First English Evangelical Lutheran Church 800 Vernier Road

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

phone: 313.884.5040 fax: 313.884.4460

website: www.feelc.org

Interim Pastor: Rev. J. Krister Ulmanis Associate Pastor: Rev. Christina Veres

Parish Ed/Youth Coordinator: Renata Conger Coordinator of Music: Robert H. Foster

Director of Bell Choirs: Christina Judson Pastors Emeritus: Rev. Paul Keppler

Rev. Dr. Walter Schmidt

THE HOLY TRINITY

May 31, 2015 11:00 am

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WELCOME TO FIRST ENGLISH! We are glad you are worshipping with us this morning. If you are visiting with us and are interested in learning more about First English please fill in the “Visitor Card” you will find in the pew rack in front of you. CHILDREN AT WORSHIP. We welcome all children at worship and to experience the worship service. If you should need it, a cry room located off the back entrance of the worship space. For children 4 and under not staying in worship there is a nursery located across the hallway from the lounge. HEARING IMPAIRED WORSHIP HELP. Special speaker system for the hearing impaired is available. Please speak with the ushers. TODAY – The Holy Trinity (May 31) The Holy Trinity is the only Sunday in the church year when we are speaking about a theological concept and not about Jesus’ ministry. When we say God is the triune God, we are saying something about who God is beyond, before, and after the universe: that there is community within God. Our experience of this is reflected in Paul's words today. When we pray to God as Jesus prayed to his Father, the Spirit prays within us, creating between us and God the same relationship Jesus has with the one who sent him. Thursday 7: 00 pm AND Sunday 9:30 am ‐ The LITURGY (WORSHIP ORDER) and HYMNS are printed in your worship guide. Holy Communion is celebrated at these services every week. 11:00 am ‐ The LITURGY (WORSHIP ORDER) is printed in your worship guide. HYMNS are found in the back of your red hymnbook you find in the pew rack in front of you. Holy Communion is celebrated at this service, as it is a major Festival Sunday. Introductions to today’s readings: Isaiah 6:1‐8 Isaiah gives the grounds for his authority as a prophet. Uzziah’s reign has been prosperous, but uncertain times lie ahead. Assyria is expanding its borders, and the northern kingdom, Israel, is trying to coerce Judah into a military alliance against the Assyrian threat. Back then, dreams were taken seriously. Romans 8:12‐17 Paul has told us how Christian experience is dominated by life in the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh, or self‐centeredness. People are still subject to suffering – to bearing crosses and affliction – but not to condemnation. Not being condemned, we have hope. We have been made children of God. John 3:1‐17 God has told Isaiah that most people will reject his message, preferring their traditional ways. Now Nicode‐mus, a devout and learned leader in Judaism, shows himself to be so steeped in traditional ways of thinking about God that he rejects Jesus’ teaching about how to enter the Kingdom of God.

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THE HOLY TRINITY May 31, 2015

PRELUDE COME JOIN THE DANCE OF TRINITY ‐D. Paxon

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the creator of wind and rain, field and ocean, the bread of life coming down from above, the power at work within us and this world. C: Amen.

Before God and in the company of our sisters and brothers, let us confess our sin.

Congregation kneels or sits. Silence is kept for reflection and self‐examination

P: God and Father of all, C: we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have thought better of ourselves than others. We have told lies, said hurtful things, acted in ways we wish we could take back, and looked the other way when action was needed. In your mercy, O God, forgive us, cleanse us, and heal us, for the sake of Jesus, our Savior. Amen. P: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; everything has become new! In Christ, you are a new creation: your sins are taken away and you are made new. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. C: Amen

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GATHERING

HYMN COME THOU ALMIGHTY KING ELW # 408 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.

KYRIE

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THIS IS THE FEAST

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PRAYER OF THE DAY P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you. P: Let us pray C: Almighty Creator and ever‐living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three‐in‐One, and we praise your power, majestic One‐in‐Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

WORD

FIRST READING Isaiah 6:1–8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of un‐clean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" 6Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blot‐ted out." 8Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

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PSALM 29

1Ascribe to the | LORD, you gods, ascribe to the LORD glo‐ | ry and strength. 2Ascribe to the LORD the glory | due God's name; worship the LORD in the beau‐ | ty of holiness. 3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders; the LORD is upon the | mighty waters. 4The voice of the LORD is a pow‐ | erful voice; the voice of the LORD is a | voice of splendor. 5The voice of the LORD breaks the | cedar trees; the LORD breaks the ce‐ | dars of Lebanon; 6the LORD makes Lebanon skip | like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox. 7The voice | of the LORD bursts forth in | lightning flashes. 8The voice of the LORD | shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilder‐ | ness of Kadesh. 9The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the | forests bare. And in the temple of the LORD all are | crying, "Glory!" 10The LORD sits enthroned a‐ | bove the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for‐ | evermore. 11O LORD, give strength | to your people; give them, O LORD, the bless‐ | ings of peace.

