WHAT S HAPPENING Special Thanks to our soloists, Jan Wolery, Eric Jurgenson and Dave Olson and to our flautist, Charles Peterson. 5 th Sunday Potluck Come join us for a potluck following service TODAY! Spiritual Formation will resume next week so we can all enjoy the Potluck! Are your ready for VBS? Are you ready for a wild and crazy time June 25 29? We can use YOU! What do you like to do? Get messy? Sing? Be a traveling companion from site to site? What do YOU want to do for VBS? Have you signed up your child for VBS? There are two ways to register: on-line at www.holycrosslivermore.org or the "paper way" with the forms in the narthex or the church office. Registration ends June 3rd. Questions? Contact Jeanette Kuneli at 447-5245, email jmkunelius@hotmail.com and/or Judy Bird at 443-2190, email j2bird@ymail.com. The Mid-Week Forum is hosting a series on the Resurrection, examining various points of view. It will go through Wednesday, May 2 nd hosting a discussion with Pastor John. Shearing & Shakespeare a Concert of Poetic Pairings is being presented by the Las Positas College Concert Choir on Sunday, May 6 th at 3:00 pm. Holy Cross very own Eric Jurgenson is a soloist in the production and would love the support of the church family. Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students or seniors. You can purchase tickets at the door or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/226603. Call the Performing arts event line at 925-424-1100 for more information. Bingo Night Fundraiser Friday, May 11 th from 6:00 9:00 pm. Come help the Senior High Youth Ministry raise funds for their trip to the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! Pick up a flyer in the narthex for more information, or talk to Judy Bird at 443-2190, email j2bird@ymail.com or one of the youth! We will be pre-selling tickets to church members after the service on May 6 th. 2
Holy Cross Lutheran School - Summer School Program: Summer School registration is now open. The four week session runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 am -11:30 beginning July 10th tuition is $225.00. There is a $25.00 registration fee for children not already currently enrolled or registered for our fall program. Crafty Ladies Luncheon This Tuesday, May 1, Crafty Ladies will be having their annual luncheon. We will meet at The Railroad Café in Livermore at 11:30 a.m. If any ladies of the congregation would like to join us, we welcome your company. Please call Joyce Correia at 443-6512 if you would like to attend the luncheon or have questions about Crafty Ladies. It s time for the next installment of F.I.S.H. dinner groups. Are you ready? The new groups will be together for June, July & August. We will have a potluck in May to form the new groups. If you are currently in a group, and would like to be in the next round of FISH groups, or if you re not currently in a group, but would like to join one, you can contact Gloria Wallace, FISH Coordinator, directly at rwall324@comcast.net, 925-449-6771 or contact the church office at 925-447-8840. You can also register online at www.holycrosslivermore.org > REACH > F.I.S.H. Questions? Comments? Have something to share with the congregation? Submit your ideas, announcements or articles for the weekly bulletin no later than Wednesday for inclusion in that Sunday s bulletin. You can call the Church Office at 447-8840, or submit your ideas, questions and comments via email to admin@holycrosslivermore.org 3
FOURTH SUNDAY IN EASTER APRIL 29, 2012 HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH 1020 Mocho Street, Livermore, CA 94550 Church Office (925) 447-8840 Sunday Worship Celebration, 9:30 a.m. Please visit our web site at www.holycrosslivermore.org for more information Holy Cross Lutheran Pre-School & Junior Kindergarten - School Office (925) 447-1864 Welcome! We welcome you to this worship celebration. Newcomers and members are invited to give the requested information on the Keeping Connected card inserted in the bulletin. Name Tags are in the pews for everyone to use. The Ark Nursery Parents with children to three years old are invited to use our staffed nursery across the hall from the sanctuary. A paging system is employed for your convenience and your child s safety. Children s Worship Helps There are activity sheets, crayons and books on the library shelves located in the Narthex. Ministry of the Word At the appointed time, a lector/reader will enact the grand narrative of our faith by reading from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the letters of Paul, and the Gospels. We believe the proclamation of these readings not only recalls the mighty acts of God, thereby serving as a reminder of who and whose we are, but also serves to constitute a new and right spirit within us, shaping and molding us to live authentically in light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the telling of this story, the liturgy serves to invite us into this sacred drama by simply listening to the proclamation of God s divine narrative that comes to us in poetry, prose, and song, or by following along on the separately printed scriptural readings found on the back of your bulletin cover. We Celebrate Holy Communion All are welcome to the Lord s Table. The wine is offered either by individual or common cup. For those who would prefer grape juice, it is already poured in cups in the center of the communion tray. While the age-appropriateness of when a child should receive the holy meal is not insignificant, a child s age should not preclude full participation in the sacrament. It is God s free gift to all, received in the spirit of faith that God can and does transcend all cognitive and emotive ability to fully understand the profound mystery of this most sacred of meals. At the same time, to more fully appreciate the rich and varied textures of the Holy Meal, one would do well to enroll their child in First Communion Instruction when he/she feels his/her child is of an age where such instruction would be meaningful. In short, the gift of God s grace offered to us in the Holy Meal is free, but it is not cheap. If you have questions about the age-appropriateness of your child s receiving the Holy Meal, please schedule a time to meet with Pastor John to discuss your concerns. 4
PRELUDE SHEPHERD ME, O GOD CHOIR & MUSIC TEAM BY MARTY HAUGEN GATHERING SONG ELW 619, VS. 1,2,7,8 CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 5
GREETING Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen! All: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All: And also with you. 6
SONG OF PRAISE THIS IS THE FEAST ELW SETTING 8 7
