Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Stanwood May 9, 2021
Sixth Sunday of Easter Drive-In / In-Building Worship Service 9:45 AM
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Mother’s Day Poem ~ Elsie Wietzke
Opening Song
You Never Let Go Beth Redman | Matt Redman
Verse 1 Even though I walk through the valley Of the shadow of death Your perfect love is casting out fear And even when I'm caught in the middle Of the storms of this life I won't turn back I know You are near Pre-Chorus And I will fear no evil For my God is with me And if my God is with me Whom then shall I fear Whom then shall I fear Chorus 1 Oh no You never let go Through the calm and through the storm Oh no You never let go In ev'ry high and ev'ry low Oh no You never let go Lord You never let go of me Verse 2 And I can see a light that is coming For the heart that holds on A glorious light beyond all compare And there will be an end to these troubles But until that day comes We'll live to know You here on the earth
Bridge Yes I can see a light That is coming for the heart that holds on And there will be an end to these troubles But until that day comes Still I will praise You Still I will praise You
(REPEAT)
CCLI Song # 4674166. Beth Redman | Matt Redman. © 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 1065995.
Psalm 98 (please read together) 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. 2 The 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. (NIV)
Song of Praise
Broken Vessels
(Amazing Grace)
Joel Houston | Jonas Myrin
Verse 1 All these pieces Broken and scattered In mercy gathered Mended and whole Empty handed But not forsaken I've been set free I've been set free
Pre-Chorus Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me Oh I once was lost But now I am found Was blind but now I see
Chorus Oh I can see You now Oh I can see the love in Your eyes Laying Yourself down Raising up the broken to life
Verse 2 You take our failure You take our weakness You set Your treasure In jars of clay So take this heart Lord I'll be Your vessel The world to see Your life in me
CCLI Song # 7019974. Joel Houston | Jonas Myrin © 2014 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1065995.
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 Christian* Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen *or catholic, which means universal church
Song You Alone Casey Darnell | Seth Condrey
V1.) When this life has overwhelmed me, and I feel like giving up I will cling to all You've promised, it will always be enough
V2.) When the world around me crumbles, and it's hard to understand I will run to You my shelter, I am safe within Your hands
You are my help forever
Ch1.) I will not fear God You are with me, I know You're near You'll never leave me - I will trust in You alone
V3.) When I'm broken in the silence, I can hear You whispering You're not alone here in these trials, I will hold you faithfully
You are my help forever
C1.) I will not fear God You are with me, I know You're near You'll never leave me - I will trust in You alone
Ch2.) And when my heart and strength have failed me My God You won't, Your name is mighty -- I will trust in You alone
Br.) You are a fortress for the weak, the strength that carries me When I am on my knees The cross reminds my heart to trust, Your faithfulness and love Will always be enough
Ch1.) I will not fear God You are with me, I know You're near You'll never leave me - I will trust in You alone
Ch2.) And when my heart and strength have failed me My God You won't, Your name is mighty -- I will trust in You alone I will trust in You alone I will trust in You alone
CCLI Song # 6412670. Casey Darnell | Seth Condrey.© 2012 Ava Truth Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Music At North Point (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Seth Condrey Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Songs At North Point (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 1065995. Scripture Readings
First Lesson: Acts 10:34-48 Peter’s sermon, delivered at the home of Cornelius, a Roman army officer, sums up the essential message of Christianity. Everyone who believes in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets, receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 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. (NIV)
Second Lesson: I John 5:1-8 God’s children believe that Jesus is the Messiah and love God by keeping God’s commandments. Thus the world is conquered not through military might but through love and faith.
5 Everyone 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. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (NIV)
Here ends the reading.
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17 On the night of his arrest, Jesus delivers a final testimony to his disciples to help them in the days ahead. Here, he repeats the most important of all his commands, that they love one another.
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. (NIV)
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon Pr. Mark Bankson
Lord’s Prayer (pray together)
Benediction
Sending Song Doxology by Thomas Ken, 1637-1711
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen Public Domain
Dismissal P: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS016166. The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Songs used by permission under CCLI License #1065995 and One License #A-716069.
Happy Mother's Day!
