GATHERING
WELCOME
You Are Mine ELW 581
1 “I will come to you in the silence,
I will lift you from all your fear.
You will hear my voice,
I claim you as my choice.
Be still and know I am here.”
2 “I am hope for all who are hopeless,
I am eyes for all who long to see.
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light.
Come and rest in me.”
Refrain
“Do not be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me,
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.”
3 “I am strength for all the despairing,
healing for the ones who dwell in shame.
All the blind will see,
the lame will all run free,
and all will know my name.” Refrain
4 “I am the Word that leads all to freedom,
I am the peace the world cannot give.
I will call your name,
embracing all your pain.
Stand up, now walk and live!” Refrain
Text: David Haas, b. 1957
Text © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb!
Amen.
We give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
Merciful God,
you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation:
morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness
who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows.
Break down barriers that divide us.
Fill us with the breath of peace.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism;
for making us a new creation. We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.
The Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead
dwells in us, pours God’s love into our hearts,
and gives us life and peace. Amen. Alleluia!
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
We pray together:
Almighty and ever-living God, 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, the Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Change My Heart, O God ELW 801
Change my heart, O God;
make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God;
may I be like you.
You are the potter;
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me;
this is what I pray.
Change my heart, O God;
make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God;
may I be like you.
Text: Eddie Espinosa, b. 1953
Text © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing, admin. Music Services
Acts 6:1-8:2 (selected verses)
Our scripture today introduces us to Stephen and the highlights of his character, his ministry, and then his martyrdom.
By All Your Saints ELW 420 vss 1, 2, 4, & Last
1 By all your saints still striving,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy name, O Jesus,
forevermore be blessed!
For you arose victorious
that they might wear the crown
and share the light of glory
reflected from your throne.
2 Apostles, prophets, martyrs,
and all the noble throng
who wear the spotless raiment
and raise the ceaseless song
for these passed on before us,
we sing our praise anew
and, walking in their footsteps,
would live our lives for you.
4 All praise for Stephen, martyr,
who saw you ready stand
to help in time of torment,
to plead at God’s right hand.
O Jesus, born to save us,
grant us discerning sight,
that true till death we serve you
and witness to your light.
L Give praise to God Almighty,
and worship God the Son,
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three in One,
till all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
and honor, pow’r, and glory
ascribe to God alone.
Text: Horatio Bolton Nelson, 1823-1913, alt.
SERMON Pastor Karla and Deacon Jennifer
CHOIR ANTHEM “There Is Love”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Blessed be God, who does not reject our prayer,
and extends unfailing love to us. (Psalm 66:20)
MEAL
OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION
AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH
We have prayed. We have sung. We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LORD’S PRAYER
And now, join me in praying as Jesus taught us…
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
Listen, God Is Calling ELW 513
(Note: Leader sings the lines in parentheses)
Refrain
Listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,
offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.
Listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,
offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.
1 (Jesus gave his mandate:)
share the good news
(that he came to save us)
and set us free. Refrain
2 (Let none be forgotten)
throughout the world.
(In the triune name of God)
go and baptize. Refrain
3 (Help us to be faithful,)
standing steadfast,
(walking in your precepts,)
led by your Word. Refrain Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922
OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION
You are the body of Christ.
We are the body of Christ in the world!
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.
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!
Confession and Forgiveness, Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day, and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit their Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR TODAY
Paul’s message to the Athenians
Bless our God, you peoples; let the sound of praise be heard. (Ps. 66:8)
The days of Noah, a sign of baptism
Christ our advocate
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.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER…
Those who are ill, injured, facing or recovering from surgery, struggling to cope “with life”…Lynn Long (Judy Nagy’s sister)…Charlotte Jenkins (Jeffrey’s mother)…Kathy Perkins (Jeanie Williams’ sister)… Pastor Karla…Emily Johnson…Scott Miller… Bruce Hartley…Helena Hirschlein and family (niece of Wasiluk’s)…Bruce Gillette…Rachel Evans…Emma Fuenta (Sheila’s niece’s granddaughter)…John and Denise Kloska… Pam Hartley…Irene Ashkenas (Pastor Karla’s friend)…Pat Wiedower… Barbara Culver… Corinne Sanderson…Carmen Hagen… Liz (close friend of Vicki Coffee)…Steve Nelson (Kristen Nelson’s father)… Dallas Ransom (Jenny Mendoza’s friend)…Jerry Albert… Maureen Miller… Mark Hartley… Maryella Cheek…Stacy McKenzie (friend of Susan Mendoza)…Jayne Bergen (daughter of Sheila Peterson)…Dianne Smalligan…Bruce Davidson…Elaine Sohlo (Eileen Neuman’s mother)…Linda Peters…Debbie Bennett (friend of Debbie Attwood)…Paul Sanderson…Opal Clark (Pastor Karla’s sisters MIL), Marty McCune, Donna Hengeveld (friend of Pastor Karla’s), Tucker Seele and his family, Mike Lundgren…
Those who live with pain…Carol Stroud…Rick Nagy…Linda Juhasz…
Those who mourn… the family and friends of Dean Distefani
Each week we pray for…those filled with fear, for victims of violence, those who live with frailty or living with chronic illnesses or are alone in institutions; those who live with mental illness/biological brain disorders/ addictions and their family and friends; the unemployed, the under-employed and those who must juggle more than one job to get by; those who are homeless or in prison, families experiencing violence and dissension; the teens at Storefront Teen Shelter and/or on the street, the staff, and all who help; our local partners in mission, especially the Serra Mesa Food Pantry and Community Garden and Orchard and Mission Village Christian Fellowship; TACO at First Lutheran downtown; Ascension Lutheran; Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry; Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community; the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church throughout the world, especially where persecuted; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presiding Bishop Rev Yehiel Curry; the Pacifica Synod, its congregations and ministries, Bishop Dave Nagler, and our own Pastor Karla and Deacon Jennifer; congregations in time of transition searching for leadership; our mission partners: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; California Lutheran University; Agape San Diego Campus Ministry at SDSU and UCSD; Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences; Lutheran Social Services of Southern California; Our President, Governor, and Mayor, the Congress, Legislatures, and Councils; all elected officials and for those who didn’t get elected, that they may find other ways to serve; all Judges; all who serve in public life; people of the US in our vocation as citizens; first responders and healthcare workers, all who serve in the Diplomatic Corps, the Intelligence Services, and the Armed Forces and their families and friends; all who are seeking human dignity and political self-determination; the leaders of all nations and the search for peace and justice along with the need to confront evil; for our enemies and those who persecute us and, through Christ’s call, the ability to forgive. Finally, we pray for the power and will to give thanks in all things.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