SECOND READING Romans 8:12‐17

12So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spir‐it you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Fa‐ther!" 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

GOSPEL John 3:1‐17

P: The Holy Gospel according to John. C: Glory to you, O Lord Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can any‐one be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the moth‐er's womb and be born?" 5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

(continued)

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14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who be‐lieves in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Rev. Christina Veres

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

HYMN OF THE DAY COME, JOIN THE DANCE OF TRINITY ELW # 412 NICENE CREED

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.

(continued)

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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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE P: Lord, in your mercy. C: Hear our prayer. OFFERING ENDLESS SONG ‐ Lowry/Wagner Good News Singers CONGREGATIONAL OFFERTORY AS WE GATHER AT YOUR TABLE ELW # 522

As we gather at your table, as we listen to your word, Help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred. Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own; Teach us through the holy banquet how to make Love’s vict’ry known.

Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life; Send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife. Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave; May we still behold your image in the world you died to save.

Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast ‐ Where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least. There no more will envy blind us nor will pride our peace destroy, As we join with saints and angels to repeat that sounding joy.

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OFFERTORY PRAYER P: Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.

MEAL

GREAT THANKSGIVING

PREFACE P: 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, through our Savior Jesus Christ; Fulfilling the promise of the resurrection, you pour out the fire of your Spirit : Equal in majesty, undivided in splendor, one Lord, one God, ever to be adored in your eternal glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

P: Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age. Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood. Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea. Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness to the land of milk and honey. Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one. Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ. Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations. 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.

(continued)

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With this bread and cup we remember our Lord's passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P: O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. C: Come, Holy Spirit.

P: Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love. C: Come, Holy Spirit. P: With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. C: Amen.

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.

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LAMB OF GOD

INVITATION TO COMMUNION HOLY COMMUNION At the Altar Rail

Communion takes place at the altar rail. You will receive the bread (wafer) from the pastor and the cup by the communion assistant. If for some reason you cannot take the wine, glasses of white grape juice are placed in the middle of the tray. It is also appropriate to receive just the bread (wafer). Please remain at the altar rail until each ‘table’ is dismissed. If you desire to receive communion at the pew, please speak to one of the ushers. Younger children who are not Communing are invited to come forward to receive a blessing

COMMUNION BLESSING

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

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PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION: P: Wise and generous God, we thank you that at this holy table you have fed us again with the food of everlasting life. Send us with your blessing to seek the good of our neighbor and call others to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen

SENDING

BLESSING HYMN HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY ELW # 413 SHARING OF THE PEACE POSTLUDE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY ‐L. Smith From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #48349.

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.

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ELCA Youth Gathering is coming to Detroit

July 15-19 2015 And we need your help!

Register today to serve the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit this summer! Local volunteers are still very much in need! Individuals and groups can

serve for ½ day or more throughout the event. Duties to be assigned in June.

To register: http://tinyurl.com/elca2015lvc Click on New registration (in red)

Be sure to choose "Local Arrang." (Beth Smallbeck)

The Service Learning team is also in need of volunteers to help with service project days. These projects require all day commitments of 1‐3 days.

Job descriptions in link below. Site Captains: Help oversee and facilitate service projects.

Skilled Labor: Measure and cut boards, use basic power tools and operate power equipment.

Pre‐Event Supply Chain Support: Handle, sort and deliver supplies to sites. To register: http://tinyurl.com/elca2015slvr

*Service Learning volunteers must register in both databases. For more information, contact:

Claudia Karpinskas (Local Volunteers) ck4youth@yahoo.com Dave Upmeyer (Service Learning) upmeyers@hotmail.com

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SCRIPTURE TEXTS: To prepare for worship please take the time to read the scripture readings before coming to church so they are not unfamiliar to you when you hear them read in worship. For next Thursday/Sunday, The Holy Trinity, the readings are: Isaiah 6:1‐8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12‐17; John 3:1‐17 CONFESSION: & PASCHAL CANDLE: As the Easter Season has come to an end the Confession returns to the Worship order and the Paschal candle returns to its regular place by the baptismal font and is lit for baptisms and funerals. PASTOR KRISTER AWAY: Pastor Krister will be away at meetings on May 27 and on vacation May 28 – June 2.

