Seventh Sunday of Easter May 13, 2018 Course 7: People for Whom Jesus Prays

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1 3461 Merle Ave Modesto, CA (209) W Seventh Sunday of Easter May 13, 2018 Course 7: People for Whom Jesus Prays elcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. We gather for worship so that we can receive from God the good news of what Jesus has done for us. Jesus is at the center of our faith and our lives. Without him we have nothing. With him we have everything. Welcome Worshiper Cards are located in the book racks. Please fill one out and place it in the offering plate later in the service. Restrooms are located in the entryway. Two Nursery-Rooms are available in the entryway for parents with small children. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Having walked the difficult road of Lent, for the seven weeks of Easter we sit at the Lamb s victory feast, a seven-course meal in which we celebrate his victory and ours. Today we see that Jesus prayed for us the night before he died. He prays for us still in heaven, and God has answered his prayer. PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP You have made us one, O Lord one in purpose, one in mission, one in spirit, and one in faith. Help us to remain united in our ministry and bonded by our belief as we continue to serve you and one another. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Flowers adorning our altar this morning are given to the glory of God by the Hejnal family in celebration of Dominic s birthday and by Melody Zuccaro in celebration of Donny s birthday. Presiding Minister: Deacon Howard Schroeder Pianist: Judith Winsor

2 EASTER DIALOG Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. M: Christ is risen! C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia! M: As the Father sent Jesus into the world, C: Jesus also sends us into the world. M: Christ is risen! C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia! OPENING HYMN Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise Christian Worship: #175 CALL TO WORSHIP Minister: Congregation: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. And also with you. CONFESSION OF SINS M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy. C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt. 1

3 ABSOLUTION M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will. C: Amen. PRAYER AND PRAISE M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord: SONG OF PRAISE Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds 2

4 PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Let us pray. Almighty God, your Son our Savior was taken up in glory and intercedes for us at your right hand. Through your living and abiding Word, give us hearts to know him and faith to follow where he has gone; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. THE WORD OF GOD CHILDREN S MESSAGE Children are invited to come forward for a message directed at them FIRST LESSON Acts 7:54-60 Affected by the gospel promises, the martyr Stephen displays a powerful faith that imitates the prayer of Christ himself on the cross when faced with death When they heard these things, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed up into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 He said, Look, I see heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. 57 But they screamed at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and rushed at him with one purpose in mind. 58 They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! 60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. After he said this, he fell asleep. (EHV) 3

5 PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 8 We see the majesty of God in his creation and in the universal rule of his Son. The Psalm will be sung in unison. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, what is man that you are mindful of him, the Son of Man that you care for him? Refrain You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Refrain 4

6 SECOND LESSON Hebrews 7:11-27 Jesus, our great high priest, intercedes for us in heaven and gives us all boldness and confidence in our own prayers since they are offered through him and with him, and answered on account of him So if everything could have been brought to its goal through the Levitical priesthood (for the people received the law on the basis of that priesthood), what further need was there for another priest to arise who was like Melchizedek, yet not said to be like Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, by necessity a change in the law also happens. 13 Yet these things are said about the one who belonged to another tribe, from which no one had served at the altar. 14 It is certainly clear that our Lord is descended from Judah. Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 15 And this becomes even clearer if another priest arises like Melchizedek, 16 who became a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement about physical descent, but on the basis of the power of an endless life. 17 For it has been testified in Scripture about him: You are a priest forever, like Melchizedek. 18 To be sure, the former requirement is annulled, because it was weak and useless 19 for the law did not bring anything to its goal but now a better hope is introduced, by which we approach God. 20 And something like this did not happen without an oath. Indeed, others who became priests did so without an oath, 21 but this one became a priest with an oath, through the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn an oath and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever. 22 In this way, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 There were many who became priests because death prevented any of them from continuing to remain in office. 24 But because this one endures forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 So for this reason he is able to save forever those who come to God through him, because he always lives to plead on their behalf. 26 This is certainly the kind of high priest we needed: one who is holy, innocent, pure, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices on a daily basis, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. In fact, he sacrificed for sins once and for all when he offered himself. (EHV) 5