PRAYER OF THE DAY Leader: Let us pray All: O Lord Christ, good shepherd of the sheep, you seek the lost and guide us into your fold. Feed us, and we shall be satisfied; heal us, and we shall be whole. Make us one with you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 8
FIRST READING ACTS 4:5-12 AUDREY SATO Leader: Word of God. Word of Life. All: Thanks be to God. PSALMODY ELW 778 9
SECOND READING 1 JOHN 3:16-24 JOEL SWANSON Leader: Word of God. Word of Life. All: Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Leader: The Holy Gospel according to John. All: Glory to you, O Lord. THE GOSPEL JOHN 10:11-18 PASTOR JOHN BOST Leader: The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ. 10
CHILDREN S TIME BO COLE, JO JOHNSON SERMON PASTOR JOHN BOST HYMN OF THE DAY ELW 482 11
FIRST COMMUNION CELEBRATION Leader 1: Will the young people who have completed their First Communion Milestone please come to the front of the altar area with your parents, family, and other caregivers who have joined you in this milestone event. Leader 2: These young people have completed their study and preparation for this special day. On Saturday, April 21, these children gathered to learn more about Holy Communion with one another through study, crafts, games, prayer, and the making of the chalice that you see displayed on the altar. Each exercise and moment serves as reminders of Jesus invitation to these children, and to us all, to come to his table where the gifts of God are FREE! Leader 1: In Luke 24, two disciples had been walking with the risen Lord on that first Easter Sunday. They did not recognize him although their hearts burned within them as they heard Jesus explain the Scriptures. The two invited Jesus to stay with them when they had arrived at Emmaus. That evening, when they were at the table to eat, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Leader 2: Then, in the breaking of the bread, in that moment of Holy Communion, their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. Today we join with these young people, their families, and their friends to again break bread in the presence of the risen Lord and have our eyes opened and our hearts burn with faith, with hope, and with love. Parent/Caregiver: (Spoken individually to each child. The family and friends of the child may place a hand on his/her shoulders or head as the following blessing is given.) Know that when you receive communion today, it is part of a lifetime of God s gracious will and act to forgive us and renew us as God s people in Christ. [Name], may the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you receive Holy Communion and trust in God s constant love for you now and always. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Make the sign of the cross on his/her forehead.) Amen. 12
Leader 1: Young people, families, and friends, please face the congregation. Whether you are communing for the first time today or have communed before, hear as the people gathered today extend to you a word of invitation to the Lord s Supper. Congregation: Dear friends in Christ, we gladly join with you at the Lord s table today, one in Christ through the mystery of this sacrament and the promise of God s most holy word. Come now, for in Christ s death and resurrection all things have been made ready. Come to the feast that knows no end. Leader 2: Let us pray Dear Lord, throughout time your word has told us of and promised us your steadfast love. In this sacred meal that we are about to celebrate, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, comes with forgiveness and new life in bread and wine and your word and Holy Spirit. We gladly join with these young people today as they receive Holy Communion. May it be for them and for us all a time to have our eyes of faith opened to your presence and goodness and our hearts burn with the knowledge and trust in your saving work for us and for all that you create. In the name of Jesus Christ, the One who commands that we receive this meal together. Congregation: Amen. (The young people, families, and friends return to their seats as the service continues.) PRAYERS OF THE INTERCESSION Leader: With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, Let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God s creation. Each petition of the prayers ends with these words: Leader: Lord in your mercy, All: hear our prayer. Leader: Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through Jesus Christ our Savior. 13
All: Amen. PEACE Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you always. All: And also with you. OFFERTORY HYMN LEAD US ALONG CHOIR BY GEORGE A. YOUNG OFFERING PRAYER Leader: Let us pray 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. All: Amen. HOLY COMMUNION Leader: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. 14
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Leader: 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. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. THE LORD'S PRAYER All: 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. 15
INVITATION TO COMMUNION Leader: These are the fruits of God for the people of God. Come to the table, all are welcome, for the gifts of God are All: FREE! COMMUNION SONGS 16
17 ELW 491 LEADER, ERIC JURGENSON
ELW 474 VERSES ON NEXT PAGE 18
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20 ELW 484
21 ELW 481
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Leader: Let us pray Life-giving God, we give you thanks for nourishing us with the bread of heaven and the wine of love, Jesus our risen Savior. As you send us into the world, guard us from the power of evil, keep us in unity with all your people, and by your Spirit move us to testify to your grace in our words and actions; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. BLESSING Leader: Almighty God, who raised our Lord Jesus from death, lift you up and restore you to wholeness. All: Amen. Leader: Jesus Christ, the Word of life, bless you and send you to be his witnesses. All: Amen. Leader: God the Holy Spirit, who renews the whole earth, + refresh you in the gift of baptism this day and always. All: Amen. 22
SENDING SONG ELW 536 DISMISSAL Leader: Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia. All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. POSTLUDE 23
THIS WEEK AT HCLC Sun 4/29 9:30 a Worship Celebration 11:00 a Fifth Sunday Potluck Mon 4/30 7:30 p Boy Scouts Tue 5/1 12:00 p Stephen Ministry 7:00 p Boy Scouts special meeting 7:30 p Music Team Wed 5/2 10:00 a Mid-Week Forum 7:00 p AA Meeting 7:30 p Choir Rehearsal Thurs 5/3 10:30 a Young at Heart 1:00 p Mom s In Touch Fri 5/4 8:00 p AA Meeting Sat 5/5 7:30 a Men s Ministry 1:00 p Youth Tea Fundraiser Next Sunday, May 6 9:30 a Sunday Worship Gathering 10:45 a Spiritual Formation 24