Pentecost SundayFifty days after Easter, we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Crossing all boundaries that would separate us, the Spirit brings the wideness of God’s mercy to places we least expect it—to a crowd of strangers of different lands and tongues, to dry bones, to our weak hearts. Jesus promises his disciples that they will be accompanied by the Holy Spirit, and that this Spirit reveals the truth. We celebrate that we too have been visited with this same Spirit. Guided by the truth, we join together in worship, and then disperse to share the fullness of Christ’s love with the world. CALL TO WORSHIP Acts 2:17, 21 P: God declares: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. The young shall see visions. The elders shall dream dreams. Both men and women shall prophesy. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We gather for worship in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Let us call on the name of the One who invites us to speak the truth about ourselves and promises to show us mercy. Silence for personal reflection P: Holy and Merciful God, C: we do not know how to pray as we ought, and we know too well our failure to always do as you have commanded and to hold fast to your word. Forgive us for the divisions we nurture, guide us to your way, keep us in your care, and lead us into faith. We trust your word that the Spirit of truth will show us all things and grant us courage and peace. Amen. P: People of God, body of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Christ Jesus, + our Savior, I declare to you the complete forgiveness of your sin. Be at peace with one another because of God’s mercy. C: Amen. HYMN “O Day Full of Grace” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love so that in hearing and seeing the gifts of this life, we may know the way to live in thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. READINGS First Reading: Acts 2:1-21 1When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ” Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 [Jesus said,] 26“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. 16:4b“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. 12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: We pray for the church universal, for its ministries, and for the spread of the gospel. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for the earth. We give thanks for the plant and animal life that sustains us. Empower us by your Spirit to be wise and faithful stewards of all you have made. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for the nations and those who govern. Give those in authority understanding hearts. Guide them in their work together to bring justice and peace. And grant all who vote in elections wisdom and discernment. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for those in need around the world: for victims of crimes, for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, for those who are incarcerated. For all who suffer in any way (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We remember the faithful departed. Give us thankful hearts for those who have gone before us in the faith. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. During May tangible items will be collected for the Geneva Heartland Boys Home. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bars of soap, toothpaste, combs, belts of all sizes (slightly used are fine), puzzles, word searches and pens. P: God of mercy, we give you thanks for all that your bounty creates. The gifts we bring today acknowledge our indebtedness to you and our intent to relieve others of their burdens. Bless what we offer and bless those who will receive it; in Jesus’ name. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Arcada String Quartet BENEDICTION P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. C: Amen. HYMN “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind” CHARGE P: Go And...Be the Church! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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Ascension of Our LordCALL TO WORSHIP Ephesians 1:15-20 P: I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward one another. So I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him. C: With the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we see the greatness of Christ’s power at work in us who believe. God put this power to work in Christ when God raised him from the dead—and seated him at God’s right hand in the glory of the heavenly places! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: let us repent of those things that have drawn us away from God and our neighbors, that we may receive the joy of forgiveness. Silence for personal reflection P: Creator of humankind, C: you have asked us to proclaim your name to all people. We confess that we have held back from doing that, shy and self-conscious. Forgive us, we pray, and empower us in Jesus’ name. Amen. P: The promise of our faith is that we are already forgiven and, in + Christ’s name, given the power to rise up and subdue all that separates us from God and each other. Receive the Holy Spirit and be empowered to be witnesses of God’s resurrection power in Jesus Christ. C: Amen. HYMN “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing!” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: We thank you, almighty God, for the life of Jesus among us, and that he reigns in power for us. Strengthen our hope and bless the work of our hands, that we may live as his body in this world. In Jesus’ name we ask it. C: Amen. READINGS First Reading: Acts 1:1-11 [Luke writes:] 1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Gospel: Luke 24:44-53 44[Jesus said to the eleven and those with them,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “Lord, You Give the Great Commission” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Let us pray for the whole world and everything in it, for there is much need and want, and we, the church, have been called to be Christ’s body in our world today. P: We pray for all the people of the world, especially those who live in need of safety and basic necessities like reliable food and water.. May we be Christ’s body, C: the fullness of him who fills all in all. P: We pray for the nations of the world, especially their leaders, that they may see, understand, and honor the sovereignty of peace and compassion over their own self-interest. May we be Christ’s body, C: the fullness of him who fills all in all. P: We pray for the ill and the abused, and for all those who need protection and care. (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). May we be Christ’s body, C: the fullness of him who fills all in all. P: We pray for the earth and its delicate yet life-giving ecosystem. By the same power through which you resurrected Christ, empower us to restore endangered species, polluted waters, and unclean air. May we be Christ’s body, C: the fullness of him who fills all in all. P: We pray for your church and its called and elected leaders. May we all grow in faith and love, and know with surety the inheritance and hope to which you have called us. May we be Christ’s body, C: the fullness of him who fills all in all. P: Holy, holy, holy God, your power and majesty fill the universe, far above all we see and do, measure and name. You reign with Christ and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Christ has called us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. So let us give generously to fulfill that call. