Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Lihu’e Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hawai’i Ka Hale Pule 'O Na Lahui Apau . . . Church Of All Peoples ...... Hele Pu Makou me Iesu Kristo . . .Walking Together With Christ May 2, 2021

The Lihu’e Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hawai’i 4602 Ho’omana Road, Lihue, HI 96766 The Rev. Dr. JP Paxton Rhonda Pabo, Organist Clyde Miller, Lector Church: (808) 245-2145 Fax: (808) 246-8626 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: lihuelutheranchurch.com

Welcome to Our Guests It is always a joy to share our faith and worship with people visiting from around the world. Please know your presence and participation in our service is most appreciated. At Lihue Lu- theran we celebrate Holy Communion at every service. You are certainly welcome in joining us as our Lord comes to us in this holy meal.

Prayer Concerns Please remember these people in your prayers during the week: Sally Rasay, Linda Garrett, Stan Weeks, Ronnie Pacheco, Pagatpatan ohana, Villanueva ohana, Geronimo ohana, David Gragg, Joe Morgan, Zosimo and Virginia Austria, Karen Kinoshita, Jake Whisenhunt, Rick Rentz, Stan Weeks, Judy Hoffman, Norman Dibble, Kazue Zaima, Virginia Hines-Aflague, John Mattek, Girald II (Bobby Girald’s son), Kristie Schmid (Tony’s sister), Lolli Hagen, Abraham Torres, Sr., Kristy Kahananui, Sonny Koerte, Uncle Joe, Mallory Rodriguez, Steve Schantz, Pe- ter Alisna, Tirzah Pope, Pastor Matthew Weber, Joyce Anglemyer, Stephen Shioi, Peggy Hood, Jason Shimono, Richard Rasay, Nancy Nelson (formely Mandell), Karen & Patrick Pavao, Ed- ward Rasay, Karen Richards (friend of Nancy Mandell), Marcos Larson (Liedeke’s son), Dora Jane Rowell, Franklin Parraga, Penny Parraga, Leticia Ancog (Kurt Javinar’s sister), Yvonne Shinseki, Al Dressler (Larry’s Father), Shirley Hallman (Denese Alcott’s Mother), Mercy Balles- teros, Mike LaBerge, Anna Marie & Phil Croghan, Judy Carlson, Caroline Johnson, Sheila Belarmino, Ray Roderick, The Church Council, and leaders in the ELCA. If you have additional prayer requests, please let the church office know. “Ask it in my name . . .” Mahalo for your love. Remembering Our Military As we gather for worship, please remember those serving us in the military, and the families of our Hawai’i National Guard. These names have been given by loved ones and family members: Navy – TJ, Javinar, Kristian Matsumoto, Coast Guard - Brian Rodriguez, Navy - Kiana Alisna, Coast Guard - Ke’ale Renta Army - Jason Lumacad, Levi Fajardo: Air Force - Steven Javinar, Ikaika Fajardo, Army - Brandon Perkinson, Drew Cox, Tony Garton: National Guard - Benji Mac- Kenzie, Eddie Resinto, Fred Casticimo, Philip Kamakea, Anthony Y. Torres, Master Sgt. If you know of someone you would like added to our prayer list, please advise the church office.

Introduction This Sunday’s image of how the risen Christ shares his life with us is the image of the vine. Christ the vine and we the branches are alive in each other, in the mystery of mutual abiding described in the gospel and the first letter of John. Baptism makes us a part of Christ’s living and life-giving self and makes us alive with Christ’s life. As the vine brings food to the branches, Christ feeds us at his table. We are sent out to bear fruit for the life of the world.

Overview Connected For Life A parent stands at the bus stop on the first day of school with a kindergarten student. Another parent lingers in the doorway of a first-year dorm after unloading the final box from the car. These parents are entering new times they will not be present to help their children make some important life choices, and words of advice slip from their lips—eat your sandwich before your dessert, share with others, don’t drink and drive, remember who you are. After years of preparation, their children step toward greater independence.

Jesus lingers with the disciples before his death and prepares them for the time when he will no longer be present day to day to help them make their way in the world. Words slip from his mouth: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). These are difficult words as the disciples try to make sense of Jesus’ impending death and the promise of his continued presence.

