Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers: Ruth Bath Terry Rohrer Pat Brown Pearl Shaw Lillian Readler Margaret Dietterick Esther Hartman Carolyn Houser Scott Farley Penny Slusser Evelyn Cragle Dick Sharrow Dot Hess Doyle Smethers Vern Dubas Kevin McDaniel Dan Whitmire Lisa Porter Tammy Kindig Tom & Larry Gilligan Margaret Farley Vicky Whitmire Martha Pellock Brenda K Family & Friends of Fayetta Lowery Week of April 22, 2018: Thank you for your generosity and time! Worship Attendance... 52 Weekly Tithe (envelopes)... $782.00 Plate & Sunday school offerings.. $74.00 2018 Weekly Operating Budget ($2,122) Fifth Sunday of Easter Nescopeck, Pennsylvania Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church Cole s Hardware return (refund to Improvement).. $88.00 2018 Mission Support donations YTD: $1,938.00 ~ World Hunger: $187 (Our Mission Support Pledge is $5,000 & World Hunger Goal is $800) ~ The Capital Improvement Fund balance is currently $1,149.68. ~ Through your contributions and fundraisers we have raised in total, $38,549.68 for capital projects. The roof installation is done and the next phase of this campaign is new Air Conditioning (Project goal - $20,000). Please help by picking up a green envelope to make your next donation. Your support is greatly appreciated! 16 FAITH UNITED EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 801 E. Third St., Box 335 Nescopeck, PA 18635 (570)759-2469, office (570)231-4006, pastoral emergency fuelchurchnescopeck@gmail.com Website: www.faithunitednescopeck.org The People of Faith United........Ministers Pastor Jessica Kingsborough....... Pastor Penny Slusser... Organist & Director of Music Todd Thomas................ Board President Mary Skwierz.......Treasurer Daniel Dietterick...... Congregational Secretary Daniel Dietterick.........Financial Secretary Heather Boston (Helping Hands)........Custodian Sunday, April 29th, 2018 10:30am WELCOME ONE AND ALL! The mission of Faith United ELC is creating a Christ-centered, Spirit driven gathering of excited Christians by: Providing meaningful worship Reaching out and serving all people Communicating new opportunities for ministry 1
ORDER OF SERVICE P = Presiding Minister A = Assisting Minister C = Congregation ELW = red hymnal OSB = other song book (Best of the Best) Welcome and Prelude: Thanksgiving for Baptism P: Alleluia! Christ is risen. C: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia. P: Just as God s work of creation never ends, so the gifts received in baptism are renewed every day. Let us give thanks together for the life given in baptism. We give you thanks, O God, for the waters of life: for water to bathe in, water to drink, for waters to play in and waters that inspire wonder, for water that gives life to our planet. C: We give you thanks, O God, for the waters of life. P: We give you thanks, O God for the waters of this place: for water from our tap, for rain, for the Susquehanna river. C: We give you thanks O God, for the waters of this place. P: We give you thanks for your salvation through water: for delivering Noah and his family through the floodwaters, for leading your people Israel through the sea into freedom, for preserving your prophet Elijah through the time of drought, for guiding your people across the Jordan into a new land, for quenching the Samaritan woman's thirst with living water. C: we give you thanks for your salvation through water. P: We give you thanks for life in Christ through your Holy Spirit: for our entry into Jesus death through these waters, for our new birth into life of freedom and service, for our calling to be your people, sent out for the life of the world. C: We give you thanks, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. Gathering Hymn: 2 Got Fish Fish Fry Fundraiser Faith United will host a Fish Fry on Saturday, May 5, 2018 with proceeds to benefit the General Fund. The event will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Food will be prepared by Molly and Scott Kern who operate Got Fish at the Bloomsburg Fair. The event is a take-out dinner. The Fish Fry is designed with the expectation that the majority of the meals will be sold ahead of time in a presale. This is so Molly and Scott know how much fish to bring. There will be a limited number of meals available at the door. Please consider helping the event by volunteering to sell presale tickets. The event is also in need of grocery-style bags to use in handing out the food. Additionally, there will be a bake sale for which assistance in providing items is appreciated. If you would like to help with the event or have any questions, please contact Lori Bankes. You can reach her at (570) 759-3566. Each dinner will include one piece of British-style cod tail, potato wedges, coleslaw, and a roll. The price is $8.00. Many thanks are extended to Molly and Scott. Easter Egg Meeting All those who made bought or sold Easter eggs or prayed for the project, are invited to an informational meet after church on May 20. Town Wide Yard sale Saturday May 19th. Sign up sheets in back for help and donations, Really appreciate both. Busy and a fun day! ELW # 369 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today 15
Helping with Worship 5/06/18 Greeters: Veronica Dietterick Lector: Cindy Lombard Ushers: Carl Whitmire, Glenda Chapin John Durkin, Lori Bankes Acolyte: Maiah Farley Greeting P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! 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. Hymn of Praise Glory to God Assisting Minister: Tammy Frey Communion Helper: Diane Labour Communion Assistant: Paul Nye Counters: Robin Seely, Cindy Lombard This Week at F.U.E.L: Week of April 30, 2018 to May 05, 2018 Thursday: Choir 1:30pm All Bulletin announcements will be due the Tuesday before Sunday Worship. Fuel Announcements SECRETARY S OFFICE HOURS-The Secretary is in the office Monday night from 7pm-8 pm. All announcements needing to be placed in the bulletin must be in my mailbox or email no later than Wednesday s at 9:00am. Please feel free to leave a message on the answering machine by calling the office at 570-759-2469 or email me at: fuelchurchnescopeck@gmail.com. 14 3
Prayer of the Day P: O God, you give us your Son as the vine apart from whom we cannot live. Nourish our life in his resurrection, that we may bear the fruit of love and know the fullness of your joy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Please be seated First Reading: Acts 8:26-40 L: A reading from Acts. Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go over to this chariot and join it. 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, Do you understand what you are reading? 31 He replied, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. 34 The eunuch asked Philip, About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized? 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip * baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Correction Last Sunday s flowers were presented to the Glory of God by Mr. and Mrs. William Waltman in loving memory of there son Scott. The flowers on the altar are presented to the Glory of God in loving memory of Parents Richard & Nora Akeley by Margret Huttenstine This month s Eternal Light has not been sponsored. This week s Bulletin has been sponsored by Diane Labour In memory of loved ones. Helping with Worship Today Greeters: Glenda Chapin Lector: Alieen Waltman Ushers: Rose and Todd Thomas Glenda Chapin, John Durkin Acolyte: Leah Watts Communion Helper: Jared Watts Communion Assistant: Tammy Frey Assisting Minister: Tina Baucher Counters: John Durkin L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 4 13
