INTRODUCTION

The disciples make a big splash and eat breakfast with the risen Jesus. Wading in the water (remembering baptism) and eating with Jesus (celebrating holy communion) is our weekly encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asks us again and again: Do you love me  And Jesus invites us, again and again, to follow him, bringing the Easter life to others.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

PRELUDE   What Wondrous love is This 

* THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

In the name of   the One who was, who is, and who is to come.

Amen.

Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, and called to live the baptized life, let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.

Holy God,

we give you thanks for the waters of baptism, waters that make a people your own, that restore to wholeness, and empower us to be witnesses in your name. Baptized into you, O Living One,

make us one as you are one.

We give you thanks for the waters of baptism, waters that strengthen believers and give new life to beloved servants of your church; waters that extend your boundless love and cross barriers of our own making. Baptized into you, O Living One,

make us one as you are one.

We give you thanks for the waters of baptism, waters that open the hearts of believers and give a voice in the night to those in captivity; waters that set your people on a new path, rejoicing in the Spirit’s power. Baptized into you, O Living One,

make us one as you are one.

Grant us grace, love, and life, O Living One, that our every day is shaped by these waters that give us our very lives in you. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Crucified and Risen One. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. 

Eternal and all-merciful God, with all the angels and all the saints we laud your majesty and might. By the resurrection of your Son, show yourself to us and inspire us to follow 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 Church of Christ, in Every Age (ELW 729)

FIRST READING: Acts 9:1-6 

1 Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me ” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord ” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

  10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

PSALM: Psalm 30

 1 I will exalt you, O LORD, because you have lifted me up

  and have not let my enemies triumph | over me.

 2 O LORD my God, I cried | out to you,

  and you restored | me to health.

 3 You brought me up, O LORD, | from the dead;

  you restored my life as I was going down | to the grave.

 4 Sing praise to the LORD, | all you faithful;

  give thanks in holy remembrance. 

 5 God’s wrath is short; God’s favor | lasts a lifetime.

  Weeping spends the night, but joy comes | in the morning.

 6 While I felt secure, I said,

  “I shall never | be disturbed.

 7 You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong | as the mountains.”

  Then you hid your face, and I was | filled with fear.

 8 I cried to | you, O LORD;

  I pleaded with | my Lord, saying,

 9 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down | to the pit 

  Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness 

 10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me;

  O LORD, | be my helper.” 

 11 You have turned my wailing | into dancing;

  you have put off my sackcloth and clothed | me with joy.

 12 Therefore my heart sings to you | without ceasing;

  O LORD my God, I will give you | thanks forever. 

SECOND READING: Revelation 5:11-14

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice, 

 “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

 to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

 and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, 

 “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

 be blessing and honor and glory and might

 forever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

*GOSPEL: John 21:1-19

The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

1 After [he appeared to his followers in Jerusalem,] Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.   4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you ” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.   9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you ” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

  15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these ” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me ” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me ” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me ” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

The gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, O Christ.

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY I Love to Tell the Story (ELW 661)

* With the whole church, we profess our faith using the Nicene Creed  

We believe in one God,

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

Your love sustains the church and its ministries. By that love, equip youth directors, Sunday school teachers, and all who guide formation in the church to nurture vibrant, living faith among your people. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your abundance is made known throughout creation. Preserve oceans and rivers, lakes and estuaries so that all creatures living in them might flourish. Make us wise stewards of our local watersheds. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your wisdom guides all who strive for justice and peace. Strengthen the work of grassroots organizers, especially among communities on the frontlines of justice work. Amplify the voices of those most in need, that their leadership guides the way forward. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your compassion surrounds all who are in need. We pray for all people experiencing poverty and food insecurity, and for all struggling with debt and economic uncertainty. Reassure all who experience hopelessness or need your tender care. We pray especially for Trena, Keyasi, Sorie, Bill, Carol, Vince, Danielle, Barbara, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Curt, Calvin, Robin, Helen, Hoon, Pat, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, 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.   Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

You invite all people to your table of grace. Make this a community of radical hospitality where all feel loved and celebrated. Show us how to better welcome visitors and bless the ministries of hospitality in this place. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We praise you for the witness of your saints of all times and places. May their lives of faith guide us in our own journeys with you, today and every day. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen 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

Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. 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.

* OFFERING PRAYER

* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.  We lift the to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. And so, with all the choirs of angels,

with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

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

Come and be nourished by the gift of our Lord and know the God of life and love.

COMMUNION SONG

May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.  Amen.

CONGREGATION HYMN Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (ELW 392)

*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

*BLESSING

The God of love, Father,   Son, and Holy Spirit, lavish you with grace,

illumine your path, and increase your joy, today and always. Amen.

* SENDING SONG  Alabaré (WOV 791)

DISMISSAL - Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Go in peace. In Christ you are made new. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of May by MaryAnne Rossi with thanks for the family that God gave me.

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 MaryAnne Rossi if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry. 

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. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.

The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!

With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.

Our Financial Response  (April) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month        $   7,263.55

Offering last month        $   5,294.14

Budget required to date (4 months)        $  21,790.65

Total received to date        $  22,358.56

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (4 months)        $   1,600.00

Total received to date        $   1,547.88

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month. 

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.