The Sixth Sunday of Easter 5/14/23
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 14, 2023
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!
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THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE Praise the Almighty Setting: Steven Wente
WELCOME
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
ENTRANCE HYMN #797 Praise the Almighty
1 Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him!
Yes, I will laud Him until death;
With songs and anthems I come before Him
As long as He allows me breath.
From Him my life and all things came;
Bless, O my soul, His holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia!
2 Trust not in rulers; they are but mortal;
Earthborn they are and soon decay.
Vain are their counsels at life’s last portal,
When the dark grave engulfs its prey.
Since mortals can no help afford,
Place all your trust in Christ, our Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia!
3 Blessèd, oh, blessèd are they forever
Whose help is from the Lord Most High,
Whom from salvation can nothing sever,
And who in hope to Christ draw nigh.
To all who trust in Him, our Lord
Will aid and counsel now afford.
Alleluia, alleluia!
4 Penitent sinners, for mercy crying,
Pardon and peace from Him obtain;
Ever the wants of the poor supplying,
Their faithful God He will remain.
He helps His children in distress,
The widows and the fatherless.
Alleluia, alleluia!
5 Praise, all you people, the name so holy
Of Him who does such wondrous things!
All that has being, to praise Him solely,
With happy heart its amen sings.
Children of God, with angel host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Alleluia, alleluia!
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 151
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE LSB 152
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
THIS IS THE FEAST LSB 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. O God,
the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Acts 17:16-31
While Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) PSALM 66:8-20 (Sung responsively)
Bless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept our soul among the living
and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
I will perform my vows to you,
that which my lips uttered
and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,
with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats.
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
I cried to him with my mouth,
and high praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened;
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessèd be God,
because he has not rejected my prayer
or removed his steadfast love from me!
SECOND LESSON 1 Peter 3:13-22
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) CHILDREN’S SERMON
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand) LSB 156
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL John 14:15-21
The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 14th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON (Be seated)
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Like last week, today’s Gospel lesson comes from Jesus’ lengthy discourse to his disciples on the night before his death. Last Sunday’s portion made it clear that Jesus was preparing the disciples for his departure. And about this he said to them: “let not your hearts be troubled.”
Today we hear more about why the disciples don’t need to fear. That’s because Jesus would soon send the Holy Spirit – and this Spirit would be a Helper to them. The Spirit would help them by counseling them, comforting them and advocating for them – all actions communicated by the particular name Jesus uses here for the Spirit (the Paraclete). Moreover, this Spirit, as Jesus explains, would also dwell within them and be for them the Spirit of truth.
In two Sundays we will celebrate the giving of this Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus, which took place on the festival of Pentecost. But today we are still in the Easter season. And during this year’s Easter season we have been reading through the book of First Peter.
Peter was one of those disciples who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And in his book, he shares of the Spirit’s truth and power with Christian converts who are struggling to live their new faith amidst a people who don’t understand or appreciate them. Peter calls these Christians “elect exiles” in order to acknowledge their feelings of rejection by their neighbors, but also to remind them that that they have been chosen by God and are precious to him.
In today’s verses, Peter makes mention of God’s help through the Spirit by means of two particular statements. And we will note these as the sermon progresses.
But let’s start our examination of this text at the beginning. This will help us see Peter’s line of thought and allow us to catch the many other messages contained here. As we’ve discovered over the weeks, this book is packed full of excellent content. Peter gives us Law and Gospel proclamation, beautiful statements of comfort and encouragement, Old Testament quotations galore, and many references to the life and words of Jesus. The book is God’s word to us through the inspired writings of a great disciple, and we will be greatly blessed as we work through its meaning and messages.
Peter begins today’s section by saying: “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” Peter has been urging his hearers to live as Christ has taught them, and he does this here by paraphrasing one of the Old Testament proverbs. Proverbs 16:7 says: “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Peter reminds us that God has always given his care to those who love and trust him. Knowing this, we can then confidently live as he has urged. Jesus makes this same point in our Gospel reading by saying: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments, and I will… give you the Helper.”
