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5th Sunday of Easter

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, May 18, 2025

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FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 18, 2025

10:00 a.m.

First Lutheran Church,

The Heart of Christ in the

Heart of the City

PRELUDE Our Saviour's Love "I Stand Amazed in the Presence" Charles H. Gabriel

Setting by James Kasen

Charles Gabriel grew up on an Iowa farm. He learned music by playing the reed organ in his home. He became one of the most prolific composers of gospel songs of his day. Gabriel's musical activities ranged from teaching in the singing schools that were so popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to authoring texts, composing songs, anthems, and cantatas, and editing song collections. He was associated with the leading gospel song publishers of his day, including Homer Rodeheaver, Hope, and E. O. Excell.

Though self-trained, he started leading singing school educational events as a teenager. He worked with Grace Episcopal Methodist Church in San Francisco from 1890-1892, and then moved to Chicago where he worked for Homer Rodeheaver’s publishing firm.

Gabriel is credited with between 7000 and 8000 songs, thirty-five gospel song collections, Sunday school song books, collections for men's and women’s choirs, and numerous cantatas. Themes of spreading the gospel and heaven abound in Gabriel's songs.

“I stand amazed in the presence | of Jesus the Nazarene,

and wonder how he could love me, | a sinner, condemned unclean.

How marvelous! How wonderful! | and my song shall ever be;

How marvelous! How wonderful! | is my Savior's love to me!”

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: O Lord God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing. Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love, that, made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace, through your Son, 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 11:1-18

In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. In this way the mission to the Gentiles is officially authorized.

1 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3 saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4 Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5 “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. 6 As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10 This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11 At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12 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. 13 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; 14 he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16 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.’ 17 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?” 18 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.”

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

PSALM 148 congregation repeats refrain after the cantor

1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord | from the heavens;

praise God | in the heights.

2 Praise the Lord, | all you angels;

sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.

3 Praise the Lord, | sun and moon;

sing praise, all you | shining stars.

4 Praise the Lord, heav- | en of heavens,

and you waters a- | bove the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name | of the Lord,

who commanded, and they | were created,

6 who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,

giving them a law that shall not | pass away. / R

7 Praise the Lord | from the earth,

you sea monsters | and all deeps;

8 fire and hail, | snow and fog,

tempestuous wind, do- | ing God’s will;

9 mountains | and all hills,

fruit trees | and all cedars;

10 wild beasts | and all cattle,

creeping things and | flying birds;

11 sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,

princes and all rulers | of the world;

12 young | men and maidens,

old and | young together. / R

13 Let them praise the name | of the Lord,

whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.

14 The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all | faithful

servants,

the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. | Hallelujah! / R

EPISTLE LESSON: Revelation 21:1-6

John’s vision shows us that in the resurrection the new age has dawned; God dwells with us already. Yet we wait for the time when the tears that cloud our vision will be wiped away. Then we will see the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem.

1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his

peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.” 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said,

“See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”

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

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Everyone will know that you are | my disciples* if you have love for | one another. (John 13:35)

GOSPEL: John 13:31-35 Glory to you, O Lord.

After washing the disciples’ feet, predicting his betrayal, and then revealing his betrayer, Jesus speaks of his glorification on the cross. This deep complicated love of Jesus, even to death on the cross, will be the distinctive mark of Jesus’ community.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 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.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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

SERMON Pastor Kurt Christenson

HYMN OF THE DAY Love Divine All Loves Excelling

OFFERING

You may give online using the button above.

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music Be Thou My Vision setting by Paul Manz

And Be Thou Our Vision for the formal ending of our capital appeal and in

Thanks for our building to move forward and in keeping its doors Open to All People.

Christ, Be Our Light!- Engel

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart | Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best thought, by day or by night | Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

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.”

The congregation responds with “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 HYMNS Ubi Caritas Et Amor from Taizé

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.

Where true charity and love abide, God is dwelling there; God is dwelling there.

