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Sunday, May 4, 2025

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THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 4, 2025

10:00 a.m.

First Lutheran Church,

The Heart of Christ in the

Heart of the City

PRELUDE Brethren, We Have Met to Worship Holy Manna arr. by Donald Hustad

George Askins who lived in the Early 1800’s has recently been credited by Sacred Harp scholar Richard H. Hulan (b. 1939) as being the author of this text. Little is known about Askins save his birth country, Ireland, and that he made his way to the United States by 1801 as an adult Methodist where he was given a charge as a trial itinerate preacher in the Montgomery circuit of the Baltimore Annual Conference.

Brethren, we have met to worship | and adore the Lord our God; (Psalm 29:2)

will you pray with all your power, | while we try to preach the Word?

All is vain unless the Spirit | of the Holy One comes down; (Zechariah 4:6; John 4:23-24)

Brethren, pray, and holy manna | will be showered all around. (Exodus 16:4, 31; Deuteronomy 8:16)

WELCOME Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

Blessed be the holy Trinity, the One who was, who is, and who is to come.

Amen.

Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection,and called to live the baptized life,

let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.

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, make us one as you are one.

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, make us one as you are one.

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, make us one as you are one.

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. Amen.

KYRIE

THE HYMN OF PRAISE (With Organ Intro)

GREETING

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

Let us pray together: Eternal and all-merciful God, with all the angels and all the saints we laud your majesty and might. By the resurrection of your Son, show yourself to us and inspire us to follow Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE FIRST READING: Acts 9:1-20

Saul (later called Paul) was an ardent persecutor of all who followed the Way of Christ. This reading recounts the story of his transformation beginning with an encounter with Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus.

1 Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 30 congregation repeats refrain after the cantor

1 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lift- | ed me up

and have not let my enemies triumph | over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried | out to you,

and you restored | me to health.

3 You brought me up, O Lord, | from the dead;

you restored my life as I was going down | to the grave.

4 Sing praise to the Lord, | all you faithful;

give thanks in ho- | ly remembrance. / R

5 God’s wrath is short; God’s favor | lasts a lifetime.

Weeping spends the night, but joy comes | in the morning.

6 While I felt se- | cure, I said,

“I shall never | be disturbed.

7 You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong | as the mountains.”

Then you hid your face, and I was | filled with fear.

8 I cried to | you, O Lord;

I pleaded with | my Lord, saying,

9 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down | to the pit?

Will the dust praise you or de- | clare your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O Lord, and have mer- | cy upon me;

O Lord, | be my helper.” / R

11 You have turned my wailing | into dancing;

you have put off my sackcloth and clothed | me with joy.

12 Therefore my heart sings to you | without ceasing;

O Lord my God, I will give you | thanks forever. / R

EPISTLE LESSON: Revelation 5:11-14

The vision of John recorded in Revelation offers a glimpse of cosmic worship around the throne. At its center is “the Lamb who was slain.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom

and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory

and might forever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Our hearts | burn within us* while you open to | us the scriptures. (Luke 24:32)

GOSPEL: John 21:1-19 Glory to you, O Lord.

The risen Christ appears again to his disciples by the sea where they were first called. After echoes of the fishing and feeding miracles, he gives a final reminder of the cost of a disciple’s love and obedience.

1 After he appeared to his followers in Jerusalem, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

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

SERMON Deacon Margy Schmitt-Ajer

HYMN OF THE DAY The Church of Christ in Every Age

OFFERING

You may also give online using the Give button above.

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music Bunessan Praise and Thanksgiving setting - Charles Callahan

Sometimes a melody provides the impetus for a hymn text. Percy Dearmer, editor of Songs of Praise (1931), requested a thanksgiving text from the poet Eleanor Farjeon to the lilting Gaelic tune BUNESSAN.

Praise for the singing! | Praise for the morning!

Praise for them springing | Fresh from the Word!

OFFERING PRAYER

Gracious Provider, you set your immense treasures among us, opening your heart to the world. As we prepare to feast on your bountiful love, deepen our commitment to sharing those treasures with others, through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*each petition will end with the phrase “Hear us, O God.” your response is “Your mercy is great.”