“Apart from me you can do nothing” may also be a difficult word for a self-reliant, individualistic culture such as our own, focused on personal achievement and success. God is the vine grow- er, Jesus the vine, and we the branches, who, separated from the life-giving vine, can do nothing.

Yet, these are gracious, gospel words from Jesus. He’s been preparing his disciples for years to take this step. These are words that point not toward individualistic, self-reliant independence but toward dependence on the one whose life defies death and whose perfect love casts out all fear. Connected to the vine, these branches are given a death-defying life free from fear. These are gracious, gospel words from Jesus that point to a community nourished by this life-giving vine and bearing fruit for the sake of the world.

Announcements and Weekly Events!

Welcome, Check-In, and Announcements In the Facebook chatbox share something good God is doing in your life.

Announcements

1. Sunday School Re-Launch Preparation—Sunday School Teachers Needed 2. Volunteers needed for (every other) Monday @ 7am—Martha’s Circle 3. Mobile Munchies—Tuesday morning volunteers 4. Help renovate our youth room! 5. Grab greens from our Garden of Grace! 6. Sponsor a youth Group Dinner—Contact Gloria Girald 7. Sponsor a College and Young Adults Dinner—Contact Pastor JP 8. Pentecost—MAY 23—WEAR RED!

Weekly Events

 Youth Group Sunday, May 2, “What’s a eunuch?”, 5:30pm @ Fellowship Hall  Ghetto Sweet Tarts Monday, May 3, “God beyond borders”, 5:30pm @ Fellowship Hall  BOBS Table Talk – Last week in Ephesians! Tuesday, May 4, Ephesians @ 5:30-7:00pm,  Centering Prayer with Liedeke Bulder Saturday, May 8, @ 9-10am via zoom https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9079773456

Fifth Sunday of Easter Order for Worship

Moment of Mindfulness

*Thanksgiving for Baptism P Alleluia! Christ is risen. C Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! P Refreshed by the resurrection life we share in Christ, let us give thanks for the gift of baptism. Silence is kept for reflection on the Resurrection. We thank you, risen Christ, for these waters where you make us new, leading us from death to life, from tears to joy. We bless you, risen Christ, that your Spirit comes to us in the grace-filled waters of rebirth, like rains to our thirsting earth, like streams that revive our souls, like cups of cool water shared with strangers. Breathe your peace on your church when we hide in fear. Clothe us with your mercy and forgiveness. Send us compassions on our journey as we share your life. Make us one, risen Christ. Cleanse our hearts. Shower us with life. To you be all praise, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, now and forever. C Amen

*Gathering Song Jesus Christ is Risen Today

*The Apostolic Greeting P The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. C And also with you. *Prayer of the Day P Let us pray. O God, you give us your Son as the vine apart from whom we cannot live. Nourish our life in his resurrection, that we may bear the fruit of love and know the full- ness of your joy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.

First Reading Acts 8:26-40 Led by the Spirit, Philip encounters an Ethiopian official who is returning to his African home after hav- ing been to Jerusalem to worship. Philip uses their encounter to proclaim the gospel to him. Upon coming to faith in Jesus, he is baptized by Philip.

26An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” go toward the south to the road that goes down 34 from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I 27 ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an 35 Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he pro- queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire 36 treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship claimed to him the good news about Jesus. As 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, they were going along the road, they came to he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being bap- Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and 38 join it.” 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him tized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you 39 understand what you are reading?” 31He replied, into the water, and Philip baptized him. When “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the 32 Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now 40 the passage of the scripture that he was reading no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But was this: Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, passing through the region, he proclaimed the and like a lamb silent before its shearer, good news to all the towns until he came to Caes- so he does not open his mouth. area. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him.

