HOSPITALITY + WORSHIP + SPIRITUAL GROWTH + JUSTICE + COMMUNITY CARE

Please consider sending your contact info to operations@lutherplace.org. We long to stay connected with you in this season

of pandemic. During this time, we will be using our website (lutherplace.org) and Facebook page heavily to communicate and be the church together.

For concerns, questions, and prayer requests, please reach out to our staff: The Rev. Karen Brau, Senior Pastor | seniorpastor@lutherplace.org Sarah Johnson, Director of Operations | operations@lutherplace.org

Justin Fitch, Director of Music | music@lutherplace.org

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 3, 2020

10:30 AM Service of Communion Luther Place Memorial Church

1226 Vermont Ave, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 667-1377 www.lutherplace.org

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Prelude: Oceans Hillsong United Ashley Carter

Welcome We welcome you to worship today! We are a church that uses social media. You are invited to interact on this live video through the comment section.

We will offer communion today and ask that you prepare bread and wine/juice. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Feel free to post during

worship and throughout the week using the new #lutherplaceathome

*Confession: P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who creates us and forms us, who redeems us and calls us, who unites us and sends us.

C: Amen.

P: Gracious and loving God, C: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.

We seek our own way. We divide the body of Christ. In your mercy, cleanse us and heal us. Let the words of our mouths, the thoughts of our hearts, and everything that we do be filled with faith, hope, and love. Amen.

P: Hear the voice of Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim release to the captives.” In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, I proclaim to you that your sins are forgiven and you are released. The joy of the Lord is your strength, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are yours forever.

C: Amen.

GATHERING

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Hymn of Praise: Glory to God, Glory in the Highest!

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.

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WORD

*Prayer of the Day P: O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety

through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in cer-tainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

FIRST READING Acts 2:42-47

42[The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in com-mon; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Reader: Holy Wisdom, Holy Word C: Thanks be to God!

Psalm 23 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. 2The LORD makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. 3You restore my soul, O LORD, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake. 4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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*Gospel Acclamation: Halle, Halle, Hallelujah

HOLY GOSPEL John 10:1-10

P: The Holy Gospel according to John C: Glory to you, O Lord

[Jesus said:] 1“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

The Gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ

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Children’s Time

Sermon: Alleluias and Laments: Good Shepherds Rev. Karen Brau Noticing: commenting and interacting is encouraged!

What do you notice in the readings and sermon? What are you feeling?

Alleluias and Laments are our theme for the 50 days of the Easter season. Alleluias are the wondrous ways we are showing up for each other and connecting with kindnesses and concrete actions. Alleluias are for the caregivers and helpers serving and working in an unceasing fashion. Alleluias are for wise leadership and integrity in service.

Laments are for inadequate supplies, graduations that will not happen in person, lost employment and ongoing deaths surrounding the coronavirus.

The lists of both go on and on.

Hymn of the Day: ELW 513 Listen, God Is Calling

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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 power of 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 the People the response to each bidding is “Hear our prayer”

Please comment with your prayers for each category; and at the end of the prayers, you are invited to comment prayers that you

would like to be spoken out loud.

S: Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the peo-ple of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need. Silence...

S: Shepherding God, we thank you for the educational ministries of your church. Enrich the work of teachers, professors, mentors, advisors, and faculty at colleges, seminaries, and learning sites. Lord, in your mercy,

S: Creating God, we praise you for those who maintain and operate farm equip-ment, for those who plant and harvest crops, for local farmers’ markets, and for those involved in agriculture of any kind. Strengthen their hands as they feed the world. Lord, in your mercy,

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S: Open the rooms we lock, O God, to those who live without a homeland or place of safety. We pray that generous nations offer refuge and peace for all. Lord, in your mercy,

S: Comforting God, you carry us tenderly. We pray for those who walk through dark valleys overshadowed by anxiety and overwhelmed with suffering (especially). Lord, in your mercy,

S: Nurturing God, you desire justice for the hungry. Bless advocacy work, food pantries, and feeding ministries in our congregations. May none of our neigh-bors lack for basic needs. Lord, in your mercy,

S: Everlasting God, your beloved have heard your voice; you have called them by name and guided them to your side in death. We thank you for their lives of faithful witness. Lord, in your mercy,

Here other intercessions may be offered.

P: With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord.

C: Amen. *Exchange of Peace P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you. Announcements Please subscribe to our eNews at lutherplace.org/calendar-news

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Offering You can donate by texting the dollar amount to +12028166673 or clicking this link. To the right is the QR code for the giving portal. We are inviting you to give financially, out of your heart and love for God. Our giving is a spiritual practice as part of our faith and discipleship.

Mission of the Moment: Pastor’s Discretionary Fund *Offering Prayer P: Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. Feed us again at this table for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. C: Amen.

*The Great Thanksgiving

MEAL

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*Sanctus: ...and join their unending praise:

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Thanksgiving at the Table P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus gathered with his

faltering friends for a meal that tasted of freedom.

He took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to them, 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.

We remember that night Jesus spent with his friends, and we feel his presence with us now. We ask God, through the Holy Spirit to bless these gifts we offer and share, making them Christ for us, and making us into Christ’s holy body. Together with all the church, we give you thanks: Creator, Redeemer, Spirit of love. Bind us together. Open our hearts. Grant us peace. C: Amen Lord’s Prayer

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

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*Agnus Dei: Communion: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.

*Table Blessing P: May the One who brought forth Jesus from the dead, raise you to new life, fill you with hope, and turn your mourning into dancing. Almighty God, Creator, ☩ Redeemer, and Sustainer, bless you now and forever. C: Amen.

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

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*Sending Song: ELW 377 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!

Dismissal P: Alleluia! Go in peace. Christ is Risen! C: Christ is Risen, Indeed! Hallelujah!

Postlude: NEW BRITAIN Toccata on Amazing Grace J. Christopher Pardini Justin Fitch, organ

SENDING