The Service in PDF format is at: May 4, 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 4, 2025
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Kathy Hanna
Flowers Matt & Brandy
THEME: Was there a more dramatic conversion story than with Saul of Damascus? Even the one who orchestrated the persecution and martyrdom of the first Christians surrenders to the power of Christ and His resurrection.
Instead of turning his world upside down, at last Paul has his life right side up. We may not have experienced the drama of the Damascus road, but our lives have been set right in Christ fully and finally. Knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection means that all things have been made new and right with Jesus.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Leader: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires are 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.
People Amen.
Leader: 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 ~~~~~
Leader: Most merciful God,
People: We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. 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. 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.
Leader: God, our heavenly Creator, hears the prayers of all people and answers those prayers. Our prayer for forgiveness is answered in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sin that we might have new life. By the command of Jesus, I forgive you all of your sins—in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: 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.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
People: Amen
HYMN OF PRAISE
Leader: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
People:
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever, Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Salutation
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Leader: Let us pray.
Leader: Merciful Father, in Your great love You gave forgiveness to Saul, and by Your Spirit, You brought him to faith in Your Son. Grant that we, too, may be rescued from unbelief and, by Your grace, be granted the favor of Your friendship and redemption to believe in Jesus, our Savior, and to serve His purpose in all that we do; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
“Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Jesus restores Peter by directing him to a great catch of fish
21 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN: “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds”
Paul Z. Strodach, 1876-1947 (alt.); © 1958 Service Book and Hymnal
Now all the vault of heaven resound
in praise of love that still abound,
“Christ hath triumphed, hallelujah”;
sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear,
repeat their song of glory here,
“Christ hath triumphed, Christ hath triumphed!”
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
.
Eternal is the gift he brings;
wherefore our heart with rapture sings,
“Christ hath triumphed, Jesus liveth!”
now doth he come and give us life;
now doth his presence still all strife
through his triumph; Jesus reigneth!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
.
Oh fill us, Lord, with dauntless love;
set heart and will on things above,
that we conquer through thy triumph,
grant grace sufficient for life’s day,
that by our lives we ever say,
“Christ hath triumphed, and he liveth!”
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
.
Adoring praises now we bring
and with the heavenly blessed sing,
“Christ hath triumphed! hallelujah!”
Be to the Father and our Lord,
to Spirit blest, most holy God,
thine the glory never ending!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
“If God can use me—God can use anybody!”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Chri
st, 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 to the dead.
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 Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives given to the Lord in humble service.
Leader: Emboldened by Your mercy, we come before You, O Lord, with the prayers of our hears and with confidence in Your good and gracious will to answer our prayers.
Leader: Blessed Lord, You forgave Peter his betrayal and appointed him to feed Your sheep. Forgive our sins, restore us to Your service, and bless all that we do that it may be to Your glory. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: By Your grace, O Lord, You turned Saul from an enemy of Your kingdom into Your servant and sent him as an apostle to the Gentiles. Turn the hearts of our own rebellion, and by Your Spirit wear down our resistance to You, that we also may be bold witnesses to Your mercy. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: According to Your will, O Lord, You heal the sick. Hear us on behalf of all who suffer any ill of body or mind and grant them strength for the day and keep them in Your grace to everlasting life. Hear us especially for ( names ). Guard us against despair and keep us in the day of trouble. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: As Your Son has granted, O Lord, we come to His Table there to receive the fruits of His redeeming work in this communion upon His body and blood. Nourish us for faithfulness in this life, and by this Holy Communion nurture in us the grace to keep us to everlasting life. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM “Come Share God’s Gift”
Words by Nancy Price and Don Besig; Music by Don Besig
In friendship and love, faithful and true;
come now and know the grace of God is all around you.
.
In worship and praise, honoring Him;
come now and pray and thank Him for all He gives to you.
.
Come servants of the Lord and graciously receive
the meal prepared for you this day.
In mem’ry of Christ, gathered in peace; come now and share
this moment of fellowship and faith.
.
Let us break bread together in His name, in His name.
Let us break bread together in His name, in His name.
With our hearts joined as one, to His table now we come
and we seek forgiveness in His name.
The body of Christ, broken for you;
take now and eat and let His spirit dwell within you.
.
The blood of the Lord, shed for your sins;
take now and drink and let His forgiveness make you new.
For all who break this bread and all who drink this cup
are joined in Christian harmony.
.
The gift of the Lord, offered in love; come now and share
His promise of everlasting peace.
Come now and share God’s peace.
THE 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
Stuart Wesley Keene Hine; Copyright 1949 and 1953 Stuart Hine Trust CIO Stuart K. Hine Trust (Administration: USA All rights by Capitol CMG Publishing, except print rights for USA, North, Central and South America administered by Hope Publishing. All other non USA Americas rights by the Stuart Hine Trust. Rest of World – Integritymusic.com.)
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds, Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow’r thru’out, The universe displayed
.
Chorus: Then sings my soul, My Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, My Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
.
When through the woods, And forest glades I wander
And hear the birds, Sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, And feel the gentle breeze
Chorus
And when I think that God his Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Chorus
I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know it’s true;
It satisfies my longings
as nothing else could do
.
Chorus: I love to tell the story;
‘Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
.
I love to tell the story;
how pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
The message of salvation
from God’s own holy Word.
Chorus
I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
I’ll sing the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
Chorus
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: “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
Henry Van Dyke Arr. from Ludwig van Beethoven; copyright public domain
Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee,
Praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
.
All thy works with joy surround thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in thee.
.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
All who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine!
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING………… Pastor Lucke will be offering Christian Caregiving Skill building classes in the month of May via zoom. All are welcome to attend. The sessions will be on the Wednesdays of May 14, 21 and 28 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.
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.
STAMP OUT HUNGER…………….. “Stamp Out Hunger” is a National food drive being held in communities across the country. Philomath is participating this year after many years of absence. The Philomath Letter Carriers are notifying residents to put food donations by their mailbox on Saturday, May 10. The in-town mail carriers do not have room in their vehicles to collect the food, so that is where the volunteers come in. We need teams of 2-3 to pick up food donations at mailboxes and deliver them to Philomath Community Services: 360 S 9th Street in Philomath. We will have maps and instructions at 10 am at City Hall: 980 Applegate Street to kick off the collection. We are estimating no more than 1- 2 hours. If you are available to help those in need of food, please put together a team of 2 to 3 and let Diane Crocker know: 541-609-0018. Thank you so much! Your help will make a big difference in the life of others!
Byrson & Others performing at Grace Lutheran…. Bryson and other musicians will be performing at Grace Lutheran Church in the month of May. All concerts are free. We hope you can join in on some or all these wonderful presentations.
- May 7 – Bryson Skaar on the Piano: Impressionism and Jazz
- May 14 – Bryson Skaar on the Organ: A Keyboard with Breath – Musings and Meditation
- May 21 – Fluke Cocktail
- May 28 – Jeffrey Varga on Piano
- June 4 Final – Bryson Skaar on Piano; A program with original compositions.
