Grace Lutheran Church May 5, :30 a.m.

Transcription

1 Rachel s Day May 5, 2013 Justified by Grace Through Faith 1

2 Grace Lutheran Church May 5, :30 a.m. Welcome to worship at Grace! What a blessing it is when God s people come together for worship, prayer, and praise! May this time of gathering in Christian community bless you and enable you to be a blessing to others. Special Welcome to Newcomers Welcome in the name of Christ! We trust that your presence at Grace this morning will enliven worship and contribute to our common life of faith. We pray that our time of worship would also give you the chance to offer your prayer and praise, hear anew the Word of God, and receive our Lord s presence in Holy Communion. Please feel free to introduce yourself to the Pastor and to those around you this morning. We are blessed by your presence. The order of worship, and many of the prayers, can be found in the worship bulletin. Hymns and worship music can be found in the red worship books. Hymns are in the back of the worship book, with the large numbers at the top of the page. Service music is in the front of the worship book, with the small numbers on the bottom of the page. Communion today will be shared by means of intinction (by dipping the bread into the cup). When indicated to do so by the usher, please come forward up the center aisle, receive the bread, the Body of Christ, in your outstretched hand. Then, step to the chalice and dip the bread into the chalice containing juice and wine, the Blood of Christ. Those who have not yet received their first Holy Communion, or those who are not communing today, are welcome to come forward for a blessing. Simply ask the minister for a blessing. Gluten Free Bread, Grape Juice Offered at Communion We are pleased to welcome to the Lord s Table all who desire to receive the sacrament, including those who may not be able to consume wheat or alcohol. Our new communion chalices are divided, with white grape juice in the smaller section, and red wine in the larger section. You may intinct, or dip, the bread in either chamber of the chalice. Those with gluten allergies are welcome to receive the sacrament at our Lord s table without fear of allergic reaction to the bread. Come forward up the center aisle and indicate to the minister that you will receive the gluten free communion. The minister will proclaim to you the words of promise, The Body and Blood of Christ are given and shed for you. Then, step to the small table by the pulpit, where a specially-prepared communion set with gluten free wafers is available. Having already heard the words of promise, you may commune yourself by taking a wafer and dipping it in the chalice. Wine and grape juice are also available at the gluten free communion station. 2

3 Prelude Love Divine/ This Priceless Grace Manz/Helgen Welcome *Gathering Hymn#631 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling * Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. 3

4 *Hymn of Praise #167 Now the Feast and Celebration *Prayer of the Day L: Let us pray. L: Christ of grace and faith, C: Paul taught us that we have been saved by grace through faith. Help us to live into your grace with joy. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Litany for Rachel s Day Leader: Women: Men: All: Leader: All: Leader: All: Leader: Women: Men: All: Today we remember that our children are not safe. They face violence in the streets and in their schools, in their homes and in our world. O God, rescue those who cry out, those who live in fear. As a father has compassion for his children, God has love for all people. O God, create in us new and loving hearts. Compassionate God, you heard Rachel weeping for her lost and hurting children; help us bring an end to needless suffering and violence. Merciful Lord, in your love for all children, help us now. Our Comforter, we ache for the children who live in want of food and water, education, and proper medical care. Help us give them a future that offers hope. Establish your justice in our hearts and give us a will to work for it. Bring the peace of Christ to our neighborhood and to all the nations. Help us to resist the myth of glory in conflict. Help us raise our children with teachings of peace. Bring us to a new beginning and a respect for every person s life. Amen. 4

5 Special Music-Sunday School Children "Peace Like a River" Star Wars Sunday School Style Refrain (sing twice): Jesus has risen! Jesus is living! Jesus is living, In all of us. We are his disciples and we'll tell all the world of His love. He died, to save the world from their sin. He will come again to take us to our home in heaven. We'll have everlasting life eternally! Refrain (sing twice): Jesus has risen! Jesus is living! Jesus is living, In all of us. In us! Children s Message 5

