ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025
Easter initiates a new day. It anticipates a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ is making all things new. In the mystery of holy baptism God has made new people of us. Today Jesus invites us to see everyone in a new light—through the lens of love.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Cantabile on "Hyfrydol"
Alice Jordan / Rowland H. Prichard
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM (page 97)
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
In the name of the + One
who was, who is, and who is to come.
Amen.
Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection,
and called to live the baptized life,
let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
Holy God,
we give you thanks for the waters of baptism,
waters that make a people your own,
that restore to wholeness,
and empower us to be witnesses in your name.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
make us one as you are one.
We give you thanks for the waters of baptism,
waters that strengthen believers
and give new life to beloved servants of your church;
waters that extend your boundless love
and cross barriers of our own making.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
make us one as you are one.
We give you thanks for the waters of baptism,
waters that open the hearts of believers
and give a voice in the night to those in captivity;
waters that set your people on a new path,
rejoicing in the Spirit’s power.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
make us one as you are one.
Grant us grace, love, and life, O Living One,
that our every day is shaped by these waters
that give us our very lives in you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Crucified and Risen One.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
ELW 424
Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
raise the glad strain: "Alleluia!"
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, pow'rs,
archangels, virtues, angel choirs:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!" Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O higher than the cherubim,
more glorious than the seraphim,
lead their praises: "Alleluia!"
Thou bearer of the eternal Word,
most gracious, magnify the Lord:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!" Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
ye patriarchs and prophets blest:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!"
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
all saints triumphant, raise the song:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!" Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O friends, in gladness let us sing,
supernal anthems echoing:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!"
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!" Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE (page 140)
Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God. Refrain
Power and riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his. Refrain
Sing with all the people fo God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. Refrain
For the Lamb who was slain
has begun his reign. Alleluia. Refrain
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O Lord God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing. Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love, that, made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Acts 11:1-18
In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. In this way the mission to the Gentiles is officially authorized.
1 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3 saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4 Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6 As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10 This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11 At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14 he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 148 (Read Responsively)
1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise God in the heights.
2 Praise the Lord, all you angels;
sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.
3 Praise the Lord, sun and moon;
sing praise, all you shining stars.
4 Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
who commanded, and they were created,
6 who made them stand fast forever and ever,
giving them a law that shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps;
8 fire and hail, snow and fog,
tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars;
10 wild beasts and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds;
11 sovereigns of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the world;
12 young men and maidens,
old and young together.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven.
14 The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants,
the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. Hallelujah!
SECOND READING: Revelation 21:1-6
John’s vision shows us that in the resurrection the new age has dawned; God dwells with us already. Yet we wait for the time when the tears that cloud our vision will be wiped away. Then we will see the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem.
1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 142)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You havee the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. alleluia.
GOSPEL: John 13:31-35
After washing the disciples’ feet, predicting his betrayal, and then revealing his betrayer, Jesus speaks of his glorification on the cross. This deep complicated love of Jesus, even to death on the cross, will be the distinctive mark of Jesus’ community.
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Jeannine Sweet
HYMN OF THE DAY
I Come with Joy
ELW 482
I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved, and free,
the life of Jesus to recall
in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ's communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound
by all that God has done,
we'll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Fill the church with the spirit of your redeeming love. Make us steadfast in our proclamation of your grace for all people without exceptions, especially those often overlooked in our communities. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Awaken joy in the beauty and abundance of your creation. Show us the wonder of your presence from the smallest flower to the tallest tree. Recommit us to preservation of wild places. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Instruct all world leaders to protect the most vulnerable among us. Guide those in power toward equitable and just economic policies, so that all might have sufficient resources to live safely and with dignity. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Pour out your love on all in need of care: those mourning losses, enduring trauma, experiencing broken relationships, yearning for companionship, or facing illness especially Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Barbara, Ann, Julie, Brooklyn, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Barbara, Scott, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Tom & Leona, Avery, Doris, John, Tim, Arleen, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Mary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max. Wipe away every tear. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Abide with all who are victims of racism, especially people who are doubly marginalized because of gender, sexuality, or ability. Destroy all forms of systemic oppression, and renew our commitment to healing the wounds of our collective body in this community and beyond. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We bless Pastor Cruz in her spiritual walk as she takes up the mantel of Pastor for Grace Lutheran Church. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We give thanks for all the saints whose lives bear witness to your redeeming love. Guide us by their example, until we join them in your eternal home. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.
SHARING OF PEACE
Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
ANTHEM
If You Love Me
Joel Raney
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 181
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life.
And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS (page 144)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow'r and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus 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.
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.
