04.18.21 3Easter PRINT COPY

The gospel for the third Sunday of Easter is always one in which the risen Christ shares food with the disciples, meals that are the Easter template for the meal we share each Sunday. In today’s gospel, Jesus both shares the disciples’ food and shows them the1 meaning of his suffering, death, and resurrection through the scriptures, the two main elements of our Sunday worship.

Welcome to worship at Welcome! Bethlehem Lutheran Church. We hope that your worship in our community strengthens your faith and brings you peace and joy.

Bethlehem has adopted an affirmation of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and is recognized as Reconciling in Christ (reconcilingworks.org). We welcome everyone regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental challenges, financial resources, or family status, and we invite everyone to participate fully in worship and all that is ours in Christ.

Candles are a visible sign of our prayers. Feel free to light a candle during the worship time or before the service. All candles may be extinguished after worship is concluded, signifying that our loving God has heard our prayers.

Children are always welcome! We love having children participate in worship and they are encouraged to sing and read along. This becomes a way that faith is passed on to the next generation.

Worship Services are currently held via Facebook Live. Everyone is welcome to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at:

https://www.facebook.com/BethlehemBLCLife

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

since December 3, 2017

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8922 Little River Turnpike – Fairfax, VA Church Office 703.978.31312 blclife.org

WORSHIP NOTES

A Special Welcome to All Our Guests! The name of our church, Bethlehem (Hebrew for “house of bread”), reminds us that Jesus always feeds us through our good times…and especially through our difficult days, our drought. A shepherd, like the shepherds around Bethlehem, both nudges the sheep and lovingly watches over them in danger. Our hope is that you are both nudged and comforted today by the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Please plan to stay with us after the service for refreshments and conversation. We are thankful that you are here!

Sermon Podcasts and Manuscript: Podcasts of the sermon can now be downloaded in iTunes, search: “Pastor Dans Sermons”. The audio file, manuscript, plus a discussion forum is at Pastor Dan’s blog, is available on our website: www.blclife.org

An Invitation: Are you looking for a church home? If so, we invite you to become part of this wonderful community of faith. Come back again! Would you like more information about our ministry? Please visit our website www.blclife.org or make an appointment with Pastor Dan.

Our Cover for this Sunday: Fish, by French watercolorist, Olivia Quintin, in reference to LUKE 24:42-43 - THEY GAVE HIM A PIECE OF BROILED FISH, AND HE ATE IN THEIR PRESENCE. Some of Quintin’s favorite subjects are fishes, flowers, and sea birds. Olivia believes that the most difficult thing about painting is staying free with the painting. She uses wet in wet techniques, washes, intense colors and loose effects.

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

Discovering, Celebrating, Sharing

GATHERING Word Holy Communion Connection Sending

(Scripture used in the liturgy)

PRELUDE “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us” W.B. Bradbury

WELCOME (Romans 15:7) The pastor welcomes all and shares any notes pertaining to the worship.

(I John 1:9) CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross (signified with this ☩), the sign marked at baptism:

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, (Psalm 33:5) who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

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. Amen.

Silence is kept for reflection.

(Romans 15:7)

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we 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.

(Romans 5:5)

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

GATHERING HYMN The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song. “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” Hymnal 367

GREETING (2 Corinthians 13:13) The presiding minister and the assembly signal the gathering of God’s people with the ancient Trinitarian greeting.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 6the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

HYMN OF PRAISE (Matthew 20:31)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Gathering WORD Holy Communion Connection Sending

FIRST READING: Acts 3:12-19 After healing a man unable to walk, Peter preaches to the people, describing how God’s promises to Israel have been fulfilled in Jesus. Through the proclamation of Christ’s death and resurrection, God is offering them forgiveness and restoration in Jesus’ name.

A reading from Acts.

12Peter addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 4 The Psalm is read responsively

1Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I was in distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; how long will you love illusions and seek after lies?” 3Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; the LORD will hear me when I call. 4Tremble, then, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed. 5Offer the appointed sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. 6Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. 7You have put gladness in my heart, more than when grain and wine abound. 8In peace, I will lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me rest secure.

SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-7 God has loved us in order to make us children of God. Though we do not yet know the full details of our future existence, we trust that God will reveal it just as God revealed Jesus to take away our sins. . A reading from First John.

