Category: Worship Services

Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Luke 10:25-37 | Often when we think of a thing being “near” to us, that thing is still something external” to us. For example, an item on our desk might be within our reach, and therefore is “near” to us. Or, a person might be sitting next to us, and therefore is “near” to us. But when we hear that God’s Word is “near” to us, God’s Word is not only something external to us, but is something that’s been imprinted internally on our being. In baptism, we publicly proclaim and trace this Word of God’s promise imprinted on our forehead. And from the font, we are sent to live as people reflecting Christ’s mercy. So as we continue to follow the love of Jesus this summer, join us as we remember God’s promise to us, and as we are summoned to live into the vision of God’s eternal life now.

Sunday, July 13, 2025, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Hymn of the Day: God of Promise, Let These Signs of Grace. Text and Music: Paul Damico-Carper, b. 1981. Text and Music: © 2017 Paul Damico-Carper, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License. Offering Song: We Have Heard the Joyful Sound. Text and Music: Mark Hayes, William J Kirkpatrick. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Communion Song: You Have Called A People. Text and Music: Abigail Marthinet-Payne, Alanna Glover, Jacob Marthinet-Glover. Text and Music: © 2023 Emu Music Ltd. (Admin. by Integrity Music) Covered under CCLI.
Sending Song: Make Me an Instrument. Text and Music: Larry Olson & Karol Baer. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License.

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 | Looking at summer gardens, it’s evident to see that it’s time to harvest! Depending on when gardeners first planted those seeds deep into the ground, many fruits and vegetables are coming to maturity. And, as it is with just about any produce, when it’s time to harvest, there’s no time to wait! Otherwise, a zucchini easily becomes a baseball bat and a strawberry can go from being the perfect red color to being rotten. So if there is an urgency to enter into the harvest of our gardens, is it any different as we consider Jesus’ command to go as laborers into the garden of God’s Kingdom? Join us this weekend as we take another step in following the love of Jesus – boldly gathering the harvest that is around us and relying on Christ and one another – and as we are assured of God’s gracious provision.

Sunday, July 6, 2025, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Hymn of the Day: Send Me, Jesus. Text: South African. Music: South African. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song:: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text: Anonymous. Music: Anonymous. Text and Music: Public Domain. Communion Song: Jesus You Have Called Us.  Text and Music: Joel Payne. Text and Music: © Joel Payne – RESOUNDworship.org (Admin. By Jubilate Hymns Ltd.). Covered under CCLI. Sending Song: Build Us Up, Lord. Text and Music: Mark Glaeser, b. 1956, and Donna Hanna, b. 1952. Text and Music: © 2003 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License.

Luke 9:51-62 | This summer, as we continue to follow the love of Jesus, we hear Jesus offer his response to three people who wish to follow him. In short, Jesus asks them for their complete devotion, asks them to live as participants in the mission of God’s Kingdom, and asks them to look forward, not backwards. By the end of our passage, we never know how those three people responded to Jesus’ request. But today, and every day, we – as disciples and as the church – are given the invitation to respond to God’s gracious love by living out what Jesus asks of us. So as we continue to follow the path of Christ, leading to fullness of life and joy, join us for a pit stop along the way before moving forward with Christ in the fullness of the Spirit.

Sunday, June 29, 2025, Third Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Hymn of the Day: O Jesus, I Have Promised. Text: John E. Bode, 1816-1874, alt. Music: Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch, Meiningen, 1693. Text and Music: Public Domain. Communion Song: I Surrender All. Music: Rosemary Siemens. Recorded and Produced by Eli Bennett. https://rosemarysiemens.com Sending Song: Step by Step. Text and Music: David Strasser “Beaker”. Text and Music: © 1991 by BMG Songs, Inc. and Kid Brothers Of St. Frank Publishing. Covered under CCLI. 

Hebrews 10:19-25; John 15:1-11 | This summer, we’re following the love of Jesus, and diving into how we are called to live as disciples of Christ. It may be tempting to think that we can follow Jesus as individuals, but this week we discover that God calls us to live in community. “Community” is a word that is often used within the church and has likely become watered-down. But as our Scripture readings point to, community is built upon Christ as our source of life, and is lived out as we provoke and encourage one another to love and good works. So, as we continue into the summer, join us as we gather in community with one another and with Christ, and as we’re sent to live the confession of our hope.

