5th Sunday of Easter – May 10th Service

The Fifth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2020

WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome on this 5th Sunday of Easter

This is also the 2nd Sunday of May which means it is Mother’s Day!
     – be sure to call your mother today 🙂

Covid Update: When will we be able to worship together again and celebrate the Lord’s Supper? Soon.

If you haven’t heard, Daniel Kusch came home from the hospital on Wednesday to the joy of Pastor Matt and Hailey.

I believe this past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. We want to acknowledge:
Our Sunday School Teachers:
Carie Boulanger, PJ & Melanie Aarsvold, Kim Kruse, Loriann Reynolds
Mary Stake, Rachel Schmidt, Lyndsey Sherman, Pastor Matt and Hailey

We also wanted to recognize those who have taught and those are currently teaching in the Public arena:
Retired:
Diane Colvin, Phyllis Miesner, Maurine Trapp Kathy Husemann (now RN),
Margene Jerrolds, Linda Tucker, Ali Berens (now in the AF)

Active:
Kim Lloyd, Rachel Weaver, Amy Boggs, Eric Stake, David Boggs, Bill and Merina Feldmann,
Christie Poteet, Karen Anders, Kara Brockmeyer who finished her first year,

(and what a year it has been for all our teachers!)

Lastly, be sure to join us next week to see the Baptism of Finley “Finn” Brooks Grant, newborn son of Nathan and Hannah Grant.

Of the many things Jesus said, one of the most memorable phrases he taught us was, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life.” We begin our worship today in honor of God’s Son, Jesus, who became flesh to show us the way to God, to bring us the truth of His person and work, and to give us the resurrected life now in time, and in the life to come.

INVOCATION

P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

OPENING SENTENCES

adapt. from Matthew 28:7; Hebrews 2:7; Psalm 8:6
P: Christ has risen from the dead.
C: God the Father has crowned Him with glory and honor,

P: He has given Him dominion over the works of His hands;
C: He has put all things under His feet.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

P: Holy God,
C: we lower our heads before You and we confess that we have often forgotten that we are Yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no God and we fall short of being credible witnesses to You. For these things we ask Your forgiveness and we also ask for Your strength. Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see You in the moment-¬by-moment possibilities and to live like the first Christian martyr Stephen: honestly, courageously, and with the voice of godly wisdom to the glory of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

P: Because of our Lord’s mercy God has redeemed us through the sacrifice of His beloved Son, Jesus. And now it is as Peter said: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies 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.” Therefore, in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

SHARING OF THE PEACE

SONG OF PRAISE

“Everlasting God”

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Let us pray.
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

FIRST READING

Acts 6:1–9; 7:2a, 51–60 (the account of Stephen’s Martyrdom)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.

And Stephen said:

“Brothers and fathers, hear me… “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE

1 Peter 2:2–10 (A living stone and a holy people)
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”

and

“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”

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, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies 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.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

VERSE

Romans 6:9; John 14:23
P: Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. Alleluia.
C: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL

John 14:1–14 (I am the way, the truth, and the life.)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fourteenth chapter.
C: Glory to You, O Lord.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to 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 had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? 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 authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN No. 526

“You Are the Way; through You Alone”
You are the way; through You alone
Can we the Father find;
In You, O Christ, has God revealed
His heart and will and mind.

You are the truth, your Word alone
True wisdom can impart;
You only can inform the mind
And purify the heart.

You are the life; the empty tomb
Proclaims your conqu’ring arm;
And those who put their trust in you
Not death nor hell shall harm.

You are the way, the truth, the life;
Grant us that way to know,
That truth to keep, that life to win,
Whose joys eternal flow.

SERMON

“Simple Phrases”
John 14:1-14
Pastor Matt

CONFESSION OF FAITH

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERING

A SPECIAL GIFT FOR OUR MOMS

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: Gracious Father in heaven, the Psalmist reminds us, “You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15.
Hear us today, as we call upon You for the help only You can provide. Lord in Your mercy.
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Grant power to Your Word, O Lord, as it is proclaimed boldly by Your Church filled with the Holy Spirit in the faithful witness of all; Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

P: Turn the hearts of all who bear the authority of government in our land and around the world that they serve and lead all people in the ways of justice, peace, and freedom. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

P: Give us Your Spirit, O God, to walk in the ways of Jesus and to be faithful citizens in the world in which we live, that we may learn the power of humble service as our Lord Jesus has taught us. Lord in Your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Merciful God, Give Your healing comfort to all who suffer sickness or injury. In the silence of our hearts we now call out to You the names of those whose burdens we are helping to carry today.

(Silence)

P: Give aid to those suffering from the coronavirus and from the economic disaster it is spreading across the world. Grant resources to the poor and helpless. We thank You, O God, for every person who has recovered from this deadly virus and pray that their healing may provide answers for a cure to the researchers and doctors who are treating those still struggling under this disease. Lord in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

P: O Lord our God, we pray for Marcia Kempton’s mother, Betty Munson, who has been taken into hospice care. We thank You for giving her a solid faith throughout her life, and especially now in the hour of her need. Be with Marcia, Paul, and their family as they come to grips with what seems inevitable, yet at the same time trusting You have prepared a special place for her in the glories of heaven.

We pray for our Church neighbor, George Hubbard, who is battling what appears to be a return of cancer. He is our neighbor, but more importantly he is Your child by faith. You restored him once, may we be so bold as to ask for a second touch of divine healing on his behalf. Lord in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer

P: We pray again for those in the assisted living homes and nursing care facilities, and ask You to watch over our dear brothers and sisters, Lorene Lurtz, Eugene & Beverly Szolga, Jeanine Stake, Polly Scherrer, Dean Paulsmeyer, and Cornelia Paulsen. They are alone and isolated. Let them find comfort in Your companionship, O Lord, and help us to find ways to communicate our love to them in creative ways. Lord in Your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer

P: We give You, O God of Life, special praise and thanks today for baby Daniel’s homecoming and for giving him the blessing of physical healing over the past 3 weeks. Bless this beloved family and their time together that their familial love may grow stronger as their love for You increases and is strengthened by Your abiding presence. Lord in Your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Creator God, today we set aside this Sunday to offer You special thanks for our mothers.

Some of our mothers are with us every day and night, loving us with their attention and humble service, tirelessly attending us through their daily routines of working, teaching, mentoring, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, and still finding the energy to tuck us into bed at night with a kiss. We bless You for the gift they are to us.

Some of our mothers living far away can only speak to us through electronic devices. Bridge the miles between them and their children and Help them to know the gratefulness and love of their children.

Some of our mothers are living in dire situations due to age and/or illness, and are unable to respond to the affections of their children. Break through those barriers by Your grace that these precious mothers may be given the awareness of those precious moments of affection.

Some of our mothers are grieving today because they have lost a child through miscarriage or premature death, and have no child with whom to share this special day. O Lord God, Pour out a special measure of Your grace and grant them divine comfort and peace in this tragic absence. Fill their emptiness with an overflowing of Your Spirit’s presence.

Some of our Mothers, Lord of Heaven, You have taken to their eternal rest and we have but bits and pieces of cheerful memories. Grant us the ability to hold onto those memories with joyful admiration and thankfulness for the days we shared together.

We thank You for the precious gift of motherhood, Lord of Love, and Whatever situation our mother finds herself in today, please bless her, and speak tenderly to her by Your still small voice so that her memories may be blessed with joy and her grief comforted. Lord in Your mercy.
C: hear our prayer.

P: O God our times are in your hand; Look with favor on your servants Mary Stake, Haydin Williams, Kim Williams & Davis Griffin as they begin another year of earthly life. Grant that in the coming years they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; Lord in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

P: Holy God, We thank You for the loving union You have create and blessed in the marriages of Chris & Sandie Rust, Kyle & Virginia Kesting, and Roger & Phyllis Miesner. Keep strong their love for one another and let nothing come between them to dim that love. We ask You, Spirit of Wisdom and Friendship, to walk with them through the years as You unfold the story of their lives together. Lord in Your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Finally, heavenly Father, we pray for all who suffer any persecution for standing for the truth of the Christian faith. Give us strength to endure. Increase our faith and faithfulness, believing that the risen Christ leads us to the glory of eternal life in Your kingdom: through Him who died and rose on the 3rd day to bring us the life that never ends, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with You and the Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen.

A poem was recently written as a Prayer for healing and comfort in time of this current pandemic. It is sung to the tune of: “On Galilee’s High Mountain.”

HYMN No. 835

“Prayer for Healing and Comfort”
(written for the Time of COVID-19)
Tune: On Galilee’s High Mountain – LSB 835

O God, we ask Your blessing
As many are so ill.
You are the Holy great One;
You promise and fulfill.
You are the Great Physician;
You care when we’re in pain.
Please help us through these tough times.
Your will be done, we pray.

Your children cannot worship
Together as we’d like,
But we are very thankful
For ways we can unite.
Technology can help us;
O how You do provide
A way to hear Your Gospel–
Good News of Jesus Christ.

Help us to share the burden
In any way we can,
To help and love our neighbor,
All those from every land.
‘Til health restored allows us
To gather once again
We praise You, blessed Jesus,
With patience until then.

Though we are not together,
You, God, are with us all.
You strengthen us and help us
To live as You have called.
All glory we will give You—
God Father, Spirit, Son.
You are our Hope forever–
In You the vic’try’s won.

LORD’S PRAYER

(Matthew 6:9-13)
P: Remember us in Your kingdom, Lord, and teach us to pray:
All: 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.

BLESSING OF THE LORD

Numbers 6:24–26
P: The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The LORD smile upon you and + give you peace.
C: Amen.

P: Most of you are familiar with the Gaither Vocal Band. High tenor, David Phelps is one of the greatest singers you will ever hear and in closing I wanted to send you off this week with his inspiring rendition of “He’s Alive.” Be Blessed!

CLOSING HYMN

“He’s Alive”
David Phelps and the Gaither Vocal Band