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In Person 5/21Bulletin

Sunday, May 21, 2023
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A

Introduction

In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family.

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Thanksgiving for Baptism

 

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

 

In the waters of baptism,
we have passed over from death to life with Jesus Christ,
and we are a new creation.
For this saving mystery, and for this water, let us bless God,
who was, who is, and who is to come.

 

 

Water is poured into the font
We thank you, God, for your river of life,
flowing freely from your throne:
through the earth,
through the city,
through every living thing.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.
To you, our Beginning and our End,
our Shepherd and Lamb,
be honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving,
now and forever.
Amen.

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				Crown Him with Many Crowns (Melody) (1)
					

	

	





	

		

	
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Prayer of the Day






 




O God of glory, your Son Jesus Christ suffered for us and ascended to your right hand. Unite us with Christ and each other in suffering and in joy, that all the world may be drawn into your bountiful presence, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


Amen.









	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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This is the Feast



	







	




			

	

	

		

	
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power and riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor, glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.  Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.



	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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First Reading: Acts 1:6-14




Today’s reading is part of the introduction to the narrative of the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost. These verses tell of the risen Lord’s conversation with his disciples on the eve of his ascension, in which he promises that they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.






6When [the apostles] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.





	







	




			

	

	

		

	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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Psalm: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35


Sing to God, who rides upon the clouds. (Ps. 68:4)




 1Let God arise, and let God’s ene- | mies be scattered;

let those who | hate God flee.

2As smoke is driven away, so you should drive | them away;

as the wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the pres- | ence of God.

3But let the righteous be glad and rejoice | before God;

let them also be mer- | ry and joyful.

4Sing to God, sing praises to God’s name; exalt the one who | rides the clouds;

I Am is that name, rejoice | before God! R

5In your holy habita- | tion, O God,

you are a father to orphans, defend- | er of widows;

6you give the solitary a home and bring forth prisoners | into freedom;

but the rebels shall live in | desert places.

7O God, when you went forth be- | fore your people,

when you marched | through the wilderness,

8the earth quaked, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the | God of Sinai,

at the presence of God, the | God of Israel.

9You sent a bountiful | rain, O God;

you restored your inheritance | when it languished.

10Your people found their | home in it;

in your goodness, O God, you have made provision | for the poor. R

32Sing to God, O kingdoms | of the earth;

sing praises | to the Lord.

33You ride in the heavens, O God, in the | ancient heavens;

you send forth your voice, your | mighty voice.

34Ascribe pow- | er to God,

whose majesty is over Israel; whose strength is | in the skies.

35How wonderful you are in your holy places, O | God of Israel,

giving strength and power to your people! | Blessed be God! R





	





	

		

	
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Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11




Our faith in Christ does not make us immune from the scorn of others. Nevertheless, we are to resist the designs of evil when we experience disparagement from others because we trust God’s grace will strengthen and guide us.






12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.


5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.





	







	




			

	

	

		

	

				
					

	

	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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Gospel: John 17:1-11




On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father, asking that those who continue his work in this world will live in unity.






1After Jesus had spoken these words [to his disciples], he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”





	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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				Lord, You Give the Great Commission (Melody)
					

	

	







	

		

	





	

						

		


			

	

	

		

	
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Offering Prayer






 




Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.


Amen.









	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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The Sharing of the Peace


Silence for Meditation and considering opportunities for reconciliation and prayer for the courage to ask for forgiveness, to forgive and to make peace.


The Peace of the Lord be with you always


And also with you

















	







	

		

	





	

						

		


			

	

	

		

	
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Prayers of Intercession


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


A brief silence.


God of harmony, as you drew your son to your side, you draw us to you and unite us with the planet and one another. Weave your church together in a web of mutual love for the sake of the world. Hear us, O God.


Your mercy is great.


As your Spirit hovered over the waters of creation, so your Spirit hovers over all that you have made. Bless the water that sustains the planet and grant wisdom to use it wisely. Hear us, O God.


Your mercy is great.


You empower your people with the fire of your Spirit. Challenge activists and organizers, teachers and politicians, and all in leadership to speak a message of peace and justice. Hear us, O God.


Your mercy is great.


You care for all your children. Show your steadfast love to those suffering isolation, especially exiles, refugees, or prisoners. Break the chains of all held fast by systemic oppression of any kind. Comfort all who are afraid or suffering from illness especially for those who are suffering the effects of Hurricane Ian,  the people of Ukraine, earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Tornados in the US, your servants on our prayer list and those whom we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts. Hear us, O God. Hear us, O God.


Your mercy is great.


We give thanks that humankind serves as your body in the world, stewarding your abundant gifts. Guide this congregation’s leaders as they seek your will. We pray for our staff and council for Adam, Odelkis, Jonathan, Nancy, Marie, Marti, Kathryn, and Marissa . Hear us, O God.


Your mercy is great.


Here other intercessions may be offered.


You raise your saints to new life in Christ. We give you thanks for all your saints who have given us glimpses of your redeeming love. 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.



	





	

		

	
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The Lord's Prayer


Let us pray together the prayer that our Lord taught us.


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,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.



	





	

		

	
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Blessing






 




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.










 









	







	




			

	



	

		

	







	

						

		


			

	

	

		

	
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