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St. John's Worship Service - May 15, 2022
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Sunday, May 15, 2022
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Due to a family emergency, Pastor Wende will not be leading the service. We will not have Communion. Today's sermon is from the website, asermonforeverysunday.com.

PRELUDE   At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing   (Blersch)
 
* THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

In the waters of baptism, we have passed over from death to life with Jesus Christ, and we are a new creation. For this saving mystery, and for this water, let us bless God, who was, who is, and who is to come.

We thank you, God, for your river of life, flowing freely from your throne:
through the earth, through the city, through every living thing.

You rescued Noah and his family from the flood; You opened wide the sea for the Israelites. Now in these waters you flood us with mercy, and our sin is drowned forever. You open the gate of righteousness and we pass safely through.

In Jesus Christ, you calm and trouble the waters. You nourish us and enclose us in safety. You call us forth and send us out. In lush and barren places, you are with us. You have become our salvation. Now breathe upon this water and awaken your church once more. Claim us again as your beloved and holy people. Quench our thirst; cleanse our hearts; wipe away every tear.

To you, our Beginning and our End, our Shepherd and Lamb, be honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving, now and forever. Amen.

* 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.

GATHERING SONG The Day of Resurrection! (ELW 361)  

FIRST READING: Acts 11:1-18
1Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them” 4Then 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. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The 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. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17If 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” 18When 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.”

PSALM: Psalm 148
1Hallelujah! Praise the LORD| from the heavens;
praise God | in the heights.
2Praise the LORD, | all you angels;
sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
3Praise the LORD, | sun and moon;
sing praise, all you | shining stars.
4Praise the LORD, heaven of heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
who commanded, and they | were created,
6who made them stand fast forever and ever,
giving them a law that shall not | pass away. 
7Praise the LORD| from the earth,
you sea monsters | and all deeps;
8fire and hail, | snow and fog,
tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
9mountains | and all hills,
fruit trees | and all cedars;
10wild beasts | and all cattle,
creeping things and | flying birds;
11sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
princes and all rulers | of the world;
12young | men and maidens,
old and | young together. 
13Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.
14The LORD has raised up strength for the people and praise for all | faithful servants,
the children of Israel, a people who are near the LORD. | Hallelujah! 


SECOND READING: Revelation 21:1-6

1I 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. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And 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;
4he 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.”
5And 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.” 6Then 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.”
* GOSPEL:  John 13:31-35
The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

31When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little 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.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By 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.

MEDITATION:                             sermon read by Tim Fisher 

We will be using This Week's Sermon by Reverend Phillip W. Martin, Jr. from asermonforeverysunday.com website. Reverend Martin is the Senior Pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA.  

* HYMN OF THE DAY Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds (ELW 367)

* NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
   the Father, the Almighty,
   maker of heaven and earth,
   of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
   the only Son of God,
   eternally begotten of the Father,
   God from God, Light from Light,
   true God from true God,
   begotten, not made,
   of one Being with the Father;
   through him all things were made.
   For us and for our salvation
       he came down from heaven,
       was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
       and became truly human.
       For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
       he suffered death and was buried.
       On the third day he rose again
       in accordance with the scriptures;
       he ascended into heaven
       and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
       He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
       and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
   who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
   who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
   who has spoken through the prophets.
   We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
   We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
   We look for the resurrection of the dead,
       and the life of the world to come. Amen.

* PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION  

Set free from captivity to sin and death, we pray to the God of resurrection for the church, people in need, and all of creation.

Loving God, lead us to follow your Spirit, rather than our own prejudices or desires, as the church cares for one another. Open us to perceive your gifts in those we least expect. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Inspire us to praise you through the beauty and majesty of the natural world around us. Urge us toward more deliberate care of the world you have made. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Humble the rulers of nations before your splendor. Direct them to the people who need their attention most, and turn them from the temptation to hoard wealth or power. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the Ukrainian people that they be surrounded by your love and protection against the attacks on their country.  Lift them up and protect them, end this war against them and let your peace reign.   God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hasten to dwell among those who are in pain or distress. As Christ enters our deepest suffering, remain with those experiencing despair and great need. We pray especially for Sherrie, Ana, Lillian, Helen, Arlene, Jose, Hoon, the Melendez family, Connie, Pat, Hazel, Deb, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Bill, Rick, Dick, Alisia, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, Jim and those we now raise before you in our hearts.  We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit.  Grant them healing and wholeness.  God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Place holy love at the center of all our relationships and communities. By your love heal us, convict us, and renew us. Bring an end to racism in our churches and communities. Let everyone know your goodness by the love we show one another. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us a place in the diverse company of your beloved saints. Teach us the value of each person’s identity, and bless us with a shared identity as your children, kindred of Christ. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In your mercy, O God, respond to these prayers, and renew us by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.


* LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray 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.

PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
Offerings may be placed in the tray as you leave the sanctuary, or on line using the donate button on our website, or mailed to the church. All gifts are welcomed and appreciated.  Thank you for supporting our ministry as we bring God’s Word to people and help provide for their needs.

* OFFERING PRAYER
Living God,
you gather the wolf and the lamb to feed together in your peaceable reign,
and you welcome us all at your table. Reach out to us through this meal,
and show us your wounded and risen body, that we may be nourished and believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

* DIALOGUE (SPOKEN)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
It is right to 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:

* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

* THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord 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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION 

The risen Christ dwells with us here. All who are hungry, all who are thirsty, come.

COMMUNION SONG

CONGREGATIONAL SONG Now the Feast and Celebration (ELW 167)

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give you thanks, generous God, for in this bread and cup we have tasted the new heaven and earth where hunger and thirst are no more. Send us from this table as witnesses to the resurrection, that through our lives, all may know life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

* BLESSING

God, the Author of life, Christ, the living Cornerstone, and the life-giving Spirit of adoption,  bless you now and forever. Amen.

* SENDING SONG Hallelujah! Jesus Lives! (ELW 380) VS 1, 3, 4

* DISMISSAL  Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Tell what God has done. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE  Alleluia! Sons of God, Arise!   (Farra)

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of May by Bill Knoell in loving memory of Mary,

We recently received a large oil drop with a steep increase in the oil price.  After requesting a payment plan from the oil company to pay this bill of over $5,500 in several smaller payments, we will be paying $1,375 in four payments.  While we know everyone is dealing with price increases in all aspects of our lives, at this time, it will still be tough to meet these payments within the budget.  We prayerfully ask all members to dig deeper and if you are able to help in some small way, please contribute to this fund along with your regular offering,  You can use any envelope and just mark as Heating Fund.  Thank you for your consideration.

Included with your yearly contribution statement for 2021, we included a new pledge card to offer your tithes to St, Johns.  If you have not returned your pledge card, please do so at your earliest convenience.  The cards can be dropped in the offering basket, or mailed to the office.  If you are in need of a replacement card, additional pledge cards can be found on the hallway table.  Your pledges are important for the continuation of our ministry here at St. John's as well as globally.

A sign-up sheet is available on the hallway bulletin board. Sign up for the Eternal Candle is available for the year 2022.  The cost is now $20.

Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON.  Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. 

YOU CAN HELP!  You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done.  Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards.  Please see Ruth Weaver if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for 

 

 

Are you on FACEBOOK Do you ever like or share the church's posts We hope you do. Every little activity on our page is a good thing. More eyes to see what we're about and what we have going on is helpful. And if you leave a comment, even better. Others that may check our Facebook page out see that we're a busy, happening church. If you need our social media addresses on Facebook or Instagram, see Elaine Fisher or check out the hashtag on the bulletin board in the hallway for information.

We are registered as Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church for Amazon Smile.  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible smile.amazon.com purchases to the charities selected by customers. To register your charity designation, you will need to go to Smile.amazon.com.  Then you select our name as your charity.  Again, the name is registered as Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church.  You will only have to register once.  Next time you plan to shop online, go first to smile.amazon.com and you will be redirected to your own Amazon account.  Your charity designation will be listed on the top left.  So far, we have received over $135, just by doing your shopping through Smile.amazon.

The Finance Committee is looking for a member or two to join us in managing the finances of the church.  This committee should have at least five members to be able to function correctly.  Currently, committee consists of Chairperson, Barb Lynn, Financial Secretary, MaryAnne Rossi and Treasurer, Sherrie Modge.  Pastor Wende is also a member of this committee.  Ideally during the formation of the budget, we would be able to rely on the voices of a few other members.  You do not need any degree or accounting classes to join.  As Barb says, if you can balance your checkbook, you can be a member!  Please consider joining!

 

 

 

 


Our Financial Response  (April)   

CURRENT
Budgeted costs per month                     $   9,048.05
Offering last month                         $   5,507.29

Budget required to date (4 months)             $  36,192.20
Total received to date                         $  21,731.41

MISSION SUPPORT
Budget required to date (4 months)             $   2,000.00
Total received to date                         $   1,923.44

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month 
even if we are not all worshipping together inside our building.


Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to
St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.


You are welcome to watch the live service at 10:15 am at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnslutheranfolcroft
Or you can watch live streaming on the St. John's website:  https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org
If you are having trouble accessing, please let us know.