| May 18, 2025
9:00am Fifth Sunday of Easter Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today! Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us. |
Make All Things New by James B. Janknegt |
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GATHERING |
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PRELUDE
Meditation on “Be Thou My Vision” Robert Lau
Auf Meinen Lieben Gott Johann. N. Hanff
Yeon Soh, organ
WELCOME
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
In the name of ☩ the One
who was, who is, and who is to come.
Amen.
Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection,
and called to live the baptized life,
let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
Water may be poured before or during the thanksgiving.
Holy God,
we give you thanks for the waters of baptism,
waters that make a people your own,
that restore to wholeness,
and empower us to be witnesses in your name.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
make us one as you are one.
We give you thanks for the waters of baptism,
waters that strengthen believers
and give new life to beloved servants of your church;
waters that extend your boundless love
and cross barriers of our own making.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
make us one as you are one.
We give you thanks for the waters of baptism,
waters that open the hearts of believers
and give a voice in the night to those in captivity;
waters that set your people on a new path,
rejoicing in the Spirit’s power.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
make us one as you are one.
Grant us grace, love, and life, O Living One,
that our every day is shaped by these waters
that give us our very lives in you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Crucified and Risen One.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds ELW 367
GREETING
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.
Hymn of Praise
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. O Lord God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing. Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love, that, made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song |
FIRST READING Acts 11:1-18
In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. In this way the mission to the Gentiles is officially authorized.
A reading from Acts.
1 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3 saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4 Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6 As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10 This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11 At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14 he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Revelation 21:1-6
John’s vision shows us that in the resurrection the new age has dawned; God dwells with us already. Yet we wait for the time when the tears that cloud our vision will be wiped away. Then we will see the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem.
A reading from Revelation.1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Cassie
After the children’s message, children ages 3-6th grade are invited to go upstairs for Sunday School classes.
Visitors are welcome to join.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL John 13:31-35
After washing the disciples’ feet, predicting his betrayal, and then revealing his betrayer, Jesus speaks of his glorification on the cross. This deep complicated love of Jesus, even to death on the cross, will be the distinctive mark of Jesus’ community.
The Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Cassie
HYMN OF THE DAY Spirit Open My Heart ACS 1043
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Jake Dibbert and children Jax, PJ, and Evie
Kelsey Chin and children Liana and Kyla
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Fill the church with the spirit of your redeeming love. Make us steadfast in our proclamation of your grace for all people without exceptions, especially those often overlooked in our communities.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Awaken joy in the beauty and abundance of your creation. Show us the wonder of your presence from the smallest flower to the tallest tree. Recommit us to preservation of wild places such as Bowman Conservation Area, Knowlton Preserve, and Potter Hill Meadows. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Instruct all world leaders to protect the most vulnerable among us. Guide those in power toward economic policies that are equitable and just, so that all might have sufficient resources to live safely and with dignity. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Pour out your love on all in need of care: those mourning losses, enduring trauma, experiencing broken relationships, yearning for companionship, or facing illness especially Sue, Shirley, Darlene, Michael, Linda, Bill, Lou, Nancy, Cheryl, Joanne, Terri, Maddie, Butch, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders. Wipe away every tear. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Abide with us at Good Shepherd. Give us a clear sense of our call as a congregation. Fill our gatherings with joy and gladness. Fill us with courage to invite friends and neighbors to come and experience this community of faith. Center us always on your life changing love and grace.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give thanks for all the saints whose lives bear witness to your redeeming love, especially Bernie Mieth and the one year anniversary of his death, remembered through altar flowers given by Anneliese Mieth today. Guide us by their example, until we join them in your eternal home.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING INVITATION (Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
ANTHEM I Come with Joy arr. Zebulon M. Highben
Chancel Choir
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS This Joyful Eastertide ELW 391
sing verse 1
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Risen One, You have given everything to us.
To You, God, we return it.
Everything we have is yours
Do with it what You will.
Give us only your love and your grace
That is enough for us. Amen.
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MEAL |
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
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, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
We praise you, O God, for your saving works throughout history.
We see your resurrection power in the goodness of creation,
in the fullness of community seeking to follow you, in the spirit of new life you place within us.
From the beginning, your people placed their trust in you.
Abraham and Sarah traveled to a new land and received your promise.
Moses and Miriam led the Israelites across the Red Sea into freedom.
Esther would not be silent in the face of oppression.
The prophets preached your word with passion and with power,
Daniel refused to bow down to the king.
Remembering the danger and risk in these stories and in our world, we give thanks for Jesus.
He sided with the poor, made the sick well, welcomed sinners, and ate with outcasts.
We remember, we refuse to forget.
He would not hate. He told the truth at the cost of his life.
We remember, we refuse to forget.
Betrayed and deserted by his friends, he was killed as a common criminal, shamed and despised.
We remember, we refuse to forget.
Death could not hold him. God raised him in power from the grave.
We remember, we refuse to forget.
He returned to us without vengeance, only mercy in his hands.
He is with us now, to the end of the age.
And we remember that on the night when he was betrayed, he fed us with signs of love.
At the table, Jesus took some 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.
Together at the table, we say yes to the ways of love and mercy.
Together at the table, we resist the powers of death active all around.
Together at the table, we raise our voices to proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!
Come Holy Spirit, Life of our life!
Bless this grain from the earth, this fruit of the vine.
Make them food and drink of abundant life.
Fill us with grace and courage to become servants of peace.
Make us one body in Jesus Christ, alive with you, now and for all time!
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
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.
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
Every time we gather at this table, we build God’s love together.
Come and see how the foundation has been prepared!
COMMUNION
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence.
We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.
Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer), and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
AGNUS DEI
COMMUNION HYMNS Come, We That Love the Lord ELW 625
Baptized and Set Free ELW 453
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Easter God, you have met us in bread and wine, and surprised us with your joy. Send us into the world dancing with delight and with hallelujahs ringing in our hearts, to share your justice and your praise. Amen.
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SENDING |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The God of resurrection power,
the Christ of unending joy,
and the Spirit of Easter hope
☩ bless you now and always.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! ELW 383
Dismissal
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Go in peace. In Christ you are made new! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
POSTLUDE Llanfair arr. by Albert L. Travis
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Randy Koopman
Lector Paula Limberg
Communion Presenters David & Janet Golden
Ushers Josh & Lauren Pajak
Altar Care Mary Callahan and Cherie Lynch-Conway
Livestream Operator Justine Mayotte
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
Erik, King of Sweden, martyr, died 1160
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Erik is considered the patron saint of Sweden. As king of that nation, he tried to bring peace in the region, and to spread Christianity in Scandinavia. He was also known for his attempts to make fair laws and to protect those who were poor or sick.
Helena, mother of Constantine, died around 330
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Influenced by her son to become Christian, Helena (or Helen) lived an exemplary life of faith. She is also remembered for traveling through Palestine building churches on the sites she believed to be associated with Christ’s life.
Nicolaus Copernicus, died 1543; Leonhard Euler, died 1783; scientists
Saturday, May 24, 2025
These two men were both scientists who helped to explain the wonders of God’s universe. Copernicus is best known for promoting the idea that the sun, not the earth, is at the center of our solar system. Euler was one of the founders of pure mathematics, and contributed to many other fields.
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| From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Prayer after communion by Jan Berry, found in Fire and Bread: Resources for Easter Day to Trinity Sunday by Ruth Burgess. |
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