Sunday, June 22, 2025, Second Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Hymn of the Day: Bind Us Together, Lord. Text: Bob Gillman, b. 1946. Music: Bob Gillman, b. 1946. Integrity Hosanna! Music.. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Sunday Joy! Text and Music: Mark Hayes Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services). Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text: Anonymous. Music: Anonymous. Text and Music: Public Domain.

Psalm 51; Hebrews 10:11-25; John 13:31-35 | This summer, we’re following the love of Jesus. To “follow” implies being with at least one other person. We follow Jesus, and we walk together. Which, is what we mean when we use the word “synod” within the church. The word “synod” comes from a Greek word that means “walking together.” We walk together with one another at Shepherd of the Cross, within the Muscatine community, within the Southeastern Iowa Synod, within the ELCA, and within the broader church. Even in various ministry contexts, we are bound together by the same Spirit that opens our hearts to the love of God. So this weekend, as we hear an update from the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and as we hear our synodical bishop – Bishop Amy Current – preach, join us for worship as we unite ourselves with all God’s people in Christ’s mission.

Sunday, June 15, 2025 Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Oh, Sing to the Lord. Text: Brazilian folk song; tr. Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923, Spanish and English. Music: Brazilian folk tune. Text and Music: © Gerhard Cartford, admin, Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Spirit, Open My Heart. Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Music: Irish melody; adapt. Alfred V. Fedak, b. 1953. Text: © 1996 Pilgrim Press. Music: © 2011 Alfred V. Fedak. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song:Stir the Fire. Text: Hebrews 10:24-25. Music: www.youtube.com/@faithfulsong. Sending Song: Take My Life That I May Be. Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, adapt,; Spanish text: Vicente Mendoza, 1875-1955. Music: William Dexheimer Pharris, b. 1956; arr. Mark Sedio, b. 1954. Music: © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

John 14:8-17, 25-27 | As we celebrate the coming of the Spirit upon on the day of Pentecost, we join with the whole church in praying for the power of the Spirit to descend upon us. But as the Spirit comes upon us, the Spirit also prompts us to be on the move for the sake of Christ’s mission in the world. For just as Jesus addressed the disciples on the eve of his death, telling them that they would be sent to do “even greater works than these,” so too are we sent by the power of the Holy Spirit to make a mark on the world in the name of Christ. But how? And how are we to know what we are to do? Though a fast and simple answer is desirable, following the Spirit isn’t as clear-cut as maybe we’d hope it to be. And yet, as we dwell together in community, practicing living in reliance of the Holy Spirit, we can discern God’s truth together. So join us this weekend as we move into the season of Pentecost, and as together, we are sent forth to color the world with God’s grace.

Sunday, June 8, 2025, Pentecost Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Veni, Sancte, Spiritus. Text: Pentecost sequence; Taizé Community. Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994. Text and Music: © 1978, 1980, 1991 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading. Text: Wilson Niwagila; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922. Music: Wilson Niwagila; arr. Egil Hovland, b. 1924. Text: © Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzania, admin. Augsburg Fortress Arr. © Egil Hovland. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: they’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. Text and Music: Peter Scholtes & Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Fresh Wind. Text and Music: Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, David Ware, Matt Crocker. Text and Music: © 2020 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind. Text: Herman G. Stuempfl e Jr., b. 1923. Music: John Hughes, 1873-1932. Text: © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

John 17:20-26; Acts 1:1-11 | Ever have a piece of netting that you can’t tell where it starts and where it ends? Netting – along with Christmas lights, rope, and electrical cords – can often become a jumbled ball. Often, this leads to frustration. But, as Jesus addresses his disciples prior to his betrayal and arrest, Jesus’ language of love and unity – resembling a tangled ball that can’t be undone – is actually an invitation for us to get tangled up, and lost, in the love of Jesus. So as we conclude the Easter season, and as we hear Jesus’ commission to his disciples prior to his ascension, join us for worship as we are invited to be “wrapped up” in Christ’s love, and as we are sent to wrap the world in God’s grace.