This Week at Our Saviour’s: Monday, May 10 5:30pm Praise Team 7:00pm Church Council Tuesday, May 11 7:30am Men’s Fraternity 1:30pm Preschool Board 6:00pm Alpha Course - week 5 Wednesday, May 12 June Newsletter items due 6:00pm “The Branches” (Gr. 1-5) Thursday, May 13 Ascension of Our Lord 4:30pm Confirmation Class 5—6pm Gathering Place Dinner served 6—8pm “Grafted” Middle School (Gr. 6-8) 7:00pm Women’s Bible Study –on Googlemeet Friday, May 14 6:00pm “The Vine” (Gr. 6-12) Saturday, May 15 8:30-12pm Council Retreat – Fellowship Hall Sunday, May 16 8:45am Prayer Group 9:45am Limited In-Building and “Drive-In” Worship 9:45am Sunday School (ages 3—Gr.5) 9:45am MS/HS Youth Group with Alex Monday, May 17 5:30pm Praise Team
Thursday, May 13 ⸺ Gathering Place Dinners resume, 5—6pm Saturday, May 15 ⸺ Council Retreat, 8:30-noon, Fellowship Hall
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2021 Women’s Retreat registration deadline is May 28. Please contact Irene nelson at [email protected] right away if you’re interested in attending. We will be studying “Overcomer”, and the charge this year will be $215 which includes 2 nights and all your meals. Payment will be due September 10 (check made out to OSLC and given to Irene). Contact her at 206-949-1435 if you have questions.
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Please pray for the following members and friends of Our Saviour’s: Pam Breum and family in the loss of Pam’s mother, Coletta; Larry Sather and family in the loss of his wife, Sue; family of Sue Jonson, wife of Jim Jonson; Jennifer Flint; Les Stahley; Arnold Gull (father of Peggy Land and Kathy Slack); Jim Quait; Todd Larson; Judy and Paul Anderson; Marylee & Leon Sams; Heather (daughter of Carol Johnson); Charles (brother of Donna Cook); Gracie Miller (age 11 receiving chemo); Connie Ronning; Judy Waltier (friend of Jon and Jane King); Ervin Thompson (uncle of Amy Thompson); Marilyn Nienhuis; Beverley Klatt; Cameron Ruscha (HS student of Erik Ronning; Dan Weber (friend of Amy Thompson); Dale and Barbara Tetlow; Gary Ruef (family member of Lorri & Joe DeFelice); Lois Peterson (cousin of Connie Ronning); Amanda Hobbs; Ingeburg Paul; Mike Erps (nephew of Leilani Erps); Mick Hanson; Robert MacNeal; Leif & Pam Larson (friends of Gards & Marvel Graham); Ramona Brodland (sister of Del Fox); Marlene Schuster; Howard Wangsness; Michele Kunzman; Dave Matthewson; Ryker (grandnephew of Judy & Paul Anderson)
Please pray also for the people of India and especially: Kidstown Orphanage home leaders and children. Most are safe at this point with one leader in the hospital with COVID and pneumonia. Pray that they would have access to their bank accounts.
Praise and Thanksgiving for: -Ruth, in India, recovering from COVID (BSF sister of Carol Curtis and Lois Stahley) - Sila and husband, a safe return to Zimbabwe from Mozambique (BSF sister of Carol Curtis and Lois Stahley) - Les Stahley, successful procedure and heart now at rest; home recovering.
Eternal, Unconditional, and Unchanging
To abide is to put down roots: to dwell in the same location and with the same people for the long term. Unlike in Jesus’ time, today few of us live in the same place in which we were born. Families are routinely scattered across the country and around the world. Yet Jesus invites us, “Abide in my love” (John 15:9). While so much else in our lives seems impermanent, Jesus’ love is eternal, unconditional, and unchanging.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is on his way to the cross. Pressed for time and filled with urgency, he can convey only the most important message. Of all the subjects he has explored during his ministry, he chooses to emphasize that which matters most: his own love. Jesus knows that love is eternal, that it transcends death and the grave. He knows that love is essential, that it must be at the core of our being. He knows that love is the embodiment of all his teachings, healings, and ministry.
Jesus knows that Judas has already betrayed him. He knows that shortly, Peter will deny him. In preaching love, he shows us that the sort of love he has for each of us is stronger than our own very human shortcomings—and that his love for us, and for his disciples, is forever. As followers of Jesus, we are charged with loving one another with the unconditional, eternal love that he has for us. In a world of change, such a responsibility is challenging, yet living out that challenge is what gives our lives purpose.
The secret to love is that it puts others first. Love is the only emotion that can defeat our instinctive self-centeredness. In charging us to love one another, Jesus issues an invitation to be awake and aware, to see others as beloved children of God, and to reflect divine love back onto everyone we encounter. In this way, Jesus lives in each of us.
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Stanwood Washington Ministers: All the People of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Mark A. Bankson, Pastor Alex Abdallah, Director of Student and Family Ministries 27201 99th Ave. NW • P. O. Box 370 (mailing) • Office Phone: 360-629-3767 • Office Hours: M-Th. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. website: www.oursaviourschurch.org • e-mail: [email protected] Linda Mohler, Treasurer • Linda Hammer, Office Secretary Erik Ronning, Choir Director • Linda Hammer, Organist • Steve Dams, Contemporary Worship Coordinator Duane Holtmann, Maintenance Engineer