A The Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

Psalm Psalm 22:25-31 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord. (Ps. 22:27)

25 who rules over the nations. From you comes my praise in the great assem- 29 bly; Indeed, all who sleep in the earth shall bow I will perform my vows in the sight of those down in worship; who fear the Lord. all who go down to the dust, though they be 26 dead, shall kneel before the Lord. The poor shall eat and be satisfied, 30 Let those who seek the Lord give praise! Their descendants shall serve the Lord, May your hearts live forever! whom they shall proclaim to generations 27 to come. All the ends of the earth shall remember and 31 turn to the Lord; They shall proclaim God’s deliverance to a all the families of nations shall bow before people yet unborn, God. saying to them, “The Lord has acted!” 28For dominion belongs to the Lord,

Second Reading 1 John 4:7-21 We love God and others because God first loved us. We cannot say we love God, whom we have not seen, while hating fellow Christians, whom we regularly see. Love toward God is to be matched by love toward others because the essence of God is love.

7 abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son . Beloved, let us love one another, because love 16 is from God; everyone who loves is born of God of God, and they abide in God. So we have and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not known and believe the love that God has for us. 9 God is love, and those who abide in love abide know God, for God is love. God’s love was re- 17 vealed among us in this way: God sent his only in God, and God abides in them. Love has been Son into the world so that we might live through perfected among us in this: that we may have 10 boldness on the day of judgment, because as he him. In this is love, not that we loved God but 18 that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not us so much, we also ought to love one another. 19 12 reached perfection in love. We love because he No one has ever seen God; if we love one an- 20 other, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and us. hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those 13By this we know that we abide in him and he who do not love a brother or sister whom they 14 have seen, cannot love God whom they have not in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And 21 we have seen and do testify that the Father has seen. The commandment we have from him is sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

A The Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

P The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the fifteenth chap- ter.

*Holy Gospel John 15:1-8 On the night of his arrest, Jesus taught his disciples about the relationship they would have with him. Those who abide in his word and love bear fruit, for apart from him, they can do nothing.

1 [Jesus said:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. the vinegrower. 2He removes every branch in me 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he like a branch and withers; such branches are prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3You have al- gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If ready been cleansed by the word that I have spo- you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask ken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as for whatever you wish, and it will be done for the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you abides in the vine, neither can you unless you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much

P The Gospel of the Lord.

Keiki Sermon Sermon

*Hymn of the Day Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

*Apostles’ Creed P Let us join together in reciting the Apostles’ Creed A 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 of the Church P 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. A God of all fruitfulness, you abide in your church and your church abides in you. Cleanse us by your word and give yourself to the whole church on earth so that it bears fruit and witnesses to your love. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great. A You have created the heavens and the earth. As we wonder at the beauty of creation, may we seek vital connections among all that depends on the earth for life. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great. A You rule the nations with justice and love. Give the leaders of the earth assurance of your abiding presence, that they lead not by fear but with love for those they are called to serve. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great. A Abiding Shepherd, your love flows as we reach out to those around us. Move us with your Spirit, so that we lay down our lives for those in need (especially). Help us love one another in truth and action. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great. A You have loved us so that we can love others. We pray for all in need of your love: those who are poor, lowly, outcast, weak, or fearful. Provide for the needs of all (especially). Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered. A You gather us with all the saints by the power of your Spirit (especially with Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria and those we name before you). With them, may our hearts live forever in your keeping. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great. P 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. C Amen

*The Queen’s Prayer

English Translation 3. For thy grace I beseech thee. 1. O Lord thy Loving Mercy, Bring us ‘neath thy protection. Is high as the Heavens. And peace will be thy portion It tells us of thy truth. Now and forever more. Amen And ‘tis filled with holiness

The Sharing of the Peace P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. P Let us share the peace of the Lord with those here locally and those joining us online via Facebook live! As the ushers come forward, take a minute to share “Aloha” with those joining us online!

Offertory Word In this Easter season, we are invited to consider new life and a renewed faith that comes with the Resurrection. In addition, we are invited to respond to what God has done on the cross with worship, thanksgiving, and praise. As a part of this great invitation, we invite you to consider what God may be putting on your heart and how you can grow as a co-worker in the faith together with us. Maybe it’s not monetary giving but a giving of your time or talents. Pray and seek the Lord of the Harvest; may God be glorified in us! If God puts it on your heart to give, donations can be given here today, mailed in, or given online our website here or you can copy and paste the weblink below @ https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps? appver3=tYgT1GfNxRUldiimjHMvORYXmm3bazY6GfrmTtVDZydskSODEa- Up5lt373GHnco2evTpo0mld6BrVzd2nG0p8xSFKZ9u6c4AzLo4CjNx7k=&ver=3

Offertory Response Lord of Aloha

*Offertory Prayer P Let us pray. God of love, you call us beloved children and welcome us to your table. Receive our lives and the gifts we offer. Abide with us and send us in service to a suffering world; for the sake of your beloved Child, Jesus Christ. C Amen

Invitation to Communion The risen Christ invites us to this table. Come, eat and be satisfied.

