What Is the Deep Life? September 9, :30 & 10 a.m. Prelude: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less - arr. Martin

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1 A Deep Life Starter Kit: What is the Deep Life? Easter Lutheran Church believes that God is calling this community into a deep life of prayer and worship. Why is it important to have a deep life? Isn t it better to just DO good things with faith? Welcome! Welcome to worship today at Easter Lutheran Church! This fall, the people of Easter are reflecting on how to live deep lives. Our church is known in this community for its outreach. Yet, to sustain such engaging work in the community we must also tend to our own roots of faith. Strength comes from deep-reaching roots. Happy are those who are like trees planted by streams of water, which grow their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalm 1) For twelve weeks this fall we will explore A Deep Life in three specific parts; prayer, worship, and generosity. This fall, expect your roots to grow deeply. For families of children 5 and under, you are invited to find a Spark Box outside the worship space for your child to play. More wiggles? The nursery is available for 3 and under. Thank you for joining us today. We welcome you! You are also invited to take an Announcements sheet here at Easter, or visit easter.org for events & activities (Announcement sheets are posted weekly under Events & News). What Is the Deep Life? September 9, :30 & 10 a.m. Easter Lutheran Church to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ Prelude: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less - arr. Martin Ben Kornelis, organ Greetings and Announcements Gathering Confession and Forgiveness Pastor: God of all wonders, you have set us humans under the swirling stars and among wild winds, hoping that in your love we will grow deep, sustaining roots. You constantly care for us. Though, somewhere among our schedules and phones and s and lists, we forget to be rooted. Congregation: For the sake of living deeply, remind us that your love has no end. P: We forget to be kind. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us to care for one another. As Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! Thank you Parents/Grandparents for bringing your children to worship! P: We forget to be honest. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us that we are fragile. P: We forget to conserve. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us that your creation is holy. P: We forget about breathing. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us of your peace and forgive us. P: God of wonders, for the sake of living deeply, be with us. We rejoice in your forgiveness. Your love is all we need to live a deep life. C: Amen.

2 The Sharing of the Peace is a way of demonstrating hospitality and grace with others. Please understand if some people choose not to shake hands while sharing the Peace for health reasons, but simply greet you with a smile. Sharing of the Peace Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you. Gathering Hymn: Like the Murmur of the Dove s Song Hymnal #403 All hymns can be found in the red book under the chairs The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection Greeting: Leader: Congregation: 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 2

3 Canticle of Praise: Now the Feast and Celebration ELW #167 continued on next page continued on next page 3

4 Canticle of Praise: continued Prayer of the Day Wonderful God, help us to grow lives deeply rooted in you. You are the vine and we are the branches, apart from you we wither and drift, rootless. Abide in us as we grow deep lives. In the light of your son we pray, Amen. Anthem: Praise His Holy Name Hampton Easter Choir God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song Children s Message Word Lesson: Psalm 1: 1-3 (NRSV) Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 4

5 Gospel Acclamation: Gospel: John 15: 1-5 (NRSV) Jesus said, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. L: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon Pastor Steve Thomason Hymn of the Day: O Blessed Spring Hymnal #447 5

6 Father is a specific and accessible image of God that Jesus gave us. Jesus did not limit God to this image. References to God as Creator, Parent, Mother, Counselor can be equally as helpful and valid. Another translation of catholic church is church universal Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Baptisms (8:30) Harper Ione Boldt, daughter of Steven & Tracy Boldt. Her sponsors are Bryan & Lauren Sandy. (10:00) Max Leonard Thole, son of Tadd & Stephanie Thole. His sponsors are Tony & Sandy Ludwig. The offering is an act of worship. We give ourselves, our time and resources as a symbol of our love and appreciation for God s grace, and our investment in God s work through this church. Text-to-Give Simply send a text message to with the amount you would like to contribute (example: 25). Within a few minutes, you ll be sent a text with a link to register. We hope you enjoy this new way to share your generosity, and thank you for supporting the ministries of Easter Lutheran Church. 6 P: Let us speak together words of welcome to our new sister and brother in Christ. C: We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ! Prayers of Intercession Each prayer petition will conclude: Pastor: Lord, in your mercy, Congregation: Hear our prayer. Offering of Gifts Meal Offering Hymn: Be Thou My Vision Hymnal #793 Presentation: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Hymnal #885 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heav nly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Offering Prayer God of all vision, we thank you for these good gifts and we now return them to you. We lift up our prayers, our worship, our brokenness, our relationships, our callings, and our hopes to you. Use us to encourage lives of deep faith in our families, our friends, and our neighborhoods, through the love of Jesus Christ, Amen.

7 The Great Thanksgiving All are invited to receive these gifts of God. Children are welcome to come forward for a blessing. Children who have received instruction are welcome to commune. P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Communion today is by intinction - the dipping of the wafer in the wine. Please come to one of the stations, as directed. Gluten-free wafers are at the back of the sanctuary near the sound booth. Holy, Holy, Holy 7

8 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. Distribution Lamb of God &b 4 Ó Œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Lamb of God, you take a - way the sin of the & b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w Ó Œ œ œ & b world; have mer- cy, have mer-cy on us. Lamb of œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ God, you take a - way the sin of the world; & b œ œ Œ œ œ w grant us peace, grant us peace. Jesus, Priceless Treasure Hymnal #775 I received the Living God Hymnal #477 Did you pick up your Announcements? The Announcements tell you what s going on at Easter in the coming weeks. They can be found at the doors to the sanctuary. Check it out! Prayer after Communion Blessing Dismissal Sending Postlude: How Firm a Foundation - Payne Ben Kornelis, organ Easter Lutheran Church Ministers: All the members of Easter Pastors: Lamont Koerner, Brandon Newton, Steve Thomason, Angela Denker Visit easter.org for details 4200 Pilot Knob Road (Hill) Phone: Pilot Knob Road (Lake) easter.org to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