Sunday, June 1, 2025, Seventh Sunday of Easter Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! Text and Music: Lutheran Book of Worship. Text and Music: © 1978 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love. Text and Music: Peter Scholtes. Text: © 1966 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Blessing, Honor, and Glory. Text and Music: Geoff Bullock and David Reidy. Text and Music: © 1998 Word Music, LLC and Maranatha! Music, admin. Music Services, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: We Are One. Text and Music: Alanna Glover, Claire Williams. Text and Music: © 2019 Emu Music Ltd. (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Crown Him with Many Crowns. Text and Music: DIADEMATA, George Elvey. Text and Music: © Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription.

John 5:1-9; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 | Ever helped with a home restoration project? Or, restored an old piece of furniture? Restoring furniture is hard work, but it’s often worth the effort because – by the end – that piece of furniture not only looks better, but functions better. Point being: often we don’t just restore something so it looks better, but so that it can serve its purpose more fully. Which, for ourselves as followers of Jesus, the same is true. We, too – like the man we meet in our Gospel lesson – have been restored through Christ. But now, as people who have experienced Christ’s healing and grace, how are we going forth to live? Do we also have a renewed purpose? And a renewed function? As we continue toward the end of the Easter season, join us for worship as we hear God’s promise to invest in us, and as we are sent to walk according to God’s intentions that’ve been laid since the foundation of the world.

Sunday, May 25, 2025, Sixth Sunday of Easter Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Blessing, Honor, and Glory. Text and Music: Geoff Bullock and David Reidy. Text and Music: ©  1998 Geoff Bullock Music. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Lift Up Your Heads. Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952. Music: WEST LEESTAD, Zebulon M. Highben, b. 1979. Text: © 2013 Susan R. Briehl, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: © 2013 Zebulon M. Highben, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Spirit of Gentleness. Text and Music: James K. Manley. Text and Music: © 1978 J. Manley Publishing. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Behold, I Make All Things New. Downloaded from the website. Permission for music copyright 2011 by Esther Mui. Sending Song: River of Glory. Text and Music: Dan Schutte. Text and Music: © 1991 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription.

Acts 11:1-18 | In the church, we often speak of the boundless love of God that transcends limits. It is by this love that we are saved by grace through faith. But what happens when this love transforms not only the boundaries upon God and God’s love, but also transforms the boundaries we uphold in living with others? Join us for worship as we once again receive the boundless love of Jesus Christ and are transformed to see one another as God’s beloved…no asterisks, no exceptions.

Sunday, May 18, 2025, Fifth Sunday of Easter Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Text: Brian A Wren, b. 1936. Music: Thomas Pavechko, b. 1962. Text: ©  1986 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 2006 Thomas Pavleshko, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: All Are Welcome. Text and Music: Hans Peterson, Larry Olson. Text: © 1999 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: As the Grains of Wheat. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song:Extravagant Love. Text and Music: Lenora Rand, Hannah Rand. Text and Music: © 2019 Plural Guild Music.  Covered under One License subscription.Sending Song: Go Now. Text and Music: Hans Pterson, Larry Olson. Text: © 2006 Dakota Road Music.  Covered under One License subscription.

Psalm 23 | Many have heard (and perhaps memorized) Psalm 23. As a beloved psalm, it’s often recited near the time of death, or after a loved one has died. But what does this psalm have to say to those of us who are living? And, for those who are embarking on new journeys – like our graduates? Whether facing a new chapter that’s before us, or whether we find ourselves continuing the journey that has come before, join us as we heed the pursuit of our Shepherd who pulls us into his groove of life and love, and as we are sent in freedom to make a beautiful, beautiful song with our lives. 

Sunday, May 11, 2025, Fourth Sunday of Easter Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.Gathering: Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us.Text: attr. Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847. Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868. Text and Music: © 1992 Hinshaw Music, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: My Shepherd, You supply My Need. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt., based on Psalm 23. Music: North American traditional. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering: Create In Me a Clean Heart. Music: Liturgy of Joy, James M. Capers, b. 1948. Music: © 1993 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Shepherd. Text & Music: Amanda Cook. Music: © 2013 Bethel Music Publishing (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Text: © 2013 Bethel Music Publishing (ASCAP). Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me. Text and Music: African American spiritual. Text and Music: Public Domain.