20 May BULLETIN – SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023

Posted at 16:07h in Bulletins by Messiah Lutheran Church

WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES

Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor

Greta Wright, Music Director

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Seventh Sunday of Easter

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS Page 56

ENTRANCE HYMN

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus #158

APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57

KYRIE & HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-59

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 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 Page 62

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.”

SERMON

HYMN of the DAY

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind #506

PROFESSION of FAITH

APOSTLES’ CREED Page 65

PRAYERS of INTERCESSION

Men and women known as Jesus followers constantly devoted themselves to prayer. United by hope and joy in the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.

Christ ascended, may the power of your Holy Spirit unite the church as one: reforming us into a stronger, bolder witness able to make your name known throughout all nations. Make us merry and joyful in your presence. Grow in us what you have planted: mutual love for the sake of the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Compassionate Creator, your holy habitation is not only among the clouds, but in all places. Make the wilderness a home, give rain to deserts. Restore balance and health to the waters of creation, make your Spirit hover over all that you have made. Sustain the planet’s atmosphere, climate, and original goodness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Empowering Spirit, inspire and challenge activists, organizers, teachers, politicians, and all who lead to speak messages of peace and enact justice. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Protecting Father, you care for all your children. Show steadfast love to those suffering neglect, rejection, exclusion or isolation. Comfort all who are suffering from pain, fear, addiction or other illness (especially those on our prayer list). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of sustenance and restoration, we give thanks that humankind serves as your body in the world, stewarding your abundant gifts. Guide this congregation as we seek your will. We pray for the well-being of all who participate, serve or support our churches and members in any capacity. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Glorious rescuer of the lost, thank you for claiming us as your own and for doing what it took to raise both Jesus and your saints from death to life. We give you thanks for all persons who have given us a glimpse of your redeeming love. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

You are holy and merciful, holy and mighty, the river of life and an everlasting wellspring. In mercy and might you free us from sin, sickness and death. We lift up our prayers to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit with confidence, humility and thanksgiving. Amen

EXCHANGE of PEACE

OFFERING & OFFERTORY

Create in me… Page 75

LORD’S PRAYER

BENEDICTION Page 74

CLOSING HYMN

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name #328

DISMISSAL Page 74

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.

BULLETIN – SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023