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. During May tangible items will be collected for the Geneva Heartland Boys Home. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bars of soap, toothpaste, combs, belts of all sizes (slightly used are fine), puzzles, word searches and pens. P: Holy One, we give you praise and the gift of our offerings, for, with Christ ascended by your side, you are God, awesome and Most High! C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Philippine Madrigal Singers BENEDICTION Ephesians 1:18-19 P: Go forth knowing the hope to which God has called you, the glorious inheritance that you have received, and God’s power that is at work for us through + Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. HYMN “You Servants of God” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 6th Sunday of EasterEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: We have been called to follow Christ by obeying his one commandment: that we love one another as he has loved us. Let us confess how we have fallen short of that love. Silence for personal reflection P: Loving God, C: we have not loved you or each other with our whole hearts. Forgive us, we pray, and lead us toward wholeness, that we may be filled with your joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. P: Through the life, death, and resurrection of + Jesus Christ, God forgives you all your sins. The God of mercy and might strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life. C: Amen. HYMN “I Come with Joy” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Loving God, help us to love others as Christ has loved us. Bring us into the spiritual joy of living our lives as your friend, and teach us to abide in your love, that we may show that love to the world. C: Amen. READINGS First Reading: Acts 10:44-48 44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days. Gospel: John 15:9-17 [Jesus said:] 9“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “In Christ There Is No East or West” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need. P: We pray for the abused and oppressed, both here and abroad. Comfort those who suffer. We pray for those who cause their suffering. Let your justice may be known in all the earth. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for families, communities, and nations torn apart by war and violence. May the world be imbued with your peace. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for the sick and the dying, for those who are lonely, for those living with grief or depression (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). Bring them your friendship and renew their joy. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for ourselves, your church, that we may bear fruit of peace, hope, and love, fruit that will last. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Now in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our friend, and in the Holy Spirit poured out on us, we sing a new song to praise you for you are doing marvelous things! C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. During May tangible items will be collected for the Geneva Heartland Boys Home. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bars of soap, toothpaste, combs, belts of all sizes (slightly used are fine), puzzles, word searches and pens. P: Holy God, in Christ you have chosen us to be your friends and to know your will in the world. Therefore we pray in Jesus’ name that these tithes and offerings would be sued to spread your love near and far. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spoken in Serbian BENEDICTION P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! P: The God of resurrection power, the Christ of unending joy, and the Spirit of Easter hope + bless you now and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Beautiful Savior” Singing starts at 1 minute CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 A couple weeks late, but here it is...Fifth Sunday of EasterEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sins. P: God of mercy, C: we confess that we have not borne the fruit of the Spirit. We have not loved others as you have loved us. We have denied the promises of baptism and cut ourselves off from you. Forgive us, restore us, that we may abide in your love and live out your mercy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. P: You have already been cleansed by the word that God has spoken to you. In baptism God claimed you and joined you to Christ, as branches to a vine. Believe the promise given to you: in Jesus Christ, + you are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN “Let All Things Now Living” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Wondrous Vinegrower, you make all things new in water and Word, feeding your people with love, joy, and peace. Lead us today and every day to the font of new beginnings. Teach us to love what you have commanded and to prune what does not nourish your creation, in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. READING: Acts 8:26-40 26An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. SERMON HYMN “We Know That Christ is Raised” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION after each petition… P: Let us join with all creation in praying for the good of the earth. P: O God, we give you thanks for your Holy Spirit whose work at creation continues in us. Through Christ Jesus you have shown your love for this earth you made. We pray that all the world may know your power and goodness; God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Word of life, reveal the wonder of your world to all people. Show us anew what lives around us, over us, beneath us, within us. Enliven the church with your Spirit, that we may honor your earth with responsible care. God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Almighty God, uphold our sisters and brothers who endure disasters caused by weather. We pray for those affected by the recent storms. Hold in your love people who have lost their homes, who are scared and overwhelmed. Be with those who are organizing relief efforts. God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Giver of all good things, bring trust and empathy to the nations of the world. Strengthen peacemakers wherever there is conflict. Give wisdom to leaders and hope to those who are scared. God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Good healer, we pray for all who are in need of comfort. Comfort those who mourn; uphold those who are sick, or awaiting words of hope, (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Trusting in your mercy, we commend to you all those we have named and those whose needs are known only to you, in the name of your Son, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER A special collection of "needed items" will be taken throughout May for Heartland Boys Home. Information is in your newsletter. P: Through our offerings, O God, give your loving Spirit to a world in need of comfort. Make our many gifts one offering for the world; in the name of Jesus. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spanish BENEDICTION P: The blessing of Almighty God be upon you today and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Now the Green Blade Rises” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Third Sunday of EasterEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin. P: To you, O God, C: all hearts are open, to you all desires known. We come to you, confessing our sins. Forgive us in your mercy, and remember us in your love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. P: By water and the Holy Spirit God gives you a new birth, and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God forgives you all your sins. The God of mercy and might strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life. C: Amen. HYMN “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. First Reading: Acts 3:12-19 12[Peter] addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. 17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48 Jesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “The Strife is O’er the Battle Done” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: O God our holy one, you feed our deepest hungers. As we share the holy meal that is the body and blood of Jesus given for us, lead us to share all that we have, and find, in generosity, abundant life. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our creator, you bring forth all life on earth. Calm storms, bring water to parched places, and protect the soil. Be with our farmers as they prepare for planting season. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our savior, you offer wisdom and guidance beyond all human knowledge. Guide lawmakers, judges, and elected officials in making decisions grounded in your justice and care for all people. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our heavenly parent, you care for all your children. Encourage those who are in times of transition, facing the loss, and anticipating change. Guide those who journey in grief, hope, and uncertainty (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our center, you bring all people together in you. Help us to remember our identity and purpose in our ministry. Move us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to share in beloved community. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our resting place, your Son Jesus promised that we are held in your love forever. We remember our beloved who have died. As we remember and share their love, comfort those who mourn. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church P: Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here, today, be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true vine. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung BENEDICTION P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! P: The God of resurrection power, the Christ of unending joy, and the Spirit of Easter hope + bless you now and always. C: Amen. HYMN “This Joyful Eastertide” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 2nd Sunday of EasterArtwork by Bernardo Ramonfaur EASTER CALL TO WORSHIP three times P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin. Silence for personal reflection P: O God, C: You have shown yourself to us by Word and Spirit, with signs and wonders, in flesh and blood, yet we still struggle to live and believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us; forgive us. Enter into our lives and cast out our fear so that we may come to trust in you and have life in Jesus’ name. Amen. P: We have an advocate with God— Jesus Christ, the righteous one— who offered his life in love to save the world from sin. This is the good news of the gospel: in Jesus Christ you are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God. HYMN “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Almighty God, with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. By the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. GOSPEL: John 20:19-31 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “We Walk by Faith” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: Your church cries out, O God, and you listen. As you drew near to the disciples, draw near to us this day. Give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that our faith may be renewed. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your creation cries out, O God, and you listen. Nurture trees, crops, wildflowers, and all growing things. Guide farmers, gardeners, and others who tend the soil and nurture plants into life. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your world cries out, O God, and you listen. Guide police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders to work for the well-being of communities and the dignity of every person, that no one may need to live in fear. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your children cry out, O God, and you listen. Hear your people crying out for justice, for an end to racism and other oppression, and for a world where all are fed and safe. We pray for all who cry out in suffering or pain (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo.). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Accept our gratitude, O God, for the lives of those who now rest in you. Grant us your peace amid our fears. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Holy God, we give you thanks and praise for light and life and love, and—above all— the presence of the living Lord among us. By your Spirit, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in us so that our lives would bear witness to the resurrection of Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Cantonese BENEDICTION P: With the power of the Holy Spirit, let your life be a sign of Christ’s + life so that others may come to believe that the Lord is risen indeed. C: Amen. HYMN “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Easter SundayEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! HYMN “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” Orchestra Intro. Singing starts 2:35 THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM P: When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. P: Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you. C: We glorify you. P: Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you. C: We praise you. P: Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you. C: We worship you. P: To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. C: Amen. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy One, you come to us with power beyond all knowing. You lift all things out of the dust, you breathe love into every cell, you call us into communion with you, and you claim victory over death. Blessed be your holy name now and forever. C: Amen. GOSPEL: Mark 16:1-8 1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus’ body]. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY “Thine Is the Glory” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: Holy God, we pray for the church, the body of Christ. Where the church is persecuted, protect it. Where the church is privileged, grant it humility. Where the church is fractured, heal it. Guide us all to embody Christ’s love in the world. And help us to continue to worship side-by-side even when we disagree on how to interpret your word. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Life-giving God, we pray for the earth, your good creation. As planting time approaches: guide farmers in their preparations, nourish the earth with rain and sun and good weather. Keep everyone safe in the fields and on the roads. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Merciful God, we pray for all peoples and nations. Free oppressed communities from occupation, exploitation, and abuse. Teach elected leaders your way of justice. Empower peacemakers and all who work to end violence and strife. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Liberating God, we pray for people everywhere who long for good news. Breathe new life and hope into people struggling to make it through each day. We pray for those we now name...God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Loving God, we pray for this community of faith and for your Spirit in our midst. Feed us at your communion table and fill us with your wisdom, that we may serve and care for others. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Eternal God, we remember those who have gone before us in death. Renew our trust in your promises, that we live with joyful courage and compassion. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church. P: Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Andrea Bocelli & Choir BENEDICTION P: Now may the truth of the empty tomb—the astonishing reality of Jesus’ resurrection—keep you fearless and sure that you will see the Resurrected One again and again in this life. May the power of God’s endless love surround you and guide you, this day and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! CHARGE P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! P: Go in peace. Tell what God has done. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Call to Worship One: We gather in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Prayer of Confession One: Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord’s call to struggle against all that keeps us from loving God and each other. This is the struggle to which we were called in our baptism. God never wearies of forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconciliation. On this night let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor, and enter the celebration of the great Three Days reconciled with God and with one another. All: Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Assurance of God’s Grace One: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace we have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. All: Amen. Prayer of the Day One: Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All: Amen. Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 1Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” 31b“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Sermon Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Hymn: “An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare” Prayers of the People One: God of power and might, on the night of Passover, you commanded your people to be ready to go in a hurry: to be dressed, with sandals on their feet, and walking stick in hand as they ate a special meal. We pray for people everywhere who long for freedom, who are ready, eager to do as you have commanded. Bring down oppression’s rule; overturn unjust laws; break the chains of those still enslaved; banish every form of human trafficking. Compel us, without delay, to enter a new place where all lives are honored and all voices are heard. God of tenderness and compassion, on the night before he died, Jesus set a table for his disciples. They took off their sandals and sat down in the presence of their Teacher and Lord, who washed their feet, one by one. We pray for people whose feet are tired and dusty from hard labor; for those whose backs are bent by care and worry; for those laid low by illness or guilt or grief. Wash away, we pray, the tiredness of our bodies and souls. Hold gently in your healing hands the broken places in our lives and relationships. Be our company in isolation, our source of hope in despair, and the way forward at every dead end. God of all good gifts, thank you for setting a table of welcome for everyone; for making room whether we are faithful or faithless or failures. We pray that all who are hungry will find enough to eat and clean water to drink as we share and live more responsibly. Teach us to sit down with enemies, sharing common meals and common hopes. Make us true servants of yours for the sake of the world. Teach us to love as you love for the sake of the world. We pray for faith that is worth handing on to yet another generation for the sake of the world you love. In Christ’s name we pray. All: Amen. Offering Prayer One: We are your servants, O God, for you have loosed all other bonds that held us captive. In freedom, we follow you. In gratitude, we praise you. Celebrating all that you have done for us in Christ, we bring you our tithes and offerings, asking you to add your blessing so that all that we have and all that we are may be used in blessing others. In Christ’s name we pray. All: Amen. Psalm 22 1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. 3Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame. 6But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. 7All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; 8“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver— let him rescue the one in whom he delights!” 9Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. 10On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled; 17I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; 18they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots. 19But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! 20Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21Save me from the mouth of the lion! From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me. 22I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him. 25From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever! 27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. 30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 |
AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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