APOSTLES CREED We share together in the ancient story of faith.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

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

COMMUNION LITURGY

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.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, … with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

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 in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.

You have filled all creation with light and life; heaven and earth are full of your glory…

… For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Therefore, O God, …to share with us the great and promised feast.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood

may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants… all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

OUR LORD'S PRAYER 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.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is somehow present in the bread and wine, however full of mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you approach the Pastor.

AGNUS DEI Lamb of God

COMMUNION HYMN I Love To Tell The Story

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

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. Amen.

SENDING HYMN You Servant of God, Your Master Proclaim

BLESSING & BENEDICTION

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.

Amen.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

You are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE On this Day of Joy and Gladness / Alleluia, Sing to Jesus Kasen-Engel

dedicated to Randy Sensmeier

in thanksgiving to God for his successful surgery

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; | his the scepter, his the throne;

Alleluia! his the triumph, | his the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion | thunder like a mighty flood:

“Jesus, out of ev’ry nation | has redeemed us by his blood.”

Sanctuary Flowers were given by Donna Joette Woods honoring the magnificent beauty of God’s floral creations.

Deacon Margy Schmitt-Ajer, Worship Leader, Preacher & Presider

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Paul Engel, Cantor

Wane Gutterud, Lector

Mary Ann Horton, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Joann Masters, Deacon Randy Sensmeier, Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel,

Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Victoria Pearson, Singers

Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Sound, Video, & Computer

Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Dan Kjonegaard, Ushers

Paula Gutterud, Greeter

Martha Radatz, Fellowship Snacks

Hymns, Prayers, Liturgy

from Sundays and Seasons 2020, Year C

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Pastor Kurt on Vacation through May 10

Pastor Kurt is away on his annual cycling trip with his friends. He will return for worship on May 11. Thanks to Deacon Margy for filling in today!

Plumbing Update

We had a hiccup with the plumbing repair but were able to get the job completed this week. The toilets are now fully functional - alleluia!

Today after worship: Mother’s Day Cards by Donna Joette Woods

Donna Woods is a friend of Bill Engel and FLC. She works behind the scenes to purchase and arrange flowers (at her own expense) to beautify the sanctuary, including some of the Easter bouquets. Donna is a professional photographer and makes hand-crafted greeting cards. She will be showcasing her work during fellowship time in the lounge. Please support her if you can - just in time for Mother’s Day!

May Book Club News

Time to SPRING into action and start reading as it’s only 3 weeks til our next meeting! Due to Holy Week, our April meeting was postponed a week, which has shortened up May’s read-time. So…Ready, Set, GO as you step on to the roller-coaster ride that is The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. A secret government agency tasked with overseeing time travel to protect history from changes and disruptions, recruits a civil servant to become a “bridge” for 19th century naval office/polar explorer Graham Gore as he tries to navigate 21st century life. What follows is a “rattling good adventure story” which blends sci-fi and romance with contemporary issues, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Conclude your roller-coaster ride with discussion and fellowship on Thursday, May 15, 4:00PM in the church library. Paula Gutterud and Lorena Myrda will host. New members are always welcome!

Magnifying Christ’s Light

Thanks to your generous support, we have reached $480,000 in gifts and pledges, surpassing our goal of $450,000! It’s not too late to submit your pledge if you haven’t already. Our pledging phase will conclude on May 18. Any additional money raised will go toward project overages and additional facility repairs. We are on track to have our MIF loan paid off in three years! Visit the “Going Solar” page of our website for more progress details. You may begin giving toward your pledge, either online using this QR code or through check/cash by designating “Capital Appeal” on the memo or envelope.

TOMORROW! May 5: FLC Night at TACO

Fellow FLC volunteers, May 5 is the first Monday of May and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday May 5, please let Joann Masters know, either at church or by email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and she'll take care of signing you up. Come join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there.

TACO Bites

Empty Bowls is back on Saturday! May 10 at La Jolla United Methodist Church. $20 at the door for a bowl and soups. See Heartbeat for more info.
Follow TACO (Third Avenue Charitable Organization) on Facebook for more updates!

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 3:00 FLC Night at TACO
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Saturday	11:00 Empty Bowls at La Jolla United Methodist
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship