6th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, July 5, 2026
10 a.m. Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Confession & Forgiveness
Opening Song "Lift Every Voice and Sing” ELW 841
Greeting
Kyrie
Canticle of Praise
Prayer of the Day
Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 145:8-14
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 Lord, you are good to all, and your compassion is over all your works.
10 All your works shall praise you, O Lord, and your faithful ones shall bless you.
11 They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your power,
12 that all people may know of your power and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages. You, Lord, are faithful in all
your words, and loving in all your works.
14 The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down.
Reading: Romans 7:15-25a
15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that the good does not dwell within me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do the good lies close at hand, but not the ability. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25a Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia, Lord to Whom Shall We Go?"
Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 11th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] 16 “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ 18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” 25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" ELW 611
Apostles' Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Sharing of the Peace
Offering & Special Music: "Heal Our Land" 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
Communion Hymns: "Light Dawns on a Weary Land" ELW 726
"Lord of All Hopefulness" ELW 765
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Benediction
Sending Hymn: “This is My Song” ELW 887
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 5—10 a.m. Worship (Livestreamed), Following Worship Coffee Fellowship (Narthex)
Tuesday, July 7—NO Bible Study
Wednesday, July 8—1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)
Thursday, July 9—10 a.m. Quilting Ministry (Classroom #1)
Saturday, July 11—9:30 a.m. VBS Set Design Workday
Sunday, July 12—9 a.m.—How Lutheran’s Interpret the Bible (Spirit Center), 10 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), Following Worship Coffee Fellowship (Narthex) - Senior High will depart for Lutheridge
**The Pastors will be out of the office all week and return to worship July 12th. Pastor Michael will leave after worship on July 12th to spend the week at Lutheridge for the Gathering Expedition.
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
Lutheran Services Carolinas—New American Program The Good Neighbor Fund
Week 5 —When Community Becomes the Connection
When systems are slow or unpredictable, community becomes essential. Through the Good Neighbor Fund,
Lutheran Services Carolinas ensures families are not navigating uncertainty alone, but are supported by relationships, advocacy, and care when it matters most. To learn more about Lutheran Services Carolinas go to lscarolinas.net or and the New Americans Program click on the QR code or email LSC at donate@lscarolinas.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: Will meet once in July: Tuesday, July 14th, at 2 p.m. 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