Post-Communion Blessing P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Prayer after Communion A: Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ s death and resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of heaven to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to Jesus resurrection that we may show your glory to all the world; through the same Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Blessing P: May God who has brought us from death to life fill you with great joy. Almighty God, Father, + Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Please be seated Announcements (Please see pages 14-15 in your bulletin) Sending Hymn ELW #854 Blessing and Honor Dismissal 12 A: Alleluia! Christ is risen. C: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! A: You are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news. C: Thanks be to God. Reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress license #14513-LIT WELCOME VISITORS! We are glad to have you with us this morning! If you do not have a church home, we invite you to join our fellowship. Psalm 22:25-31 (chanted) From you comes my praise in the* great assembly; I will perform my vows in the sight of those who* fear the LORD. The poor shall eat* and be satisfied. Let those who seek the LORD give praise! May your hearts* live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn* to the LORD; All the families of nations shall bow* before God. For dominion belongs* to the LORD, Who rules o-*ver the nations. Indeed, all who sleep in the earth shall bow* down in worship; All who go down to the dust, though they be dead, shall kneel be-*for the LORD. Their descendants shall* serve the LORD, Whom they shall proclaim to genera-*tions to come. They shall proclaim God s deliverance to a people* yet unborn, Saying to them, The* LORD has acted! Anthem: A Communion Meditation - Besig Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-21 L: A reading from 1 John. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we 5
have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love * because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, I love God, and hate their brothers or sisters, * are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister * whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters * also. Gospel Acclamation L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Lord s Prayer P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray: C: 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. P: Now let us feast this Easter day on Christ, the bread of heaven Hallelujah! Please be seated Holy Communion As a member of the ELCA, Faith United celebrates open communion. All those who wish to receive the grace found in Christ are welcome to come forward to the table to share in communion. Following the usher s guidance, please come forward down the center aisle, and receive an individual cup. There are two chalices (pouring cups); the first contains wine and the second grape juice. When you have received the bread and wine (or juice), return to your pew via the side aisle. Children and others who do not wish to receive communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing. If you have not yet filled out a communion card this year please take the time to do that today. Music During Distribution: Lamb of God, Quiet Music P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 15th chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord. 6 11
Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8 7 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed * by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; Eucharistic Prayer P: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. 10 such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become * my disciples. Please be seated Sermon P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Hymn of the Day: ELW # 853 When Morning Gilds the Skies Apostle s Creed A: As we grow together in grace, we confess our faith in the words of the Apostles Creed. C: 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 into hell. 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 again 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. 7
Joys and Concerns Prayers of the Church A: Rejoicing in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we pray for the witness of the church, the wholeness of creation, and all who are in need. (a brief silence) For ministries that nurture faith formation. For missionaries and Bible study leaders. For those who are seeking, questioning, and curious. For seminarians, campus ministers, and the newly baptized, let us pray. A: For the beauty and health of the earth. For vineyards and orchards, groves and plains. For rain forests and arctic tundra. For volcanoes and mountains, hills and valleys. For oceans deep and rivers wide, let us pray. A: For spears to beat into pruning hooks. For harsh words to be reformed into loving speech. For bombs and sniper attacks to cease. For justice and peace in every land, let us pray. A: For homeless youth and rejected children. For isolated grandparents and lonely nursing home residents. For the shamed, the slighted, and the disregarded members of our communities. For all the sick (especially), let us pray. A: For all who live with post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum depression. For all who struggle with eating disorders and anorexia for all who suffer in silence and all who suffer alone, let us pray. A: In thanksgiving for all the mystics and theologians who live eternally with you. For those we mourn and those we would rather forget. For the kingdom on earth to be as it is in heaven, let us pray. P: We entrust all our prayers to you, gracious God. Receive them by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Peace P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you. (The congregation shares a sign of peace by simply saying Peace be with you.) Please Be Seated Offering Offertory Response OSB # 65 Give Thanks Offering Prayer A: Be known to us, O Lord, in the breaking of the bread, as you were made known to the disciples. Receive these gifts, and the offering of our lives, that we may be your risen body in the world. Great Thanksgiving P: It is indeed right, our duty and join their unending hymn: 8 9