Pastor Wesley Menke
Accompanist: Tatiana Thibodeaux
Producer: Christopher Geach
Lector: Emily Avila-Teeguarden
Technical Engineer: Brian Vianzon
Editor: Teruni Evans
Special Music: Joisanne Dailey
Prelude: C. Garriga “Miniaturas”
Gathering
Welcome
Thanksgiving for Baptism
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are raised with him to new life. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your image and planted us in a well-watered garden. In the desert you promised pools of water for the parched, and you gave us water from the rock. When we did not know the way, you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters.
At the cross, you watered us from Jesus’ wounded side, and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life. We praise you for your salvation through water, for the water in this font, and for all water everywhere. Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love. Satisfy the thirsty, and give us the life only you can give. To you be given honor and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Gathering Song: What wondrous love is this ELW 666
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Gloria
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, you hold together all things in heaven and on earth. In your great mercy receive the prayers of all your children, and give to all the world the Spirit of your truth and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Word
Children Sermon (Video)
First Reading: Acts 17:22-31
In Athens, Paul faces the challenge of proclaiming the gospel to Greeks who know nothing of either Jewish or Christian tradition. He proclaims that the “unknown god” whom they worship is the true Lord of heaven and earth who will judge the world with justice through Jesus, whom God has raised from the dead.
22Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. 23For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, 27so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ 29Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. 30While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22
The author of 1 Peter encourages Christians to remain faithful even in the face of defamation and persecution. In baptism we are made clean to act in accordance with what is right.
13Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Gospel Acclamation
Jubilate Deo, jubilate Deo, alleluia, alleluia
Gospel: John 14:15-21
In final words to his disciples on the night of his arrest, Jesus encourages obedience to his commandments and speaks of the Spirit, who will be with them forever.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 18“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Sermon – Pastor Wesley Menke
Hymn of the Day: Love Consecrates the Humblest Act ELW 360
Offering
**You may make your offering or donation through our website HERE.
Offering Music
His Strength is Perfect Joisanne Dailey
Offering Prayer
Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. Feed us again at this table for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. Amen.
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
Church, Creation, & Nations
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
Michael and Erica Zimmer, Jessica, Allen Hoke, Bob Corkrum, Carmine Massimino, Keith Calvert, Bob Haidet, Larry and Sandy Rudder, and Fran Schaefer, Donna and Mike Stevens, Edgar and Leticia, Geno, and Judy.
For healing, strength, and successful cancer treatment: Karina Mills, Cheryl Bradley, Susan Digitale, Don Encalade, Sally Carlson
For continued strength & healing: Ron Martinez, Alicia Roberts, Irwin and Ivan Chen, Michelle Richmond
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have passed: Hilta Porto, mom of Sergio Porto, Margarette Hamilton, Kathy Wooten, and Bobby Prest
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
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.
Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Announcements
*Comments please leave them
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
Sending Song: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling ELW 631
Dismissal
Alleluia. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Go in peace to serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Postlude: L.V.Beethoven Sonata in F-major, Allegro
To all support people, a big thank you, to make this virtual church service happen.
Joisanne, thank you for your singing.
Thank you Pastor for your inspirations.
Brava Tatiana , for the wonderful Beethoven music.
Here here! Thanks be to God!