Peter, however, also wants us to understand that God will allow us to experience times of suffering too. And these will come even when we are being righteous. Peter has stated this twice already in his letter. Here he mentions it again.
This suffering doesn’t mean that God isn’t caring for us. Quite the opposite, in fact. As Peter explains, our suffering will be used by God to bring certain blessings. He says: “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.”
And here Peter is echoing words he had given earlier in the chapter. He said: “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
Yes, our suffering will bring us some kind of blessing. And Peter’s explanation gives further assurance of this by echoing yet another Old Testament statement. God had famously told Abraham that he was blessing him in order to be a blessing to others. “Blessed to be a blessing,” we call it. And though the order is turned around here by Peter – our blessing of others coming first – the phrase still echoes that great promise given centuries before.
After making his point about blessing, Peter then tells his hearers not to fear their suffering. “Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” he says. And here Peter echoes the words of Jesus – those he used at the beginning of the great discourse mentioned earlier, where Jesus says: “Let not your hearts be troubled.”
Instead of troubled hearts, Peter says that the hearts of believers should reflect something else – their praise of God and their trust in him. Peter says: “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy.”
The honoring of Christ comes as people trust and obey him. And here this connection emphasizes that Jesus is no mere teacher, prophet or priest, as many people would claim. Rather, Jesus is God himself – the “Lord” and the one who is “holy.” As such, Jesus is actually the ultimate teacher, prophet and priest – the one whose words and actions impart truth and bring salvation.
Earlier in his letter Peter had told his hearers to “honor everyone.” He then added two specific instances of honoring: Christians are to honor the Emperor and husbands are to honor their wives (a good point to remember on Mother’s Day!). Here Peter teaches us to honor Christ – and to do so as the Lord who is holy.
In addition to this honoring – or perhaps as a way of further showing it – Peter then tells his hearers to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the
hope that is in you.” Here Peter returns to the idea of witnessing. Earlier in chapter two he had emphasized the importance of witnessing to Christ through good works. There he said: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable (There’s that word honor again!), so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (2:12). Here in chapter three we are told of the opportunity we have to witness through our words.
And note here that our words are to be ones of defense. Other places in scripture encourage us to go on the offense with our words – doing so by proclaiming the Gospel and giving witness to what we have seen and heard. But here Peter emphasizes the importance of making a good defense of faith.
As we know, opportunities for this will arise because people will question us. They will want to know why we speak, act and believe as we do. And this will certainly be the case if we abstain from certain activities they think are just fine or if we give our approval to certain restrictions that we feel will be helpful to our society.
Defending the faith is a critical task for Christians. And note, too, that the wording of the task is stated in a way here that calls on us to use logic. Peter’s use of the Greek word “logos” suggests a reasoned explanation of why Christians behave the way they do. It is a lot easier to defend our beliefs by simply saying: “Because it says so in the Bible.” And that is a reason, yes. But we will do better when we offer logical explanations as well, such as those derived from what we call “natural law.”
That being said, logic isn’t the only element at play here. Our reasoning is to point to our hope. And hope is a way of speaking about faith. Hope is looking at the future with eyes of faith.
Hope has great power. It’s something all people desire. And it has a very proven track record of moving people in good directions. As such, personal explanations of our hope can often be a greater witness than arguments from logic.
As well, our defense is to be given “with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience.” Gentleness and respect will always be appreciated. So also will a “good conscience,” which means that one acts from pure motives in a truthful way.
And with these words about witnessing and suffering, Peter concludes another section of his letter that we recognize to be “law.” For in it he has given important instructions on how we are to live as Christians.
Immediately following this, as is always the case, Peter then inserts a section of Gospel. He moves from telling us what we are to do, to telling us what God has done for us.
Here Peter tells of the help that comes from the Christ who has suffered. Christ’s suffering serves as an example for us in our suffering. Christ endured… and so can we.
But even more, Christ’s suffering serves as a means of our redemption. Peter says it this way: Christ “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.”
The sins he mentions here are our sins. They are also the sins which have been committed against us. We and all people are “unrighteous” because of our sin.