1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

CHILDREN’S TALK (Mark 10:14) A time for children to hear what is at the heart of the texts for today.

The assembly welcomes the Word with songs. Holy Scripture is brought down into the midst of the people, symbolic of the Living Word dwelling in our midst.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

“Be Not Afraid” Hymnal 388

GOSPEL: Luke 24:36b-48 The story of Easter continues as the risen Jesus appears to his disciples. His words to Thomas offer a blessing to all who entrust themselves in faith to the risen Lord.

The Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

36bJesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do 11 doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

“Be Not Afraid” Hymnal 388

SERMON (1 Timothy 4:13)

HYMN OF THE DAY The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song. The Hymn of the Day might be understood as the congregation’s sermon.

“Lord, You Give the Great Commission” Hymnal 579

THE NICENE CREED Dating back as early as the 4th century, the creed is a confession of the faith of the assembly. It is historically ecumenical and structurally trinitarian. This is a resurrection statement.

With the whole church, let us confess our faith.

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. 15

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION (I Timothy 2:1 -2)

Having received the Word of God’s relentless grace and faithfulness, we can’t help but turn outward and pray for others. The love of Christ compels us. The minister leads the congregation in prayer.

Each petition of the prayers concludes:

… Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

The prayers conclude: (Romans 8:26)

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.

PEACE

(John 20:19) The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

Offering the peace of Christ is far more than a quick hello and “How ya doin’?”: It is the embodiment of conflicts forgiven, wars ended, even death destroyed. Jesus’ resurrection offers true peace.

Gathering Word HOLY COMMUNION CONNECTION Sending

OFFERING (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Loving God, we joyfully release what you have entrusted to us¾our selves, our time and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 16

OFFERING MUSIC Allison O’Connor, Flute “Wizard Wheeze” Nicholas Hooper

The Offering is one of the "consequences of God's grace" (Christ in our Home daily devotion for July 14, 2020). All are invited to respond to God with joyful hearts by giving regularly, tithing (giving proportionally), and/or donating to the ministries of Bethlehem Lutheran in Fairfax, VA at BLClife.org (left hand column). You can now also Give-by-Text: 844- 804-9092. (Simply text “assist” to this # and follow the instructions. This can easily be set to repeat each week.) Thankful for your faithfulness and trust in God.

GATHERING OF GIFTS “For the Beauty of the Earth” Hymnal 879 Verses 1, 2, 5

OFFERING PRAYER The minister leads the following prayer.

Let us pray. (Exodus 35:5)

Silence is kept for reflection.

(Psalm 89:2) 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. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION CONNECTION

Art by: Sydney Kirkland Bethlehem Confirmation Class of 2022

LORD’S PRAYER

Lord remember us in your love, and teach us to pray. (Matthew 6:9-13)

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.

Gathering Word Holy Communion Connection SENDING

ANNOUNCEMENTS Brief announcements may be made, especially those related to the assembly’s participation in God’s mission in the world.

BLESSING The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing. (Numbers 6:23-26)

May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom (Romans 8:39) to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus. The God of life, Creator, ☩ Christ, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

SENDING HYMN “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!” Hymnal 377

All children are invited to pick up an instrument and add joyful sounds to our Sending Song. Following the cross of Christ, the children lead the assembly back out into the world in service and hope.

DISMISSAL (Matthew 28:20b) The minister sends the assembly out and into mission. Fed and forgiven, our feet now follow our prayers.

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

POSTLUDE “Simple Gifts” Joseph Brackett, Jr.

Artwork: Holy Communion, Sydney Kirkland Fish, Olivia Quintin

Hymns reprinted with permission of CCLI License No. 14519, LicenSingOnline No, 600997, and OneLicense No. A-701485

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Coming Up Next Week

Readings for Sunday, April 25, 2021

Acts 4:5-12 Salvation in the name of Jesus Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1) 1 John 3:16-24 Love in truth and action John 10:11-18 Christ the shepherd

Birthdays Last Week Daniel Trump, April 11th Erin McPhilomy, April 17th

Birthdays This Week Mike Crum, April 20th Heather Roschke, April 20th Akiva Kirkland, April 23rd Grant Odom, April 23rd

Baptismal Birthdays this Week

Anniversaries this Week

This Week’s Commemorations

Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church Monday, April 19, 2021 These two brothers studied with Luther at the University of Wittenberg and then returned to their native Sweden to introduce Olavus Petri the Lutheran reforms. Olavus published a catechism and hymnal; Laurentius was a professor who defended the office of bishop and later became one. Laurentius Petri

Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury, died 1109 Wednesday, April 21, 2021 This eleventh-century monk was one of the greatest theologians of the Middle Ages. He is remembered for emphasizing the maternal aspects of God, and for the theory that the Son of God became human in order to make the necessary payment for our sin.

