5th Sunday of Easter – April 28, 2024
6th Sunday of Easter – May 5, 2024
8:00 a.m. Contemplative Communion
9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live
5th Sunday of Easter – April 28, 2024
6th Sunday of Easter – May 5, 2024
8:00 a.m. Contemplative Communion
9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live
NOTE: both April 28th and May 5th Bulletins are listed this week
5th Sunday of Easter
April 28, 2024 – 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live
Gospel Sunday
We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.
In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.
Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.
GATHERING
WELCOME
“He Leadeth Me” LBW #501
1 He leadeth me: oh, blessed thought!
Oh, words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
He leadeth me, he leadeth me,
by his own hand he leadeth me.
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me.
2 Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
by waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. Refrain
3 Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see,
since ’tis my God that leadeth me. Refrain
4 And when my task on earth is done,
when by thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
e’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
since God through Jordan leadeth me. Refrain
Text: Joseph H. Gilmore, 1834-1918
“Jesus, We Are Gathered” ELW #529
Jesus, we are gathered,
Jesus, we are gathered,
Jesus, we are gathered,
we are gathered, Lord Jesus, for you.
Text: Patrick Matsikenyiri
Text © 1990, 1996 General Board of Global Ministries, GBG Musik, 475 Riverside Dr., New york, NY 10115. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
THEME PRAYER
CHOIR ANTHEM “Kyrie Eleison”
GOD IN ACTION
“Be Not Afraid” ELW #388
Be not afraid, sing out for joy!
Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid, sing out for joy!
Christ is risen, alleluia!
Text: Matthew 28:5; Taizé Community
Text © 1998 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
MESSAGE WITH SCRIPTURE: Psalm 22:25-31 Pastor Karla
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” ELW #742
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
oh, what needless pain we bear–
all because we do not carry
ev’rything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged–
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness–
take it to the Lord in prayer.
3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Text: Joseph Scriven, 1820-1886
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Sung response: “Restore in Us, O God” ELW #328 vs 3
3 Bring us, O Christ, to share
the fullness of your joy;
baptize us in the risen life
that death cannot destroy.
Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944
Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
MEAL
OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH
The Word has been spoken. Now, may it stir in our hearts.
COMMUNION
All: In the night in which he was betrayed, 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.
One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…
All: 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.
DISTRIBUTION
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
SENDING
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
“God Be with You Till We Meet Again” ELW #536
1 God be with you till we meet again;
by good counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain
Till we meet, (till we meet,)
till we meet, (till we meet again,)
till we meet at Jesus’ feet; (till we meet,)
till we meet, (till we meet,)
till we meet, (till we meet again.)
God be with you till we meet again.
2 God be with you till we meet again;
holy wings securely hide you,
daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again. Refrain
3 God be with you till we meet again;
when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you;
God be with you till we meet again. Refrain
Text: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904, alt.
OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION
Jesus is risen!!
Jesus is the risen, indeed!
So go in peace
To explore the Faith
Live in peace
To express our faith to others
Share the peace
By inviting others to join us on this journey.
JESUS IS RISEN, SO REJOICE AND BE GLAD!
THANKS BE TO GOD.
Reading synopsis and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
John 15:1-8
On the night of his arrest, Jesus taught his disciples about the relationship they would have with him. Those who abide in his love bear fruit, for apart from him, they can do nothing.
1 John 4:7-21
We love God and others because God first loved us. We cannot say we love God, whom we have not seen, while hating fellow Christians, whom we regularly see. Love toward God is to be matched by love toward others because the essence of God is love.
6th Sunday of Easter
May 5, 2024, 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live
Classic Communion Service
GATHERING
WELCOME
“O God, Why Are You Silent” ELW #703
1 O God, why are you silent?
We cannot hear your voice;
the proud and strong and violent
all claim you and rejoice;
you promised you would hold us
with tenderness and care.
Draw near, O Love, enfold us,
and ease the pain we bear.
2 Our hope lies bruised and battered,
our wounded hearts are torn;
our spirits spent and shattered
by life’s relentless storm;
will you not bend to hear us,
our cries from deep within?
Have you no word to cheer us
when night is closing in?
3 Through endless nights of weeping,
through weary days of grief,
our hearts are in your keeping, our comfort, our relief.
Come, share our tears and sadness,
come, suffer in our pain, oh,
bring us home to gladness,
restore our hope again.
4 May pain draw forth compassion,
let wisdom rise from loss;
oh, take our hearts and fashion the image of your cross;
then may we know your healing
through healing that we share,
your grace and love revealing,
your tenderness and care.
Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950 (lyrics slightly adapted to plural)
Text © 2003 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the wellspring of grace,
our Easter and our joy.
Amen.
Look, here is water!
Here is our water of life! Alleluia!
Immersed in the promises of baptism,
we give thanks for what God has done for us.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning
your voice thundered over the deep
and water became the essence of life.
Adam and Eve beheld Eden’s verdant rivers.
The ark carried your creation through the flood into a new day.
Miriam led the dancing as your people passed through the sea
into freedom’s land.
At the river your beloved Son was baptized by John
and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
In a desert pool the Ethiopian official
entered your boundless baptismal life.
By the baptism of Jesus’ death and resurrection
you opened the floodgates of your reconciling love,
freeing us to live as Easter people.
We rejoice with glad hearts,
giving all honor and praise to you,
through the risen Christ, our source of living water,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Look, here is water!
Here is our water of life! Alleluia!
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, you have prepared joys beyond understanding for those who love you. Pour into our hearts such devotion that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all we can desire; through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CHOIR ANTHEM
WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
“Be Not Afraid” ELW #388
Be not afraid, sing out for joy!
Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid, sing out for joy!
Christ is risen, alleluia!
Text: Matthew 28:5; Taizé Community
Text © 1998 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
John 15:9-17
On the night of his arrest, Jesus delivers a final testimony to his disciples to help them in the days ahead. Here, he repeats the most important of all his commands, that they love one another.
1 John 5:1-6
God’s children believe that Jesus is the Messiah and love God by keeping God’s commandments. Thus the world is conquered not through military might but through love and faith.
Psalm 98
Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands. (Ps. 98:4)
SERMON Pastor Karla
“Christ, Be Our Light” ELW #715 vss 1, 2, 5
1 Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Refrain
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice. Refrain
5 Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
signs of your kingdom come. Refrain
Text: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957
Text © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Sung response: “Restore in Us, O God” ELW #328 vs 3
3 Bring us, O Christ, to share
the fullness of your joy;
baptize us in the risen life
that death cannot destroy.
Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944
Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
MEAL
OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH
We have prayed. We have sung. We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
SENDING
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
“Earth and All Stars!” ELW #731 vss 1, 2, 3
1 Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Refrain
God has done marvelous things.
I too sing praises with a new song!
2 Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
3 Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Limestone and beams! Loud building workers!
Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926
Text © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION
Jesus is risen!
Jesus is risen, indeed!
So go in peace
To explore the Faith
Live in peace
To express our faith to others
Share the peace
By inviting others to join us on this journey.
JESUS IS RISEN, SO REJOICE AND BE GLAD!
THANKS BE TO GOD.
Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day, and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
