Rhoda, Listening for Freedom
Text: Acts 12:6-17
An enslaved young girl is the first to proclaim Peter's freedom from prison cells. While nobody would listen to her, Rhoda was bold enough to unlock the gate and keep listening for freedom. What is whispering for liberation in our communities?
Oh, the Places We'll Go
God is always on the move, expanding into the world, carving out welcome, bringing belonging, changing the world for the better. Even when we are moving about this summer, enjoying the cabin, exploring our world, and taking vacations, God is moving us and our world in places we might never imagine. Join us this summer while we explore the wild and woolly places that God takes God's people. Each week, we'll look at a character from Scripture or a group of people who go on a grand adventure with God. We'll listen to what God is doing and wonder how God is adventuring each of us today.
9:00 AM Service
Bulletin
PRELUDE
“Aprés Un Rêve” (Gabriel Faure)
Anna Vazquez, Tim Graf
WELCOME
GATHERING HYMN
“Signs and Wonders”
ELW # 672
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Loving God, the good news of the Gospel comes to us from unexpected places. Help us to hear your voice as it comes to us through the lowly and the outcasts so that we remember that your love is for all people, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Shawna Berg
READING
Acts 12:6-17
The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peterwent out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” Meanwhile Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the gate they saw him and were amazed. He motioned to them with his hand to be silent and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the brothers and sisters.” Then he left and went to another place.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
“Rhoda, Listening for Freedom”
Pastor Peter
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING INTRO
Pastor Matthew
OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Faithful God” (Abbie Parker, Colby Wedgeworth, Matt Hein)
Alan Bach, Elliana Meier, Tim Graf, Corwin Holk, Anna Vazquez
OFFERING PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BENEDICTION
HYMN
“The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”
SENDING
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
“Sonata” (Domenico Scarlatti)
Tim Graf
Musicians for Today’s Worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
- Barb Carroll (Organist)
- Anna Vazquez
- Alan Bach
- Elliana Meier
- Corwin Holk
- Anna Vazquez
10:30 AM Service
Bulletin
GATHERING MUSIC
OPENING MUSIC
“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly”
PRAYER
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Shawna Berg
READING
Acts 12:6-17
The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peterwent out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” Meanwhile Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the gate they saw him and were amazed. He motioned to them with his hand to be silent and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the brothers and sisters.” Then he left and went to another place.
MESSAGE
“Rhoda, Listening for Freedom”
Pastor Peter
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
OFFERING
OFFERING AND RESPONSE SONG
“Faithful God” (Abbie Parker, Colby Wedgeworth, Matt Hein)
Elliana Meier, Alan Bach, Worship Band
BEFORE YOU GO
BLESSING
CLOSING SONG
“Jude Doxology”
Musicians for Today’s Worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
- Elliana Meier
- Alan Bach
- Corwin Holk
- Kevin Mills
- Bob Johnston
Prayers
As a community of faith, we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!
We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:
- Rebecca Willette & family, John platt and family on the death of their stepdad and grandpa
- Daniel Fuhrman and the family of Anna Fuhrmann
- Dave & Lori Goble and family on the death of Lori’s sister, Carol
- Jim and Roxanne Williams and family who are mourning the death of Jim’s mother, Irene Williams
- Lynn and Kraig Brose and family on the death of Lynn’s father Doug
Prayers of Mourning:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Psalm 130:1–2
For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’. John 11:25–26
As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:
- Sharon Peterson, mother of Jeff Peterson
- Buzz Heitner
- Dave Cookson
- John Gromek
Long Term Prayers:
- Nicholas Priest
- Madelyn Astry
- Paul Skoog’s Brother, Dan
- Jim and Racee Hornbacher
- Julie Bergquist
- John Rostad
- Kathy Hoagland
- Dave & Sherri Anderson’s daughter, Sarah Anderson-Jacobson
- Ron Wolfbauer
- Dick Smith
- For the people of Haiti enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence.
- For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine – non-violence and peace.
- All those in the military serving our country
General Prayers:
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
We give God thanks and praise for Pastor David Lerseth’s ordination anniversary, which was Sunday, August 4, 1968, 57 years ago.
Names will remain listed until more are added unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.