As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today's gospel includes Jesus' promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father's house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus' mission in the world. As First Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christour way, our truth, our life.
Today we delight to welcome Ayla Eden Evinsky, daughter of David and Sarah, into the Church of Christ Jesus through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Ayla and all the baptized are promised a place in the kingdom of God forever!
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An usher will gladly provide you with assistance.
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.
We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so that we may record your presence with us.
PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW
We give you thanks, gracious God, that Christ Jesus has prepared a place for us in your eternal kingdom. May our lives, our families, and our congregation reflect your welcoming love for all. Open our eyes so that we will see you in the stranger, the foreigner, and the sojourner, and open our hearts to welcome them, until we all reach our eternal home, through Christ our Lord. Amen. THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
PRELUDE: Prelude/Postlude Bender Simple Gifts Traditional
WELCOME
INVOCATION
In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
GATHERING SONG: All Are Welcome(ELW 641)
GREETING
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN
FIRST READING: Acts 7:5560
55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 Look, he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 31:15, 1516
Refrain:
Tone:
1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be | put to shame; deliver me | in your righteousness. 2 Incline your | ear to me; make haste to de- | liver me. 3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag | and my stronghold; for the sake of your name, lead | me and guide me. 4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly | set for me, for you are my tow- | er of strength. R
5 Into your hands I com- | mend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O LORD, | God of truth. 15 My times are | in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who | persecute me. 16 Let your face shine up- | on your servant; save me in your | steadfast love. R
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:210
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
7 To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,"
8 and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
VERSE: I am the way, the truth, | and the life.* No one comes to the Father ex- | cept through me. GOSPEL: John 14:1-14
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
HYMN OF THE DAY: Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters (ELW 445)
THE RITE OF HOLY BAPTISM
Candidates for baptism, sponsors, and parents gather with the ministers at the font. The assembly stands.The presiding minister may address the assembly in these or similar words:
God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world.
Ayla Edens sponsors may present her: I present Ayla Eden for baptism.
The presiding minister addresses parents or others who bring for baptism children who are not able to answer for themselves: Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have your child baptized into Christ?
Response: I do.
The presiding minister continues: As you bring Ayla Eden to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: to live with her among God's faithful people, bring her to the word of God and the holy supper, teach her the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in her hands the holy scriptures, and nurture her in faith and prayer, so that she may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.
Do you promise to help your child grow in the Christian faith and life? Response: I do.
The presiding minister addresses sponsors: Sponsors, do you promise to nurture Ayla Eden in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God's Spirit, and to help her live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church? Response: I do.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly: People of God, do you promise to support Ayla Eden and pray for her in her new life in Christ? We do.
The assembly stands. The presiding minister addresses the parents and sponsors.
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? I renounce them.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly as well. Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? 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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? 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.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister begins the thanksgiving: The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: We give you thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and you created heaven and earth. By the gift of water you nourish and sustain us and all living things. Blessed be God now and forever.
By the waters of the flood you condemned the wicked and saved those whom you had chosen, Noah and his family. You led Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land. Blessed be God now and forever.
In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection your beloved Son has set us free from the bondage to sin and death, and has opened the way to the joy and freedom of everlasting life. He made water a sign of the kingdom and of cleansing and rebirth. In obedience to his command, we make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Blessed be God now and forever.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that those who are here baptized may be given new life. Wash away the sin of all those who are cleansed by this water and bring them forth as inheritors of your glorious kingdom.
To you be given praise and honor and worship through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The presiding minister baptizes Ayla Eden. The candidate is immersed into the water, or water is poured on the candidate's head, as the presiding minister says: Ayla Eden, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The assembly responds: You belong to Christ, in whom you have been baptized. Alleluia.
Laying both hands on Aylas head, the minister prays for her:
Gracious and loving God, sustain Ayla Eden with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.
The presiding minister marks the sign of the cross on Aylas forehead. Oil prepared for this purpose may be used. As the sign of the cross is made, the minister says: Ayla Eden, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.
A representative of the congregation offers Ayla a lit candle, saying: Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The ministers and the baptismal group face the assembly. A representative of the congregation leads the assembly in the welcome. Let us welcome the newly baptized. We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world.
The assembly shares the peace of Christ. The Peace of the Lord be with you always! And also with you!
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Pastor: Made alive in Christ and filled with his Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of God's creation.
Please sit or kneel as you are able.
Each petition ends with: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Receive our prayers, merciful God, and dwell in us richly, through Jesus Christ, our life and our redeemer. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANTHEM AT THE OFFERING Allelujia, Christ is Risen J. S. Bach OFFERTORY HYMN: Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful (ELW 182)
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
DIALOGUE
PREFACE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.
LORD'S PRAYER
Risen Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 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
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us! Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!
COMMUNION
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.
Lutherans believe the true body and blood of Christ are really present in the Supper of our Lord under the form of bread and wine and are there distributed and received. All baptized persons are welcomed to Communion when they are visiting this congregation. If you wish to commune, please come forward to receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ with your hands cupped. If you cannot or do not wish to commune you may come forward with your hands crossed over your chest for a blessing.
LAMB OF GOD
SONG DURING DISTRIBUTION: Children of the Heavenly Father
SONG AFTER COMMUNION: This J oyful Eastertide, v. 1(ELW 391)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ's resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son's resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God's will, working in you that which is pleasing in God's sight; through + Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. SENDING HYMN: Christ I s Alive! Let Christians Sing (ELW 389)
DISMISSAL
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
POSTLUDE Chorale Partita on Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing Wells
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of the May 23 rd birthday of Russell Thacker. Given by Sharon Thacker
COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, May 18, 2014 Erik, King of Sweden, martyr, died 1160 Erik is considered the patron saint of Sweden. As king of that nation, he tried to bring peace in the region, and to spread Christianity in Scandinavia. He was also known for his attempts to make fair laws and to protect those who were poor or sick.
Wednesday, May 21 Helena, mother of Constantine, died 330 Influenced by her son to become Christian, Helena (or Helen) lived an exemplary life of faith. She is also remembered for traveling through Palestine building churches on the sites she believed to be associated with Christ's life.
Saturday, May 24 Nicolaus Copernicus, died 1543; Leonhard Euler, died 1783; scientists These two men were both scientists who helped to explain the wonders of God's universe. Copernicus is best known for promoting the idea that the sun, not the earth, is at the center of our solar system. Euler was one of the founders of pure mathematics, and contributed to many other fields.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26794.