Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Thanksgiving for Baptism:
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, by whose hands we are given new birth, by whose speaking we are given new life.
Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are welcomed, restored, and supported as citizens of the new creation. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty, you are the river of life, you are the everlasting wellspring.

In mercy and might you have freed us from death and raised us with Jesus, the firstborn of the dead.  In baptismal waters our life is washed away, and in them we are born anew.

Glory to you for oceans and lakes, for rivers and streams. Honor to you for waters that wash us clean, quench our thirst, and nurture both crops and creatures. Praise to you for the life-giving water of baptism, the outpouring of the Spirit of the new creation.
Wash away our sin and all that separates us from you. Empower our witness to your resurrection. Strengthen our resolve in seeking justice for all.

Satisfy the world’s need through this living water.  Where drought dries the earth, bring refreshment. Where despair prevails, grant hope.  Where chaos reigns, bring peace.  We ask this through Christ, who with you and the Spirit reigns forever.
Amen.

Opening Hymn: ELW 369”Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
Christ the Lord is ris’n today; Alleluia! Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
offer praise with love replete, Alleluia! at the paschal victim’s feet. Alleluia!

For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia! sinless in the sinner’s stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia! now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia! God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
when contending death and life, Alleluia! met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!

Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia! all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia! now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

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

Hymn of Praise:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear now to his temple draw near,
joining in glad adoration!

Prayer of the Day:
Let us pray.
O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death.  Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

First Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25
¹⁹For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. ²¹For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. ²²“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” ²³When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. ²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation:
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading: John 10: 1-10
This is the Holy Gospel according to John, the 10^th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

¹“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. ²The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. ⁷So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: ELW 778 “The Lord’s My Shepherd”
The Lord’s my shepherd; I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again, and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake;
within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still;
for thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast richly spread in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
My head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me,
and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be;
and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.

Welcome of New Members:
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for these people, one with us in the body of Christ, whom we welcome as new members into the life and ministry of United in Christ.

Let us pray.
Merciful God, we thank you for these sisters and brothers, whom you have made your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called them to yourself, enlightened them with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished them in the community of faith. Uphold your servants in the gifts and promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ.
Amen.

Apostle’s Creed
With the whole church, let us confess our faith with the Apostle’s Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven 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.

In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God. We are called to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

Siblings in Christ, do you intend to continue in the covenant of your baptism among God’s people in this place?

I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

People of God, do you promise to support and pray for these new members in their life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Welcome

Let us welcome these siblings in Christ to this community of faith.

We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.

Prayers of Intercession:
United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

Prayers continue with each petition ending:

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, we lift our prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen

Sharing of the Peace:
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

The minister and congregation greet one another in the name of the Lord. Please share the peace at whatever level of physical contact with which you are comfortable.

Offering:
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/468062

Offertory Hymn:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and up-hold me with your free spirit.

Offering Prayer:
Let us pray.
Generous God, in this meal you offer your very self.  We give thanks for these gifts of the earth. In the breaking of this bread reveal to us the Risen One.  In the pouring of this wine pour us out in service to the world; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving:
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.

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 the earth and sea and all their creatures, and with the angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 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.

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.  You have filled all creation with light and life; heaven and earth are full of your glory.

We praise you for the grace shown to your people in every age: the promise to Israel, the rescue from Egypt, the gift of the promised land, the words of the prophets; and, at this end of all the ages, the gift of your Son, who proclaimed the good   news in word and deed and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.

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.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And, believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen.

Lord’s Prayer:
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus
taught us saying:
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:
Come and know Christ, broken and poured out for you.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace.

Communion

Table Blessing:
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle:
O Lord, now let your servant depart in heavenly peace,
for I have seen the glory of your redeeming grace:
a light to lead the nations unto your holy hill,
the glory of your people, your chosen Israel.

Post-Communion Prayer:
Let us pray.
Gracious God, in you we live and move and have our being.  With your word and this meal of grace, you have nourished our life together.  Strengthen us to show your love and serve the world in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Benediction:
The God of all,  who raised + Jesus from the dead, bless you by the power of the Holy Spirit to live in the new creation.
Amen.

Sending Hymn: ELW 789 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior like a shepherd lead us; much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us, for our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us; we are yours.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us; we are yours.

We are yours; in love befriend us, be the guardian of our way;
keep your flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray.

You have promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
you have mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.

Early let us seek your favor, early let us do your will;
blessed Lord and only Savior, with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still.

Dismissal:
Go in peace. Serve the Risen One.
Thanks be to God!

Postlude

 

Today’s altar flowers are given to the Glory of God
by Ken and Ruby Baker in memory of Millie Baker’s birthday.

 

 Prayer Requests:  Sandi Ritter, Robert Becker, family and friends of Alice Snyder, Rodney Neilson, family and friends of Nancy Danowsky, Bob Keifer, family and friends of Joanne Stahl, Tiffany, Gaye Stahl, Dale Strassner, Scott Clewell, Marie Tanner, Cindy Reedy, Denise Clark, Karen Aikey, Loren, Ken Criswell, Martha Ketchem, Annette Baker, Rusty, Shirley Russell, Russ Wynn, Viv Marsh, Peg Swinehart.

 

Portions reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006.  Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress, license #SBL09796L.  Music reprinted from the ELW, by permission of OneLicense, license #A712349.  Scripture quotations are from the 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.