6 Scripture Galatians 1: 13-17, 2:11-21 You heard about my previous life in Judaism, how severely I harassed God s church and tried to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my peers, because I was much more militant about the traditions of my ancestors. But God had set me apart from birth and called me through his grace. He was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach about him to the Gentiles. I didn t immediately consult with any human being. I didn t go up to Jerusalem to see the men who were apostles before me either, but I went away into Arabia and I returned again to Damascus. But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was wrong. He had been eating with the Gentiles before certain people came from James. But when they came, he began to back out and separate himself, because he was afraid of the people who promoted circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also joined him in this hypocrisy so that even Barnabas got carried away with them in their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they weren t acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of everyone, If you, though you re a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you require the Gentiles to live like Jews? We are born Jews we re not Gentile sinners. However, we know that a person isn t made righteous by the works of the Law but rather through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We ourselves believed in Christ Jesus so that we could be made righteous by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the Law because no one will be made righteous by the works of the Law. But if it is discovered that we ourselves are sinners while we are trying to be made righteous in Christ, then is Christ a servant of sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild the very things that I tore down, I show that I myself am breaking the Law. I died to the Law through the Law, so that I could live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in my body, I live by faith, indeed, by the faithfulness of God s Son, who loved me and gave himself for me. I don t ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 6

7 Message *Hymn of the Day #591 The Rev. Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly That Priceless Grace *Prayers of Intercession The liturgist leads the congregation in praying for the church, the world, and all who have any need. Each petition concludes: L: Lord in your mercy, C: Hear our prayer. The prayers conclude: L: Confident in your abundant mercy and attention, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our gracious Healer. C: Amen. Offering & Offertory *Offering Hymn#465 *Offering Prayer Prayer of the Children, arr. Andrea Klouse As the Grains of Wheat Refrain, Vs. 1, Refrain L: Let us pray. L: 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. C: Amen. *Offering Hymn# 465 As the Grains of Wheat Refrain, Vs. 2, Refrain 7

8 *Great Thanksgiving 8

9 *Holy Communion The pastor continues with the proper preface of the eucharistic prayer. Following the preface, the congregation sings the Holy, Holy, Holy, found on below. 9

10 *Words of Institution *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. Invitation to our Lord s Table Words of invitation to the table will include: P: The feast is ready. The gifts of God for the people of God! C: Thanks be to God! 10

11 Distribution Hymn #598 For By Grace *Post Communion Prayer L: Let us pray. L: Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. C: Amen. *Blessing *Sending Hymn #208 Praise to You, O God of Mercy *Dismissal L: Go in peace! Share the Good News! Alleluia! C: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Postlude We've Come This Far by Faith Goodson 11

12 Today s Worship Leaders: Presiding Minister: Preaching Minister: Liturgist: Lay Reader: Organist: Music: Acolyte: Communion Servers: Greeters: Ushers: Money Counters: Grace Geek Squad: The Rev. Dr. Jessicah Duckworth The Rev. Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly Connie Smeby Larry Atneosen Kathleen Hollar Sanctuary Choir Olaf Malmin, Director Sunday School Children Tayveanna Parsons Margaret Swenson Sig Johnson, Ruth Vierling Team A: Paul Gorgos, Head Usher, Larry Redeker, Captain, Larry Carlson, Ron House, Floyd Nelson, Ron Swenson Team E: Maxine Keller, Captain, Brad & Monique McClure-Hegge Kate Pray Please continue to pray for: Doug Grundman, (Barb Kinney s brother) Pat Snidow, (sister-in-law of Kathy Hollar), Mary Parsons, Wallace Pearson, David Miller,(nephew of Teresa Sandberg Long), Aaron Monson, (Cindy Malmin s son) Nancy Zitzewitz, Ryan Bollig,(nephew of Gina Gilgenbach),Cindy Gilgenbach (sister-in-law of Gina Gilgenbach,) Brian Herje (uncle of Corey Storbakken), Corey Storbakken, Helen Rasmussen, (Linda Gorton s mother), Jessie Luke, Mary Zucher, Diana Sherry, Sarah and the family of Paul Zitzewitz who passed away this past week. The Eternal Light for April is in memory of Ed Dike, Jr. given by Loretta Fleischhacker. The Altar Flowers today are given by Loretta Fleischacker in honor of Jim and Julie Dike s 25th Wedding Anniversary. 12

