MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH Seventh Sunday of Easter June 1

MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
415 South 18th Street, Aurora, NE
(402) 694-2017
www.messiahaurora.org
Seventh Sunday of Easter
June 1, 2014
Seventh Sunday of Easter
June 1, 2014
In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the
upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today's
gospel, Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious,
social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made
one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God
intends for the whole human family.
+ WE PREPARE OUR HEARTS +
Prayer upon entering: Redeeming God, you call us to be one with you, as you are
one with Christ. As his perfect love casts out fear, and changes it to love, unite us by
your Spirit of peace, that we may be one with you, as you are one with Christ. Amen.
(In preparation for our worship together, you are invited to take a moment of silence
to offer your own prayers of worship and praise.)
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 68)
Let the righteous be joyful! Let them rejoice before God.
Let us all be jubilant with joy!
Sing to God, all peoples of the world. Sing praises to God most high.
From the sanctuary of heaven, God gives life and renews the face of the earth.
Let the righteous be joyful! Let them rejoice before God.
Let us all worship God with joy and thanksgiving!
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Gathering Song
(continued on page 4)
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*Confession of Sins and Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the minister begins)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord + Jesus Christ, by whose Spirit we have been
reborn to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Amen.
God has been made known to us in deeds of power, signs, and wonders, and will not
abandon us if we confess the truth about our lives, therefore let us confess our sin in
the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for prayer and reflection.
Merciful God,
You have made known to us the ways of life. Yet, too often, we put other things
above you and turn away from the ways of life and towards the ways of death.
Forgive us and guide us back into your presence, that we may know the fullness
of joy. Amen.
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People of God: Christ is alive, and death has lost its power. Through the waters of
baptism you have been born anew by the living word of God. Know that your sins are
forgiven in + Jesus' name and that the Spirit of the risen Christ is alive in you both now
and forever.
Amen.
*Exchange of Greetings
We are the baptized and forgiven people of God, gathered in Christian community.
Let us greet one another in the name of our risen Lord.
+ PRAYER AND PRAISE +
The Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
And also with you.
Kyrie................................................................................................................Page 138
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
From 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.
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Prayer of the Day
Let us pray.
O God of glory, your Son Jesus Christ suffered for us and ascended to your right hand.
Unite us with Christ and each other in suffering and in joy, that all the world may be
drawn into your bountiful presence, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
+ WE HEAR GOD’S WORD +
First Reading................................................................................................Acts 1:6-14
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So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will
restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or
periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9When he had said this, as they were
watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was
going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood
by them. 11They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as
you saw him go into heaven." 12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called
Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 13When they had
entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and
John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James
son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were
constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary
the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Second Reading..........................................................................1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
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Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test
you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you
are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his
glory is revealed. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because
the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
(continued on page 7)
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Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you
in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8Discipline
yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around,
looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that
your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
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And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you
to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
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To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
*Gospel Verse..................................................................................................Page 142
*Gospel.....................................................................................................John 17:1-11
Response after the announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour
has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him
authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this
is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you
have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So
now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence
before the world existed. 6I have made your name known to those whom you gave me
from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your
word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words
that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in
truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on
their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you
gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have
been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the
world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have
given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Response after the Gospel reading: Praise to you, O Christ.
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Children’s Sermon..................................................“Jesus Loves the Little Children”
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Words by George F. Root, Public Domain
Sermon
+ WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD +
Hymn #763..............................................................“My Life Flows On in Endless Song”
*Prayers of Intercession
Each portion of the prayers ends with:
Lord, in your mercy . . .
Hear our prayer.
The prayers conclude with:
Receive our prayers, merciful God, and dwell in us richly, through Jesus Christ, our
life and our redeemer.
Amen.
*The Exchange of Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Offering
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*Offertory
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*Offertory Prayer
Let us pray.
Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with
blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous
hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ THE LORD’S SUPPER +
Here our Lord gives to us His own Body and Blood for the forgiveness of all our sins.
