The Fifth Sunday of Easter - Online Worship - May 15, 2022
Join us in-person or on facebook for Lord of Life LIVE this Sunday at 9:30am!
Prelude & Words of Greeting
The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The peace of The Risen Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Opening Song in The Spirit
Blessed Be Your Name
Redman
vs. 1
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
vs. 2
Blessed be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Ev’ry blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say
(refrain)
refrain:
“Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name”
(repeat refrain)
Litany Alive, Anew, Loved, In The Grace of The Risen Christ
Psalm 33
Today we celebrate, we sing anew, blessed be your name, trusting Jesus is alive, giving us Easter hearts to live anew in the unconditional love and grace of The Risen Christ, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Rejoice in the Lord always; praise his name. Let us make melody and sing to him a new song that we might live in God’s grace raising us up in this truth: Jesus Christ is risen indeed!
Friends, God is an all-loving God. Let us take a moment of silence to share with The Lord sins of our failure to love him or to love one another as we have been loved in the grace of The Risen Christ.
(silence for reflection)
Friends of our loving God: Today hear again the steadfast love of The Lord. With Easter hearts, be alive and anew in the unconditional grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Holy Spirit: Purify our hearts, kindle in us your love once again!
Song of Grace Anew
Purify My Heart
Nelson
Purify my heart
Touch me with Your cleansing fire
Take me to the cross
Your holiness is my desire
Breathe Your life in me
Kindle a love
That flows from Your throne
Oh purify my heart
Purify my heart
Today we are raised up in the steadfast love of The Lord. He is the giver of life. He alone is The One who loves perfectly. Let one and all, stand in awe of The Risen Christ, and say that we love him!
Friends of our loving Lord: Jesus is alive, his love endures forever, giving you an Easter heart. Purify our hearts, Lord, in new ways. Raise us up, to live anew in God’s saving grace!
Song of Grace Anew
Purify My Heart
Nelson
Purify my heart
Touch me with Your cleansing fire
Take me to the cross
Your holiness is my desire
Breathe Your life in me
Kindle a love
That flows from Your throne
Oh purify my heart
Purify my heart
Loving God, today, by your unconditional love and grace, you give us Easter hearts, to love you with all our heart. Give us faith to follow your new commandment, to glorify you as we make you, our God, and our neighbors, first in our lives. As the Easter season continues, let us go forward, trusting you raise us up to love one another as we have been loved; for Christ is risen, and risen indeed. Alleluia! Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 11:1-18
Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat.’ But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Ceasarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song Anew In True Grace
He Knows My Name
Walker
vs. 1
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hand
refrain:
He Knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
vs. 2
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He’ll never leave me
No matter where I go
(refrain twice)
And hears me when I call
Gospel
John 13:31-35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Based on Revelation 21:5-7
God’s Son born in a manger, who went forward in obedience to make us all one through his death and resurrection; he will come again. While we wait for Jesus’ return, with Easter hearts, we trust and believe, we are alive and anew, in the grace of The Risen Christ.
God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Amen.
Easter Hearts Alive, Anew, Loved, To Love
ACTS 11:1-18; REVELATION 21:1-6; JOHN 13:31-35
How do you define the mystery, the majesty of "love?" How has love been expressed, shared, modeled, taught in your life? The Risen Christ knows real love is hard to explain, to express, to find, to accept, to trust. The Creator of life, the Creator of love, longs to make known his gift of love, yet his promise, his grace, are best summarized in these words: `love one another as I have loved you.’ Christ is telling us, if we need an example, if we wonder what gives God glory, if we question if we are loveable; we need look only to him, to his faithfulness. In Easter, Jesus is alive to perfectly, personally love you, to raise up in you an Easter heart, alive and anew, to: “Love one another as I have loved you!”
1. With Easter hearts, we spring forth with new life, alive and anew in The One who makes known one of the central commandments, examples, callings, promises, joys, and assurances of our Christian journey; as we share the grace, mystery and majesty of these words: “Love one another as I have loved you!”
