May 10, 2015

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Embracing the diversity of God’s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ.

Rev. Kathy Nolte Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 611 Randolph • Oak Park, Illinois 60302 708-848-4741 • churchoffice@goodshepherdlc.org www.goodshepherdlc.org

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Welcome Visitors! We’re glad you are with us today. Please sign in on the YES! Sheet

and pass it to the center aisle. If you would like to request a prayer to be read during worship, write it on the back. An usher will pick it up during the Hymn of the Day.

Communion is open to all who wish to come forward. Children and others who do not commune may receive a blessing. Nursery Care is available during the second service for

children younger than 1st grade. Parents are asked to sign children in and out of the nursery. We ask that you please turn off your cell phone during worship.

Today we celebrate the milestone of graduation. Please remember and congratulate these young people of our congregation. Graduating from 8th grade are Kelly Guagenti, Gregory Hann, Christopher Hugh, Briana Killingsworth, Ariel McClain-Chenault, Caroline Nations, Lucinda Orenic, Lucas Schattauer and Sam Wegener. Our high school seniors are Erin Carney, Graham Deamer, Seth Feare, Kirk Svensson and Jordyn Washington. Justin Jurczak graduated earlier this year from Elmhurst College with a degree in Communication Studies.

Today's Worship Leaders

PRESIDING MINISTER Rev. Kathy Nolte MUSIC LEADER Jonathan Oblander ASSISTING MINISTERS Lynn Zamora (8:00) Elizabeth Overland (10:30) READERS Grace Ledogar (8:00) Christopher Hugh (10:30)

MESSAGE Jordyn Washington (8:00) Seth Feare (10:30) COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Devin Washington (8:00) Caroline Nations Spencer Abbott Debbie Rank Speer (10:30) ACOLYTES Grace Ledogar (8:00) Alison Mieczkowski (10:30)

GREETERS Larry & Pat Beaudry (8:00) Spencer Abbott (10:30) USHERS Larry & Pat Beaudry (8:00) Molly Guagenti Kelly Guagenti Olive Loentz Ana Theys (10:30) COUNTERS Greg McClain Lars Bostrom Tom Jurczak

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Mother's Day & Youth Festival Worship ELW=red book hymnal Congregation responses are bold

Today along with honoring our mothers, we celebrate Youth Sunday, a time not only to encourage participation from our young people in our worship service, but also to honor their time and place in our congregation. Our intergenerational gospel choir features a true blending of voices from many ages and stages. The skit, "Discipleship in the 21st Century," offers a window into the world of teens and technology. Honoring our graduates allows us to surround this milestone with prayer and praise. Faith talks by high school seniors Jordyn Washington (8am) and Seth Feare (10:30am) provide a glimpse into the impact that we as a congregation can have on the faith lives of our children . . . and they on us.

Gathering Prelude Announcements

Invocation Come, Mother God, come as an enfolding nurturing presence, come as steadfast love to hold us. Come, Mother God, come as an enabling strengthening force, come as tough love to let us go. Come, Mother God, come as friend and comforter healing our wounds, walking our way, come as wounded healer to make us whole.

Recognizing Mothers Pastor Kathy

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Gathering Songs "This Is the Day" This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made; we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this the day that the Lord has made.

"Jesus in the Morning"

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"Oh, I Woke Up this Morning"

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Skit Discipleship in the 21st Century

Confession and Forgiveness All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you; you call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped up in our own concerns. We have gone along with evil, with pride, quarrelling, and divisiveness. (silence for personal reflection) Holy God, help us to face up to ourselves, so that, as you move toward us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Good News is that God loves us when we are unlovable, and through Jesus Christ, redeems us when we are undeserving. This frees us to follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Live out your calling not just as follower, but friend in the promise of joy found in Christ. Amen.

Greeting

Presiding Minister: 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.

Prayer of the Day

Presiding minister: Let us pray ... Creator of friendships, whose love lifts us from mindless service to caring community, we thank you for the guidance of your commandments and the promise of joy in Jesus Christ. We seek to love as we have been loved, to risk life for the sake of our sisters and brothers, and to bear fruit that will last. Give us the strength and courage we need; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Word

Reading 1 John 5:1-6 Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal. life.