13 Today We welcome The Rev. Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly, PhD student in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Luther Seminary, to the pulpit today. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor from Madagascar. Thank you, Pastor Barson, for your Word today. We welcome The Rev. Dr. Jessicah Duckworth to our chancel to preside at worship today. Thank you, Pastor Jessicah, for your ministry with us today. Pastor Chris is visiting area churches with members of the Outreach Committee. He will return to the office on Tuesday. Talk Points session is Worship Matters: Responding to God in Prayer and Praise Worship Matters, a five-session course designed to help us think more deeply about why we do what we do in worship, will offered during TalkPoints in April. The sessions will be led by Pastor Chris and Jan Steingas. Please come be a part of this conversation on any week. You need not be at all sessions to participate in just one, or a few. May 14 - Worship and the World 13

14 Reminders The attendance for last Sunday, April 28, 2013 was 171. Pastor Chris would like to have as many cell phone numbers of church members as possible, to help him connect with Grace members via text or when they're on the road. If you are an active cell phone user, and if you send/receive texts, please text your name to him at , and he'll save your number in his phone. Many thanks! Please place your non-perishable food items in the baskets located in the narthex of the church or you may donate cash or check (payable to Grace) in the baskets as you leave worship. Thank you! Intouch Reminder-The next Intouch that will be published will be for June and July. When you submit your articles, they will need to be for both months. Regular monthly Intouch s will resume in August. Please have your articles turned in (preferably in a word document) no later than May 17, That will give us time to edit and print it before the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Thank you for your cooperation on this. If you have any questions, let the church office know. Ministry Opportunities Mission of the Month for May is Good Samaritan Lutheran Church Pastor William Siong continues to use Grace Lutheran s facilities since the congregation began nearly 2 years ago as then a new ELCA Mission Church. Pastor William and his congregation have weekly bible study, Sunday worship services and Friday night youth meetings. While the national ELCA supports this effort for the time of five years beginning in 2011, additional support is needed from area Lutheran churches. As Mission of the Month for May the support of Grace members to reach out in Christian love is welcomed. Please us your blue offering envelope for cash or a check payable to Grace Lutheran Church. 14

15 How has God acted in the life and history of Grace Church? Why do we feel that our lives are better because we are a part of Grace Church? Again and again through the 96 years of this congregation we have heard of God's love for us and for the world. We exist as a people who have been enriched by God's eternal message of salvation and we are freed to respond thankfully through our service and our tithes and offerings. How are you sensing God's activity in your life? Allow Grace Church to be part of God's story for you. Be on hand each Sunday and share in the holy presence of God. XYZ s meeting May 9 at 1:30 PM The Reverend Gehard Vorland, who was a Missionary in Japan for 37 years and is a good friend of Dan and Marie Vinge will tell us about his life and experiences in the Pacific. He is a graduate of Luther Seminary and will bring his wife along to keep him from going overboard on the treats afterwards. Save the date! June 15th, 2013 will be the date of the visit to Jerry Sprau farm. THIRD ANNUAL BOOK SALE GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH JUNE 1, 10:30 TO NOON. JUNE 2, 10 TO 4. Book donations are being accepted and can be placed in the lobby by the lower door or in the first floor conference room. Prepare your books. Get ready to do some book shopping. The price is right as we ask $.50 for paperbacks and $1.00 for most hardcovers. The Confirmation Youth are discerning a commitment to ongoing global and local mission projects, including Feed My Starving Children and local litter clean up projects. Do you feel the call to serve globally and locally alongside our young people? Please join us at our next Confirmation Class on Wednesday, May 8th. We begin with dinner at 6pm, with class from 6:30 to 7:15, and prayer from 7:15-7:30. Questions? Contact Pastor Chris. 15

16 Calling All Graduates If you are graduating this year- from high school, college/university, graduate school, training program, etc.- we want to recognize you and celebrate your achievement at the June 2, 2013 worship service. Please let the church office ( ) know if you or anyone in your family is graduating, and from what you are graduating. Thank you. Eagan Women of Note will be presenting their spring concert: American Music, American Composers, Sat. May 11, at 7pm, at Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley (near the zoo). Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12. See Barb Holtan for more information and/or tickets. Pentecost Garden You can help decorate the church for Pentecost and your garden or deck by purchasing red or white zonal geraniums. They are in 4 1/2" pots and are a hardy plant from Linders. The cost is only $2.75 and there is no limit on how many you can order. The plants can be taken home after the May 19 Pentecost service. Orders will be taken May 5 and 12. Please include your check with the order form. Name: Number of Red geraniums: Number of White geraniums: Amount of check: 16

17 Musical Notes After our Sunday morning services, we are invited to Talk Points where we are studying and questioning why and how we worship. Because we are a changing, evolving people, so are our hymns. We love the hymns that we have heard from our youth, but also embrace the new hymns that come from near and far. Here are 2 for you to consider. 1) That Priceless Grace comes from Ghana. Methodism came to Ghana in 1635, when the missionaries promoted the people of Ghana to write their own hymns. Emmanuel Grantson s mother would sing this tune at the beginning of her prayers. He later became the first Lutheran in his family. He helped to compile the hymnal This Far by Faith. I personally would love to meet him, not only because of the hymn he has contributed, but also because he at one time was the pastor of Christ Ascension Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, a merged congregation of Christ and Ascension, the latter having been the church where I was organist before coming to Grace. 2) A Sunday service in Finland was the setting for Kari Tikka s hymn, For by Grace. It appears in the composer s opera, Luther, which Central Lutheran Church presented. Gracia Grindal provided the translation. 17

18 Prayer of the Children Karl Besto (b.1958) Can you hear the prayer of the Children on bended knee in the shadow of an unknown room? Empty eyes with no more tears to cry, turning heavenward toward the light. Crying Jesus help me to to see the morning light one more day. If I should die before I wake, I pray my soul to take. Can you feel the hearts of the children aching for home, for something of their very own, reaching hands with nothing to hold onto but hope for a better day. Crying Jesus help me to feel the love again in my own land. But if unknown roads lead away from home, give me loving arms away from harm Can you hear the voice of the children softly pleading for silence in a shattered world. Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate, blood of the innocent on their hands. Crying Jesus help me to feel the sun again upon my face., for when darkness clears I know you re near, bringing peace again. Dali coje te sve djecje molitive? Can you hear the prayer of the children? 18

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20 This week at Grace May 5th-May 12, 2013 Today 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:45 a.m. Sunday School/Talk Points 12:00 p.m. Good Samaritan Sunday School and Worship Monday 9:00 a.m. Ruth Circle Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 5:30 p.m. Bells of Grace 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Ministry 6:30 p.m. Joyous Jrs. 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Thursday 10:00 a.m. Stewardship 1:30 p.m. XYZ s 4:00 p.m. Special Gifts/Memorials 6:30 p.m. Youth & Family Friday 6:00 p.m. Good Samaritan Sunday 8:45 a.m. SS Teachers Meeting 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:45 a.m. Talk Points/Sunday School 12:00 p.m. Good Samaritan Sunday School & Worship The Rev. Chris Duckworth, Pastor Rhynda Landt, Administrative Assistant 1730 Old Hudson Road Saint Paul, Minnesota