The Service in PDF format is at: May 18, 2025 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Anne Schroeder & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek, Seamus Harrington, Archer Schroeder
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl
Today, May 18, 2025
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Sophia Snyder
Flowers Alan & Angela Sanford
AS WE GATHER…When the Gentiles began showing up, the Church was left with a question. Were the Gentiles those whom the Father had also elected, or were they intruders? God had already shared an answer to this question. The Gentiles were no longer the outsiders who did not belong but a people who shared in the gift of forgiveness and the promise of the resurrection to everlasting life. All of this unfolded in small steps until, in the wake of Pentecost, this truth was made clear and plain for all to see.
CHORAL ANTHEM “On Eagle’s Wings”
Words & Music by Michael Joncas; Choral Setting by Douglas E. Wagner; Copyright 1995 by New Dawn Music.
Chorus: And He will raise you up on eagle wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord,
“My refuge, my Rock in whom I trust.”
Chorus
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear
under His wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
Chorus
You need not fear the terror of the night,
not the arrow that flies by day,
though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come.
Chorus
For to His angels He’s given a command
To guard you in all of your ways;
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Chorus
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen!
Leader: Praise the Lord!
People: Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens!
Leader: Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
People: Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!
Leader: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
People: Praise the Lord!
OPENING UP TO GOD…
Leader: God who is gracious and merciful:
People: We confess our sins to you, the sins in our thoughts, words and actions. You command us to love one another as You have loved us. Our love for others often misses the mark. Instead of warmly welcoming others, too often we have approached people with cold hearts. Instead of extending Your mercy and grace, too often we have kept it just for ourselves. Forgive us today on account of Your Son—Jesus. 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.
SONG OF CONFESSION: (Twice through)
Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true.
Change my heart, oh God. May I be like You.
You are the potter. I am the clay.
Mold me and make me. This is what I pray.
Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true.
Change my heart, oh God. May I be like You.
…AND RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS
Leader: Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my Father’s name, it will be given to you.” Having asked for forgiveness by confessing to the Father, now receive the forgiveness you desire. Jesus died for your sins and took on your punishment. You are forgiven. I announce God’s grace and forgiveness in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Leader: The Lord be with You!
People: And also with you!
Leader: We pray together:
People: 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. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
What God has made clean do not call common.
11 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.
6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.
12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
A new commandment do I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. I am going to the Father.
Leader: When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “This is My Commandment”
Arr. by Betty Pulkingham; © 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publications, Phoenix, AZ 85076
This is my commandment
that you love one another,
that your joy may be full.
This is my commandment
that you love one another,
that your joy may be full.
That your joy may be full,
that your joy may be full.
.
This is my commandment
that you ‘trust one another,
that your joy may be full.
This is my commandment
that you ‘trust one another,
that your joy may be full.
That your joy may be full,
that your joy may be full.
.
This is my commandment
that you serve one another,
that your joy may be full.
This is my commandment
that you serve one another,
that your joy may be full.
That your joy may be full,
that your joy may be full.
“Break the Power of the Past”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: I have faith in God, in response to overwhelming love…I believe that God created me and all that I have, and has given to me gifts beyond measure.
I have faith in Jesus, who emptied Himself out of His love for me. I believe that Christ died on a cross for my sin, conquered death and the power of evil, and was raised to life on the third day. His death is mine, His resurrection is mine, new life is mine because of Jesus’ words and work.
I believe in the Holy Spirit in response to overwhelming love. I believe that the Holy Spirit is present here among us and lives within each person. The Spirit continues to call people by the Gospel and creates and builds the church of Christ. Through the power of the Spirit I have power to stand in strength and against all adversity.
I believe that Jesus is preparing a place for me and will come again to take each of us to be with Him. Amen.
OFFERING
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.
Leader: God has made His dwelling place with man; He will dwell with us, and we will be His people; and God will be our God. In confidence of this, let us raise to Him our prayers on behalf of those in need and all people.
Leader: Almighty Father, You met a divided world with one saving love and will, manifested in the incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Make us one people in Him and bless all efforts to come into true unity. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Give us Your Spirit, O Lord, that we welcome the stranger and boldly speak Your Word to those who have not heard it. Guide us by Your grace that we be faithful witnesses until You come in Your glory to complete Your perfect plan. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Govern the nation, O Lord, and bless our leaders, that they be people of good moral conscience and integrity, for the sake of the poor and the oppressed, and for the encouragement of virtue and good works. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Great Physician, Your healing power is greater than all the technology of human invention. Be at work for good through the vocations of all healthcare professionals, workers, and caregivers that those who suffer any affliction of body, mind, or spirit, (including…), would know the nearness of Your presence and experience the joy that comes from abiding in Your love. 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 Christ Jesus, our Lord.
