Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church A North American Lutheran Church Congregation

410 East Pease Avenue, West Carrollton, Ohio 45449, Office (937) 859-3941

Pastor Phil Hohulin, pastor@gracelutheranwcoh.org

gracelutheranwc.org

Seventh Sunday of Easter May 24, 2020

PASTOR’S WELCOME

HYMN

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.

P In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

P Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no

secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy

Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through

Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and

cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

P Most merciful God,

C we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have

sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and have

left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our

neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on

us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and

walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

P Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives

us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his

authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name

of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

FIRST READING: Acts 10:44-48

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the

Holy Spirit came on all who heard the

message. 45 The circumcised believers who had

come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the

Holy Spirit had been poured out even on

Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in

tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the

way of their being baptized with water. They have

received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he

ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus

Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for

a few days.

R The word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

PSALM 98

R 1 Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

C 2The LORD has made his salvation known

and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 3 He has remembered his love

and his faithfulness to Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

5 make music to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—

shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together for joy;

9 let them sing before the LORD,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples with equity.

SECOND READING: 1 John 5:1-6

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves

the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of

God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to

keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of

God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our

faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the

Son of God.

6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water

only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the

truth.

R The word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands

GOSPEL: John 15:9-17

P The Holy Gospel according to John, the 15th chapter.

C Glory to you, O Lord.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you

keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s

commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you

and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have

loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s

friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants,

because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not

choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit

that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This

is my command: Love each other.

P The Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON “Friends of God” Pastor Phil Hohulin Moment of silent reflection after sermon

SONG OF THE DAY

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: APOSTLES’ CREED

C I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.

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.

THE PRAYERS

A Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according

to their need:

A Blessed Trinity, in Jesus you have made us all one. Grant that his prayer that all his

disciples be one as you are one be manifest in our lives for the sake of your mission in

the world. Help us to hear your voice and trust your Word in our lives during these

difficult and uncertain times. Lord in your mercy.

C Hear our prayer.

Holy One, around the world there are faithful followers of Christ who are being

persecuted daily for their faith. We know you are with them; encouraging them,

loving them, and guiding them. May we do the same and may their courage and hope

inspire us to greater service in your name. Lord in your mercy.

C Hear our prayer.

Healing Lord, grant your mercy and healing Spirit upon all those who are battling

illness, disease, loneliness, or heart break. Give them your comfort and fill them with

all hope that Jesus has won the day, that he has overcome the world and so overcomes

death and the devil. Hear us now as we silently intercede on behalf of those you have

laid upon our hearts and minds…. Lord in your mercy

C Hear our prayer.

Life-giving God, We boldly ask that you stem the tide of this pandemic, prevent loss

of life, and use this mortal threat to direct all to the only One who can raise us

immortal. Grant success to those seeking to find effective treatments for Covid-19

and those researching a vaccine. Lord in your mercy.

C Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, in the wake of difficult times around the globe, we pray for our

leaders, both near and far. May they lead with wisdom and judge with equity. Grant

them all they need to care for the people you have entrusted to them. Bless our bishop

Dan Selbo and all pastors of the NALC as they seek to shepherd their congregations

and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Through the faithful proclamation of your

Word and by the power of you Holy Spirit, draw our nation back to you. Lord in your

mercy.

C Hear our prayer.

P Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy,

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen

PREFACE

P It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks

and praise to you, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and ever living God. But chiefly

are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our

Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken

away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to

life again he has won for us everlasting life. And so, with the Church on earth and the

hosts of heaven, we praise your name.

THANKSGIVING

P Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth.

In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in

him should not perish, but have eternal life. We give thanks to you for the salvation

you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ.

Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a

living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.

C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord 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.

LORD'S PRAYER

P Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

C 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

We believe that Holy Communion is the sacrament of the real presence of Our Lord Jesus

Christ. As we partake of the *bread and the *wine, we trust Jesus’ promise that we

receive His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sin and strength to service in our lives.

If you are a baptized and repentant Christian who desires to commune with us, you are

thereby publicly declaring your oneness in faith with us, and you too recognize the

Lord’s Body and Blood as fulfilling God’s Covenant of Grace for us.

The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.

The communicant may say: Amen.

PRAYER

A Let us pray.

C Life-giving God, through the victory of Christ’s resurrection you send light to

conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your

people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show

your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen

BLESSING

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

DISMISSAL

A Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

As a congregation of the

North American Lutheran Church

we are guided by four core values:

1. Christ Centered

2. Mission Driven

3. Traditionally Grounded

4. Congregationally Focused

Sundays and Seasons v.20200213.0735. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.