Deeper in Prayer: How to Listen to God. Sometimes it s more important in prayer to be silent and listen to God, then to do all the talking yourself. Welcome! Welcome to worship today at Easter Lutheran Church! This fall, the people of Easter are reflecting on how to live deep lives. Our church is known in this community for its outreach. Yet, to sustain such engaging work in the community we must also tend to our own roots of faith. Strength comes from deep-reaching roots. Happy are those who are like trees planted by streams of water, which grow their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalm 1) For twelve weeks this fall we will explore A Deep Life in three specific parts; prayer, worship, and generosity. This fall, expect your roots to grow deeply. For families of children 5 and under, you are invited to find a Spark Box outside the worship space for your child to play. More wiggles? The nursery is available for 3 and under. 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). Deeper in Prayer: How to Listen to God October 7, 2018 8:30 & 10 a.m. Easter Lutheran Church to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ Prelude: Nun Bitten Wir - Buxtehude Dawn Whittenburg, piano/organ Greetings and Announcements Gathering Confession and Forgiveness Pastor: God of all wonders, you have set us humans under the swirling stars and among wild winds, hoping that in your love we will grow deep, sustaining roots. You constantly care for us. Though, somewhere among our schedules and phones and emails and lists, we forget to be rooted. Congregation: For the sake of living deeply, remind us that your love has no end. P: We forget to be kind. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us to care for one another. As Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! Thank you Parents/Grandparents for bringing your children to worship! P: We forget to be honest. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us that we are fragile. P: We forget to conserve. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us that your creation is holy. P: We forget about breathing. C: For the sake of living deeply, remind us of your peace and forgive us. P: God of wonders, for the sake of living deeply, be with us. We rejoice in your forgiveness. Your love is all we need to live a deep life. C: Amen.
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. Sharing of the Peace Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you. Gathering Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Hymnal #858 All hymns can be found in the red book under the chairs The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection Greeting: Leader: Congregation: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Kyrie 2
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Canticle of Praise: continued Prayer of the Day Wonderful God, help us to grow lives deeply rooted in you. Open our ears, hearts, and minds to your voice, so that we recognize you in all places. Give us peace to hear all the still, small voices and abide in us as we grow deep lives. In the light of your son we pray, Amen. Anthem (10:00) Asante Sana, Yesu (Tanzanian sung prayer) Choristers God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song Children s Message Word Lesson: 1 Kings 19: 9-13 (NRSV) At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, What are you doing here, Elijah? He answered, I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away. He said, Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, What are you doing here, Elijah? 4 L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Lesson: Romans 8: 24-27 (NRSV) For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation: Gospel: Mark 3: 24-27 (NRSV) If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. L: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon Pastor Brandon Newton Hymn of the Day: He Comes to Us as One Unknown Hymnal #737 5
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. Another translation of catholic church is church universal 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. Baptism (8:30) Eli Thomas McDonough, son of Patrick & Shannon McDonough. His sponsors are Jason & Carolyn Dietrich. P: Let us speak together words of welcome to our new brother in Christ. C: We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ! Prayers of Intercession Each prayer petition will conclude: Pastor: Lord, in your mercy, Congregation: Hear our prayer. 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 of Gifts Meal 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. 6 Offertory: Almighty and Everlasting God - Gibbons Recorder Ensemble 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 God of all vision, we thank you for these good gifts and we now return them to you. We lift up our prayers, our worship, our brokenness, our relationships, our callings, and our hopes to you. Use us to encourage lives of deep faith in our families, our friends, and our neighborhoods, through the love of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving P. The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise. 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: 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. Holy, Holy, Holy Communion today is at the table. Grape juice is available in the tray and gluten-free wafers are at the back of the sanctuary near the sound booth. 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. 7
Distribution Lamb of God Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart Hymnal #800 Around You, O Lord Jesus Hymnal #468 Blessing Sending 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 Sending Song: Sent Forth by God s Blessing Hymnal #547 stanza 1 Dismissal Postlude: Kitty Tyrell (Irish Traditional) Recorder Ensemble Easter Lutheran Church Ministers: All the members of Easter Pastors: Lamont Koerner, Brandon Newton, Steve Thomason, Angela Denker 4200 Pilot Knob Road (Hill) 4545 Pilot Knob Road (Lake) Phone: 651-452-3680 easter.org to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ 8