GATHERING
WELCOME
What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine ELW
1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the everlasting arms.
2 Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain
3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain
Text: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839-1929
Every Time I Feel the Spirit ACS 942
Refrain
Ev’ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Ev’ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
1 Upon the mountain my Lord spoke,
out of his mouth came fire and smoke. Refrain
2 All around me looked so fine,
asked my Lord if all was mine. Refrain
3 Jordan river, chilly and cold,
chills the body but not the soul. Refrain
Text: African American spiritual
THEME PRAYER
GOD IN ACTION
Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land ELW 333
Refrain
Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
a weary land, a weary land;
my Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
a shelter in a time of storm.
1 No one can do like Jesus,
not a mumbling word he said;
he went walking down to Lazarus’ grave,
and he raised him from the dead. Refrain
2 When Jesus was on earth,
the flesh was very weak;
he took a towel and girded himself
and he washed his disciples’ feet. Refrain
3 Yonder comes my Savior,
him whom I love so well;
he has the palm of victory
and the keys of death and hell. Refrain
Text: African American spiritual
WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
What a Friend We Have in Jesus ELW 742
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
oh, what needless pain we bear–
all because we do not carry
ev’rything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged–
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness–
take it to the Lord in prayer.
3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there. Text: Joseph Scriven, 1820-1886
MESSAGE WITH SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:1-11 Pastor Karla
Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.
CHOIR ANTHEM “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Prayer Response:
Know that the Lord is God,
God is our maker to whom we belong. (Psalm 100:3)
MEAL
OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION
AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH
The Word has been spoken. Now, may it stir in our hearts.
COMMUNION
All: In the night in which he was betrayed, 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.
One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…
All: 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
DISTRIBUTION
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
SENDING
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
Rise Up, O Saints of God! ELW 669
1 Rise up, O saints of God!
From vain ambitions turn;
Christ rose triumphant that your hearts
with nobler zeal might burn.
2 Speak out, O saints of God!
Despair engulfs earth’s frame;
as heirs of God’s baptismal grace,
the word of hope proclaim.
3 Rise up, O saints of God!
The kingdom’s task embrace;
redress sin’s cruel consequence;
give justice larger place.
4 Give heed, O saints of God!
Creation cries in pain;
stretch forth your hand of healing now,
with love the weak sustain.
5 Commit your hearts to seek
the paths which Christ has trod;
and, quickened by the Spirit’s pow’r,
rise up, O saints of God!
Text: Norman O. Forness, b. 1936 Text © Norman O. Forness, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION
You are the body of Christ.
We are the body of Christ, indeed!
So go in peace
To explore the faith
Live in peace
To express our faith to others
Share the peace
By inviting others to join us on this journey.
All: WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD, SO LET’S TELL EVERYBODY: LIFE’S A GIFT, A FREE GIFT. NO POINTS INVOLVED! ALLELUIA!
Lectionary Readings:
The believers’ common life
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)
Follow the shepherd, even in suffering
Christ the shepherd
Reading synopsis and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
Prayer is important to us. We are a people of prayer, and our prayer leads us to know God more completely. Knowing God reassures us that God’s love is sufficient for all we need. Knowing God leads us to action, to working for justice and peace. We dedicate ourselves to making our little corner of the world a better place. We dedicate ourselves to welcoming all of God’s people. We dedicate ourselves to trusting God in all phases of life.
