Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples
of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the
Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table
the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
-PRELUDE
L: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
L: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
*ENTRANCE HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling ELW 631
*THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All turn toward the baptismal font and may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at
baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
L: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, by whose hand we are given new birth,
by whose speaking we are given new life.
C: Amen.
L: Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are welcomed, restored, and supported as citizens of the new creation. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
L: Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty, you are the river of life, you are the everlasting wellspring. In mercy and might you have freed us from death and raised us with Jesus,
the firstborn of the dead. In baptismal waters our old life is washed away, and in them we
are born anew. Water is poured into the font as the presiding minister continues.
L: Glory to you for oceans and lakes, for rivers and streams. Honor to you for waters that wash
us clean, quench our thirst, and nurture both crops and creatures. Praise to you for the lifegiving water of baptism, the outpouring of the Spirit of the new creation.
C: Wash away our sin and all that separates us from you. Empower our witness to your
resurrection. Strengthen our resolve in seeking justice for all.
L: Satisfy the world’s need through this living water. Where drought dries the earth, bring refreshment. Where despair prevails, grant hope. Where chaos reigns, bring peace. We ask this
through Christ, who with you and the Spirit reigns forever.
C: Amen.
L: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
*HYMN OF PRAISE Glory to God WOV p.29
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
L Let us pray… Almighty and ever-living God,
C you hold together all things in heaven and on earth. In your great mercy receive the
prayers of all your children, and give to all the world the Spirit of your truth and
peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
-FIRST READING: Acts 17:22-31
(after the reading)
L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 66:8-20 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3:13-22
(after the reading)
L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME (Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW p. 188
*GOSPEL: John 14:15-21
L The holy gospel according to John, the 14th chapter. C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.
-MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow
-HYMN OF THE DAY Thy Holy Wings ELW 613
*NICENE CREED ELW p. 104
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
each petition ends with
L Risen Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.
*SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C And also with you.
(Please share a sign of God’s peace with one another, such as Peace be with you.)
-PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
The Offering is presented at the altar as the Offertory is sung.
-OFFERTORY Glory to you, God WOV p.50
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
L Let us pray. Gracious God,
C in the abundance of your steadfast love, you call us from death to life, from silence to
speech, from idleness to action. With these gifts we offer ourselves to you, and with the
Church through all the ages we give thanks for your saving love in Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
*LORD’S PRAYER
L Let us pray with confidence in the words our Savior gave us:
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.
SENDING
*BLESSING
L: Almighty God, who raised our Lord Jesus from death, lift you up and restore you to wholeness.
C: Amen.
L: Jesus Christ, the Word of life, bless you and send you to be his witnesses.
C: Amen.
L: God the Holy Spirit, who renews the whole earth, refresh you in the gift of baptism this day
and always.
C: Amen.
L: Almighty God, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
*SENDING HYMN Now Thank We All Our God ELW 840
*DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Share the good news! Alleluia!
C Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF MAY 21st– Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-
14, 5:6-11, John 17:1-11.
PRESCHOOL-HORRAY!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!! The St. John’s Preschool has a teacher!
We are taking registrations now. Please pass the word along. We are trying to get the information
on social media as much as possible, but word of mouth would be great as well. Thank you for all
your support of the Preschool!
WORSHIP HELPERS – May 21 -Reader– Mary Crawford, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller,
May 28– Reader– Jim Bonsall, Lay Assistant– Ron Henzler.
COMMUNITY TABLE– Monday, May 15th & 22nd at 10:30am. Are you able to help serve? Please
contact the church office at 762-1883.
BAPTISM–If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, please contact Pastor Megan.
MAY BRUNCH – Carry-in brunch for May will be next Sunday, May 21st.
MAY FLOWERS– We would like to plant ‘annual’ flowers in the Memorial Garden, and planters in front of the church. If you would like to donate a ‘flat’ of flowers in honor/memory of a
loved one, or if you just like pretty flowers growing, please bring them to the church. Jerry and
Krestie Tolstedt will be planting the flowers. If you would like to help plant, please contact them
or the church office.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– Wednesdays @ 9:30. Led by Jody Mischnick. Last Bible study
will be May 24th until after Labor Day.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES– Thursdays at 5:30pm.
ALTAR GUILD– We need volunteers to help with the Altar Guild. Contact Luayne Weisgerber
for additional information or to sign up. Thanks!
MEMBER CALLER– You may have noticed you haven’t been receiving any robo-calls from the
church recently. As of April 1st, right during Holy Week, our calling program was discontinued.
We had four days notice of this, so we couldn’t plan ahead! We are working on getting another
program set up, but, of course, it takes time. Please forgive us not getting you information via
phone if you are a helper for worship, or for upcoming events. Be sure to watch the bulletins or
Facebook until we get things going again. Thanks!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 5/7/2023 $58,497.84
Giving thru 5/7/2023 $48,599.23 Giving under actual expenses ($9,898.61)
18 Weeks of Budget Expenses $68,686.02 Giving under Budget Expenses ($20,086.79)
