07 May BULLETIN – SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Easter
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS Page 56
ENTRANCE HYMN
Hallelujah Jesus Lives #147
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-58
This Is the Feast… Pages 60-61
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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.
FIRST READING ACTS 7:55-60
Filled with the Holy Spirit, [Stephen] gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 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. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 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.
PSALM 31:1-5, 15-16
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
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.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.
My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.”
SECOND READING 1 PETER 2:2-10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 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. 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.” 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,” 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. 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. 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.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
GOSPEL JOHN 14:1-14
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 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’? 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. 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. 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. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
You Are the Way #464
PROFESSION of FAITH
Apostles Creed Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
God of life, strengthen your church in number and help us to worship and serve you. Support and sustain our church homes and ministries. Help us act to help others. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Creating God, help animals adapt to loss of habitat and coexist with humanity. Establish crops and help them grow to harvest. Provide everything for growth and food for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Mighty God, encourage organizations and businesses who strive to bring hope to others. Give them wisdom and power when making decisions. Preserve their integrity. Open their ears and hearts to consider the needs of all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Loving God, Remove the temptation to start smoking or vaping from teens and help anyone who’s addicted quit. Help teens in depression seek comfort from you. Provide employment and homes for those currently without either. We pray for all who are sick (especially those on our prayer list). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Assuring God, help those struggling with change. Give them courage and the ability to persevere through it. When uncertainty causes stress at work, in school, or at home, calm fear and doubt. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Father God, help Mia, Keaton, and Jaylen continue following your path for their lives. Inspire them to stay connected to the church by lending a hand and attending services. Guide their steps to walk in your ways. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Renewing God, we give you thanks for those who have gone before us. Comfort those mourning loved ones, struggling with loss and grieving. Give them hope, strength, and reminders of your presence. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, we lift our prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
Let the vineyards… Page 66
PRAYER
Blessed are You… Page 68
LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION Pages 68-72
THE LORD’S PRAYER
POST COMMUNION CANTICLE Pages 72-73
POST COMMUNION PRAYER Page 74
BENEDICTION Page 74
CLOSING HYMN
The Church’s One Foundation #369
DISMISSAL Page 74
POSTLUDE