17 May Bulletin – Sunday, May 17, 2026
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Organist
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Seventh Sunday of Easter
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
THANKSGIVING for BAPTISM
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
Let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism: water, and the Word, anointing by God’s Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you formed and filled us with the water of creation. You give us morning dew, gentle rains, and splashing waves. We thank you for every drop of water that nourishes.
Blessed are you. Guide us to springs of life.
Jesus Christ, Word of God, you are the faithful witness who accompanies our journeys. We give thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection and praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you. Speak to us and stir our hearts.
Holy Spirit, we need you to inspire and guide this world. There’s far too much turmoil and harm being done. Unite us in the common purpose of seeking peace and being satisfied with enough. Let nothing cloud our ability to recognize you among us.
Blessed are you. Bring calm to places of chaos.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism, and for making us a new creation.We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN
Give to Our God Immortal Praise! #520
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 and online their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord.
🎶Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE
🎶Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
🎶Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father: we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
🎶The Lord be with you.
🎶And Also with you.
Let us pray:
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God of glory, your Son Jesus Christ suffered for us and ascended to your right hand. Unite us with Christ and each other in suffering and in joy, that all the world may be drawn into your bountiful presence, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1:6-14
When [the apostles] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But 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.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They 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.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
PSALM 68:1-10, 32-35
Let God arise, and let God’s enemies be scattered; let those who hate God flee.
As smoke is driven away, so you should drive them away; as the wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them also be merry and joyful.
Sing to God, sing praises to God’s name; exalt the one who rides the clouds; I Am is that name, rejoice before God!
In your holy habitation, O God, you are a father to orphans, defender of widows;
you give the solitary a home and bring forth prisoners into freedom; but the rebels shall live in desert places.
O God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
You sent a bountiful rain, O God; you restored your inheritance when it languished.
Your people found their home in it; in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord.
You ride in the heavens, O God, in the ancient heavens; you send forth your voice, your mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; whose strength is in the skies.
How wonderful you are in your holy places, O God of Israel, giving strength and power to your people! Blessed be God!
SECOND READING 1 PETER 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
🎶Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the 17th chapter.
🎶Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL JOHN 17:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words [to his disciples,] he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
🎶Glory to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus #158
PROFESSION of FAITH Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation. A brief silence.
God, encourage people to sing your praises not only while in church. By your Holy Spirit, inspire everyone to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
God, your creative power fills the universe. Bring favorable weather to nurture plants and animals, protect the earth from natural disasters and guide every human to care for all you have made. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
God, may your values be exercised by those in authority. Instill in political and business leaders, school administrators, and all who care for others a desire for peace, fairness, justice and impartiality. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
God, show compassion and care toward families who are anxious. Provide for bereaved spouses, parents and orphans. As any suffer decline, lose mental faculties or bodily functions, assist with adaptation. Prevent what causes hurt or harm. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
God, Bless those experiencing life transitions. As you go with us wherever we are, make your presence and your provisions known during these times. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
God, your promise of eternal life is certain and sure. Inspire us by the steadfast faith of those who go before us so that we may be confident in the assurances you give. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
O God, you’ve given us so much: a portion of your strength and power, the comfort of an earthly home and the promise of one in heaven. You placed us within families and help us add onto them. You continue to allow enjoyment of many freedoms. We take nothing for granted. Use the blessings we have and all that you’ve given to proclaim good news and to bring new life to all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our risen Savior. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
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 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.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
🎶Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit.
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN
Let All Things Now Living #557
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Altar flowers at St. Peter are presented by Sallianne Bechtel in memory of loved ones.