Worship and Activity Information ‐ May 24, 2015

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Summer worship begins on May 21 and continues through

Sept. 6 , 2015 ‐‐‐Thursdays at 7:00 pm

‐‐‐ Sunday at 9:30 am & 11:00 am

NOTE ‐ June 14th is Music Sunday.

and there is only ONE worship service this Sunday at 10:00 am.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR have been placed by the Altar Guild in memory of Dorothy Craig and L. Jean Sutton.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Please submit any information to be published in the Sunday bulletin before 12:00 p.m. the preceding Tuesday. Thank you.

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Ministers of Worship & Service Interim Senior Pastor: Rev. Krister Ulmanis Associate Pastor: Rev. Christina Veres Coordinator of Music: Robert Foster Director of Bell Choirs: Christina Judson Parish Education/Youth Director: Renata Simone Conger Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Paul Keppler Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Walter A. Schmidt

TODAY 9:00 Today 11:00 Today GREETERS: Judy Leo Christi Nyquist

ACOLYTES: Parker Rustmann Dominic Vitale

Sophia Vitale

USHER: Team #1 Team #2

Mike Guest Mark Berkesch

COUNTERS: Team #3 Ruth Engle

COMMUNION: Shirley Lamar

Pam Southard

LAY READER: Jackie Tambourine Mark Fett

COFFEE HOUR: Stewardship/Finance FRIENDLY CALL‐ER: John Blohm

NURSERY: Dalian family

ALTAR GUILD:

Anna: Nancy Heaphy/ Lydia: W. Hostetler/

Doris Lamore Judy Leo

9:30 June 7 11:00 June 7 Ken Kohler Dee Friscan

Mia Cassar Noah Simone

Emily Dalian

Team #3 Team #4

Mark Fett Marc Simone

Team #6 Kyle Clor

B. Tambourine Dennis Gates

J. Tambourine Kathy Gates

Kathy Lang Dan Rustmann

Kyle Clor

Judy Leo

Rustmann family

Anna: Ruth Engle/ Carol Logan

NEXT WEEK

GREETERS:

ACOLYTES:

USHER:

COUNTERS:

COMMUNION:

LAY READER:

COFFEE HOUR:

FRIENDLY CALLER:

NURSERY:

ALTAR GUILD:

CONGREGATIONAL HELP NEEDED!!

Youth members Daniel Feldman, Eve Feldman, Tiffany Kreutzans, Katie Link, Lauren Nyquist, Parker Rustmann, and Nora Smith are attending the 2015 national ELCA Youth Gathering July 15 – 19 in Detroit. The youth typically leave an in‐kind donation to their host city. when discussing what to leave, the need always returned to diapers. The Women of First

English wish to support their efforts. Non‐profits that work with families and individuals living in

poverty, list diapers as a top con‐cern. The need is for toddler dia‐pers (sizes 4, 5 and 6), adult inconti‐nence products and wipes. Please connect with the young people in our congregation and the women’s support of them by bringing the re‐quested items and drop them off in the nursery. Thank you in advance for your generosity!!

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THIS WEEK AT FIRST ENGLISH - May 31 - June 7, 2015 * denotes Church sponsored

SUN 31 9:30 * Early Worship Sanctuary

11:00 * Late Worship Sanctuary

7:00 Young Persons AA Meeting Fellowship Hall

MON 1 9:30 Exercise Fellowship Hall

3:00 Piano Recital Sanctuary

4:30 Sports Luther Center

TUES 2 4:30 Sports Luther Center

5:30 Exercise Class Fellowship Hall

WED 3 9:30 Exercise Class Fellowship Hall

4:30 Sports Luther Center

THURS 4 4:30 Sports Luther Center

5:30 Exercise Class Fellowship Hall

6:30 * HS Youth Youth Room

7:00 * Summer Worship Sanctuary

8:00 * Good News Singers Choir Room

SAT 6 1:00 Wedding Rehearsal (Blohm) Sanctuary

SUN 7 9:30 * Early Worship Sanctuary

11:00 * Late Worship Sanctuary

1:30 Blohm Wedding/Reception Sanctuary/Luther Center

7:00 Young Persons AA Meeting Fellowship Hall