ORDER OF WORSHIP
3rd Sunday of Easter
April 23, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, let us worship and praise God together.
It is right to worship our God.
Come, let us worship and praise God together.
It is right to praise our God.
Come, let us worship and praise God together.
It is right to worship and praise our God together.
HYMN: #210 (Blue) 'Our God, Our Help in Ages Past'
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Let us confess our sin before God.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. (silent reflection)
(Psalm 51:1, 2, 10, 12)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross as punishment for our sin. He was raised to life on the third day and sits at God’s right hand. And so we praise God for this salvation and forgiveness provided for us. For He is good, and His mercy endures forever. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
1 Timothy 2:1-6a
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
Psalm 100 (read responsively)
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2
SERMON "On Praise and Thanks' Lee Peterson, pulpit supply
HYMN #260 (Blue) 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God'
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He, Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us,
The prince of darkness grim. We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
‘Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great; He (Jesus) appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)
INVITATION TO OFFERING
God has given us much. Let's return to Him what belongs to Him. There are plates by each door to receive your offerings.
SPECIAL MUSIC 'Sing Praises'
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Great God, to you we give our thanks; your steadfast love endures forever.
With gratitude we bring our gifts to you. Bless us and our gifts, that our lives and our resources may be a source of healing and hope, of joy and justice in our world. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Marj (Linda B’s sister)
-Pat B (Linda B’s friend)
-Judy S
-Barb (Bob O’s sister)
-Don K
-Anthony B (Teri’s son) and Teri as caregiver
-Dale E (Lee’s brother)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim, Dianne L’s husband
-Delores K
-Paige F
-Nelda H
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Darwin L and Jeanne as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele and Brookings)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dick & Judy S, Terry & Ann S, Janet T
Those who mourn: We pray for the VanderWaal, Ohnstad, Broksieck, Canaday, Spitzenberger, Barnett, Fee, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
Hymn: #288 (Blue) ‘I Sing the Mighty Power of God’
I sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
God formed the creatures with a word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where'er I turn my eyes,
if I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the skies!
There's not a plant or flower below
but makes Thy glories known;
and clouds arise, and tempests blow
by order from Thy throne;
while all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,
and everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS meets at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets at 9:30 AM at the church.
SENIOR OUTSTANDING PRESBYTERIAN AWARDS will be awarded to Mike McCann and Dave Peterson for 2022 plus Marvis Jenner and Ella Lane for 2023 at the worship service next Sunday, April 30. Congratulations!
THE PC(USA) PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING FOR CHILDREN AT RISK is from April 10 to May 28. Please put donations in the offering plate and write ‘Pentecost Special Offering’ on the memo line or use envelopes by offering plate. Thank you for your generosity!
BENEDICTION
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17
POSTLUDE
3rd Sunday of Easter
April 23, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, let us worship and praise God together.
It is right to worship our God.
Come, let us worship and praise God together.
It is right to praise our God.
Come, let us worship and praise God together.
It is right to worship and praise our God together.
HYMN: #210 (Blue) 'Our God, Our Help in Ages Past'
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Let us confess our sin before God.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. (silent reflection)
(Psalm 51:1, 2, 10, 12)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross as punishment for our sin. He was raised to life on the third day and sits at God’s right hand. And so we praise God for this salvation and forgiveness provided for us. For He is good, and His mercy endures forever. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
1 Timothy 2:1-6a
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
Psalm 100 (read responsively)
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2
SERMON "On Praise and Thanks' Lee Peterson, pulpit supply
HYMN #260 (Blue) 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God'
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He, Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us,
The prince of darkness grim. We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
‘Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great; He (Jesus) appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)
INVITATION TO OFFERING
God has given us much. Let's return to Him what belongs to Him. There are plates by each door to receive your offerings.
SPECIAL MUSIC 'Sing Praises'
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Great God, to you we give our thanks; your steadfast love endures forever.
With gratitude we bring our gifts to you. Bless us and our gifts, that our lives and our resources may be a source of healing and hope, of joy and justice in our world. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Marj (Linda B’s sister)
-Pat B (Linda B’s friend)
-Judy S
-Barb (Bob O’s sister)
-Don K
-Anthony B (Teri’s son) and Teri as caregiver
-Dale E (Lee’s brother)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim, Dianne L’s husband
-Delores K
-Paige F
-Nelda H
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Darwin L and Jeanne as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele and Brookings)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dick & Judy S, Terry & Ann S, Janet T
Those who mourn: We pray for the VanderWaal, Ohnstad, Broksieck, Canaday, Spitzenberger, Barnett, Fee, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
Hymn: #288 (Blue) ‘I Sing the Mighty Power of God’
I sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
God formed the creatures with a word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where'er I turn my eyes,
if I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the skies!
There's not a plant or flower below
but makes Thy glories known;
and clouds arise, and tempests blow
by order from Thy throne;
while all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,
and everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS meets at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets at 9:30 AM at the church.
SENIOR OUTSTANDING PRESBYTERIAN AWARDS will be awarded to Mike McCann and Dave Peterson for 2022 plus Marvis Jenner and Ella Lane for 2023 at the worship service next Sunday, April 30. Congratulations!
THE PC(USA) PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING FOR CHILDREN AT RISK is from April 10 to May 28. Please put donations in the offering plate and write ‘Pentecost Special Offering’ on the memo line or use envelopes by offering plate. Thank you for your generosity!
BENEDICTION
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17
POSTLUDE