8th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, July 19, 2026
10 a.m. Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Baptism
Opening Song "Come As You Are”
Greeting
Prayer of the Day
Reading: Romans 8:12-25
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia, Lord to Whom Shall We Go?"
Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 13th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
24 [Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field,25 but while everybody was asleep an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No, for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "For the Fruit of All Creation" ELW 679
Prayers of Intercession
Sharing of the Peace
Offering & Special Music: "Grace, Grace with Amazing Grace" Choir
Offertory Hymn: “Let Us Go Now to the Banquet” ELW 465
Offertory Prayer
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer (Sung)
Invitation to Communion
Lamb of God WOV p. 39
Communion Hymns: "I Come with Joy" ELW 482
"I Received the Living God" ELW 477
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Benediction
Sending Hymn: “Peace Like A River”
Dismissal
Adapted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958
Weekly Calendar:
Sunday, July 19—9 a.m. How Lutheran’s Interpret the Bible (Spirit Center), 10 a.m. Worship (Livestreamed), Following Worship Coffee Fellowship (Narthex)
Tuesday, July 21—10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Narthex), 6 p.m. Women's Group Dinner (Funkhiezer's Diner, Huntersville)
Wednesday, July 22—1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor), 6:30 p.m. 2027 ELCA NYG meeting (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, July 26—9 a.m. How Lutheran’s Interpret the Bible (Spirit Center), 10 a.m. Worship (Livestreamed), Following Worship Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), 11:30 a.m. Council Meeting (Spirit Center), 6 p.m. Food Truck (Sully’s Steamers) & VBS!
July Newsletter: The newsletter was mailed out on Friday, June 26th, you can also access it online at any point.
Announcements:
Office Update: NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: Stephanie’s new e-mail address is: Churchoffice@communityinchrist.net
July Grocery Cart: See VBS Mission Challenge in July Newsletter.
Preschool Registration for 2026/2027: Tuitions for 2026/2027: $340.00 for 2-year-old classes, $310 for 3-year-old classes, $360.00
for 4-year-old & PK class and $370 for TK class. There is an $85 non refundable registration fee.
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Questions? Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: Keep watch for the August dates! We meet in Classroom One. Participants are asked to enter through the doors nearest the Spirit Center. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: Stay tuned for the July meeting dates! Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet monthly between services to discuss ways we can continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Tracy Lyon (vikingtk@hotmail.com) or Susan Kullstam (skulls01@me.com) with any questions.
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The 5:11 Women's Dinner Night Out for July is set to be at Funkheizer's Diner in Huntersville (used to be Fresh Egg). The night is is Tuesday, July 21st, at 6 p.m. Sign up by Sunday, July 19th, so we have an idea of how many will attend. You are always welcome to make a last-minute decision to join us too. RSVP to Linda Muhlbach at lindamuhlbach@gmail.com or 704-905-5847 or https://community-in-christ-lutheran-church-430595.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3674235 or click on the QR code
A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ADVENTURE - SNOWBALL MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE - “FIND YOUR STRENGTH IN GOD!”
July 26 –July 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Registration is now open at myvbs.org/CICLC2026 . More information is in the July newsletter. Please contact Suzi Hinrichs or Kathy Shugarman with questions suzihinrichs@gmail.com or shugs02@gmail.com
