June 1, 2025 11 A.M.
Welcome!
Introduction
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses human understanding and power beyond human imagination.
(please stand for our opening song)
Hymn: “Bind us Together” WOV 748
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, Lord, bind us together in love.
| There is only one God. There is only one King. There is only one Body; That is why we can sing: (refrain) | You are the fam’ly of God. You are the promise divine. You are God’s chosen desire, You are the glorious new wine. (refrain) |
Thanksgiving for Baptism
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
P: In the name of ☩ the One who was, who is, and who is to come.
C: Amen.
P: Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, and called to live the baptized life, let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
P: 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,
C: make us one as you are one.
P: 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,
C: make us one as you are one.
P: 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,
C: make us one as you are one.
P: 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.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
(Please be seated for the readings)
First Reading: Acts 16:16-34
Those who had enslaved a girl and used her powers to tell fortunes threw Paul and Silas into jail for ordering the spirit to come out of her and consequently ruining their business. In prison, Paul and Silas bring the good news of the gospel to the jailer and his family.
R: 16 One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. 17 While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” 18 She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34 He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
…This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalmody: Psalm 97
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous. (Ps. 97:12)
1 The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness surround the Lord, righteousness and justice are the foundations of God’s throne.
3 Fire goes before the Lord, burning up enemies on every side.
4 Lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declare your righteousness, O Lord, and all the peoples see your glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! Bow down before the Lord, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! God guards the lives of the saints and rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to God’s holy name.
Second Reading: Revelations 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
The ascended Christ, hidden from our sight, promises to come again. We eagerly pray, “Come, Lord Jesus,” with all who respond to this invitation.
R: 12 “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
16 “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. 20 The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
…This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
(Please stand)
Gospel: John 17:20-26
C: <sung> Alleluia!
Jesus prays that the life of his followers will be characterized by an intimate unity of identity with God. To be so identified with God means also to share in God’s mission: to proclaim the word that will bring others into this same unity.
D: [Jesus prayed:] 20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
…This is the Gospel of the Lord
C: Praise to you, oh Christ
Wee Worship
We Sing: ”When Our Song Says Peace” ELW 709
When our song says peace and the world says war, we will sing despite the world.
We will trust the song, for we sing of God, who breaks the spear and sword
and still the storm of war.
When our song says free and the world says bound, we will sing despite the world.
We will trust the song, for we sing of God, who opens prison doors
and set the captives free.
When our song says home and the world says lost, we will sing despite the world.
We will trust the song, for we sing of God, who brings us home at last
and gives a song to all.
| SERMONWith Gerry Zimmerman |
(stand)
Apostles’ Creed
C: 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 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.
Welcoming God, you invite all people to come and encounter your love. Give your church open hearts and minds to embrace all who seek your presence. Increase the capacity for cooperation between denominations and congregations. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Creating God, your might is seen in storms and in silence. Where drought threatens, bring rain. Where waters flood, ease them back. Where fire, earthquake, hurricane, or tornado destroy, shelter your people and restore your land. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Discerning God, fill the hearts of leaders with your passion for justice and mercy. Call the nations of this world to tables of peace and collaboration. Encourage governments to seek avenues of collective benefit and joy. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Abiding God, all people are held in your care. Accompany survivors of abuse, trauma, and exploitation. Strengthen our resolve to listen and advocate on behalf of all who are unnoticed. Hear our prayers for those close to our heart. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Rejoicing God, be with this congregation as summer begins in the northern hemisphere. Keep travelers safe. Keep the vulnerable cool. Invigorate summer ministry efforts in our community, and support the well-being of children and young people (VBS, camp, summer series or other programs may be named). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Loving God, the beginning and the end, you are with us throughout our lives. In gratitude for the saints who have died, we look toward your coming again among us. 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.
(stand)
The Sharing of the Peace:
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet one another with the Peace of Christ
We Sing: “One Bread, One Body” ELW 496
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all.
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Communion
P: Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true vine.
C: Amen.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also, with you.
P: Rejoice before your Lord.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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, 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:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power 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.
P: 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.
P: 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.
P: For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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: We pray as Jesus taught us:
C: 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.
Invitation to Communion
P: Come to the table of grace. Receive the gift of new life.
(sit)
Power Point Video & Distribution
Prayer after Communion
P: Living One, in this feast you have made yourself known to us. Send us now to tell of your wonders, sing of your glory, and proclaim your risen life to a wounded and weary world.
C: Amen.
Blessing
P: The triune God, who was, who is, and who is to come, Sovereign, ☩ Savior, and Spirit, light your way with resurrection dawn, now and always.
C: Amen.
Announcements
| Birthdays June 1 – Frann Wilson June 7 – Monica McConnell Anniversary June 5 – Ray & Vicky McKinney | Weekly Calendar Wednesday 10am – Bible Study at Immanuel 2:45 – Sonshine Thursday 9 am – Quilting |
Hymn: “Take the Name of Jesus with You” TFF 159
| Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe; It will joy and comfort give you; Take it then where’er you go. Precious name, oh how sweet! Hope of Earth and joy of Heav’n. Precious name, oh how sweet! Hope of Earth and joy of Heav’n. | Take the name of Jesus ever, As a shield from ev’ry snare; If temptations round you gather, Breathe that holy name in prayer. Precious name, oh how sweet! Hope of Earth and joy of Heav’n. Precious name, oh how sweet! Hope of Earth and joy of Heav’n. |
Dismissal
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
P: Go in peace. In Christ, you are made new. Alleluia! Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!