July 5, 2020 – Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

Welcome Back

It’s Been a while . . .

. . . since we have been together in this space for worship. The last time was Wednesday, March 11, the mid-week Lenten service between the third and fourth Sundays of Lent. Much has happened since then. Too much. We remain a cautious world, and for good reason.

As we return there some changes which must be done so that we can worship in a safe manner. Some of the changes involve the distribution of the Holy Communion. As the Holy Communion is the climax of Christian worship, we intend to continue to share the real presence of the body and blood of Christ but in a slightly different manor.

The main difference is that each seating area will be sent forward separately. This will keep “traffic flow” simplified. The pastor and Assisting Minister will come to you, at the end of the aisle. Bring your communion cup with you that you picked up in the narthex. If you forgot, there are some at the front of the church. Keep your face mask on.

To receive the host, just hold out your hand. The pastor will drop (not place) the host onto your hand. Move immediately to the Assisting Minister, who will fill your cup. After having your cup filled, step to the side, and this is where you may lower you mask to consume the communion. Then raise your mask and return to your seat. There are receptacles provided for the used communion cups.

As you approach to receive, remember to maintain the proper distancing. The floor is marked for that purpose.

At the conclusion of the service, if you took a paper bulletin, keep your bulletin with you, and exit the building by way of the designated exit doors. The pastor will greet you outside. If you wish to have a conversation with someone, do so outside.

Most likely we will find some things to improve upon as the weeks go by. We are fortunate that we have a very open space in which to worship. Thank you for your attendance and patience as we find our way.

Stay well, and see you next week!

Welcome (Back) Announcements

Gathering Music

The Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness

P
In the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen

P
Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P
Reconciling God, we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life.
C
Amen.

P
Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through Christ Jesus. Let us live now in hope, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen.

The Apostolic Greeting & Prayer of the Day

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.

P
Let us pray. O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C
Amen.
Please be seated.

Children’s Message

The children remain at their seat as the pastor share a message with them.

First Reading

Acts 10:34-43
A reading from Acts: Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ – he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
A
The word of the Lord.
C
Thanks be to God.

The Holy Gospel

Matthew 28:1-10
P
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew the twenty-eighth chapter.
C
Glory to you, O Lord
1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
P
The Gospel of the Lord.
C
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.

The Sermon

Silence for reflection follows.

Please stand for the prayers.

The Prayers of the Church

A
Raised up by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join all the people of God in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
As a sign of resurrection glory, the people stand for the prayers during this Easter liturgy.

After each portion of the prayers:
A
Lord, in your mercy,
C
Hear our prayer.
The prayers conclude:
P
Into your hands, Gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
C
Amen.

The Peace

P
The peace of Christ be with you always.
C
And also with you.
Without leaving your seat offer a wave to your neighbor, sharing God’s peace., in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Please be seated.

Music as the Table is Set

The Offertory Prayer

A
Let us pray. Merciful God, you take our ordinary gifts of bread and wine and make of them an abundance of your grace. Feed us again at this table for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

P
The Lord be with you.
C
And also with you.

P
Lift up your hearts.
C
We lift them to the Lord.

P
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eucharistic Prayer

P
This is the day that in joy and delight
we join with all the angels of heaven and all the creatures on earth
to sing our praise and thanksgiving to you,
all holy and mighty and glorious God.
For Christ is risen!

This is the day that you gave light to the earth.
This is the day that you saved the Israelites through the sea
and with your pillar of fire led them to freedom.
Now every night is as bright as day,
and that light is Christ.
C
Thanks be to God.

P
On the night before he died,
our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

P
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
C
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P
On this day send us the power of your Holy Spirit.
Revive us with the body and blood of our risen Savior.
Illumine our lives with your presence,
and shine your Morning Star over the whole human race,
for that light is Christ.

All holy and mighty and glorious God,
radiant Father, victorious Son, and shining Spirit,
we bless your salvation, we sing of your mercy,
and we praise your victory through all time and space,
for Christ is risen!
C
Christ is risen indeed.

P
Amen and amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 Invitation to Communion

P
Come to the banquet. Behold the risen Christ.
C
Alleluia! Thanks be to God.

Please be seated.

The Distribution of Holy Communion

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America practices open table hospitality. Baptized communicants of other Christian denominations, of all ages, are welcome to receive the sacrament. An usher will direct each seating area to come forward to receive the sacrament. Bring your communion cup with you, or take one from the table in the front of the church. The pastor will drop in host into your hand. Next move to receive the wine from the Assisting Minister. As you return to your seat, place the empty cup into the receptacle. Those persons not receiving communion are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing.

After all have communed, please stand for the prayers and blessing.

The Post Communion Blessing

P
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C
Amen.

The Post Communion Prayer

A
Let us pray. Life-giving God, you have fed us with your word, and our hearts burn within us. Through this meal you have revealed your presence to us. Now send us forth to share the gifts of Easter with all in need; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C
Amen.

The Blessing

P
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. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen.