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6th Sunday of Easter

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, May 25, 2025

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SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 25, 2025

10:00 a.m.

First Lutheran Church,

The Heart of Christ in the Heart of the City

PRELUDE True Colors Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

For Mary Ann on her special day here at FLC - with Michael Ruy, guitar

“And we see your true colors | |Shining through

We see your true colors | And that's why we love you”

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.

Let us pray: 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: Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, through 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 16:9-15

A vision compels Paul to move his ministry into Greece. There he meets Lydia, an important person in the business community, whose heart has been opened by God to receive the gospel. Her conversion and baptism provide the impetus for the founding of the church at Philippi.

9 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.” 10 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.

11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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.

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

PSALM 67 congregation repeats refrain after the cantor

1 May God be merciful to | us and bless us;

may the light of God’s face | shine upon us.

2 Let your way be known | upon earth,

your saving health a- | mong all nations.

3 Let the peoples praise | you, O God;

let all the | peoples praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and | sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the na- | tions on earth. / R

5 Let the peoples | praise you, O God;

let all the | peoples praise you.

6 The earth has brought | forth its increase;

God, our own | God, has blessed us.

7 May God | give us blessing,

and may all the ends of the earth | stand in awe. / R

EPISTLE LESSON: Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5

John’s vision of a new Jerusalem coming out of heaven provides continuity with God’s past actions. Yet in this new city, God’s presence replaces the temple, and the glory of God and the Lamb supplants sun and moon.

10 And in the spirit one of the angels carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4 they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

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

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Those who love me will keep my word, and my Fa- | ther will love them,* and we will come to them and make our | home with them. (John 14:23)

GOSPEL: John 14:23-29 Glory to you, O Lord.

23 Jesus answered Judas (not Iscariot), “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.”

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

Homilies In A New Boat

Pacifica Synod Assembly 2025 Joann Masters, Mary Ann Horton

Clarence E. Anderson Peace and Justice Award Eric Sloniker

Mary Ann Horton

HYMN OF THE DAY All The Colors of The Rainbow

OFFERING

You may also give online using the QR code to the right

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music What the World needs Now Choir Burt Bacharach

What the world needs now is love, sweet love | It's the only thing, that there's just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love | No, not just for some, oh, but just for everyone

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 HYMN Let Streams of Living Justice Flow

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.bbf

SENDING HYMN Eternal Father

Eternal Father is the hymn of the United States Navy. We sing it this day in honor of all those who gave their lives during war or in their time of service.

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 “For All the Saints” Sine Nomine Ralph Vaughan Williams

In Memoriam …….

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, | steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!

But then there breaks a still more glorious day: | the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of glory passes on His way. | Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sanctuary Flowers were given by Richard Phillips in honor of Bobbi Beardi’s birthday.

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Michael Ruy, Guitar

Paul Engel, Cantor

Erin Pfaff, Lector

Eric Sloniker, 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

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

Forum Following Worship Today: “In A New Boat”

Today following worship there will be a forum to share more about the work of our Synod and our recent regional Assembly. Mary Ann Horton, Joann Masters, and Deacon Margy will share some of the debate highlights around several of the resolutions. They will also tell the stories of ministry celebrations happening around our Synod and some of the challenges. First Lutheran is in partnership with all the other ELCA congregations in our region, around the United States and, through Lutheran World Relief, across the globe. Stay for a moment and hear how that is working.

June 27th @ 7:00: 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! June 27th in the sanctuary.

June 2: FLC Night at TACO

Fellow FLC volunteers, June 2 is the first Monday of June and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. We need 8-10 volunteers. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday June 2, 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

FLC raised $1,325 during the season of Lent to donate toward TACO’s shower program. That’s 2,600 bottles of shampoo!
Congratulations to Lorena Galligan, who was approved by the board as 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!

This week at FLC

Monday	FLC Office Closed 12:00 AA in the lobby
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet; showers
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library 4:00 Book Group 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