SERVICE OF THE WORD – St. Stephen Lutheran Church
May 10, 2020 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter
OPENING MUSIC
HYMN Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Lutheran Book of Worship 147
1 Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
from the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
bright forerunner to the skies
of his people, yet to rise.
2 Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our brother here
lives our brother still on high,
lives forever to bestow
blessings on his church below.
3 Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
life eternal waits for you;
joined to him, your living head,
where he is, you shall be too;
with the Lord, at his right hand,
as a victor you shall stand.
4 Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise him in a nobler song,
cherubim of heav’nly birth.
Praise the victor king, whose sway
sin and death and hell obey.
5 Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
which our feebler voices raise:
Glory to our God above
and on earth his peace and love!
Text: Carl B. Garve, 1763-1841; tr. Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897, alt.
DIALOG
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Holy is the Lord, the Almighty,
He was, he is, and he is to come.
He is worthy of glory and honor and power.
He created all things. By his will they came to be.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain;
worthy to take the scroll and break its seals.
By his blood he purchased for God
people of every race and tongue, of every folk and nation.
Christ made of them a kingdom
and priests to serve our God.
And they shall reign on earth forever.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
APOSTLES’ CREED
God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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
Canticle: I Will Sing to the Lord
Cantemus Domino: Song of Moses and Miriam
I will sing to the Lord, for he has | triumphed gloriously;*
the horse and its rider he has thrown in- | to the sea.
The Lord is my strength | and my song,*
he has | been my Savior.
This is my God, and | I will praise him,*
my father's God, and I | will exalt him.
Your right hand, O Lord, glo- | rious in power,*
your right hand, O Lord, shat- | ters the enemy.
Who among the gods is like | you, O Lord?*
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, | doing wonders?
In your mercy you led forth the people | you set free;*
you guided them in your strength
to your holy | habitation.
You will bring them | in and plant them*
on the mount that is | your possession,
the place, O Lord, you have made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands | have prepared.*
The Lord shall reign forev- | er and ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the | Holy Spirit:*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forev- | er.
Amen
Text: from Psalm 89; Jeremiah 33
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
FIRST LESSON: Acts 7:55-60
55Filled with the Holy Spirit, [Stephen] gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN By All Your Saints in Warfare
1 By all your saints in warfare,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy name, O Jesus,
forevermore be blest!
For you have won the battle
that they might wear the crown;
and now they shine in glory
reflected from your throne.
St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
2 Praise for the first of martyrs
who saw you ready stand
to help in time of torment,
to plead at God’s right hand.
They share with him who, steadfast,
in death their master own,
on earth the faithful witness,
on high the martyr’s crown.
3 Then let us praise the Father
and worship God the Son
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three in One,
till all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
ascribing pow’r and glory
and praise to God alone.
Text: Horatio Bolton Nelson, 1823-1913, alt.
GOSPEL John 14:1-14
The Holy Gospel according to St. John.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
HYMN
Lutheran Book of Worship 513
1 Come, my way, my truth, my life:
such a way as gives us breath;
such a truth as ends all strife;
such a life as conquers death.
2 Come, my light, my feast, my strength:
such a light as shows a feast;
such a feast as mends in length;
such a strength as makes his guest.
3 Come, my joy, my love, my heart:
such a joy as none can move;
such a love as none can part;
such a heart as joys in love.
Text: George Herbert, 1593-1632
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
A Rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord, let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Silence is kept.
We pray for the whole Church: that she may be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for this congregation, called by the name of Stephen: that, like him, we may serve others and bear witness to your glorious victory in Jesus, who is given all power and authority in heaven and on earth. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for Dan, our bishop; for Maurice and Harvey, our pastors, together with all the pastors of the Church: that they may live holy lives and call your people to faithfulness. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for all mothers and grandmothers, and for all who provide motherly care, that they may be strengthened in their vocations, and that we may honor them as you command. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for the leaders of our nation, our communities, and the world: that in faithfulness to the charges they have received, they may act justly for the life of the people of the world. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are hungry, without clothing, and those in any kind of want: that they might be speedily relieved and give you thanks and praise. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray to you, almighty God, in this time of pandemic. You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Do not let us fail in the face of these events. Uphold us with your love, and give us the strength we need. Help us in our confusion, and guide our actions. Heal the sick, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver all who are in peril; Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for those who seek healing of body, mind, and spirit, especially for those for whom we are burdened and for those who have asked us for our prayers…
The congregation is invited to offer spoken or silent intercessions and thanksgivings.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray in thanksgiving for St Stephen, for our departed mothers and grandmothers, and for all those who have striven to do your will in this life: that our Lord Jesus may come and take us to be with them in the place where he has gone before us. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
hear our prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
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
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE FAITH FAMILY
Canticle: O Ruler of the Universe
Magna et mirabilia: Song of the Redeemed
O Ruler of the uni- | verse, Lord God,*
great are the deeds that you have done,
surpassing human | understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteous- | ness and truth*
O King of all the nations,
O King of | all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises | of your name?*
For you alone are the | Holy One.
All nations will draw near and bow | down before you*
because your just and holy works have | been revealed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the | Holy Spirit:*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forev- | er.
Amen
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give us peace.
Amen
HYMN
Lutheran Book of Worship 229
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a sword and shield victorious;
he breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
and wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
he arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
2 No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
whom God himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God's only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
3 Though hordes of devils fill the land
all threat'ning to devour us,
we tremble not, unmoved we stand;
they cannot overpow'r us.
Let this world's tyrant rage;
in battle we'll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God's judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
4 God's Word forever shall abide,
no thanks to foes, who fear it;
for God himself fights by our side
with weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
goods, honor, child, or spouse,
though life be wrenched away,
they cannot win the day.
The kingdom's ours forever!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Be at peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
