Worship and Music – First Lutheran Church

09 06 2026 – Pentecost XV

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

Since the seventh century, September 1 has symbolized the day of the creation of the world in the Byzantine tradition and has been the
opening feast of its liturgical year (known as the Feast of the Indiction), in parallel with Rosh Hashanah marking the Jewish New Year. Creation in Christ celebrates the ongoing creation of the world in and through
Christ, who sustains, unites, and holds all created things. We hear today of the triune God who creates all things: sun and moon, shining stars, sea monsters, creeping things and flying birds—and, yes, even human
beings. God-in-Christ still takes care of all things and invites us to join in as caretakers of God’s good creation.

September 5, 2026

08 30 2026 – Pentecost XIV

Worship Leaders Today

Ofﬁciant: Mr. Peter Randall

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world..

August 29, 2026

08 23 2026 – Pentecost XIII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Juliette & Matthew Carlson: Acolytes

Introduction

In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

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August 22, 2026

08 16 2026 – Pentecost XII

Pentecost X

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request
that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need..l

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August 15, 2026

08 09 2026 – Pentecost XI

Pentecost X

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.l

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August 8, 2026

08 02 2026 – Pentecost X

Pentecost X

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.l

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August 1, 2026

07 26 2026 – Pentecost IX

Pentecost IX

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today’s gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first!

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July 25, 2026

07 19 2026 – Pentecost VIII

Pentecost VIII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.

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July 18, 2026

07 12 2026 – Pentecost VII

Pentecost VII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.

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July 11, 2026

07 05 2026 – Pentecost VI

Pentecost vI

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Nina Sousa

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

At this celebration of the nation, we join the psalmist in offering thanksgiving to God: “You crown the year with your goodness, and your
paths overflow with plenty.” We are grateful for the abundance of the good things of God’s creation. As the body of Christ in the world, we give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

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July 4, 2026

06 28 2026 – Pentecost V

Pentecost v

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission:to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.

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June 27, 2026

06 21 2026 – PRIDE & Father’s Day

PRIDE & Father’s Day

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The central characters of today’s gospel are the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip, an apostle, deacon, and follower of Jesus. The Ethiopian Eunuch, having been sexually mutilated, cannot enter the Temple in Jerusalem for worship. He indeed, is a “stranger at the gate.” Upon a Spirit-filled meeting between the
Eunuch and Philip, the faith demonstrated by the Eunuch compels Philip to baptize him. Both depart from each rejoicing and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

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June 20, 2026

06 14 2026 – Juneteenth

Juneteenth

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Peter Randall

Introduction

Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.

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June 13, 2026

06 07 2026 – Pentecost II

Pentecost II

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Cassandra Chavez,

Assisting Minister:Sue Newburg

Introduction

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the
healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

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June 6, 2026

05 31 2026 – Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Beatrice Michels Brown
,

Assisting Minister:Sue Newburg

Introduction

Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

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May 30, 2026