The Sixth Sunday of Easter - Online Worship - May 22, 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 Gathering in The Spirit

Here I Am to Worship

Hughes

Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes
Let me see
Beauty that made
This heart adore You 
Hope of a life
Spent with you

refrain:
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love’s sake
Became poor

(refrain)

And I’ll never know
How much it cost
To see my sin
Up on that cross
And I’ll never know
How much it cost
To see my sin
Up on that cross

(refrain)

Litany Alive & Anew In The Hope And Grace of The Risen Christ

Today we sing and trust, The Risen Christ graces us and we are blessed with Easter hearts, alive and anew, with healing and hope, so here we are to bow down, here we are to worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. Today we remember Jesus said, “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words I have spoken, are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.”

Friends in faith, following the glory of Easter, Jesus breathed on his disciples The Holy Spirit, saying, “Whatever sins you forgive are forgiven.” Let us take a moment of silence to share with The Lord our sins; trusting anew in real hope.

(silence for reflection)

Friends of our loving Lord: Remember each day your own baptism, your own salvation: “You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Be still! Hope is alive and anew! For the presence of the Holy One is here!

Song of Light & Spirit

Be Still

Evans

vs. 1
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here

Christ gives hope; The Holy Spirit forever breaks in. Though we can feel alone, in faith we are reassured, for The Risen Christ promises, “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

Friends, the Good News of Easter is Jesus is alive, The Spirit is in our midst. Remember our Savior said, “What is born of the flesh is flesh, what is born of the spirit is spirit.” Friends, be still! You have been born anew from above; you are restored! Thanks to The Risen Christ, the power of the Lord, is forever, moving in this place!

Song of Light & Spirit

Be Still

Evans

vs. 3
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place

Loving God, in the joy and victory of the resurrection, you restore hope to believe in miracles, the every day miracles of your living power and grace. Renew our faith, to be still, to trust The Spirit of the living God is alive, in our midst. Spring forth hope, to trust The Risen Christ alone overcomes all that overwhelms. As the Easter season continues, give us Easter hearts, alive and anew in hope, for Christ is risen, and risen indeed. Alleluia! Amen.

The First Lesson

Acts 16:9-15

During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Song of Grace and Hope Anew

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Mote & Dykes

vs. 1
My hope is built on nothing less 
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand

vs. 4
When he shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in him be found 
Clothed in his righteousness alone
Redeemed to stand before the throne

(refrain)

Gospel

John 5:1-9

After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew, Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids – blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

(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 and Anew, In Hope

ACTS 16:9-15; REVELATION 21:10, 22-22:5; JOHN 5:1-9

What is broken or uncertain in your life?  How do you overcome all that overwhelms you?  How do you get through, when you are not even sure where to take your first step?  Where do you find strength and hope?  Where do you turn when you cannot do it yourself any longer?  In our story from John today, a man feels helpless and hopeless.  He is longing for healing; he has little hope.  When Jesus asks what is holding the man back, the man confesses he cannot do it on his own.  The man needs help from someone else.  Jesus announces this simple truth of dependence is all the man needed to confess.  With Easter hearts, see, feel The Risen Christ comes to us, to do for us what we could never do for ourselves - to raise us up, to give us new life, to grace us with healing and hope!

1. The events of our daily lives, from the global to the deeply personal, can leave us wondering if the power and life in our Easter hearts is enough; as we question, search, long for healing and hope.

A. Even in this new dawn, events in our lives and experiences on our hearts, leave us hurt, lost, suffering, fragile and broken.

B. We often feel vulnerable.  We often wonder if restoration of body, mind, emotions, heart and spirit will ever come; if the hope of an Easter heart is even possible.

2. What would a miracle look like to you?  What would healing and hope for your Easter heart look like or feel like to you, to Jesus?

A. Control.  We have a hard time accepting the idea we cannot do it alone, we need others.  We must hold onto Christ.  This truth about our human condition, needs healing and hope.
John 5:4,7

B. Perspective.  Do you like tough questions?  Looking past the present, through the present, in the midst of now, is not easy, even when that is what we want most.
Acts 16:14-15; John 5:6

C. Self.  Our sense of self is crying out for healing and hope.  We look at and measure ourselves against others, rather than our inability to see or to move.  What imperfections of yours need saving, long for hope and new life?
Revelation 21:26-27; John 5:3

D. Isolation & Loneliness.  It is so easy to feel alone.  We see other people having other people to help them.  Trusting we are not alone gives power and hope.
Revelation 22:5; John 5:3

E. Peace & Faith.  So much weighs us down so much.  We often feel overcome by all that overwhelms us.  What hope do we have for peace?  Believing, depending on God, brings a miracle of peace and hope.
Acts 16:14-15; Revelation 22:3-4;John 5:7

F. Grace.  Jesus sees the man and speaks.  Jesus does not walk on by.  Jesus raises him up.  Jesus is our living power, strength, truth, and hope!
Revelation 21:22-23; 22:1-2,5; John 5:1,6

3. As Jesus came to the man at the pool, trust Jesus is raised to come to us,to spring forth new life in grace and hope.  Jesus was not raised so he would walk by us when he saw us in our time of need.  Jesus was not raised so he would ignore us when he witnesses our weariness and hears our cries for healing and hope.  Trust The Risen Christ gives us Easter hearts with healing and hope as he stops and listens, as he sits with us, comforts us, and brings us every miracle; for Christ is risen, and risen indeed!  Alleluia!
Revelation 22:3-5; John 5:6, 8-9

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 & Life Anew

Breathe

Smith

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very Word
Spoken to me
And I
I’m desp’rate for You
And I
I’m lost without You

(repeat)

And I
I’m desp’rate for You
And I
I’m lost without You
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe

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

Mighty to Save"

Fielding & Morgan

Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

refrain:
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Yes I surrender

(refrain)

Shine your light and
Let the whole world see
We’re singing for the
Glory of the risen King
Jesus Shine your
Light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory
Of the risen King

(refrain)

You’re my Savior
You can move the mountains
God You are mighty to save
You are mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
You rose and conquered the grave
Yes You conquered the grave
You are mighty to save

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

The Name of The Lord (Blessed Be)

Utterbach

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Most High
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Most High

Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Most High
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Most High

The name of The Lord is
A strong tower
The righteous run into it
And they are saved
The name of The Lord is
A strong tower
The righteous run into it
And they are saved

Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Most High
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Most High

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Today we celebrate The Sixth Sunday Of Easter, “Easter Hearts, Alive And Anew, In Hope!” Today we share a special time celebrating all graduates!

Join us next Sunday as The Great Fifty Days of Easter continue: The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 29, “Easter Hearts, Alive And Anew, In Prayer!” Join us next Sunday as we share a time of remembrance as part of Memorial Day Weekend!Please let Pastor Jamie names of loved ones you are remembering who served our country!

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:

Litany Alive & Anew In The Hope and Grace of The Risen Christ – written based on John 6:63; John 20:22-23; Matthew 28:18-20; John 3:6-8. “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” © 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. “Here I Am To Worship” © 2000 Thankyou Music CCLI #3266032  “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music, CCLI #120824 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Breathe” © 1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1874117 “Mighty to Save” © 2006 Hillsong Publishing CCLI # 4591782 “The Name of The Lord (Blessed Be)” © 1989 & this arr. © 1997 Polygram International Publishing, Inc. CCLI #265239  All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.