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St. John's Worship Service - Easter, 2021
Pastor Wende Bleam
Pastor Wende Bleam
Sunday, April 4, 2021
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WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Next Sunday our synod will be providing a special service – We will live stream it from our facebook page and website.

The altar flowers for today are sponsored by Kim and Bryant McCombs with many thanks and much appreciation to Pastor Wende and Rick Vanstone for their dedication and service.

PRELUDE An Easter Alleluia   (Gaitlin)

P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: We begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
C: Amen
P: Jesus Christ was the first to conquer death, the ruler of all the kings of the earth, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

(A brief silence for reflection and self-examination)

P: Most merciful God, we confess to you that we are dead in trespasses and sins. We have forgotten your promises and forsaken your will. In your great mercy deliver us from the death we deserve, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
P: Christ was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. In Jesus Christ we have forgiveness, life, and resurrection from the dead.
P: As an ordained minister in the Church of Christ, and by the authority of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, I declare to you the forgiveness of all your sins.
C: Amen.

+ GATHERING +
+ The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God +

GATHERING SONG: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (ELW 365) VS 1, 3, 4

EASTER GREETING

P: The grace of our Risen Savior and Lord, the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

+ WORD +
+ God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching and song +

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43
34Peter began to speak to [the people]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24

1Give thanks to the LORD, for the | LORD is good;
God's mercy endures forever.
2Let Israel | now declare,
"God's mercy endures forever."
14The LORD is my strength | and my song,
and has become | my salvation.
15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents | of the righteous:
"The right hand of the | LORD acts valiantly!
16The right hand of the LORD | is exalted!
The right hand of the | LORD acts valiantly!"
17I shall not | die, but live,
and declare the works | of the LORD.
18The LORD indeed punished me sorely,
but did not hand me over to death.
19Open for me the | gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and give thanks | to the LORD.
20"This is the gate | of the LORD;
here the righteous may enter."
21I give thanks to you, for you have | answered me
and you have become | my salvation.
22The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief | cornerstone.
23By the LORD has | this been done;
it is marvelous | in our eyes.
24This is the day that the | LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be | glad in it.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you — unless you have come to believe in vain. 3For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them — though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

* GOSPEL:  John 20:1-18
The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping Whom are you looking for" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

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

SERMON Pastor Wende Bleam

HYMN OF THE DAY Thine is the Glory  (ELW 376) VS 1 & 3

WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH, WE PROFESS OUR FAITH USING THE 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.

OFFERING
Offerings 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
God of love,
you call us beloved children and welcome us to your table. Receive our lives and the gifts we offer. Abide with us and send us in service to a suffering world; for the sake of your beloved Child, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.

Praise to you for your power revealed in the resurrection! Fill your church with the power of your love that is stronger than death. Send us to tell the good news wherever death holds sway. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for your life at work in the resurrection! Fill all of creation with your life. Bring it to blossom and flourish; use it to remind us of your persistent grace. Cultivate our care for what you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for the peace made possible in the resurrection! Fill the nations with your peace. Draw together people of all nations and languages; reveal new possibilities and inspire new beginnings. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for the hope of the resurrection! Fill all in need with hope: those who are afraid or confused, those who are sick or suffering, those who are dying, and those who grieve. Assure them of your promises. Accompany all who suffer, especially those affected by the covid virus in mind, body or spirit, for Derek, Morgan, the, Ash, Sue, Gavin, Donna, Robert, Alannah, Lillian, Alexis, Sharon, family of Priscilla Brown, Connie, Pat, Hazel, Bill, Jacklyn, Addison, Joe, Deb, Tim Shane, Tom, Carl, Monica, Tucker, Marc, Alisia, Helen, Lucas, Laura, the Folcroft Police, Michael, Kelly, Rick, Dick, Ruth, the Link family, and those we now raise before you in our hearts, let us pray. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for the joy of your resurrection! Fill this assembly with joy as we are called your beloved in baptism. Multiply that joy so that we share it at home, at work, and in our community. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for your faithfulness revealed in the resurrection! Fill us with trust, that we join with all who have gone before us in proclaiming: “your mercy endures forever!” Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

PEACE

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

+ MEAL +
+ God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ +

* DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us 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
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

* THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting
and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.

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.

With this bread and cup we remember our Lord's passover
from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

O God of resurrection and new life:
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Bless this feast.
Grace our table with your presence.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread.
Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world.
Breathe new life into us.
Send us forth,
burning with justice, peace, and love.
Come, Holy Spirit.

With your holy ones of all times and places,
with the earth and all its creatures,
with sun and moon and stars,
we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity,
now and forever. Amen.

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

* LORD'S PRAYER

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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Feast on the mercy and goodness of God, the Lord’s gift of Life for you.

COMMUNION SONG

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
Let us pray.
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ's resurrection
you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life,
and the bread of life to nourish your people.
Send us forth as witnesses to your Son's resurrection,
that we may show your glory to all the world,
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.


* BLESSING
Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen.


SENDING SONG I Know That My Redeemer Lives! (ELW 619) VS 1.2

* DISMISSAL

Our worship has ended. Our service to neighbor begins. Go in peace, Share the Good News - Christ is Risen!

He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Thanks be to God!

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #44714. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

POSTLUDE: I Know That My Redeemer Lives!   (Wienhorst)

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.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #44714. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Our Financial Response (March)

CURRENT
Budgeted costs per month $ 9,041.09
Offering last month $ 8,304.40

Budget required to date (3 months) $ 27,123.27
Total received to date $ 19,006.40

MISSION SUPPORT
Budget required to date (3 months) $ 1,500.00
Total received to date $ 1,604.00

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