*The Great Thanksgiving..................................................................................Page 144
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 our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right . . . we praise your name and join their unending hymn . . .
*Holy, Holy, Holy…..........................................................................................Page 144
*Words of Institution
*Lord’s Prayer..................................................................................................Page 145
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.
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Invitation to Holy Communion
The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Come to this table
where you are known and loved.
Distribution of Holy Communion....................................................Distribution Hymns:
Page 146.....“Lamb of God…”
Hymn #465.....“As the Grains of Wheat”
Hymn #826 vv. 1-4.....“Thine the Amen”
*Post-Communion Blessing
*Post-Communion Canticle....... Hymn #207............“Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise”
*Post-Communion Prayer
Loving God, by your Spirit we are born anew, and you nourish us like newborns with this
holy food, by which we grow into salvation. Give us grace to live as your risen daughters
and sons, shining in the world with your marvelous light, until you gather all creation to
the heavenly table where Christ reigns in glory forever.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
*Benediction
*Sending..........................................................................................................Page 146
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #796............................................................................“How Firm a Foundation”
Postlude
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The Celebration of Holy Communion: If you are a baptized Christian and believe
Christ is truly present in the bread and wine, you are welcome to receive communion
at Messiah. Children who have not received First Communion instruction are invited to
come forward to receive a blessing. White Grape Juice is provided at the center of each
tray. Communion today will be received at the communion rail. The ushers will direct
you forward at the appropriate time—please note: for those seated in the front pews,
the ushers will dismiss you for communion while pastor is serving the worship
assistants. If kneeling is difficult for you, please feel free to remain standing while
receiving communion.
Warm Welcome to all as we gather as God’s people to worship the Lord. May our
worship strengthen your faith and desire to serve him who loves us with everlasting
love in Christ Jesus. Visitors, we are especially glad to see you. Please come again!!
Fellowship Pads have been placed in all the pews. We encourage everyone to fill them
out during the collection of offering and then return the pad to the end of the pew.
Thank you.
*Indicates congregation please stand if able
Congregational responses are printed in BOLD type
Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014. Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by
permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20462. The Prayer for Illumination & Offertory Prayer
are reprinted by permission of Westminister John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion.
Copyright 2012. Scripture readings from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian
Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.
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MLCW are collecting spaghetti and spaghetti sauce in June in
support of the Hamilton County Food Pantry. Please leave your
donations in the Narthex. Thank you for helping with this
worthy cause! Pauline Hahn, MLCW President
If you would like to volunteer your time at the local Food Pantry, sign up
on the sheet on the counter in the Narthex. Thank you.
The MLCW will be quilting on Tuesday, June 3rd and Tuesday, June 17th
at 9:00am. No sewing experience is necessary!
It’s coming fast—in a few weeks it will be time for our 2014 VBS &
Day Camp on June 23rd – 26th (VBS is for three year olds to
Kindergarten; Day Camp is for grades 1st – 5th). Registration forms
are available on the counter in the narthex as well as our website.
Sign-up sheets for donations of food, snacks, youth volunteers, and
housing for the Day Camp counselors are also on the counter. We look forward to
having you join us for a ‘Rockin’ good time!
The emphasis for June collection for Lutheran World Relief
will be items for the Personal Care Kits. Please check out the
Lutheran World Relief display near the entry. You may place
your items in the LWR Project Box. If you would like to make a cash donation to help
purchase needed supplies there are offering envelopes in the box or you can make a
check payable to Messiah Lutheran Church Women and write “LWR Projects” on the
memo line. Thank you for your support of Lutheran World Relief projects!
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Channels 10/11 27th Annual Can Care-A-Van in Aurora again for the 10th Year!!
It is co-sponsored by Asera Care and Latsch’s of Lincoln. The Hamilton County
Food Pantry will again host this major food drive of the year. We will have Jon &
Taryn Vanderford and Brad Anderson from the Lincoln/Grand Island stations
(KOLN/KGIN) here, along with the state coordinator, Joanne Komeda, at our Food
Pantry site, 1118 N Street, on Tuesday, June 3rd from 9:00am to 4:00pm to receive
donations of food and cash. Every dollar we receive equals two pounds of food.
