Worship Service: May 21, 2023

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Prelude

“Glorify Thy Name”
Donna Adkins

Gathering

Easter Acclamation

P:  Alleluia! Christ is risen.

C:  Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Confession and Forgiveness

Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

P:  Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Please kneel or stand as you are able. Silence is kept for reflection.

P:  Gracious God,

C:  have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

P:  God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.

C:  Amen.

P:  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

C:  His mercy endures forever.

Please stand as you are able.

Entrance Hymn #386 (green hymnal)

“Christ Is the King!” vv. 1-2, 4-5

1  Christ is the king! O friends, rejoice;
brothers and sisters, with one voice
let the world know he is your choice.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2  Oh, magnify the Lord, and raise
anthems of joy and holy praise
for Christ’s brave saints of ancient days.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4  Let Love’s all reconciling might
your scattered companies unite
in service to the God of light.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

5  So shall the church at last be one;
so shall God’s will on earth be done,
new lamps be lit, new tasks begun.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Greeting

P:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C:  And also with you.

Kyrie

♫ LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 57)

L:  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  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.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

C:  Amen.

Hymn of Praise

♫ LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 58)

L:  Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

C:  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.

Prayer of the Day

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Let us pray.
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.

C:  Amen.

The Word

Blessing of the Lector

P:  Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord, your servant Patrick as he reads to us the holy word. May our hearts burn within us as you open to us the scriptures; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated.

First Lesson: 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. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 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.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 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. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Psalmody

“Glory to God Who Reigns on High!” (Psalm 68)

Leader
Glory to God who reigns on high!
We are sheltered by Your care.
Father to all:
in need, our God is always there.
God, our provider and our hope,
the defender of the poor.
The bounty of God
is here, and is forevermore!

Refrain (All)
Praise be to God:
God, our power and strength and trust!
Praise be to God
for the love You have given us.

Leader
Glory to God who reigns on high!
God, our power, our strength, our King.
We sleep in peace,
secure beneath Your sheltering wing.
Glory to God who reigns on high.
We proclaim Your majesty.
Mighty our God,
who reigns throughout eternity.

Refrain (All)

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

12 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. 13 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. 14 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.
5:6 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. 10 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. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospel Acclamation: Hymn #671 (blue hymnal)

“Alleluia, Alleluia” vv. 1-3

Refrain
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.

1  Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation. Refrain

2  Spread the good news o’er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen. Refrain

3  We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live for ever. Refrain

The Holy Gospel: John 17:1-11

P:  The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 17th chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

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. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 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.”

P:  The Gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Silence for reflection and meditation.

Hymn of the Day #206 (green hymnal)

“Lord, Who the Night You Were Betrayed”

1  Lord, who the night you were betrayed did pray
that all your church might be forever one:
help us at ev’ry eucharist to say
with willing heart and soul, “Your will be done.”
That we may all one bread, one body be,
through this, your sacrament of unity.

2  For all your church on earth, we intercede;
Lord, make our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us all closer, each to each, we plead,
by drawing all to you, O Prince of Peace;
so may we all one bread, one body be,
through this blest sacrament of unity.

3  And hear our prayer for wand’rers from your fold;
restore them, too, Good Shepherd of the sheep,
back to the faith your saints confessed of old,
and to the church still pledged that faith to keep.
Soon may we all one bread, one body be,
through this blest sacrament of unity.

4  So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
may we be one with all your church above–
one with your saints in one unbroken peace,
one as your bride in one unbounded love;
more blessed still, in peace and love to be
one with the Trinity in unity.

Please stand as you are able.

The Apostles’ Creed

A:  Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
 creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
 He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
  and born of the virgin Mary.
 He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
  was crucified, died, and was buried.
 He descended into hell.
 On the third day he rose again.
 He ascended into heaven,
  and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
 He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
 the holy catholic Church,
 the communion of saints,
 the forgiveness of sins,
 the resurrection of the body,
 and the life everlasting. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Service of Sunday School and Youth Leaders

P:  A reading from the Gospel of Matthew: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

  Dear Sisters and Brothers, we wish to give thanks for your service at the end of our Sunday School year. When we began Sunday School last fall, you promised to seek to teach the Word of God faithfully, to love your students and co-workers, and to fulfill your responsibilities to the best of your ability in Jesus’ name.

  We are gathered together to give thanks to God for you because you have kept your promises and God has provided abundantly for the spiritual growth of our children and youth through your service.

  For your willingness to serve,
For your passion for the ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
And for your dedication to the Gospel,

C:  We give thanks.

A gift of gratitude is given.

P:  Now during the season of summer, we encourage you to take Sabbath—to rest in God’s arms, and we encourage you to continue to receive and to share God’s gifts among us, united together in the body of Christ and the mission we share.

  Let us pray.
O God of wisdom, in your goodness you provide faithful teachers who feed your children every Word that comes from your mouth. Thank you for these, your servants, who have enriched this congregation and generously shared their gifts with us in the spirit of love. Now bless and preserve them at this time of transition, and give them a clear vision of that to which you are now calling them. Send your blessing on all of these, your servants. Grant them rest, rejuvenate their souls, and make us all ready to live the gospel, eager to do your will, and courageous enough to know and to love your Truth, Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord.

