A House Divided
Mark 3:20-27; 31-35
We might not be surprised that Jesus is accused by outsiders. But, he is also accused by his very own family. In a world that seeks to stay in conflict, fear, and suspicion, the power of godly love can be threatening to it. But God's ways bring abundant life! Jesus shares a power of love that builds up a surprising unity.
Love in a Divided World
We are living in a moment when division feels almost unavoidable. Families fracture over beliefs, communities splinter along cultural and political lines, and even the church is not immune to the forces that pull people apart. Yet into this fractured world, the gospel speaks a different word - a word of love, peace, justice, and unity. This series, Love in a World Divided, invites us to explore what it means to follow Jesus when the world around us feels polarized and anxious.
9:00 AM Service
Bulletin
PRELUDE
“Guide My Feet” (arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
Rachel Calvert, Tim Graf
WELCOME
“Kyrie
ELW # 157
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.
OPENING HYMN
“The Church’s One Foundation” (St. 1-3, 5)
ELW # 654
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of grace,
Renew us this day with your Spirit and your power so that we, as one unified body of Christ, can serve you in steadfast strength and purpose, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
ANTHEM
“This Little Light of Mine” (arr. Joel Raney)
Canticle Choir/Sonshine Singers, Larry Bach (Director)
READING
Mark 3:20-27, 31-35
Then he went home, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered…
Then his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
“A House Divided”
Pastor Matthew
HYMN
“One Bread, One Body”
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
OFFERING INTRO
OFFERING OF MUSIC
“O God of mercy” (Simon Lole)
Josh Eidem, Tim Graf, Rachel Calvert, Anna Vazquez
OFFERING PRAYER
Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
AGNUS DEI
MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 49- Andante” (Felix Mendelssohn)
Rachel Calvert, Anna Vazquez, Tim Graf
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BENEDICTION
HYMN
“Strengthen for Service, Lord”
ELW # 497
SENDING
Go now in peace. Serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
“Aurelia” (arr. Timothy Albrecht)
Barb Carroll
Musicians for today’s worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
- Barb Carroll (Organist)
- Rachel Calvert
- Anna Vazquez
- Canticle Choir/Sonshine Singers
- Larry Bach (Director)
10:30 AM Service
Bulletin
OPENING WORSHIP
SONG
“A House United”
WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP
SONG
“Reckless Love
PRAYER
READING
Mark 3:20-27, 31-35
Then he went home, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered… Then his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
MESSAGE
“A House Divided”
Pastor Matthew
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
OFFERING INTRO
OFFERING/OFFERING OF MUSIC
“I Speak Jesus”
Alan Bach, Chloe Erickson, Worship Band
SACRAMENT HOLY COMMUNION
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION SONG
“Remembrance (The Communion Song)”
Alan Bach, Tim Graf
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BLESSING
STAND
CLOSING SONG
“Reckless Love” (reprise)
SENDING
Musicians for today’s worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
- Elliana Meier
- Rachel Calvert
- Corwin Holk
- Matt Blake
- Kevin Mills
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
Prayers of Mourning
We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:
- Lori, Brad and April on the death of Ed – husband and father
- Buzz Hultberg on the death of his friend Carol
- Prayers for Mary and Ralph Hanson on the death of their son-in-law, Collin.
- 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
Prayers of Healing and General Prayers
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:
- MaryAnn Smith
- Mya (Candy Leopold’s granddaughter)
- Emerson (Marielle Picek’s daughter)
- Victoria Vandersteen
- Jenn Herron
- Dean Vilmo
- Kelly Shephard
- Jane & Curt Goke’s niece, Nicole
- Jonathan King
- Stacy Trenda
Long Term Prayers
- Donna Jones and her family
- Collin Buzzel
- Crosby Urlick
- Nicholas Priest
- Madelyn Astry
- Paul Skoog’s Brother, Dan
- Jim Hornbacher
- Julie Bergquist
- John Rostad
- Kathy Hoagland
- Ron Wolfbauer
- For the people of Haiti, who are 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 who are serving our country.
- 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
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.