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      “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!”      ELW #413 vss 1, 2, 3

1    Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

      Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

      Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

      God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2    Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

      casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

      cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

      which wert and art, and evermore shalt be.

3    Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

      though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see,

      only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

      perfect in pow’r, in love and purity.

Text: Reginald Heber, 1783-1826, alt.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

by whose hand 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.

We 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 old 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 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. 

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: Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn of Praise                           “Listen, God Is Calling”                             ELW #513

[A leader sings the words in parentheses]

Refrain

      (Listen,)

listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,

      offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

      (Listen,)

listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,

      offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

1    (Jesus gave his mandate:)

      share the good news

      (that he came to save us)

      and set us free.  Refrain

2    (Let none be forgotten)

      throughout the world.

      (In the triune name of God)

      go and baptize.  Refrain

3    (Help us to be faithful,)

      standing steadfast,

      (walking in your precepts,)

      led by your Word.  Refrain

Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922

Text © 1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzania, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Children’s Message

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

After his resurrection, Jesus summons his remaining disciples and commissions them to baptize and teach all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Paul closes a challenging letter to the Corinthians with an appeal to Christian fellowship grounded in the triune harmony of Christ’s grace, God’s love, and the Spirit’s partnership.

Choir Anthem                                                            “Here I Am, Lord”

First Reading: Genesis 1:1–2:4a

At the beginning of time, God the Creator, God the powerful Word, and God the life-giving Spirit form the earth and all its inhabitants. God sees that all this created work is good and then rests on the seventh day.

Sermon                                                                                                           Pastor Karla

Hymn of the Day                  “Come, Join the Dance of Trinity”                   ELW #412

1    Come, join the dance of Trinity,

before all worlds begun—

the interweaving of the Three,

the Father, Spirit, Son.

The universe of space and time

did not arise by chance,

but as the Three, in love and hope,

made room within their dance.

2    Come, see the face of Trinity,

newborn in Bethlehem;

then bloodied by a crown of thorns

outside Jerusalem.

The dance of Trinity is meant

for human flesh and bone;

when fear confines the dance in death,

God rolls away the stone.

3    Come, speak aloud of Trinity,

as wind and tongues of flame

set people free at Pentecost

to tell the Savior’s name.

We know the yoke of sin and death,

our necks have worn it smooth;

go tell the world of weight and woe

that we are free to move!

4    Within the dance of Trinity,

before all worlds begun,

we sing the praises of the Three,

the Father, Spirit, Son.

Let voices rise and interweave,

by love and hope set free,

to shape in song this joy, this life:

the dance of Trinity.

Text: Richard Leach, b. 1953

Text © 2001 Selah Publishing Co., Inc. www.selahpub.com All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Prayers of the People

“Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying”        ELW #752

      Lord, listen to your children praying,

      Lord, send 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 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, 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.

Communion Distribution

Communion Blessing

Community Announcements

Blessing

Sending Song                         “Rise, Shine, You People!”                            ELW #665

1    Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered

      our human story; God in him is centered.

      He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,

      with grace unbounded.

2    See how he sends the pow’rs of evil reeling;

      he brings us freedom, light and life and healing.

      All men and women, who by guilt are driven,

      now are forgiven.

3    Come, celebrate; your banners high unfurling,

      your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.

      To all the world go out and tell the story

      of Jesus’ glory.

4    Tell how the Father sent the Son to save us.

      Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.

      Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation

      God’s new creation.

Text: Ronald A. Klug, b. 1939, alt.

Text © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Sending

Reader: The Spirit is moving.

All: the Spirit is moving, indeed!

Reader: So go in peace 

All: To explore the Faith

Reader: Live in peace  

All: To express our faith to others

Reader: Share the peace 

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

All: THE SPIRIT IS MOVING SO LET’S GO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS. THANKS BE TO GOD.