Worship Helpers: Preacher– Maurine Roller Reader – Jim Bonsall Lay Assistant – Ron Henzler
Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on
Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s
presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s
presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in
the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering
them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all 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 O Day Full of Grace (vv.1-4) ELW 627
*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… O God,
C On this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy
Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all
things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
WORD
-FIRST READING: Acts 2:1-21
(after the reading)
L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 104:24-34, 35b ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
(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 20:19-23
L The holy gospel according to John, the 20th chapter. C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.
-MESSAGE Maurine Roller, PMA
-HYMN OF THE DAY Every Time I Feel the Spirit ACS 942
*LITANY OF HOPE FOR MEMORIAL DAY
P: While we grieve and remember all who died in military service,
C: we are not as those without hope.
A: Just as Jesus died and rose from the grave,
C: so too will the dead rise in Christ.
P: We recall with gladness those who died in service to neighbor and nation.
C: May their memory and sacrifice not be forgotten.
A: Bring your peace, O God, to all the earth.
C: That war would be no more.
P: Lead us to your promised future,
C: to your blessed day of salvation.
A: Wipe the tears from our eyes,
C: for death will be no more.
P: On that day, O Lord of hosts, you will gather all people on your holy mountain,
C: and serve a bountiful and endless feast.
A: Nothing separates us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
C: Neither war nor suffering, life nor death, nor anything else in all creation.
P: Creator of the universe, make all things new.
C: Let it be so among us now.
A: Creator of the universe, make all things new.
C: Let it be so for those we remember this day.
P: Creator of the universe, make all things new.
C: Let it be so for this world you love.
A: Almighty God bless us, defend us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
C: Amen. Thanks be to God.
*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.)
-SPECIAL OFFERING – for Mission Field Nebraska
MISSION FIELD NEBRASKA Assembly Offering
The 2023 Nebraska Synod Assembly offering is designated to support your Mission Field Nebraska ministries. Mission Field Nebraska ministries build partnerships that address critical needs within the synod by caring for underserved populations, providing a spiritually welcoming place for newcomers to our communities, our state and our nation, and seeking to share the gospel in places where the church has traditionally been unfamiliar. The Mission Field Nebraska ministries of the Nebraska Synod span the synod and more.
-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 Spirit of the Living God W&P 129 (CCLI)
*DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Share the good news! Alleluia!
C Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF JUNE 4th– Genesis 1:1- -2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13,
Matthew 28:16-20.
PRESCHOOL-HOORAY!! 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!
MEMORIAL DAY-MAY 29– Church office is closed.
WOMEN’S RETREAT– June 10th at the 1st Presbyterian Church, 515 Emerson, 9am-4pm.
FATHER’S DAY & JUNE BRUNCH– June 18th. Carry-in brunch following 9am worship!
WORSHIP HELPERS – June 11 -Reader– Jody Mischnick, Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller,
June 18– Reader– Brian Johnson, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber, June 25-Reader– Patricia
Jones, Lay Assistant-Earl Jones.
COMMUNITY TABLE– Monday, June 19th & 26th 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.
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 5/21/2023 $65,264.31
Giving thru 5/21/2023 $55,135.61
Giving under actual expenses ($10,128.70)
20 Weeks of Budget Expenses $76,317.80
Giving under Budget Expenses ($21,182.19)