Gospel Today's Readings

The Holy Gospel according to... Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Gathering Song & Mini-Meditation for Children (8:00 service)

Children are invited to come forward during the song. Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re goin’ to see the King

Song (10:30 service) "King Jesus is All" Sunday School

Hymn of the Day "We've Come This Far by Faith" During the music, the YES! Sheets are collected.

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Message Youth

Recognition of New Members and Graduates Pastor Kathy

Prayers of Intercession Let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

Meal

Offering "Jesus, You Brought Me All the Way" Intergenerational Gospel Choir Gifts are gathered as the table is prepared.

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Offering Prayer Assisting Minister: Let us pray … 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. Amen.

Great Thanksgiving

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

Eucharistic Prayer

Presiding Minister: We praise you and bless you holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and birthed all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing. You made us in your image and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you and wandered far away: and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. In the fullness of time you sent your Son, to gather us back into your arms. 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,

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shed for you and all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. We pray for the gift of your Spirit; in our gathering; within this meal; among your children throughout the world. Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy mothering God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, by your Spirit, in your church, without end. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Presiding Minister: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

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.

Invitation to Communion Jesus said, "I am the true vine. Abide in me as I abide in you."

Communion Please come forward as the ushers direct. You will receive the bread and be invited to either intinct (dip) the bread in the wine, or you may eat the bread and drink the wine. The silver cup has wine; the oversized pottery cup has grape juice. We have gluten free bread as well. After you commune, feel free to kneel at the altar rail in silent prayer.

Communion Songs

"Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees"

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"I'm a-Goin' -a Eat at the Welcome Table"

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After all have returned to their places, please remain seated.

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

Prayer after Communion

Assisting Minister: Let us pray…

Life-giving God, we give you thanks for nourishing us with the bread of heaven and the wine of love, Jesus our risen Savior. As you send us into the world, guard us from the power of evil, keep us in unity with all your people, and by your Spirit move us to testify to your grace in our words and actions; through Christ our Lord.

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Amen.

Sending

Blessing

Presiding Minister:

Go now, and bear fruit for God, fruit that will last. As Christ has loved you, so love one another. And may God give you all you ask for in Christ’s name; May Christ Jesus reveal to you God’s ways and call you friends; And may the Holy Spirit confirm the truth within you and make your joy complete. Amen.

Sending Hymn "Do, Lord, Remember Me"

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Dismissal

Assisting Minister: We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia.

PAST SUNDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS From Warren King – Kate, Don, Pat, Geraldine, Anthony, Sarah, safe travel for Drew and Warren; from Rose Haque – healing for Dan, Don, Julie, Sarah, Shawn; from Lynn & Bevin Zamora – Judy, Veronica, Adele, Stacey, Kelli; from Fran Arcuri – thanks for family health and happiness; from Jim & Barb Hunt – Stella; from Liz Lemke & Dan Feiertag – healing for Carl, Sarah, Regi, Judy, Trevor; from Elizabeth Overland – healing for Linda, Vivien and her parents; from Joan Pope – Judy, Alfred, Magian; from Mary Scherer-Emunds – blessings for Dan who is starting a new life chapter; from Florence Miller – Irene recovering from surgery, Perry in physical rehab, Shaffee family on loss of Lyle Shaffee, Sue for her loss; from Rich & Jane Novak – Dick and MaryAnn Novak, Brian Hauge; and from Larry & Pat Beaudry – peace for family and friends of Kathy’s deceased sister, Lisa and family, Andy, Brian

Bulletin hymns and readings from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26258. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

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Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As a diverse congregation, we welcome in the spirit of Christ all women, men, and children without regard to race, nationality, marital status, family composition, sexual orientation, gender-identity, socio-economic status, or physical ability, inviting all to participate fully in the life and ministry of our parish. We encounter Christ in each person and therefore treat one another with trust, love, care, and respect.

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Pastor – Rev. Kathryn Nolte Communications – Jeanne Peppler Council President – Robert Hann Office Administrator – Vicki May Council Vice President – Beth Houle Custodian – Tali Melani Dir. Christian Education – Deac. Debbie Rank Speer Sunday Nursery Attendants – Elois Gardner, Music Director – Jonathan Oblander Ruth Collins