We are worshiping at 9 am Sunday.

May 5, 2024

Welcome & Introduction

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Silence is kept for reflection.

Look, here is water!

Here is our water of life! Alleluia!

Immersed in the promises of baptism,

let us give thanks for what God has done for us.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning

your voice thundered over the deep

and water became the essence of life.

Adam and Eve beheld Eden’s verdant rivers.

The ark carried your creation through the flood into a new day.

Miriam led the dancing as your people passed through the sea

into freedom’s land.

In a desert pool the Ethiopian official

entered your boundless baptismal life.

Look, here is water!

Here is our water of life! Alleluia!

At the river your beloved Son was baptized by John

and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

By the baptism of Jesus’ death and resurrection

you opened the floodgates of your reconciling love,

freeing us to live as Easter people.

We rejoice with glad hearts,

giving all honor and praise to you,

through the risen Christ, our source of living water,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

Look, here is water!

Here is our water of life! Alleluia!

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”

1 Joyful, joyful we adore thee,

God of glory, Lord of love!

Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,

praising thee, their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

drive the gloom of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

2 All thy works with joy surround thee,

earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,

stars and angels sing around thee,

center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,

chanting bird, and flowing fountain

call us to rejoice in thee.

3 Thou art giving and forgiving,

ever blessing, ever blest,

wellspring of the joy of living,

ocean-depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother,

all who live in love are thine;

teach us how to love each other,

lift us to the joy divine!

Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1922

Pastor - 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.

Kyrie

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

Canticle of Praise

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches and wisdom and strength,

and honor and blessing and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor and glory and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God,

for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray,

O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all we can desire; through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The assembly is seated.

First Reading Acts 10:44-48

A reading from Acts beginning with the 10th chapter.

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.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 98 Read responsively

1Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things, whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
2O Lord, you have made known your victory,
you have revealed your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
5Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the voice of song.
6With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy before the king, the Lord.
7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it, the world and those who dwell therein.
8Let the rivers clap their hands, and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, who comes to judge the earth.
9The Lord will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity”

Second Reading 1 John 5:1-6

A reading from 1John beginning with chapter 5

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

Gospel John 15:9-17

The holy gospel according to John, the 15th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

[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.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Congregation is seated

Sermon

Congregation stands for Hymn of the Day

Hymn “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”

Refrain

Jesu, Jesu,

fill us with your love,

show us how to serve

the neighbors we have from you.

1 Kneels at the feet of his friends,

silently washes their feet,

master who acts as a slave to them. Refrain

2 Neighbors are wealthy and poor,

varied in color and race,

neighbors are nearby and far away. Refrain

3 These are the ones we will serve,

these are the ones we will love;

all these are neighbors to us and you. Refrain

4 Kneel at the feet of our friends,

silently washing their feet:

this is the way we will live with you. Refrain

Text: Tom Colvin, 1925-2000, alt.

Text © 1969 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.

Having heard the Good News proclaimed, let us stand and confess our faith together using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.*

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Assistant-Prayers of Intercession

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.

A brief silence.

Your Holy Spirit falls upon all who hear the word. May your

spirit give the church wise and understanding hearts like Peter. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

You speak and the face of the earth is renewed. Revive your creation, that habitats and every kind of living thing might flourish. May the church long to partner with you in the work of renewing your creation.God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Your world is divided and the nations rage. Grant wisdom and vision to world leaders, that they may seek justice, peace, and the good of all. May the church be people who act justly and nurture peace.God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Your children are in need. Comfort all those who suffer, especially those afflicted by anxiety, depression, and mental illness. Help us to be conduits of your love in our care for one another. We pray especially for Sue & John, Diane, Carol, Gordon & Margaret, Bart, Jay, Paul, Cork & Cheryl, Loreen, Cheryl, Rillys, Myron, Louanna, Sharon, Carol, Norma, David, Mary Lou, Tyler and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Your work is done in this place with our hands. Bless the ministries of this congregation, that we may embody your love for the world. May we discern the leading of your Spirit in all we do.God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Your blessed saints now rest in you. Give us thankful hearts for those who have gone before us. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

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.

Amen.

Offering “Now the Green Blade Rises “

1 Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;

love lives again, that with the dead has been;

love is come again like wheat arising green.

2 In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,

thinking that he would never wake again;

laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;

love is come again like wheat arising green.

3 Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,

he that for three days in the grave had lain;

raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;

love is come again like wheat arising green.

Text: John MacLeod Campbell Crum, 1872-1958

Text from Oxford Book of Carols © Oxford University Press 1928. All rights reserved

Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.

Pastor- Offertory Prayer

We pray,

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 true vine.

Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ,

who gave himself to take away our sin;

who in dying has destroyed death,

and in rising has brought us to eternal life.

And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses

of the resurrection,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,

who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,

who preached good news to the poor,

and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,

we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,

and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,

the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be all honor and glory, now and forever.

Amen.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. (Sung)

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

The risen Christ is made known to us

in the breaking of the bread.

Come and eat at God’s table.

Congregation is seated

Instructions for Communion

We commune at the rail, in our seats and online…

“Lamb of God”

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

grant us peace, grant us peace.

Prayer after Communion

Shepherding God,

you have prepared a table before us

and nourished us with your love.

Send us forth from this banquet

to proclaim your goodness

and share the abundant mercy of Jesus,

our redeemer and friend.

Amen.

Pastor - Benediction

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The God of resurrection power,

the Christ of unending joy,

and the Spirit of Easter hope

☩ bless you now and always.

Amen.

Hymn “I Come with Joy”

1 I come with joy, a child of God,

forgiven, loved, and free,

the life of Jesus to recall

in love laid down for me,

in love laid down for me.

2 I come with Christians far and near

to find, as all are fed,

the new community of love

in Christ's communion bread,

in Christ's communion bread.

3 As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,

each proud division ends.

The love that made us, makes us one,

and strangers now are friends,

and strangers now are friends.

4 The Spirit of the risen Christ,

unseen, but ever near,

is in such friendship better known,

alive among us here,

alive among us here.

5 Together met, together bound

by all that God has done,

we'll go with joy, to give the world

the love that makes us one,

the love that makes us one.

Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936

Text © 1971, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.

Dismissal

Alleluia! Go in peace. Rejoice and be glad.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Permission for liturgies by Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS004206

Sundays and Seasons 2024