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 School Preschool & Jr. Kindergarten - School Office (925) 447-1864 Welcome! - We welcome you to this worship celebration! All newcomers are invited to give the requested information on the Welcome Card for our records. The Ark Nursery - Parents with children newborn to 4 years old are invited to use our staffed nursery across the hall from the sanctuary. Children s Worship Helps - There are activity sheets, crayons and books on the library shelves located in the Narthex. There are also kid s bulletins in the back of the sanctuary. 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 scriptural readings on the overhead screens. 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 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. 2
Service We join a solemn journey of three days that has changed the world and our own lives. Followers of Jesus have been taking this journey since his first followers took it, long ago. + silence + This is the night of love. + silence + On the night Jesus took a towel and basin, and washed his disciples' feet. On this night he told them to do the same for others to show their love for him and for one another. This is the night of love. + silence + On this night, followers of Jesus have invited those preparing for baptism to begin with them a solemn vigil of prayer and fasting until the day of Christ's resurrection is fulfilled. This is the night of love. + silence + On this night, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with his followers for the last time, and invited them to remember him to encounter him anew, whenever they did the same. This is the night of love. + silence + 3
On this night, followers of Jesus have welcomed those who have returned to the way of Jesus after a time of wandering and a journey of returning. This is the night of love. + silence + This is the night of love. And so, on this night, we welcome the seeker -- all here have wandered- - and invite all preparing -- all here are still learning -- to join us in hearing and obeying the commandment of our Teacher and to feast at his table, that we may love one another as he has loved us. Come, ye sinners. Come, ye thirsty. Come, ye weary. Come to the night of love. As we continue, you are invited to stand up and move around the room to embrace others, sharing a sign of peace - Peace be with you and, if you wish, the reason for your need of embrace brokenness, spiritual thirst, weariness, pain, sadness, or whatever the reason may be. 4
Reading: John 13:1-7, 12-16, 34-35 Art Alm Reflection: Pastor John Bost Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down, WP 31 5
Special Anthem Prayer Let us pray. Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People: Amen. Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is indeed right, our devotion 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, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all. You gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into 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: 6
Holy, Holy, Holy Thanksgiving at the Table You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation. 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. 7
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. Remembering, therefore, his command, his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and the promise of his coming again, we give thanks to you, O Lord God Almighty, not as we ought but as we are able; we ask you mercifully to accept our praise and thanksgiving and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us, your servants, and these your own gifts of bread and wine, so that we and all who share in the body and blood of Christ may be filled with heavenly blessing and grace, and, receiving the forgiveness of sin, may be formed to live as your holy people and be given our inheritance with all your saints. To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever. The Lord s Prayer Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray People: 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. Invitation to Communion These are the fruits of God for the people of God. Come now to the table - all are welcome - for the gifts of God are People: FREE! 8
Communion Songs Let Us Break Bread Together, ELW 471 9
Holy Spirit, by The Torwalts Verse 1 There's nothing worth more That will ever come close Nothing can compare You're our Living Hope Your Presence, Lord Verse 2 I've tasted and seen Of the sweetest of loves Where my heart becomes free And my shame is undone Your presence, Lord CHORUS Holy Spirit You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere Your glory God is what our hearts long for To be overcome by Your presence, Lord Your presence, Lord Verse 3 There's nothing worth more That will ever come close Nothing can compare You're our Living Hope Your presence, Lord Verse 4 I've tasted and seen Of the sweetest of loves Where my heart becomes free And my shame is undone Your presence Lord BRIDGE Let us become more aware of Your presence Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Repeat) 10
Be Thou My Vision, ELW 793 11
Prayer After Communion Let us pray. Lord Jesus, in a wonderful sacrament you strengthen us with the saving power of your suffering, death, and resurrection. May this sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. Stripping the Altar (Psalm 22) All depart in silence. Please join us tomorrow night at 7:00 pm for Good Friday 12