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 isthe kingdom,
and the power, and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
DISTRIBUTION
SANCTUS (page 146)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
HYMNS DURING COMMUNION
The Church of Christ, in Every Age
ELW 729
The church of Christ, in ev'ry age
beset by change, but Spirit-led,
must claim and test its heritage
and keep on rising from the dead.
Across the world, across the street,
the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat,
and never live before they die.
Then let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ's sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ's humanity.
For he alone, whose blood was shed,
can cure the fever in our blood,
and teach us how to share our bread
and feed the starving multitude.
We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord;
to care for all, without reserve,
and spread his liberating word.
Spirit, Open My Heart
ACS 1043
Refrain
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving.
Spirit, open my heart.
God, replace my stony heart
with a heart that's kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender. Refrain
Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed,
may my living bring you glory. Refrain
May I weep with those who weep;
share the joy of friend and neighbor.
As I live from day to day,
love will be my finest labor. Refrain
TABLE BLESSING
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Bless us now.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
*LITANY OF FAREWELL: INTERIM PASTOR
Leader: A church family is constantly changing. Loved ones come to the end of their lives. Individuals come and go in our church life. It is important and right that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and beginnings. Today we share the time of farewell with Pastor Sweet, whose time as our interim minister ends.
Int. Pastor: I thank Grace Lutheran Church, its members and friends, for the love, kindness, and support shown me these last 8 months. As I leave, I carry with me many memories of experiences we have shared together.
People: We receive your thankfulness. We accept that you now leave us to minister elsewhere. We express our gratitude for your time among us.
Int. Pastor: I thank you for your gratitude, trusting that our time together and our parting are pleasing to God and to the Christ we are called to serve.
Leader: Do you, the members of Grace Lutheran Church now release Pastor Sweet from the duties of interim minister?
People: We do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you offer your encouragement for Pastor Sweet's continuing ministry?
People: We do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you, Pastor Sweet, release Grace Lutheran Church from turning to you and depending on you?
Int. Pastor: I do with the help of God.
Leader: Do you offer your encouragement for the continued ministry at this congregation?
Int. Pastor: I do with the help of God.
During this time we have sought to maintain the life of this congregation and grow in love, understanding and faith through the use of God’s Word and the sacraments. Continue in this path. You have grown in readiness for a new pastor. Be patient with the new pastor who begins her ministry among you and support her efforts.
Leader: Let us pray:
All: God, whose everlasting love for all is trustworthy, help each of us to trust the future which rests in your care. Guide us as we hold these cherished memories, but move in new dirctions until that time to come when we are completely one with you and with each other. In the name of Jesus our Savior and Lord we pray. Amen.
Leader: Go now, Pastor Sweet, surrounded by our love and led by the promises of God, the presence of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
SENDING HYMN
Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded
ACS 933
Day of delight and beauty unbounded,
tell the news, the gospel spread!
Day of all wonder, day of all splendor,
praise Christ risen from the dead!
Sing of the sun from darkness appearing;
sing of the seed from barren earth greening;
sing of creation, alleluia!
Sing of the stream from Jesus' side flowing;
sing of the saints in water made holy;
sing of salvation, alleluia!
Day of delight and beauty unbounded,
tell the news, the gospel spread!
Day of all wonder, day of all splendor,
praise Christ risen from the dead!
Sing now of mourning turned into dancing;
sing now the myst'ry, hope of our glory;
sing with thanksgiving, alleluia!
Sing now of fasting turned into feasting;
sing the Lord's favor lasting forever;
sing, all things living, alleluia!
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
POSTLUDE
Festive Postlude on “All Creatures of our God and King”
Music: Paul Fey
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
Cantabile on "Hyfrydol", Music: Alice Jordan, 1916-1992, Rowland H. Prichard, 1811-1887. Music © 1974 Lorenz Publishing Company, admin Music Services. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, Text: J. Athelstan Riley, 1858-1945. Text © Oxford University Press. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Köln. 1623. Public domain.
I Come With Joy, Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936. Text © 1971, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company. Music: W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835; arr. hymnal version. Arr. © 2007 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
If You Love Me, Words and Music: Joel Raney, b. 1956. Words and Music © 2019 Hope Publishing Company. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress, Music © 2004 Augsburg Fortress, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Church of Christ, in Every Age, Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Text © 1971 Hope Publishing Company. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: William Knapp, 1698-1768. Public Domain.
Spirit, Open My Heart, Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Text © 1996 Pilgrim Press, Musi: Irish melody, adapt. Alfred V. Fedak, b. 1953. Music © 2011 Alfred V. Fedak. pub MorningStar Music Publishers. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded, Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939, Text © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi, 1556-1622. Public domain.
Festive Postlude on “All Creatures of our God and King”, Music: Paul Fey, b. 1998. Copyright © 2021 Paul Fey. All rights reserved.
