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St. John's Worship Service - April 18, 2021
Pastor Wende Bleam
Pastor Wende Bleam
Sunday, April 18, 2021
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St. John’s Lutheran, Folcroft
Worship Service April 18, 2021

https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Events for this week are:
Tuesday 7pm Zoom - Worship and Music Meeting

PRELUDE: Lancashire Callaghan

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

We begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Let us confess our sins in the presence of God whose mercy is unending. Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you. And also with you:

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Let us pray.
Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of 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 With High Delight Let Us Unite (ELW 368)

1 With high delight let us unite in songs of sweet jubilation.
You pure in heart, all bear your part, sing Jesus Christ, our salvation.
To set us free forever, he is ris’n and sends to all earth’s ends
good news to save ev’ry nation.

2 True God, he first from death has burst forth into life, all subduing.
His enemy now vanquished see; his death has been death’s undoing.
“And yours shall be like victory o’er death and grave,” says he, who gave
his life for us, life renewing.

3 Let praises ring; give thanks, and bring to Christ our Lord adoration.
His honor speed by word and deed to ev’ry land, ev’ry nation.
So shall his love give us above, from misery and death set free,
all joy and full consolation.

FIRST READING: Acts 3:12-19
12[Peter] addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”

PSALM: Psalm 4
1Answer me when I call, O God, defender | of my cause;
you set me free when I was in distress; have mercy on me and | hear my prayer.
2“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory;
how long will you love illusions and seek | after lies”
3Know that the LORD does wonders | for the faithful;
the LORD will hear me | when I call.
4Tremble, then, and | do not sin;
speak to your heart in silence up- | on your bed. 
5Offer the appointed | sacrifices,
and put your trust | in the LORD.
6Many are saying, “Who will show us | any good”
Let the light of your face shine upon | us, O LORD.
7You have put gladness | in my heart,
more than when grain and | wine abound.
8In peace, I will lie | down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD, make me | rest secure. 

SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-7
1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

GOSPEL: Luke 24:36b-48
The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

36bJesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
MEDITATION: Pastor Wende

HYMN OF THE DAY Lord, You Give the Great Commission (ELW 579)

APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. 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.

PRAYERS OF THE 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.

Living God, in the midst of Easter joy we are still filled with questions and wondering. Open our hearts and minds as we encounter the scriptures, so that the church embodies repentance and forgiveness in the name of Jesus to all nations. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Creating God, like a master artist you have fashioned the universe out of your love and delight. Heal your creation where it is in need of restoration. Provide all the inhabitants of earth a peaceful and sustainable home. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of all, the nations hunger and thirst for your righteousness. Many call on you for guidance and strength. Answer their hopes with the peace of Christ and give your lovingkindness to national, state, and local leaders of people. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Healing God, you hear the cries of those in need and answer them in their distress. Grant to those who are sick and suffering your compassion and nurse them back to health and wholeness . Be close to the hearts of the lonely. We pray especially for those affected by the covid virus in mind, body or spirit, for Derek, Morgan, Ash, Sue, Gavin, Donna, Robert, Alannah, Lillian, Alexis, Sharon, 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, and those we now raise before you in our hearts, let us pray. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Loving Parent, you have given us such love that we should be called the children of God. Reveal yourself to us so that we in this community of faith will become more and more like you in our mutual love and bold witness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of all times and ages, those who have died in you now see you as you are. We thank you for their lives among us. Assure us of the peace you have promised, that we may join them in everlasting life. 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.

COMMUNION HYMN  At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (ELW 362)
VS 1 & 3

MEAL
Merciful God, we do not presume to come to your table trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat and drink the body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may live in him and he in us, now and forever. Amen.

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. With all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name.

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.

Taste and see the Lord. Is good.
The body of Christ given for you.
The blood of Christ shed for you.
May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace. Amen.

THE 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.

BLESSING: May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom
to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus. The God of life, Father,  Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

SENDING SONG Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing (ELW 389)

DISMISSAL: Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

We hope that this service was meaningful for you and brought God’s peace and comfort into your homes. Continue to shelter in place to love others as yourself. Pray, trust, believe and wait. See you next week.

POSTLUDE:  Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense Schalk

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 2013 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

Please continue to support St. John's.
Our expenses continue each month even if we are
not 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.