Virtual Service for May 9, 2021
Sixth Sunday After Easter
The congregation reads the boldface responses
PRELUDE
GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
This Sunday’s image of the life the risen Christ shares with us is the image of friendship. We are called to serve others as Jesus came to serve; but for John’s gospel, the image of servanthood is too hierarchical, too distant, to capture the essence of life with Christ. Friendship captures the love, the joy, the deep mutuality of the relationship into which Christ invites us. The Greeks believed that true friends are willing to die for each other. This is the mutual love of Christian community commanded by Christ and enabled by the Spirit.
The congregation stands.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Refreshed by the resurrection life we share in Christ,
let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.
We thank you, risen Christ,
for these waters where you make us new,
leading us from death to life, from tears to joy.
We bless you, risen Christ, that your Spirit comes to us
in the grace-filled waters of rebirth,
like rains to our thirsting earth,
like streams that revive our souls,
like cups of cool water shared with strangers.
Breathe your peace on your church when we hide in fear.
Clothe us with your mercy and forgiveness.
Send us companions on our journey as we share your life.
Make us one, risen Christ.
Cleanse our hearts.
Shower us with life.
To you be given all praise,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God,
now and forever. Amen.
The congregation is seated.
GATHERING HYMN
Love Divine, All Love Excelling (LBW 315) (Vs. 1-4)
Vocal: Chris & Christopher Simcox and Piano: Nanette Lutz
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav’n, to earth come down!
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter ev’ry trembling heart.
2. Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev’ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit;
let us find thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty, to deliver;
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
4. Finish then thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee!
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
The congregation stands.
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.
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 congregation is seated.
WORD
FIRST READING
Acts 10:44-48
A reading from Acts:
While Peter shares the good news of Jesus with a Gentile soldier and his family, the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Recognizing that the Spirit works inclusively in the lives of both Jews and Gentiles, Peter commands that these Gentiles also be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALMODY
Psalm 98
Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things,
whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known your victory,
you have revealed your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands;
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
SECOND READING
1 John 5:1-6
A reading from 1st John.
God’s children believe that Jesus is the Messiah and love God by keeping God’s commandments. Thus the world is conquered not through military might but through love and faith.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This 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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The congregation stands.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATON
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (LBW 158) v. 1
Vocal: Linda Dillinger and Piano: Nanette Lutz
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood:
"Jesus out of ev'ry nation
has redeemed us by his blood."
GOSPEL
John 15:9-17
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I 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. You 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. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The congregation is seated.
SERMON
Oh, to Be Chosen!
Pastor Harkness
HYMN OF THE DAY
My Song Is Love Unknown (WOV 661) (v. 1, 2, 7)
Vocal: Chris & Christopher Simcox and Piano: Nanette Lutz
1. My song is love unknown,
my Savior’s love to me,
love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
2. He came from his blest throne
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange, and none
the longed-for Christ would know.
But, oh, my friend, my friend indeed,
who at my need his life did spend!
7. Here might I stay and sing--
no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
never was grief like thine.
This is my friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend!
Text: Samuel Crossman, c. 1624-1683
The congregation stands.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before Gpd who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.
A brief silence.
The response to “Lord, in your mercy,” is “hear our prayer.”
The prayers conclude:
In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The congregation is seated.
OFFFERING
OFFERTORY
"Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” (Prayer of St. Francis), Temple / arr. Holstein
Duet: Chris & Christopher Simcox Piano: Nannette Lutz
The congregation stands.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. God of love,
you call us beloved children and welcome us to your table.
Receive our lives and the gifts we offer.
Abide with us and send us in service to a suffering world;
for the sake of your beloved Child, Jesus Christ.
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 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.
SENDING
BLESSING
May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom
to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus.
The God of life,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.
The congregation is seated.
You will be dismissed by the ushers after the dismissal.
SENDING HYMN
Abide with Us, Our Savior (LBW 263) (Vs. 1-4)
Vocal: Chris & Christopher Simcox and Piano: Nanette Lutz
1. Abide with us, our Savior,
nor let your mercy cease;
from Satan’s might defend us,
and grant our souls release.
2. Abide with us, our Savior,
sustain us by your word;
that we with all your people
to life may be restored.
3. Abide among us always,
Lord, with your faithfulness;
O Jesus, leave us never,
but help us in distress.
4. Abide with us, our Savior,
O Light of endless light,
bestow on us your blessings,
and save us by your might.
Text: Josua Stegmann, 1588-1632; tr. unknown, sts. 1-2, 4; F. W. Detterer, st. 3; alt.
DISMISSAL
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB125183.
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