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SERVICE OF THE WORD
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
May 24, 2020 – The Seventh Sunday of Easter
OPENING MUSIC
The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns
HYMN The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns
Lutheran Book of Worship 173
1 The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty victor's brow.
2 The highest place that heav'n affords
is his by sov'reign right,
the King of kings, and Lord of lords,
and heav'n's eternal light.
3 The joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below
to whom he manifests his love,
and grants his name to know;
4 To them the cross, with all its shame,
with all its grace, is giv'n;
their name, an everlasting name,
their joy, the joy of heav'n.
5 They suffer with their Lord below;
they reign with him above;
their profit and their joy to know
the myst'ry of his love.
6 The cross he bore is life and health,
though shame and death to him;
his people's hope, his people's wealth,
their everlasting theme!
Text: Thomas Kelly, 1769-1855
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
Introit – Psalm 27:1a, 4-5, 10, 14; Antiphon: Ps. 27:10
Hearken to my voice, O Lord, | when I call;*
have mercy on me and | answer me.
The Lord is my light and | my sal - vation;
whom then | shall I fear?*
One thing have I asked of the Lord; one | thing I seek;*
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days | of my life;
to behold the fair beauty | of the Lord*
and to seek him | in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe | in his shelter;*
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high up- | on a rock.
Though my father and my moth- | er forsake me,*
the Lord | will sustain me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the | Ho-ly Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for- | ev-er.
Amen
Hearken to my voice, O Lord, | when I call;*
have mercy on me and | answer me.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, your Son our Savior is with you in eternal glory. Give us faith to see that, true to his promise, he is among us still, and will be with us to the end of time; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen
READING Acts 1:6-14
6When [the apostles] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
The Word of the Lord.
PSALM 68:1-10, 33-36
1 Let God arise, and let his ene- | mies be scattered;*
let those who hate him | flee before him.
2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives | it away;*
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish
at the pres- | ence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice | before God;*
let them also be mer- | ry and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
exalt him who rides up- | on the heavens;*
the LORD is his name, re- | joice before him!
5 Father of orphans, defend- | er of widows,*
God in his holy | habitation!
6 God gives the solitary a home
and brings forth prisoners | into freedom;*
but the rebels shall live | in dry places.
7 O God, when you went forth be- | fore your people,*
when you marched | through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the | God of Sinai,*
at the presence of God, the | God of Israel.
9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon | your inheritance;*
you refreshed the land when | it was weary.
10 Your people found their | home in it;*
in your goodness, O God,
you have made provision | for the poor.
33 Sing to God, O kingdoms | of the earth;*
sing praises | to the Lord.
34 He rides in the heavens, the | ancient heavens;*
he sends forth his voice, his | mighty voice.
35 Ascribe pow- | er to God;*
his majesty is over Israel; his strength is | in the skies.
36 How wonderful is God in his | holy places,*
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people! | Blessed be God!
GOSPEL John 17:1-11
The Holy Gospel according to St. John.
1After Jesus had spoken these words [to his disciples], he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
HYMN
Lutheran Book of Worship 88
1 Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high,
beyond all thought and fantasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortal’s sake!
2 He sent no angel to our race,
of higher or of lower place,
but wore the robe of human frame,
and to this world himself he came.
3 For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore;
for us temptation sharp he knew;
for us the tempter overthrew.
4 For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought,
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself, but us.
5 For us by wickedness betrayed,
for us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
he bore the shameful cross and death;
for us he gave his dying breath.
6 For us he rose from death again;
for us he went on high to reign;
for us he sent his Spirit here
to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
7 All glory to our Lord and God
for love so deep, so high, so broad;
the Trinity whom we adore
forever and forevermore.
Text: attr. Thomas á Kempis, 1380-1471; tr. Benjamin Webb, 1820-1885, alt.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
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.
Your Son Jesus is raised into your presence, with all things subject to him. By his power aid your Church, let all pastors be strengthened, empower all missionaries, and inspire your people to devotion to prayer and works of love. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
Your apostles waited in hope for the descent of the Holy Spirit. Stir in us your Holy Spirit, that we may hear your Word, discern your will, and give you praise and thanksgiving. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
Give wisdom, temperance, and judgment to all who serve in public office and in the armed forces of our nation. Protect them in danger and use them to keep the peace so that all may live in safety. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
By your power, protect those who are victimized and threatened still by violence, terrorism, and war; and convert the hearts of those who worship violence, that they may lay down their arms and come to settle their differences in peace. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
Your power is a merciful power, and you are a friend to those who are wounded in body, mind, and spirit. Give your aid and your blessing to those for whom we pray, that you may be glorified in all things.
The People may offer silent or spoken intercession and thanksgiving.
Lord, in your mercy,
C 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.
This Memorial Day weekend, we
care all our beloved dead, especially those who gave their life in service of their country. Keep their memories fresh and bright. Spur us to deeds of faithfulness, generosity, and self-sacrifice. And hasten the day when wars shall cease, evil is vanquished; every tear is wiped away, and death shall be no more. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
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
New Testament 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!