C:  Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

A:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

After each petition:

A:  Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

After the last petition:

A:  Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

The Peace

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

The ministers and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Please remain standing for the offertory.

Invitation to Offering

A:  Since we belong to the Father and to the Son (John 17:10), we cast our burdens onto Jesus who cares for us (1 Peter 4:7), and give our offering that we might glorify him.

Offertory

LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 66)

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us
a foretaste of the feast to come.

Offertory Prayer

A:  Let us pray.

C:  Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

The Meal

The Great Thanksgiving

LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 68)

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

P:  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everliving God. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of our Lord; for he is the true Passover Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin, who by his death has destroyed death, and by his rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

♫ LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 68)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

P:  Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

  Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
 to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.

  In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

  Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

  With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

C:  Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P:  O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.

C:  Come, Holy Spirit.

P:  Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.

C:  Come, Holy Spirit.

P:  With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever.

C:  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

P:  Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

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.

Invitation to Communion

P:  The risen Christ invites us to this table. Come, eat and be raised from the dead.

Please be seated.

Agnus Dei

♫ LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 72)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.

Communion

P:  The Body of Christ, broken for you.

  The Blood of Christ, shed for you.

Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.

Communion Hymn #203 (green hymnal)

“Now We Join in Celebration”

1  Now we join in celebration
at our Savior’s invitation,
dressed no more in spirit somber,
clothed instead in joy and wonder;
for the Lord of all existence,
putting off divine transcendence,
stoops again in love to meet us,
with his very life to feed us.

2  Lord, as round this feast we gather,
fill our hearts with holy rapture!
For this bread and cup of blessing
are for us the sure possessing
of your loving deed on Calv’ry,
of your living self, our vict’ry,
pledge of your unfailing presence,
foretaste here of heav’nly gladness.

3  Lord, we share in this communion
as one fam’ly of God’s children,
reconciled through you, our brother,
one in you with God our Father.
Give us grace to live for others,
serving all, both friends and strangers,
seeking justice, love, and mercy
till you come in final glory.

Communion Hymn #212 (green hymnal)

“Let Us Break Bread Together”

1  Let us break bread together on our knees;
let us break bread together on our knees.

Refrain
When I fall on my knees,
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

2  Let us drink wine together on our knees;
let us drink wine together on our knees. Refrain

3  Let us praise God together on our knees;
let us praise God together on our knees. Refrain

Table Blessing

P:  The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

C:  Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle

LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 72)

Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell ev’ryone what he has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Post-Communion Prayer

A:  Let us pray.
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

C:  Amen.

Sending

Announcements for God’s Mission in the World

Please stand as you are able.

Blessing

P:  Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Closing Hymn #721 (blue hymnal)

“Go, My Children, with My Blessing”

1  “Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river
I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.

2  “Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story,
here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.

3  “Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you,
here his tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.

4  “I the Lord will bless and keep you, and give you peace.
I the Lord will smile upon you, and give you peace.
I the Lord will be your Father,
Savior, Comforter and Brother.
Go, my children, I will keep you, and give you peace.”

Easter Dismissal

A:  Alleluia! Christ is risen.

C:  He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

A:  Go in the peace of the risen Christ. Alleluia!

C:  Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Postlude


Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Nancy Erbeck, Assisting Minister
Patrick Cathcart, Reader

Upcoming Events

Sunday, May 21: The Seventh Sunday of Easter

9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After worship: Council elections
2 pm The Chosen Bible study
2 pm Reading HS Baccalaureate Service (at St. John’s UCC)

Monday, May 22

**Epistle items due**

5:30 pm Memorial service for John Smith

Tuesday, May 23

6:30 pm Venture Scouts

Wednesday, May 24

2:30 pm Bible study
6:30 pm Order of the Arrow – Little Miami chapter

Thursday, May 25

6 pm Scouts BSA

Sunday, May 28: The Day of Pentecost

10:30 am Worship Service
2 pm The Chosen Bible study

Monday, May 29: Memorial Day

7 am Decorate parade float
8 am Leave for parade starting point

Wednesday, May 31

2:30 pm Bible study

Copyright Notices

Glorify Thy Name: Text and music by Donna Adkins © 1976, 1981 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) and Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.).

Christ Is the King!: Text by George K. A. Bell from Songs of Praise, Enlarged Edition, © Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Music by Charles R. Anders © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Glory to God who Reigns on High: Text and music by Stephen J. Pearson © 1998 Psalmistry Music.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks: Text and music by Donald Fishel © 1973 International Liturgy Publications; arr. by Betty Pulkingham © 1979, Celebration.

Now We Join in Celebration: Text © Joel W. Lundeen, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Let Us Break Bread Together: Arr. © 1972 Contemporary Worship 4, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Go, My Children, with My Blessing: Text © 1983 Jaroslav J. Vajda.

Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.

Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.