The Third Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - June 13, 2021

vs. 1
May our homes be filled with dancing,
May our streets be filled with joy,
May injustice bow to Jesus,
As the people turn to pray.

refrain:
From the mountains to the valleys,
Hear our praises rise to You,
From the heavens to the nations,
Hear our singing fill the air!

vs.2
May Your light shine in the darkness,
As we walk before the cross,
May Your glory fill the whole earth,
As the water o’er seas.

(refrain)

God’s grace rushes in like the wind, our souls and spirits are alive and well, and from the mountains to the valleys, from the heavens to the nations, we fill the air with praises, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Friends of Jesus: Great are the works of The Lord. Let us take a moment of silence to confess to God all our sins and those times we have failed to believe in the life and breath of God’s grace.

(silence for reflection)

Brothers and sisters in faith: Feel the rush of The Wind, be alive and well in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Though we were destined for judgment, we are anew, to be alive and well, to sing our praises, thanks to the One who forever never lets us go!

Loving God, you make known the gift of faith, even in the midst of doubts and questions, we believe in Christ we are alive and well. Indeed by your Holy Spirit, we feel the rush of The Wind, we trust anew that even faith the size of a mustard seed is still mighty enough to save us, to bless us, to guide us, to strengthen us, to give us hope and life anew. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” Jesus also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

(New Revised Standard Version)

EZEKIEL 17:22-24; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-10,14-17; MARK 4:26-34

To be alive means to grow and change.  How something grows or changes has a lot to say about one's life.  A tree is either properly nourished and grows to give life to other parts of life, or the tree is not able to grow, it withers away, or perhaps even chokes life out of those around it.  If the life circle works the way it was intended; eggs hatch, cocoons open, mothers give birth to their young, and life begins.  If a bird does not grow or does not use its wings, it is in great danger.  While growing and changing are part of life, they are not always easy.  As Jesus makes clear in Mark’s gospel today, the Kingdom of God gives life, beyond our understanding, and yet, with faith the size of a mustard seed, we feel the rush of The Wind, we are alive and well in power and grace!

1. We are alive and well, in the rush of The Wind!  Jesus has given us as individuals, as the people of God, all the miracles of life.

A. We are alive and well in the life giving gift of faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7; Mark 4:31

B. We are alive and well in the life giving gift of forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 5:10

C. We are alive and well in the life giving gift of growth.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Mark 4:32

D. We are alive and well in the life giving, life changing, gifts of grace and hope to spring forth anew, to live!

2. We are alive and well, in the rush of The Wind!  Jesus has given us as his holy Church, as the Kingdom of God, the miracle of life for daily living, for eternal life!

A. We are alive and well, for we are the seeds of God.  You, God's people, are his every day, not so simple, miracles.
Mark 4:26-27

B. We are alive and well, for we have been nourished by God.  God's gifts and blessings are his every day, not so simple, miracles.
2 Corinthians 5:14

C. We are alive and well, for we have been given life in The Light.  God's presence is his every day, not so simple, miracle of hope in our lives.

D. We are alive and well, for we are blessed to grow and to bear fruit, in the ever growing awareness of life in Christ.  God's promises, springing forth fruit and life, are his every day, not so simple, miracles.
Ezekiel 17:24

3. Trust and feel the rush of The Wind, for you are alive and well in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, springing forth life, where only God has planted seeds of new life, springing forth belief where only God has planted seeds of new faith, springing forth fruit where only God has planted seeds of change and difference and impact, springing forth hope where only God has planted seeds of truth, promise and reassurance. Trust and feel the rush of The Wind, for the Kingdom of God gives life, beyond our understanding, and yet, with faith the size of a mustard seed, we are alive and well in power and grace!

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
This is a call to all the dead and disappointed,
The ones who feel like they are done;
This a word to all the ones who feel forgotten,
But you are not.

refrain:
We’re alive, alive, alive, and we’re singin’.
We’re alive, alive, alive, and we’re shakin’.
We’re alive, alive, alive, alive in You.

vs. 2
We are soaked in all the grace that we’ve been given,
Unchained from all that we have done.
Your mercy’s risin’ like the sun on the horizon,
And we’re comin’ home.
Oh, you know that we’re comin’ home.

(refrain)

...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Let us feel the rush of The Wind, in your Spirit, and your grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

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.”

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.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, as you feel the rush of The Wind in God’s saving grace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!

vs. 1
Even though I walk through the valley,
Of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back I know You are near

refrain:
And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me!
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no,
You never let go,
Through the calm
And through the storm
Oh no,
You never let go,
In ev’ry high and ev’ry low
Oh no,
You never let go,
Lord, You never let go of me!

vs. 2
And I can see a light that
Is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

(refrain)

bridge:
Yes I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You!
Still I will praise You!

(repeat)

Oh no,
You never let go,
Through the calm
And through the storm
Oh no,
You never let go,
In ev’ry high and ev’ry low
Oh no,
You never let go,
Lord, You never let go of me!

(repeat)

vs. 1
There’s revival
And it’s spreading
Like a wildfire in my heart.
A Sunday morning
“Hallelujah,”
And it’s lasting all week long.
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
It’s the rhythm of a gospel song.
Oh once you choose it,
You can’t lose it!
‘Cause there ain’t nothing,
There ain’t nothing gonna steal my joy!

refrain:
I’ve got an old church choir
Singing in my soul.
I’ve got a sweet salvation
And it’s beautiful.
I’ve got a heart overflowing
‘Cause I’ve been restored.
There ain’t nothing
Gonna steal my joy!
No, there ain’t nothing
Gonna steal my joy!

vs. 2
When the valleys
That I wander
Turn to mountains that I can’t climb,
Oh, You are with me;
Never leave me!
‘Cause there ain’t nothing,
There ain’t nothing
Gonna steal my joy!

(refrain)

bridge:
Clap your hands
And stomp your feet
‘Til you find that gospel beat,
‘Cause He’s all you’ll ever need,
All you’ll ever need.

(repeat)

I’ve got an old church choir
Singing in my soul.
I’ve got a sweet salvation
And it’s beautiful.

(refrain)

Oh, there ain’t nothing gonna steal my joy!

Liking posts like this one helps get the word out about Lord of Life! Consider sharing posts like this with friends who may be missing their faith-based communities. Leave a comment and let us know what you liked or what moved you this week!

Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Join us next Sunday, June 20, The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, “The Rush of The Wind Calms Every Storm!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on our Facebook page, under “videos.”

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the building.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Celebrating The Rush of The Wind In Power & Grace, written based on Psalm 92. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Alleluia! Love Is Alive” © 2012 spiritandsong.com, CCLI #7007289 “Hear Our Praises”© 1998 Hillsong Music, CCLI #2543402 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Alive” © 2011 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music CCLI #5881082 “You Never Let Go” © 2005 Thankyou Music CCLI #4674166 “Old Church Choir” © 2016 Anthems of Hope CCLI #1380826 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.