its verses he found comfort, inspiration and the knowledge that he wasn’t saved so much by how good he was but by how good God Is! Galatians has been referred to as the “Magna Carta” of Christian Freedom.
Check our website and Heartbeat e-news for more announcements
- Mid-year Treasurer’s Report
- New Blog Post on how to love our “political” enemies
- Links to resources and recording from our de-escalation and ICE forum
- Sponsor sanctuary flowers for an upcoming Sunday
TACO Bites
- “Bike the Bay the TACO Way” will take place on September 6. You can support TACO by riding the 30-mile coastal route or donating to someone who will be! More information on the TACO website in the upcoming week.
- New website: Have you checked the TACO website recently? Lane has been doing some wonderful updates and adding new content. Make sure to check it out! (tacosd.org)
This week at FLC
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Monday |
12:00 AA in the lobby 4:00 FLC night serving TACO meal; Clinics |
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Wednesday |
10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet |
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Thursday |
12:00 Al Anon in the library |
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Friday |
9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby |
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Saturday |
12:00 TACO First Saturday Giveaway 6:30 AA in the lobby |
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Sunday |
9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship |
First Lutheran Church
- the heart of Christ in the heart of the City
- a congregation of the Pacifica Synod/Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- proclaiming Christ’s name in downtown San Diego since 1888
- feeding God’s blessed hungry ones since 1975
Welcome!
First Lutheran Church of San Diego is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Since 1989 we've been explicitly and vibrantly welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, races, and ethnic backgrounds. Being so, enriches and greatly strengthens our faith community.
How to contact us
Pastor Kurt: 619-234-6149 ext. 2 or 619-323-7587 PastorKurt@firstlutheransd.org
Office hours best made by appointment.
Church Administrator (Erin): 619-234-6149 ext. 1 administrator@firstlutheransd.org
Office hours: M, T, Th: 2-5, W, F: 11-2
If you would like to receive our weekly announcements please email the church office at administrator@firstlutheransd.org
First Lutheran Church worships and works on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay People.