But Christ, who was completely righteous, suffered that our sins would not be held against us.
Christ’s greatest suffering occurred on the cross. And this he endured so that we might be “brought to God.” His death paid the price of our sin so that we might be reconciled to him.
Here Peter further describes what happened to Jesus on the cross by saying that he was “put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” The best way to understand this statement is to hear it saying that Christ’s human spirit and body were separated at his death but reunited at his resurrection. This understanding comes from a verse in the next chapter (v.6) where Peter says that the Gospel allows us to “live in the spirit the way God does.” Here we have that first reference to the Holy Spirit that was mentioned at the beginning of the sermon.
And this understanding of what is being said about Jesus parallels that which the scriptures say will happen to us at our death. At our death, our body will lie in the grave and our soul will be with the Lord in heaven. Then, sometime later, when Christ comes again, our bodies and souls will be reunited and live together with God in the New Creation.
At this point, Peter has shared with us all that we need to know in order to be encouraged, comforted and informed. He has told us of Christ’s victory over death and shown how this victory helps us endure our suffering.
But now Peter also tells us a little bit more. He has brought up the idea of being alive in the Spirit, and here he wants to elaborate on this. His goal is to tell us about the life of the Spirit and indicate how our Baptism plays a part in this. To illustrate this life he makes a comparison to the lives that were saved and lost during the days of the great flood, as well as a comparison to the journey of Jesus following his death. There are lots of comparisons being made here by Peter, and we can’t flesh out all of them in the remaining moments of this sermon. And honestly, I’m not sure that I or anyone can explain all that Peter was thinking here, since this part of his text has been a mystery from the beginning. But what we can say with confidence is that Peter wants us to understand that believers in Christ have been saved from their sins and given a new life – a life that was inaugurated by Baptism, connects us to the resurrection of Christ, and fills us with the Holy Spirit.
In closing, this part of Peter’s letter reinforces to us again that the Good News of salvation in Christ is to be proclaimed to the world. It is to be shared with all because it alone overcomes the suffering caused by the world’s sin and sustains believers in a Spirit-filled life.
The Gospel message is in fact so powerful and critical that it was even proclaimed to those in hell, by Christ who descended there following his death. Peter makes this point in our reading today too.
You and I are to proclaim the Gospel as we answer those who question us and as we endure the suffering that comes in life – including that which comes from those who revile us.
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” says Peter. “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy.”
May God lead us in this honoring of Christ – today and every day. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY #556 (Stand) Odd Stanzas Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done,
How His right arm the vict’ry won.
What price our ransom cost Him!
3 My own good works all came to naught,
No grace or merit gaining;
Free will against God’s judgment fought,
Dead to all good remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left only death to be my share;
The pangs of hell I suffered.
5 God said to His belovèd Son:
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of My crown,
And bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death for them that they
May live with You forever.”
7 To me He said: “Stay close to Me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I Myself will be;
For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, and you are Mine,
And where I am you may remain;
The foe shall not divide us.
9 “Now to My Father I depart,
From earth to heav’n ascending,
And, heav’nly wisdom to impart,
The Holy Spirit sending;
In trouble He will comfort you
And teach you always to be true
And into truth shall guide you.
APOSTLES’ CREED Hymnal, back cover
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
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, You bless and protect Your people in a world where many false gods are worshiped and much confusion about you reigns. Continue to send us the Spirit of Truth, that Your saints would both give and receive a clear proclamation of Jesus Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, Your Son suffered on our behalf to win our salvation. Grant that we may have the privilege not only of believing in Him but also of suffering for His sake. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of heaven and earth, You have called us to yourself through Baptism and given us the Holy Spirit. Grant Your Spirit’s steadfast guidance to our life together in this congregation. Grant that we not slip into sin and unbelief, but always live in praise of You before the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Creator God, from one man you have made all the nations of the earth, and through your gracious care you sustain and bless us. Grant leaders who will seek peace and serve justice to every land and community. And frustrate the causes of evil, violence and oppression in our world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father in heaven, in the vocation of motherhood You have given us a mirror of Your love. Bless all mothers in their calling, that they may nurture, guide and raise their children in all things good. Sustain them through weary and difficult times. And help them to find great joy in their efforts. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, You have promised not to abandon us in our need nor leave us as orphans. Equipped with this promise, send forth your people to those in need, that the lonely, poor, homeless and hurting may rejoice in Your presence and know the power of Your love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant your healing to those who are sick and to those who mourn. Hear us on behalf of Geraine, Ann, Sophia, Dolly, Gloria, Norma, Brooks, Trudy, Mary Ann, June, Peter, Wendy, Ron, James, Trey, Russell, Rich, Sarvottam and all whom we name before you in our hearts… Heal them according to your divine will, and above all sustain them in faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY #955 Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
1 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.
