The Bulletin is at: 05-28-2017 Bulletin
The Service in PDF format is at: 05-28-2017 Seventh Sunday of Easter
or the service is as follows:
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
05/28/2017
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
AS WE GATHER………..Where is eternal life? Eternal life is wherever Jesus is. That includes everywhere Jesus has been in His life on this earth. It includes everywhere Jesus will be. Eternal life is also everywhere Jesus is now. Finally, eternal life is wherever Jesus is with you—in your thoughts, words, and acts of kindness in daily love and service to your neighbor.
RINGING OF THE BELL
After the bells rings we take a few moments in silence to prepare our hearts and minds for today’s worship.
OPENING HYMN Green Book 151 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia
Our Triumphant holy day, Alleluia
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia
Unto Christ our heav’nly king, Alleluia
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia
Now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia
Praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia
P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
WE CONFESS OUR SINS
P: O God, who is One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity,
C: We confess that we are by nature servants of disunity and division. We have not lived in harmony with You, with other people, or with ourselves. Forgive our turning away and by Your grace, restore us to oneness for the sake of Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Silence for reflection
RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS
P: Upon this your confession, I as a servant of Christ and by His authority, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE: Red Book 135 “Majesty”
Majesty, worship His majesty.
Unto Jesus be all glory power and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority flow from His throne
unto His own who His anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify. Come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship His majesty.
Unto Jesus be all glory power and praise.
Majesty, worship His majesty,
Jesus who died now glorified, King of all kings.
P: Let us pray. Almighty God, You are the Creator of all things and the Author of all life. Grant that we may receive eternal life by knowing You, the only true God, entrusting our lives to Jesus, the One You have sent through Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
First Lesson: Acts 1:12-26 A new witness to Jesus’ resurrection
Then they (the apostles) returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Epistle: I Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 Suffering with grace
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL: John 17:1-11 Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
SERMON HYMN Green Book 369 “The Church’s One Foundation”
The Church’s One Foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation By water and the Word.
From heav’n he came and sought her To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.
Elect from ev’ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth,
One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses with ev’ry grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder This world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up: “How Long?”
And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.
Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore;
Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest
And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth has union with God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won.
O blessed heav’nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace,
That we, like saints before us, May see you face to face.
SERMON “The Persecuted Church” 1 Peter 4:16 Rev. Herb Hoefer
C: 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 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.
(We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.)
OFFERTORY
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
P: O God, who is One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, restore us to oneness with ourselves and with other people even as You have restored us to oneness with You through faith in our Lord Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: O God, who is One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, help the leaders of the civil realm both here and around the world for follow paths of justice for all people, protecting the weakest and poorest in every society, and to practice honesty and integreity in all their affairs. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: O God, who is One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, be with all people who suffer affliction of body, mind, or spirit, (especially……). Grant that all people may look to You and experience healing and wholeness according to Your good and gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: O God, who is One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, be with us this weekend as we remember those who have fallen while serving our country. You have given us this good land as our heritage. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: All glory, honor, power, and might be unto You, dear Father, who with Your Son, Jesus, are living and reigning in the unity of love by the Holy Spirit, ever one God in three persons, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
C: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING BLESSING
P: 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.
C: Amen.
Music by Don Besig, Words by Don Besig & Nancy Price
DISMISSAL
P: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God!