*The Words of Institution (All are welcome to share in this meal with us. The sacraments are provided in accord- ance to synodical guidelines in collaboration with CDC, state, and local precautions. If you do not have sacraments, please raise your hand and an usher will bring them to you.)

*The Lord’s Prayer P Let us pray the prayer our Lord taught 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.

*The Prayer After Communion P Wellspring of joy, through this meal you have put gladness in our hearts. Satisfy the hunger still around us, and send us as joyful witnesses, that your love may bring joy to the hearts of all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen.

*The Blessing P May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus. The God of life, Makua, ☩ Keiki Kane, and Uhane Hemolele, bless you know and forever. C Amen.

*The Sending Song Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

Dismissal P Alleluia! Christ is risen! C Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! P Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! C Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Commemorations Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, died 373 Sunday, May 2, 2021 Best remembered for defending the teaching that Christ was fully God against those who taught otherwise, Athanasius was an influential church leader around the time of the Council of Nicea. He was banished from Alexandria five times for his forthright views.

Monica, mother of Augustine, died 387 Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Monica was married to a pagan husband who was ill-tempered and unfaithful, but whom she helped bring into the Christian faith. She repeated the influence on her son Augustine, who went on to become one of the greatest church teachers.

Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church, died around 1416 Saturday, May 8, 2021 When she was about thirty years old, Julian (or Juliana) reported visions that she later compiled into a book, Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love, now a classic of medieval mysticism. The visions declared that love was the meaning of religious experience, provided by Christ who is love, for the purpose of love.

Victor the Moor, martyr, died 303 (TFF) Saturday, May 8, 2021 Also known as Victor Maurus, this native of the northwest African nation of Mauritania was a soldier in the Roman Praetorian Guard. Under the persecution of Maximian, Victor died for his faith at Milan.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8 teaches us two very valuable lessons. First, God is already at work in and within those we traditionally view as “outsiders”. The Ethiopian eunuch would have been considered as an outsider among Christians and the text emphasizes this with the seeming “ignorance” to the biblical text. The Ethiopian eunuch humbly asks Philip to help them read and interpret the biblical text. Sec- ond, this text emphasizes the work of discipleship and outreach. People outside the church are hungry, curious, and wanting the Bread of Life. Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3 both say, “People don’t live on bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” God’s Word is life-giving. It is radical. It is transformation. That is why Paul says, “Faith comes by hearing the Word.” There is something inherently powerful about God’s Word. HOWEVER! God’s Word cannot go out if we do not go out. We need to teach, lead, and walk with people in their own walks of faith. To this end, I have a question for us: are we prepared to teach, lead, and walk others? Here’s what I’m really getting at: can you teach, lead, and walk yourself in a life of faith, or are you like an “infant”, as Paul talks about in his epistle to the Corinthians, and you still need to be taught, led, and accompanied in your walk of faith? The time is upon us where we are called to step outside of our comfort zones and courageously grow in our faith. One way that we can grow in our faith is by helping other people grow in their faith. In a conversation with a fellow col- league, and professor of theology, she said this, “I learned so much more about historical theology by teaching others historical theology.” We learn and grow when we walk with and teach and lead others! I said this during my interview back in November, 2020. Yale research suggests that youth, and I would argue people of faith in general, need 5 or more people investing in them beyond people in their nuclear family. We need to be discipled. We need people to teach, lead, and walk with us. AND ALSO, other people need this as well. My prayer for us is that God would stir in us, and “breathe on us”, the Ho- ly Spirit so that we would be taught, led, and brought, as Philip was, to others so that we can teach, lead, and walk with others. . . Take the first step. Reach out and reach into someone else’s life of faith and help them to grow. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that you will grow as well. Come Holy Spirit!