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SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
PREFACE LSB 160 ff
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary …evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS
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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI
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.
THE COMMUNION (Be seated)
The Communion Assistant will come forward to receive first, then those from the pulpit side – by order of pew, front to back. Communicants will come up the center aisle and return via the side aisle. When all from the pulpit side have communed, the baptismal font side will commune in the same manner. We ask that the wine be consumed away from the tray table. Empty cups should be dropped into the receptacles.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN #616 Baptismal Waters Cover Me
1 Baptismal waters cover me
As I approach on bended knee;
My Father’s mercy here I plead,
For grievous sins of thought and deed.
2 I look to Christ upon the tree,
His body broken there for me;
I lay before Him all my sin,
My darkest secrets from within.
3 Lord, may Your wounded hand impart
Your healing to my broken heart;
Your love alone can form in me
A heart that serves You joyfully.
4 From Your own mouth comes forth a word;
Your shepherd speaks, but You are heard;
Through him Your hand now stretches out,
Forgiving sin, destroying doubt.
5 Baptismal waters cover me;
Christ’s wounded hand has set me free.
Held in my Father’s strong embrace,
With joy I praise Him for His grace.
PRAYER (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #842 Son of God, Eternal Savior
1 Son of God, eternal Savior,
Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
Hallows all our human race,
You our Head, who, throned in glory,
For Your own will ever plead:
Fill us with Your love and pity,
Heal our wrongs, and help our need.
2 As You, Lord, have lived for others,
So may we for others live.
Freely have Your gifts been granted;
Freely may Your servants give.
Yours the gold and Yours the silver,
Yours the wealth of land and sea;
We but stewards of Your bounty
Held in solemn trust will be.
3 Come, O Christ, and reign among us,
King of love and Prince of Peace;
Hush the storm of strife and passion,
Bid its cruel discords cease.
By Your patient years of toiling,
By Your silent hours of pain,
Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure,
Stem our selfish greed of gain.
4 Son of God, eternal Savior,
Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
Hallows all our human race:
By Your praying, by Your willing
That Your people should be one,
Grant, O grant our hope’s fruition:
Here on earth Your will be done.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Son of God, Eternal Savior Setting: Duane Funderburk
FLOWERS: In celebration and thanksgiving for 50 years of marriage.
By Ted and Linda Lay
Those serving:
Sunday, May 14, 8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Jim Easterly
Comm. Assistant: Judy Koucky
Reader: Cameron Swanson
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Charles Fisher
Comm. Assistant: Dan Buuck
Reader: Charles Fisher
Acolyte: William Dennis
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2023 Concordia Publishing House
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful Text: John W. Arthur, 1922–80
Tune: Richard W. Hillert, 1923–2010 Text & Tune: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
Praise the Almighty Text: Johann Daniel Herrnschmidt, 1675–1723; tr. Alfred E. R. Brauer, 1866–1949, alt. Tune: New-vermehrte Christliche Seelenharpf, 1665, Ansbach Text & Tune: Public domain
Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Richard Massie, 1800–87, alt. Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg Text & Tune: Public domain
Son of God, Eternal Savior Text: Somerset T. C. Lowry, 1855–1932, alt.
Tune: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse . . . Contradanseu, c. 1710, Amsterdam Text and tune: Public domain