John 13:34
A. Love. What does this mean to you?
Revelation 21:3
i. How do words like `compassion,’ `affection,’ `adore,’ `attraction,’ `emotional attachment,’ fit for you?
ii. Often, even for those we love, and, `one another,’ we quickly move to judgment and arrogance. There may be no need to agree or approve, but we so often have little room for tolerance or acceptance, not to mention love.
iii. To know God in Christ loves us, is to know what love is. It is “agape,” grace, spiritual, unconditional, complete, unexplainable, real, without question, ... it is perfect!
B. One another. What do you do with this part of Christ’s calling?
Acts 11:3,12,17; John 13:35
i. We are loved to love all others, not just those like you, who do what you do, who agree with you. Loved to love one another, includes those different, even our enemies.
ii. We are different, we can be such enemies, nothing like The Christ, we do not do what Jesus does. Christ has all the permission to pick and choose, and he chooses those who are different, the others, ... you and me!
C. As. `In likeness to.’ `In a similar way.’
Revelation 21:3-4
i. Christ loves us to the fullest, completely, unconditionally.
ii. We are not Jesus, but we are to go beyond our comfort zone, otherwise Jesus would have said, `Love one another as you are doing,’ `as you think good enough.’
D. I. The Christ. Not anyone else!
John 13:31
E. Have. Jesus is not done loving us; we are to follow his ongoing, eternal, living, loving example, laying aside self.
Revelation 21:5-6
F. Loved. Embraced, compassion, mystery, grace, agape, etc.
G. You. God’s love in Christ is for the world, and yet, it is very personal. The crucifixion and resurrection are personal, they are for you. Do not ever feel unworthy of God’s grace. Let God love you - it is what God does best!
John 13:31-32
2. Revelation 21:6; John 13:34-35 - To `love one another as I have loved you,’ may seem impossible, unlikely, not doable. Feeling loved, forgiven, saved, blessed, may seem impossible, unlikely, not doable at times. Be alive and anew, with an Easter heart, trust The Spirit; trust the resurrection; trust you are loved to love; trust grace. God’s love lives, perfect and personal, for Christ is risen, and risen indeed! Alleluia!
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.
Song of Hope & Grace Anew
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Tomlin
vs. 1
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
vs. 2
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
refrain:
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God my Savior
Has ransomed me
And like a flood
His mercy rains
Unending love
Amazing grace
(repeat refrain)
As we pray to you, living Jesus, ...
Risen Savior, give us Easter hearts, to live anew, in your grace.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Risen Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place during our service. 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.
The Words of Institution
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.
Songs During Communion
Revelation Song
Riddle
Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain
Holy holy is He
Sing a new song
To Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat
(repeat)
refrain:
Holy holy holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows
Of living color
Flashes of lightning
Rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and
Glory and power be
To You the only wise King
(refrain)
Filled with wonder
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power
Breath and living water
Such a marv’lous mystery
(refrain)
The body and blood of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in the living grace of The Risen Christ, this day, this most blessed and holy morning, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ, The Risen Lord of life. Amen.
The Risen Lord bless you and keep you. The Risen Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Risen Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, for you are alive and anew, in the living grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
With Easter hearts, let us go in the peace of Christ, alive and anew, celebrating the love of God, and serving The Risen Lord of life.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!
Going Anew In Grace
You Never Let Go
Redman
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)
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Today we celebrate The Fifth Sunday Of Easter, “Easter Hearts, Alive, Anew, Loved, To Love!”
Join us next Sunday as The Great Fifty Days of Easter continue: The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 22,“Easter Hearts, Alive And Anew, In Hope!” Join us next Sunday as we share a special time celebrating all graduates!
As we continue to share worship in this way, we are seeking more 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!
Friends, today as always, 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 following the closing song 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 sanctuary.
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 anewGod’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:
Acknowledgments for today’s service include: Litany Alive, Anew, Loved In The Grace of The Risen Christ – written based on Psalm 33; © 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 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Blessed Be Your Name” © 2002 Thankyou Music, CCLI #3798438 “Purify My Heart” © 1993 Universal Music CCLI #1314323 “He Knows My Name” © 1996 Doulos Publishing, CCLI #2151368 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” © 2006 sixsteps Music CCLI # 4768151 “Revelation Song” © 2004 Gateway Create Publishing CCLI #4447960 “You Never Let Go” © 2005 Thankyou Music CCLI #4674166 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.