Sunday, May 9, 2021 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Men fear thoughts as they fear nothing else on earth, more than ruin, more than death.
Bertrand Russell
Welcome Slide Music: “In Heaven’s Eyes”
Prelude: “Jesu”
“Joy to the World”
music: 18th century English melody, arr. by Lowell Mason, chime arr. BB-B
chimers: Chris Sem, Ursula Merriman, Alice Karpa, Bonnie Banks-Beers, Sarah Beers
Welcome No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, you are welcome here!
Gathering Song: “As the Wind Song” – led by Caitlin McNeish
First Reading: Romans 8: 26-27 Brad Wagner
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Second Reading: Psalm 98
1O sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him victory.
2The LORD has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
8Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
9at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
“Good Soil” – led by Brenda Tarulli
Gospel: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-46
31He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
33He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Help us God, as we seek to interpret what this means for our lives.
Message
Message Song “ On Eagel’s Wings” – led by Caitlin McNeish
Prayers Angela Drake
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God, who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love. We begin with our silent personal prayers.
A brief silence.
Loving God, you call us to be your fruit-bearing church. Strengthen the bonds among all Christian churches. Today we pray for the Moravian Church, giving thanks for the life and witness of Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, who brought renewal to the church and was a writer of hymns.
Creating God, the earth praises you. The seas roar and the hills sing for joy. Fill the earth with your love, and we will praise and thank you by caring faithfully for all you have made.
Faithful Savior, you conquer the world not with weapons, but with undying love. Plant your word in the hearts of the nations’ leaders and give them your Spirit, so that the peoples of the world may live in peace.
Caring Healer, you forget no one and accompany the lonely. Provide for those needing homes or or food or companionship, and point us towards life-changing responses to these needs in our own communities. Be with the dying and those who mourn. Be present with those who are sick or suffering, especially Mary Ann and Ester, Geoff Baer, Timmy Henn, Jr., Andrea & Jerry, Hugh, Linda and Leo, Mel, Kristen, Tim M., Dawn, Norine, Joe, Debbie, Kyle, John, Pat & Al, Maryse, Paige, Teri, Claudia, Sam L., Glenn Mayer, Carl Laub and Dianne Diehl.
Condolences to the Harry Paskewicz for the loss of his sister, Jane Atherholt.
Condolences to the family and friends of Geoff Baer who passed away on May 4, 2021.
Hospitalized this week: Be Linney
and those we name in our hearts.
Gracious God, as a mother comforts her child, you comfort us. On this Mothers’ Day, bless mothers and mothering people in our lives. Comfort those who miss their mothers, mothers who grieve, those who grieve because they cannot be mothers, and those who have never known a loving mother.
Gentle Redeemer, all who die in you abide in your presence forever. We remember with thanksgiving those who shared your love throughout their lives. Keep us united with them in your lasting love.
In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The 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.
Closing Hymn “Make a Difference” – led by CLC Praise Band
Benediction “Spirit Song” – led by Enid Rank
Dismissal: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Coffee Hour