Welcome! While the summer wind is warm and lovely, we will focus on the good life. We are always striving to make sense of the events and people and stuff of life. What then, is a good life? What makes a life good? Cabins? Boats? Shiny, new things? Mass quantities of friends? What does God think about the good life? (Hint: for a clue, read Matthew 6:25-33) The Good Life: Service Jesus said that He is the good shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep. The hired hand runs away when the wolf shows up. We, as followers of Jesus, are more than hired hands. We are called to lay down our lives to serve others. Today we use Marty Haugen s setting of the liturgy Now the Feast and Celebration Parents, you can find canvas activity bags for your children in the back of the sanctuary. For infants up through age three, the nursery is available. 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). Service August 27, 2017 8:15 & 9:30 a.m. Easter Lutheran Church to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ Prelude: Walzer/Waltz - N.J. Živković Kayla Deckert, vibraphone Greetings and Announcements Confession and Forgiveness Gathering P: God of life, we are caught up in searching for the good life. C: We constantly compare ourselves to each other P: when we need to turn ourselves to you. C: We search for satisfaction in the things we buy P: when you ve already given us all we need. C: We criticize ourselves and judge our neighbors P: when we really need grace and love. (a moment of quiet reflection) P: Living God, send your spirit into this place. Bring us peace. C: Remind us that you, O God, are the good life. P: People of Easter, by God s love and grace all of your sins are forgiven. You are free to live the life that God desires for you, a truly good life indeed. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection Gathering Hymn: Canticle of the Turning Hymnal #723 Greeting: L: 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. Kyrie Canticle of Praise: Now the Feast and Celebration (see insert) Hymnal #167 Prayer of the Day Holy God, you poured out your life in sacrifice for all of creation. Help us to live the Good Life by following your example of love and service, pouring out our lives for our neighbors near and far. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 2
Anthem: Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine - Knapp Chase Davis, vocalist O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight! Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above, Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. - Fanny Crosby Word Children s Message Lesson: Psalm 139: 13-14 (NRSV) God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Lesson: 1 Peter 2: 21-25 (NRSV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 3
Gospel Acclamation: Gospel: John 10: 10-14 (NRSV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. L: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon: Faith Stories Hymn of the Day: Here I Am, Lord Hymnal #574 4
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. 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. Prayers of Intercession Peace 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. Offering of Gifts Meal 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. Offering Hymn: Will You Let Me Be Your Servant Hymnal #659 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 Loving God, you created life and called it good. Thank you for giving us this gift of life. Remind us that there is joy and holiness whenever we share our lives. Receive then, these gifts that we joyfully offer to you, in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. NEW! Text-to-Give Simply send a text message to 651-419-3775 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. 5
The Great Thanksgiving 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: Holy, Holy, Holy 6
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 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. 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. I Come With Joy Hymnal #482 You Satisfy the Hungry Heart Hymnal #484 Prayer after Communion Blessing Sending Dismissal Postlude: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee -Beethoven, arr. Carter Ben Kornelis, piano 7
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! Visit easter.org for details Serving Today 8:15 9:30 Assisting Pastor: Kristen Capel Kristen Capel Greeters: Needed Needed Ushers: Paul Rasmussen Steve Bunde Larry Hegle Fred Tatting Jacob Wilson Wayne Johnson Needed Tony & Vickie Foster Needed Readers: Easter Youth Easter Youth Communion: Lori Ford Al & Sue Peterson Needed Altar Guild: Melinda Backman Becky Briggs Nursery: n/a Needed Liturgist: Barb Tjader Barb Tjader Sound: Andy Maas Ryan Wolfe Live Streaming: Andy Fisher Easter Lutheran Church Ministers: All the members of Easter Pastors: Kristen K. Capel, Brandon Newton, Rolf Jacobson, Steve Thomason 4200 Pilot Knob Road (Hill) Phone: 651-452-3680 4545 Pilot Knob Road (Lake) easter.org to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