INTRODUCTION

Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses human understanding and power beyond human imagination.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE   Pass It On

* 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. 

Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

GATHERING SONG  Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (ELW 834)

FIRST READING: Acts 16:9-15

9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

  11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13 On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

PSALM: Psalm 67

 1 May God be merciful to | us and bless us;

  may the light of God’s face | shine upon us.

 2 Let your way be known | upon earth,

  your saving health among all nations.

 3 Let the peoples praise | you, O God;

  let all the | peoples praise you.

 4 Let the nations be glad and | sing for joy,

  for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations on earth. 

 5 Let the peoples | praise you, O God;

  let all the | peoples praise you.

 6 The earth has brought | forth its increase;

  God, our own | God, has blessed us.

 7 May God | give us blessing,

  and may all the ends of the earth | stand in awe. 

SECOND READING: Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5

10 And in the spirit [one of the angels] carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

  22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4 they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

*GOSPEL: John 14:23-29

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

23 Jesus answered [Judas (not Iscariot),] “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

  25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY Peace, to Soothe our Bitter Woes (ELW 381)

* 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,

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

*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.

Unite your people with communities of faith throughout the world. Further cooperation between people of different faith traditions and bless our non-Christian neighbors, that we learn and grow in deeper relationship. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Bless the earth with fresh water, clean air, and rich soil. Nurture growing crops and encourage communities developing sustainable farming practices. Help us to live in balance and harmony with your good creation. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Reconcile nations and communities suffering from violence and conflict. Protect refugees, asylum-seekers, and all who flee their homes seeking safety and security. Make all nations safe for both migrants and residents. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Sustain all who are in need, especially individuals and families struggling with trauma or addiction. Support caregivers, especially nurses, doctors, counselors, and social workers. Come alongside all who are ill or struggling. We pray especially for Chris, Bill, Donna, 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.

This Memorial Day weekend, we remember all who have died in military service. Soothe loved ones who mourn, and strengthen support systems for veterans and their families. Bring peace among nations, that war and conflict around the world might cease. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We give you thanks for all your saints raised to new life in Christ. Gather us, with them, into the peace only you can give. 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.

*BLESSING

The triune God,

who was, who is, and who is to come,

Sovereign,   Savior, and Spirit,

light your way with resurrection dawn,

now and always.

Amen.

* SENDING SONG  We Are Marching in the Light  (ELW 866)

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.