You can mail donations to P.O. Box 7, Aurora, Nebraska, 68818. The HCFP is totally
dependent upon these and other donations in order to continue our nearly 17-year
history of operation. We look forward to another successful CC-A-V food drive!!
Bridges to Hope, our NE Synod ministry that supports
re-entrants returning to communities from correctional
institutions, is in need of mattresses, box springs, and bed
frames, as well as dressers. Also needed are small household
and kitchen appliances, especially microwaves. If you are able
to help with any of those items, you may bring them to Bridges to Hope (3107 S. 6th
Street, Suite 107, Lincoln) during these hours: Monday, 1:00 – 4:00pm; Wednesday &
Saturday, 9:00am – noon. Please call 402-420-5696 if you have any questions.
Directions and other information can be found at: www.BridgestoHopeNE.org. If
you only have a few items and would be interested in collecting items at Messiah to
be delivered to Lincoln, please call the office at 402-694-2017. Todd Jensen has
offered to coordinate the project and will deliver items in his enclosed trailer to Lincoln.
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
PRAYERS FOR HEALING: Ron & Sharon Suess; Karen Gartner (Charlene Coon’s
sister-in-law); Trina Walker (Mike Reimer’s step-daughter); Blake Anderson
(Lindsay Sullivan’s brother); Karen Beretta (JoAnn Landenberger’s friend);
Pastor Steve Vander Tuig; Lisa Gretch (friend of Kim Quandt); Dean
Lemkau; Louella Block (Cathy Binfield’s great-niece); Matthew Baker
(Pam Tyma’s cousin); Gary Baker (Pam Tyma’s cousin); Mike Shaw (Pam Tyma’s cousin);
Elaine Niles (friend of Jean Peters); Carol Schuster (friend of Lisa Werner); Abby
Collingham; Joel Daley (Steve & Marilyn Vrana’s grandson); Harold Sautter; Ed Schultz
(Pam Tyma’s father); Kelly Stewart (Mike Stewart’s brother)
FAMILY & FRIENDS OF: Alvin Reimers (Mike Reimers’ uncle); Kathy Cudly
PRAYERS FOR THOSE DEPLOYED IN THE MILITARY & THEIR FAMILIES: Matthew Didier (Paul &
Marcia Friedrichsen’s grandson)
Next Sunday, June 8th, is Pentecost Sunday. Everyone is invited to wear
red, the color of the Holy Spirit, in celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit
in our lives.
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THIS WEEK AT MESSIAH
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Sunday, June 1
9:00am-Worship
Sunday, June 1
Ushers: Glenn & Nancy Obermeier,
Jordan Metzger & Lucas Pohlmann
Lector: Scott Cerveny
Acolytes: Zac Shanks & Gracee Pohlmann
Greeters: Luke & Sara Griess
Hospitality Hosts: Julie & Todd Jensen
Sound Booth: Rick Penner
Video Recorder: Diana Shaffer
PowerPoint: Sharisa Tyma
Deacon: Scott Cerveny
Accompanist: Beth Johnson
Senior Pastor: Sheryl Kester-Beyer
Associate Pastor: Chris Kester-Beyer
Sun., June 1-Fri., June 6
Confirmation Camp
Tuesday, June 3
9am-3pm-Can Care-A-Van
9:00am-MLCW Quilting
7:00pm-Council Meeting
Pentecost Sunday, June 8
9:00am–Worship *
* Next Sunday, June 8, everyone is invited
to wear red, the color of the Holy Spirit,
in celebration of the gift
of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The flowers behind the altar
today are in celebration of the
40th Wedding Anniversary
of Mike & Diane Stewart.
Please join them after
Worship for cake and coffee
in the Hospitality area.
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