7 VERSE OF THE DAY GOSPEL LESSON John 17:11-19 In his high priestly prayer, Jesus prays for believers that they be united in his Word and protected as they are sent out into the world as his witnesses I am no longer going to be in the world, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name, which you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept those you gave me safe in your name. I protected them and not one of them was destroyed, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I am saying these things in the world, so that they may be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I am not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the Evil One. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I also sent them into the world. 19 I sanctify myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth. (EHV) M: This is the gospel of the Lord. 6

8 HYMN OF THE DAY Jesus, My Great High Priest Christian Worship #359 SERMON The Gospel for Underdogs John 17:11b-19 APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 7

9 THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER OFFERING The members of St. Peter congregation have joined together to do the Lord s work in this community and around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. The offertory this morning is the tune of a song that honors a mother and is based on Proverbs 31. The words are included for you to meditate upon as the song is played. Her strength and her dignity clothe her with beauty; In works of her hands she excels. A heart of compassion she turns to the needy; In service to others, she gives of herself. Refrain: She will be called blessed By her sons and her daughters; Precious to the Father Are those who seek his ways. She will be called blessed, Help above ev ry other; Blessed is the mother Who turns to God in praise. She rises each morning to see her household; She looks toward the future with joy. She teaches her children true lessons of kindness And shares with them wisdom the world can t destroy. Refrain 8

10 PRAYER OF THE CHURCH AND LORD S PRAYER M: Lord God, our maker and preserver, we praise and thank you for all that you give us day after day. C: We are not worthy of all the mercies you show us. M: You have given us your precious Word to nourish our souls and to protect us from the temptations of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature. C: We thank you for those who teach and preach your saving truth at this place and everywhere. Grant them a rich measure of patience, wisdom, and love. M: Heavenly Father, we pray that you shield us from every kind of danger: sudden catastrophe, terrors of crime, and the pain of disease. Watch over those who travel by land, sea, and air. Keep our loved ones from whatever perils may threaten them. C: Heal those who are sick, cheer those who are sad, calm those who are distressed, and comfort all who are old and infirm. M: Heavenly Father, you are the source of life, wisdom, and all good things. On this Mother s Day, we pray that you look with favor on all mothers who have given life to their children and who nurture them with loving concern and faithful instruction. May their children honor them and call them blessed. When they become weary, sustain them with physical and spiritual rest. C: Hear us for the sake of your Son, Jesus, who cared for his earthly mother and in whom you are well pleased. Special prayers and intercessions may follow. M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions. Silent prayer. M: We bring these requests before you in the name of Jesus our Lord, and ask you to hear us. Take all that we have, our bodies and minds, our time and skills, our ministries and offerings, and use them to your glory. C: We give ourselves to you that we may serve you in whatever way is pleasing in your sight. 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. HYMN What a Friend We Have in Jesus Christian Worship #411 9

11 CLOSING LITANY AND BLESSING M: The Lord is close to those who follow him and carry out his mission. C: Guard and protect us, O Lord, as we make your message known to the world. M: The Lord is near to those who journey forward in faith. C: Guard and protect us, O Lord, as we seek to deepen our faith. M: The Lord is close to those who are in trouble and distress. C: Guard and protect us, O Lord, as we encounter danger. M: The Lord is near to those who trust in him at all times. C: Guard and protect us, O Lord, as we are approached by people who seek to lead us away from you. M: The Lord is close to those who are sad and broken-hearted. C: Guard and protect us, O Lord, as we face difficulties at home and at church, at work and at play. M: The Lord is near to all those in his care. C: Guard and protect us, O Lord, as we live as your loved ones here on this earth. Amen. M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. CLOSING HYMN Sent Forth by God s Blessing Christian Worship #318 The following were reprinted under OneLicense.net #A : Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Cover Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright 2015 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. paramentics.com The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV ) copyright 2017 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. 10