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Seventh Sunday of Easter
Peace Lutheran Church
May 24, 2020
AS WE GATHER… “The fruit of the Spirit is……Self-Control.” As we continue to live in challenging times, we are tempted to live by a ME-First mentality. But this is neither Jesus’ way nor the way of the fruit of the Spirit. Today we are challenged to live with a WE-first mentality. We think of others and act in ways to bless others first. This is what Jesus has done for us through His life-giving sacrifice on the cross!
READING
Reader: Our first reading for today comes from: 2 Peter 1:3-11.
Reader: God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us tohis own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualitiesare yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Reader: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fifteenth chapter.
Reader: As the Father has loved me, so have I 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ!
HYMN: “God of Grace and God of Glory” LBW 415 (vs. 1,3 & 4 only)
Text: Harry E. Fosdick, 1878-1969, © Tune: John Hughes, 1873-1932 ©1978 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis and Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia.
1. God of grace and God of Glory,
On your people pour your pow’r;
Crown your ancient Church’s story;
Bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour, For the facing of this hour.
3. Cure your children’s waring madness;
Bend our pride to your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss your kingdom’s goal, Lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
4. Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore;
Let the gift of your salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving you whom we adore, Serving you whom we adore.
MESSAGE “Spiritual Wellness: Self-Control”
MESSAGE REFLECTION
Rate each of the following: Almost Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 Almost Always
_____ The Spirit faithfully gives me the joy of self-control as the flesh’s passions are subdued.
_____ My physical health choices result in vitality for service to God, family and church.
_____ While always present, physical passions and desires do not control me.
_____ Total Self-Control
God is teaching me that…
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. As we grow in the Christian faith, we pray for an increase of the Word, that it be freely shared and bring the good news of sins forgiven through Christ to every place. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: We pray for the world in which we live, asking that there would be times of peace and security in our days and that we know days of blessings and joy. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: We pray for the Church and for this household of faith, that we be the radiant Bride of Christ, daily growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: We lift our petitions now for the sick, the homebound, and all who this day are in need of our intercession, (especially…….), that their prayers soon be answered and that they be supported by God’s people as they honor Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: As we pray this Memorial Day weekend, we remember with gratitude those valiant people of the armed forces of our nation who have fought and died to protect the liberties that are central to our way of life. (Moment of silence) Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” LBW 566
Text: Samuel F. Smith, 1805-1895, Tune: Thesaurus Musicus, London, 1744 ©1978 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis and Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia.
1. My country, ‘tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died,
Land of the Pilgrims’ pride,
From ev’ry mountain side Let freedom ring.
2. My native country, thee, Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills Like that above.
3. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song: Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.
4. Our fathers’ God, to thee, Author of liberty,
To thee we sing: Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light.
Protect us by thy might; Great God, our king.