Day of the Creation (Día de la Creación) (LLC) Thursday, April 22, 2021 This observance invites us to notice and give God thanks for the wonders of the created universe. As stewards of that creation, we are also challenged to be careful in our use of it.

Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 Friday, April 23, 2021 Born in Kobe, Japan, Kagawa was orphaned as a young child. Later, when he became Christian, he was disowned by the rest of his family. Wishing to bring Christian principles into society, he worked among poor people, established schools and hospitals, and worked for peace.

Caring for Creation

To learn more about Caring for Creation, visit our website at

https://www.blclife.org/caring-creation

Everyone is invited to a Blessing of the Animals today after worship at the Bethlehem Pavilion.

Hymn Notes

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High." Psalm 92:1

The text for Lord, You Give the Great Commission was written by Jeffery Rowthorn (1934 - ) to a request from the Yale Divinity School graduating class of 1978. It was first sung at their baccalaureate service. The first four stanzas each quote a saying of Jesus related to a specific mission responsibility: stanza 1 from Matthew 10:7-8; stanza 2 from Matthew 28:19; stanza 3 from Matthew 26:26-29; and stanza 4 from Luke 23:34. Stanza 5 quotes Christ's promise from Matthew 28:20. A common refrain for all the stanzas asks for the Holy Spirit's help.

Rowthorn was born in Wales, served in the Royal Navy, and studied at Cambridge University in Russian, German, Persian, and Arabic. After his ordination as an Anglican deacon in 1962 and a priest in 1963, he served parishes in London and Oxford, then spent five years at Union Seminary in New York City, and Cuddesdon Theological College at Oxford. After his ordination as an Anglican deacon in 1962 and a priest in 1963, he served parishes in London and Oxford, then spent five years at Union Seminary in New York City as dean and chaplain. In 1973 he accompanied the School of Music at Union in its move to Yale as the Institute of Sacred Music. There he taught liturgy and was the chapel minister. He became the suffragan bishop of Connecticut in 1987, a United states citizen in 1988, and bishop in charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe in 1994, for which he moved to Paris.

The music for this text was composed by Cyril V. Taylor (1907-1991).

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-8; 28:19; 20; 26:26-29; Luke 23:34 vcs

Excerpt from Hymnal Companion.

Excerpts from The Rhetoric of Martin Luther’s Hymns: Hymnody Then and Now, Gracia Grindal, 2006 and Hymnary.org 26

Excerpt from Hymnal Companion.

BLC PRAYER RING

Prayer requests are given to members of our Prayer Ring by email, including whatever details you choose to provide about your prayer need, and are also printed in our Sunday bulletin without details, so that our congregation may join in the prayers.

Remembering Friends (people who are unable to come to church)…

Sylvia Betty Michele

Prayer Concerns… Dave Bonnie’s sister May Mattie (Shelley) Bonnie Val Ruth Mike Margaret Duke (Bonnie) David (Pastor Dan) Elizabeth (Marie R.) Cecilia Gene & Vivian Barb (Debi) Deb (Ann) Paul (Michael) Paula (Debi) Barb (Debi) Yvoune (Kaj) Calista (Kaj) Hannelore Joe (Helen) Pam (Mike)

Please pray for all those at home and overseas in the armed, diplomatic, and humanitarian services of our country, and for their families: Kathryn Chris Kathy Logan (Bernice’s grandson) Nick (Janet’s nephew) Henry & Wendy and family

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 8922 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: 703.978.3131 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.blclife.org

Ministers: The people of Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Pastor: The Rev. Daniel Roschke email: [email protected]

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, and as arranged Pastor Dan’s Blog: https://themangerfairfax.blogspot.com/

Minister of Music: Esther Cho

Music Accompanist: Jenny Kong

Administrator: Marie Bakke email: [email protected]

Bethlehem Lutheran Church A Reconciling in Christ congregation since December 3, 2017