THE DAY of PENTECOST
May 28th, 2023
The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, Pastor
WELCOME
Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church! We are happy that you have joined us for worship this morning. Through Word and Sacrament, Christ, our Good Shepherd, promises to lead and guide us as his people. May today’s worship be a blessing to you as he reveals his love for you and assures you of his presence in your life. Guests and visitors, please honor us by signing our Guest Book located on the table in the entrance hall of the church as you leave. The fellowship of this morning continues with a Coffee/Fellowship Hour following worship. Do join us and let us become better acquainted with you as you get to know us better. If you have no church home of your own in the area, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. Pastor Josh or the lay assistant for the day will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our parish. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER Come, Holy Spirit
On this day, nearly 2,000 years ago, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the power to speak before the multitudes and proclaim with great boldness the saving word of grace to people of all nations and languages. Today we reflect on how the Spirit brought us to the saving faith through Baptism. Like the disciples of old, we too have been touched by the Spirit and given the charge to proclaim the Good News to all the earth. In today’s service we would ask that our hearts and minds be opened so that the Spirit’s power might come to us in abundance. For the saving faith that he has brought us and daily brings to us we say, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Almighty God, you fulfilled the Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit. May that Spirit unite us in our service to you and your Kingdom so that all people may come to know your love. We ask this in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
+ THE ORDER of CELEBRATING PENTECOST +
Haugen Setting Now the Feast
WELCOME
INVOCATION & CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
“Turn to me and be saved,” says the Lord. “For I am God and there is no other.”
If we confess our sins, God, who is merciful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Today God’s Spirit descends, to prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness
and judgment.
+ A Brief Silence for Reflection +
Most merciful God, we have been unworthy and disobedient children. We have ignored your Fatherly admonitions, disregarded our Savior’s instruction, and grieved the Holy Spirit. We are not worthy to be called your children. But we beg you — of your Fatherly compassion, by your saving merits, at your inviting call — to have mercy on us and grant us forgiveness.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life. To those who believe in Jesus Christ, the heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit that we may be children of God. Rejoice in the Lord; your sins are forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share the peace of our Lord as we greet one another.
PASSING of PEACE
[The congregation is encouraged to share the peace of Christ and greet one another with the words: “The Lord’s peace be with you.” The response: “And also with you.”]
PENTECOST ACCLAMATION
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful people!
Come, bring life to your Church once more!
Come, Holy Spirit, inspire us with your Word ever new!
Come, bring your renewal to the Church once more!
Come, Holy Spirit, unite your faithful people with a tongue of praise!
Come bring your unity to your broken Church once more!
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people!
And kindle in us the fire of your love!
KYRIE
PRAYER of THE DAY
O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
FIRST LESSON Numbers 11:24-30
[The Spirit of God rested upon seventy elders in Israel who had been chosen to share the burden of leadership with Moses. When some became jealous that two others also had the spirit and could prophesy, Moses said that he hoped that all of God’s people would be prophets.]
Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.
Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said, Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND LESSON Acts 2:1-21
[Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now surrounded by signs of fire, wind, and a variety of languages in their midst, the people were amazed and astonished at Jesus’ promise coming true.]
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared upon them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speak about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel, ‘In the last days it will be,’ God declares, ‘that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL John 7:37-39
The holy Gospel is written in the 14th chapter of John. Glory to You, O Lord
[The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.]
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet been glorified.
The gospel of our Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ!
HOMILY Water & Fire Pr. Josh Text: Gospel
APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come 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
PRAYERS of THE CHURCH
OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, with every people of every language and nation we bring the first fruits of our labor. Let the sharing of these gifts proclaim our joyful hope in Jesus Christ, the first fruits of the resurrection. Thanksgiving and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also, with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Holy God, breath of life and fire of love:
with a mighty wind you brought creation into life,
and by a pillar of fire, you led your people into freedom.
We praise you for the gift of your Son,
who poured out your Spirit on his disciples of every race and nation.
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 which is given
for you. Do this in 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 in remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore,
His death, resurrection,
And the sending of the holy and life-giving Spirit,
We await his coming again to renew the face of the earth.
Send now your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this meal:
anoint us with your gifts of faith, hope, and love,
that with thankful hearts, we may be witnesses to your Son.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your
faithful people, and kindle in us the fire of your love.
Through him all glory and honor are yours, Almighty Father,
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.
Amen
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray …
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 is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen
DISTRIBUTION
DISMISSAL
May the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you steadfast in the true faith to life everlasting. Amen
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING
Living God, as the disciples ate and drank with their risen Lord, we have been nourished with the very presence of Christ. Through this meal may we be strengthened to keep your Word and to proclaim the power of your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
BLESSING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
+ With Great Boldness … Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +
Grace Notes
THE PRESENCE of CHRIST is celebrated in The Lord’s Supper. He comes to us in a real and present way with his life-giving body and blood in the bread and wine of The Sacrament to assure us of our forgiveness and to strengthen us in faith and service. All who trust and believe the words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” are welcome. Come, receive Christ’s presence in the meal prepared for you. Enjoy his presence. Children are encouraged to come forward with their parents and/or grandparents and receive a blessing.
JUNE/2023 GRACE CALENDAR — The monthly Grace Calendar will no longer be included with the monthly Newsletter. Instead, a hard copy of the monthly calendar will be available on the last Sunday of the current month with a digital copy being sent via email on the first day of the new month. This change will allow Grace members to better plan for upcoming events.
SPRING PIANO RECITAL – Tatsiana Asheichyk’s piano students will be presenting their Spring Piano Recital on Sunday, June 4th starting at 4:30 PM here at Grace. Admission is free. The recital is a special treat for those who appreciate all of the hard work these young pianists have put into their piano pieces. Hope you can come out to support them!
JOHN ROSS MEMORIAL SERVICE — Please join in the Celebration of Life honoring John Ross on Saturday, June 10th, 2023, at 11:00 AM here at Grace. Lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts/donations can be made to Grace Lutheran Church. Please note John Ross AV Scholarship Fund on the memo line of your check.
This Week at Grace
May 29th – June 4th, 2023
Monday, May 29th
MEMORIAL DAY
Tuesday, May 30th
Women’s Bible Study
10:00 AM
Wednesday, May 31st
Mariner’s Baseball @
Ashland LL/Field 2
Choir Rehearsal
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
Sunday, June 4th
Bible Study & Sunday School
Worship Service
Coffee Connection Hour
Spring Piano Recital – Tatsianna Asheichyk’s piano students
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
4:30 PM