June 26, 2016 VBS Celebration SUNDAY Welcome & Blessings to our visitors and members We re glad you are joining us today. Please sign in on the YES! Sheet and pass it to the center aisle. If you would like to request a prayer to be read during worship, write it on the back. An usher will pick it up during the VBS Skit. Embracing the diversity of God s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Reverend Kathy Nolte 611 Randolph Oak Park, Illinois 60302 708-848-4741 www.goodshepherdlc.org
Thank you to our 2016 VBS Cave Quest Crew Director, Opening: Deaconess Debbie Rank Speer Registration, Music, Closing: Patty Jurczak Imagination Station Leaders: Dave Roth, Pat Hayes, Caitlin Rank, Kenn & Peggy Sinko, Barb & Jim Hunt, Eva Pearson, Harry Patterson Games Leaders: Tim Novak, Jonny Hugh, Jack Derks KidVid Cinema: Ken Snyder, Julie Ledogar Meal and Kitchen Coordinator: Jan Salzman Decorations/Set Design/AV: Wegener Family, Ledogar Family, Campbell Family, Wendy Senger, Jane Novak, Becca Novak, Debbie Rank Speer, Caitlin Rank Photographer: Pete Senger Preschool Crew: Elizabeth Overland, Jane Novak, Becca Novak, Victoria Theys, Nora Koch, Rose Mabwa Crew Chiefs: Wendy Senger, Lynn Railsback, Julie Ledogar, Roy Dominguez, Greg McClain Crew Leaders: Nicole Radziszewski, EJ Novak, Abby Doyle, Grace Ledogar, Mitch Theys, Jessica Senger, Kay Mabwa, Nora Hartman, Devin Hayes Kitchen Staff: Rachel Salzman, Ann & Dennis Hoeksema, Pat & Larry Beaudry, John Hayes, Betty Muchow, Linda Bernat, Bevin Zamora, Laura Knitt, Nat Pozorski, Hilda Schlatter, Brian Flora, Briana Killingsworth, Caitlin Rank, Rachael Holaoye, Matt Corrado Outside Fencing: Duane Ehresman, Rich Novak And many other helping hands and generous donors who helped make this wonderful week possible! Thank you!! 2
2016 VBS Sunday Worship Congregation responses are bold Prelude Announcements Gathering Leader: Reader: Leader: Reader: Let the festival of God s people begin and let the little children lead the way. You want the little children? Yes, little children, Come! For to them the past is a playground and the future is a rainbow-arched adventure. For to them there are no broken dreams only wishes, hopes, fantasy, and desire. For to them it is possible that giants may fall in the face of their childlike faith. So let them come, come and lead us to a new tomorrow as we live for the God who waits beyond the sunrise. Come on, children of all ages! The festival of God s people Is about to begin and we can lead the way! 3
Invocation We enter your presence, gracious God, with reverence, for you are holy. We enter with gratitude, for you are good. We enter with awe, for you are triune mystery which we cannot begin to fathom. You are transcendent majesty yet as immanently near as our next breath. You call us your beloved children. You know us by name. You know our every need, every wound, every thought. Our days are in your hands. Embrace us, we pray, that we might rest peacefully in your arms of love, comforted by your compassion and buoyed by your hope. Amen. Kidz Express presentation Passing of the Peace (children come forward) While we pass the peace we ask that our Vacation Bible School Children move forward for their presentation. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. VBS Skit (Yes! Sheets are collected during the first song) VBS Skit Jesus gives us hope. John 1:1-34, Isaiah 9:2 Jesus gives us courage. Matthew 14:22-36 Jesus gives us direction. Matthew 5-7 Jesus gives us love. Luke 23:1-24:12 Jesus gives us his power. Acts 1:1-11 Prayers of Intercession 4
Offering (Children return to their seats while offering is collected & video is playing) Confession and Assurance As we move into our time of communion with God and with one another we pause to consider where we have failed in our relation with God and others. (time for reflection) We remember the great storm on Galilee, when Jesus friends were rocked back and forth in their tiny boat of faith, and were frightened for their lives. Their friend came to them in their distress, but they didn t recognize him, thinking him a ghost. How many times, O God, have we been blinded by our fear, and saw in your coming only the shadow of illusion? We remember that Jesus approached the boat, and invited Peter to join him in standing on the waves. But Peter was afraid and lost sight of Jesus, and he began to sink. How many times, O God, have we turned our attention to the distractions and anxieties of this world, and begun to sink into hopelessness? We remember that Jesus had mercy on Peter and rescued him from the smothering waves, asking him why he had so little faith. How many times, O God, have we cried out in our faithlessness, forgetting that you always rescue, you always save? Even as we remember our faults, O God, we remember your mercy. And so we ask to be restored to your side, set back in the boat of your love, while the waves are calmed about us. Master of the Wind, Love of the Storm, Bringer of the Peace, teach us how to abide in you in all things. --Anna Shirey 5
Meal Offertory (Youth bring elements & offering forward) Offering Prayer Assisting Minister: Let us pray In response to your great love for us, gracious God, we joyfully and gratefully offer the fruits of our labor and our lives in these gifts. Bless and multiply them, we pray, that the transformative power of your love will be a reality in our neighborhood and community. Amen. Great Thanksgiving Presiding minister greets the assembly and invites all present to give thanks. May God be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to our God. Let us give thanks to our wondrous God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. Eucharistic Prayer In the night in which he was betrayed By your Spirit bless us and this meal, that, refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world, revealing the brilliance of your Son. 6
Lord s Prayer Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Invitation to Communion Come to the feast prepared for you. Communion Communion is open to all who wish to come forward. Children and others who do not commune may receive a blessing. Please come forward as the ushers direct. You will be given bread. You may eat the bread and drink; or intinct (dip) in the large cup and eat. The silver cup has wine; the oversize pottery cup has grape juice. Pastor has gluten free wafers if you need, just ask. After you commune, feel free to kneel at the altar rail in silent prayer. 7
Communion Song "We Are Marching" 8
Verse 1: Marching Verse 4: Singing Verse 2: Dancing Verse 5: Playing Verse 3: Praying Verse 6: Laughing (If more verses are needed repeat at verse 1) Post Communion Blessing May the body and the lifeblood of our brother Jesus, bless you and keep you in his peace. Amen. 9
Sending Blessing We have enjoyed your presence God, but it s time to go into the world. Go with us, God. We will face many trials this week. Go with us, God. We will laugh and smile and take delight in your creation. Go with us, God. We will work and play as mothers, fathers, spouses, children, students and employees. Go with us, God. We will eat and drink and rest. Go with us, God. We will seek to bring about your kingdom and make it known around us. Thank you for going with us God before, beside and behind. We go now with you. Amen. Sending Song "This Little Light of Mine" This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine. 10
Even when I m afraid, I m gonna let it shine. Even when I m afraid, I m gonna let it shine. Even when I m afraid, I m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Dismissal Go in peace and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. 11
Pastor Rev. Kathryn Nolte Council President Robert Hann Council Vice President Beth Houle Dir. Christian Ed Deac. Debbie Rank Speer Music Director Jonathan Oblander Communications Jeanne Peppler Office Administrator Vicki May Custodian Tali Melani Sunday Nursery Attendant Elois Gardner Ruth Collins 12