Seventh Sunday of Easter Order of Service
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER Coronavirus
05-24-2020 10:00 AM Worship
(Welcome / Greeting by the Pastors)
OPENING RITE FOR EASTER 7:
L He was their leader and teacher for three years…
C but then he was suddenly arrested, condemned, and crucified.
L He was buried behind a bolder…
C but then on the third day he suddenly rose from the dead.
L He appeared to them for forty days…
C but then he was suddenly taken up into heaven.
L Right before he left them for the last time, he showed them his wounds…
C and he proved that he was again alive.
L Right before he left them for the last time, he opened their minds to the scriptures…
C and he reminded them that the Christ would suffer, die, and triumph/ RISE.
L Right before he left them for the last time, he gave them a command to witness…
C and he promised them power from on high.
L Right before he left them for the last time, he told them to wait…
C and he commanded them to stay in the city.
L and right after he left them…
C they were looking up,
they were surprised,
they were searching the clouds,
they were not quite ready to witness,
or even to move.
L Right after he left them, they had to be pushed and prodded, encouraged and assured by angels…
C and – thank God! – they stayed together,
they waited together,
they prayed together,
and they expected something to happen!
L Praise God for the peace, the power, and the promises of Jesus!
C Jesus is risen, Jesus is alive, and Jesus is Lord! Alleluia!
SONG SELECTION
CELEBRATION OF OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST:
L My sisters and brothers, the truth is this:
Death, despair, and the devil don’t have the last word. We are an Easter people, always rising!
Every Christian share in Christ’s ministry and bears the good news of God’s love.
Let us practice here and now. I invite you to turn to a neighbor or turn to yourself… make the sign of the cross on the forehead… and say –
C “Receive [+] the sign of the cross. Because HE died, YOU are alive!”
SONG OF PRAISE: “Lord, I lift your name on high. Lord, I love to sing your praises.
I’m so glad you’re in my life. I’m so glad you came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way;
from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift your name on high!”
FIRST READING: Acts 1:6-14 [A PROMISE of power to wait for!]
SONG SELECTION
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 [A PLEA to be steadfast in doing faith!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Oh, how He loves you and me. Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more can He give?
OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU; OH, HOW HE LOVES ME;
OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME!
Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for this world to show.
What He did there brought hope from despair…”
GOSPEL READING: JOHN 17:1-11 [A PRAYER that all believers are united in loving!]
BRIEF MEDITATION: Rev. Robert Holum, member of St. Peter’s
SONG SELECTION
THE APOSTLES’ CREED:
L We confess our faith in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen…
C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
MUSIC SELECTION Dennis Fortune
THE PRAYERS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SONG SELECTION
THE BENEDICTION:
L Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
L Leave with a message upon your heart: I have seen the Lord!
Leave with a message on your lips: I have seen the Lord!
Leave with a message revealed through your daily living: I have seen the Lord!
Go in the faith-filled power of the Risen Lord (+) to love God and to serve your neighbor in all that you do!
C AMEN!