Text: Latin antiphon, 9th cent.; Taizé Community; tr. With One Voice

Where Charity and Love Prevail

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.

MAGNIFYING CHRIST’S LIGHT Appeal Co-Chairs Rev. Bill Radatz, Joe Slevcove

“To be the heart of Christ in the heart of the city”

Borrowing the structure of Mary’s beautiful prayer known as the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55 seemed perfect for our own prayer in this time of need for our church and our nation.

Under the shelter of Your wings, O Lord, we pray.

May we mirror Mary’s soul as she magnified you.

We pray this “lowly” place on Third and Ash be exalted to be Your heart in the heart of our city.

We give thanks for our church family and the ministries that spread far beyond our walls.

Take the little we have, the little we are, and create in us the abundance needed to do your work in this sacred place.

As we step into this capital appeal, we ask for a renewal of Your Spirit in our lives as individuals and as a community of faith.

Enable us to envision this place furthering your kingdom here on earth;

As You, through our hands, hearts, and gifts- Fill the hungry with good things.

Protect the vulnerable, tend to the poor and the unhoused,

Welcome the stranger, the immigrant, the refugee,

Rejoice in your children who do not conform to specific gender roles, orientations or identities,

Shelter anyone fearing for their safety and well being,

and Inspire us through word and sacrament

Bless this church home. May it be Your hands holding us, grounding us, sheltering us as we continue to see and serve the least of these, knowing that we are all your precious children, made whole by your presence in our lives. Your will be done!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

MAGNIFYING CHRIST’S LIGHT IN SONG Christ Be Our Light

2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled. / Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has pow'r to save us. / Make us your living voice. Refrain

5 Light of the World and light of creation. / Shine in this place and teach us to be

Beacons of love for all your people / Hope for a world in need.

5 composed by Rev. Bill Radatz

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 Improv on Christ Be Our Light!

Sanctuary Flowers were given by Pastor Lee Precup, dedicated to all who have birthdays during the Easter season.

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Michael Ruy, Guitar

Paul Engel, Cantor

Martha Radatz, Lector

Richard Phillips, 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

Ruth Clayton and Steering Team, Fellowship Snacks

Hymns, Prayers, Liturgy

from Sundays and Seasons 2020, Year C

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

ANNOUNCEMENTS

After worship: Magnifying Christ’s Light fellowship

Our appeal concludes today, and we couldn’t be happier with the enthusiasm and generosity shown by the entire FLC community. Keep an eye on the beautiful lobby poster to track our donation progress, and visit the “Going Solar” page of our website or the Heartbeat newsletter for project updates. To celebrate all of our gifts, please join us for a special fellowship reception after worship. Everyone is invited!

June 27th: Music&Arts @ 3rd&Ash Presents: Artists Respond--This is Our Lives!

Artists, both visual and performers, respond with their own State of the Union answers to where we are right now. Funding cuts and censorship! Can we sing about it? Dance about it? Composers, musicians, actors, poets, singers! Come join us in our CREATIVE responses! Please join us in the sanctuary on June 27 at 7:00 for this special show.

Mary Ann Horton honored with Clarence E. Anderson Peace and Justice Award

The Board of SoCal Lutherans awarded our very own Mary Ann Horton with the 2025 Clarence E. Anderson Peace and Justice Award, which recognizes leaders whose work honors Anderson's commitment to peace and justice for the LGBTQIA+ community. Mary Ann accepted the award this weekend at the Synod Assembly, and we will recognize her next Sunday during worship.

TACO Bites

It’s official! Congratulations to Lorena Galligan, who was approved by the board as Executive Director.
Please visit Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant in Kensington during the month of May: Proceeds from every order of the “Taco Esperanza” will be donated to TACO!
Thanks to our restroom construction, TACO clients are enjoying improved water pressure during their showers!

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lobby
Tuesday	6:30 FLC Council in the library
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
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship