Classic Communion 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, 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 of the household use 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. 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.

Welcome

 

Gathering Song                   “Where Charity and Love Prevail”                   ELW #359

 

1    Where charity and love prevail,

there God is ever found;

brought here together by Christ’s love,

by love we thus are bound.

2    With grateful joy and holy fear,

God’s charity we learn;

let us with heart and mind and soul

now love God in return.

3    Let us recall that in our midst

dwells Christ, God’s holy Son;

as members of each body joined,

in him we are made one.

4    Let strife among us be unknown;

let all contentions cease.

Be God’s the glory that we seek;

be his our only peace.

5    Let us forgive each other’s faults

as we our own confess,

that we may love each other well

in Christian gentleness.

Text: Latin hymn, 9th. cent.; tr. Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997, alt.

Text © 1960 World Library Publications. 3708 River Rd., Suite 400, Franklin Park, IL 60131. All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

One: Alleluia! Christ is risen.

All: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

One: In the waters of baptism,

we have passed over from death to life with Jesus Christ,

and we are a new creation.

All: For this saving mystery, and for this water, we thank God,

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

(Water is poured into the font.)

One: We thank you, God, for your river of life,

flowing freely from your throne:

through the earth,

through the city,

through every living thing.

All: You rescued Noah and his family from the flood;

You opened wide the sea for the Israelites.

Now in these waters you flood us with mercy,

and our sin is drowned forever.

You open the gate of righteousness

and we pass safely through.

One: In Jesus Christ, you calm and trouble the waters.

You nourish us and enclose us in safety.

You call us forth and send us out.

In lush and barren places, you are with us.

You have become our salvation.

All: Now breathe upon this water

and awaken your church once more.

Claim us again as your beloved and holy people.

Quench our thirst; cleanse our hearts; wipe away every tear.

One: To you, our Beginning and our End,

our Shepherd and Lamb,

be honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving,

now and forever.

All: Amen.

 

Greeting

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

All: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

One: We join in prayer…

All: O Lord God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing. Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love, that, made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Hymn of Praise                                    “In Christ Alone”

Original lyrics by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty, adapted by Karla Seyb-Stockton

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all –

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh,

fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

hate seemed to win, its power prevail;

but love abides, it cannot die,

here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

light of the world by darkness slain.

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Love’s power has its grip on me;

for I am His and He is mine–

Joined in the precious blood of Christ.

 

Children’s Message

 

First Reading: Acts 11:1-18

In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. In this way the mission to the Gentiles is officially authorized.

 

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6

John’s vision shows us that in the resurrection the new age has dawned; God dwells with us already. Yet we wait for the time when the tears that cloud our vision will be wiped away. Then we will see the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem.

 

Choir Anthem                           “The Family Prayer Song”

 

Gospel: John 13:31-35

After washing the disciples’ feet, predicting his betrayal, and then revealing his betrayer, Jesus speaks of his glorification on the cross. This deep complicated love of Jesus, even to death on the cross, will be the distinctive mark of Jesus’ community.

 

Sermon                                                                                                           Pastor Karla

Hymn of the Day                “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant”                   ELW #659

1    Will you let me be your servant,

let me be as Christ to you?

Pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant, too.

2    We are pilgrims on a journey,

we are trav’lers on the road;

we are here to help each other

walk the mile and bear the load.

3    I will hold the Christ-light for you

in the nighttime of your fear;

I will hold my hand out to you,

speak the peace you long to hear.

4    I will weep when you are weeping;

when you laugh I’ll laugh with you.

I will share your joy and sorrow

till we’ve seen this journey through.

5    Will you let me be your servant,

let me be as Christ to you?

Pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant, too.

Text: Richard Gillard, b. 1953  Text © 1977 Scripture In Song (c/o Integrity’s Hosanna Music) /ASCAP, c/o Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695.

Pocket Prayer Squares Dedication

 

Prayers of the People (sung response)

“Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying”       

 

      Lord, listen to your children praying,

Lord, stir your Spirit in this place;

Lord, listen to your children praying,

send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.

Text: Ken Medema, b. 1943

Text © 1973 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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 invite you to offer yourself; your 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.  

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion

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.

 

Communion Blessing

 

Community Announcements

Please join us for the congregational meeting after this service on our GLC Zoom link

 

Blessing

 

Sending Song        “Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing”       ELW #389 vss 1, 2, 3, 5

1    Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.

The cross stands empty to the sky.

Let streets and homes with praises ring.

Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

2    Christ is alive! No longer bound

to distant years in Palestine,

but saving, healing, here and now,

and touching ev’ry place and time.

3    In ev’ry insult, rift, and war,

where color, scorn, or wealth divide,

Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,

and lives, where even hope has died.

5    Christ is alive, and comes to bring

good news to this and every age,

till earth and sky and ocean ring

with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936

Text © 1975, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Sending

One: Alleluia! Christ is risen.

All: Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

One: So go in peace

All: To explore the Faith

One: Live in peace

All: To express our faith to others

One: Share the peace

All: By inviting others to join us on this journey.

All: THANKS BE TO GOD. JOYFULLY TELL WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

 

Thanksgiving for Baptism, reading synopsis, and Prayer of the Day from Sundays & Seasons, © 2021 Augsburg. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.