People: Amen.
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
DISTRIBUTION SONGS
Twila Paris; 1985 Jubilee Communications Inc. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing); Mountain Spring Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Your only Son no sin to hide
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God
.
Chorus: Oh Lamb of God sweet Lamb of God
I love the holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
.
Your gift of love they crucified
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
The humble King they named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God
Chorus
I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be called a lamb of God
Chorus
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”
Text: Omer Westendorf, Tune: Wlsh Folk tune, © Public Domain
Sent forth by God’s Blessing,
Our true faith confessing,
The people of God from
his dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended,
Oh, now be extended
The fruits of this service
in all who believe.
.
The seed of his teaching,
Receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for
God and for all.
His grace did invite us,
His love shall unite us
To work for God’s kingdom
and answer his call.
.
With praise and thanksgiving
To God ever living,
The tasks of our ev’ry day life
we will face.
Our faith ever sharing,
In love ever caring,
Embracing his children of
each tribe and race.
.
With your feast you feed us,
With your light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life
that we share.
Then may all the living
With praise and thanksgiving
Give honor to Christ
and his name that we bear.
Leader: The blessing of God—the Father, who sent His Son into this troubled world; the + Son, who kept all the Father’s word in our stead; and the Holy Spirit, who has gifted us with words and music, sharing and responding to God’s love—bless you now and always.
People: Amen.
CLOSING SONG “For the Beauty of the Earth”
Text: Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835-1917, alt. Tune: Conrad Kocher, 1786-1872.; ©Public Domain
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies;
Christ our Lord, to you we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
.
For the wonder of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flow’r,
Sun and moon and stars of light:
Christ our Lord, to you we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight:
Christ our Lord, to you we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above;
For all gentle thoughts and mild:
Christ our Lord, to you we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
.
For yourself, best Gift divine
To the world so freely giv’n;
Agent of God’s grand design,
Peace on earth, and joy in heav’n.
Christ, our Lord, to You we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING………… Pastor Lucke will be continuing Christian Caregiving Skill building classes in the month of May via zoom. All are welcome to attend. The next sessions will be on Wednesday of May 28 and June 4 at 10 am. The sessions won’t go any longer than 40 minutes. It is certainly good to seek professional counseling services for serious concerns (ie. serious mental or emotional disturbance, severe depression, etc.). There are ,however, some ways in which Christians can support others who are experiencing common life crises: death of a loved one, financial problems, feeling guilty, separation from a loved one. Pastor Lucke’s sessions will address how to caregive in these instances. See him if you would like to attend so that you can receive the email link.
ROTARY PRESENTATION………. The Philomath Rotary Club is meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at noon and will have a special presentation. The presentation will be by Robert Thurston. Robert is a Philomath Rotarian and has served as a USAID employee for many years. Robert will give a sense of what USAID does from an ‘on the ground’ perspective. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Lindy if you will be attending so that we can plan ahead.
BIBLE STUDY……………. Elder Dave is leading an Adult Sunday School class on the Book of James. All are welcome to attend! James brings the Christian faith down to earth. We’ll discover what it means to be a true community and honor each other in our life together. We’ll discover how important encouraging words are to someone going through a hard time. We’ll also discover how our words can set things on fire. Bring your Bibles and an open mind to this study. All are welcome! We meet in the sanctuary at 9 am each Sunday.
NEW MEMBER CLASS…………… Pastor Lucke will be offering a new member class in the month of June. RSVP to him so that date and time can be best determined. This is an opportunity to discover what it means to be Lutheran, what values Peace holds dear, and how a person can find a place to belong and serve in the church family.
FURNITURE SHARE…………… Peace is supporting a new community partner this year: Furniture Share. The housing crunch in Benton County is a well known problem. One item we don’t often think about is furniture. Due to the high cost in housing, many people struggle filling their homes with essential furniture, household items and food boxes. Furniture Share provides for 4,000 individuals each year at the poverty/extreme low income level. Do you want to find out more about Furniture Share and visit? Peace has been invited for a tour of the facility and to find out more about its mission. The date of the visit is Thursday, May 29th at 2:00 pm. Let Pastor Lucke know if you’d like to attend!
