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St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church
1615 Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213
May 4, 2014
Third Sunday of Easter
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Service
Prelude
Welcome to Worship
(11:00) Temple TalkBarb Agnew, Friends of the Monarch Trail
Gathering
[Please stand]
Confession and Forgiveness page 94
Call to Worship [Earth Day - Water Emphasis]
PIn the name of God, our creator from whom all life comes, in the name of Jesus the Christ, God’s life among us and in the name of the loving Spirit.
CAmen. All creation is filled with God’s presence.
PChrist Jesus, we gather in your name to worship in this home of ours called Earth, a home which is also yours.
CEarth echoes God's presence, God’s goodness and God’s love.
PGod, your voice echoes over the waters. Allow us to appreciate and treasure the resources you have created. Our thirst is only for you. Teach us to see your world as you see it.
CWater represents the presence of God in our midst. A fundamental element for life, it is a divine and ecumenical sign. It has reflected the presence of the Spirit since the beginning of the world.
PFor the great oceans of the planet,
CFor the water basins beneath the earth,
PFor the waters that spring from the earth,
CFor rain clouds in the beautiful sky,
PFor rapids, rushing streams and waterfalls,
CFor the waters that sustain our lives each day.
PLet us pray. We give thanks for the blessed clouds and the rain that brings the
gift of life to the land, that eases the thirst of roots, that grows the trees and sustains life even in the dry desert. We give thanks for the springs that bring life-giving water up from the ground, for the streams and creeks, and for the mighty rivers. We ask for help in our work as healers, in our efforts to ensure that the waters of the world run clean and free, that all the Earth’s children have the water they need to sustain abundance of life.
CAmen.
Opening HymnSing Praise for Rain that Washes Earth
Opening Litany for the 3rd Sunday of Easter and Apostolic Greeting
PThe Lord is risen!
CHe is risen indeed!
PChrist came to earth to walk among his people.
CHe traveled with purpose and taught others the way.
PHe stepped forth from the tomb on Easter morning.
CAnd our souls have been awakened to resurrection life.
PHe appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
CAnd now our hearts are burning with the bright hope of heaven.
PHe entered into the lives of those who believe in him.
CAnd his love is warming all our future days.
PThe grace of our risen Savior, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
CAnd also with you.
Prayer of the Day
Word
[Please be seated]
First Reading Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Today’s reading is the conclusion of Peter’s sermon preached following the giving of the Holy Spirit to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The center of his preaching is the bold declaration that God has made the crucified Jesus both Lord and Christ.
Second Reading 1 Peter 1:17-23
The imagery of exile is used to help the readers of this letter understand that they are strangers in a strange land. Christians no longer belong to this age. Through the death of Christ we belong to God, so that our focus, faith, and hope are no longer on such things as silver or gold.
[Please remain seated for the Gospel Acclamation and Drama]
Gospel Acclamationpage 171, Alleluia. Lord to Whom Shall We Go?
Gospel DramaYouth Group
GospelLuke 24:13-35
The colorful story of Jesus’ appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus answers the question of how Jesus is to be recognized among us. Here, he is revealed through the scriptures and in the breaking of bread.
Gospel Response
P The Gospel of the Lord for you this day.
C Thanks be to God.
[Please be seated]
SermonThe Promise is For You
Pastor Margaret Schoewe
[Please stand]
Hymn of the DayChrist our Risen Savior Greets Us
[Prayer cards will be collected during the Hymn of the Day]
Nicene CreedInside back cover of the Hymnal
Prayers of Intercession
PStanding before God and given new life by the risen Christ, let us pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.
P...We pray to the Lord.
CLord, hear our prayer.
PWith Alleluias in our hearts and on our lips we commend to your care all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
CAmen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ page 172
Meal
Musical Offering(8:30)On the Journey to Emmaus by Marty Haugen
Senior Choir
1. On the journey to Emmaus with our hearts cold as stone the One who would save us had left us alone then a stranger walks with us and, to our surprise, He opens our stories and he opens our eyes.
2. And our hearts burned within us as we talked on the way, how all that was promised was ours on that day. So we begged him, "Stay with us and grant us your word." We welcomed the stranger and we welcome the Lord.
3. And that evening at table as he blessed and broke bread, we knew it was Jesus arisen from the dead; though he vanished before us we knew he was near, the life in our dying and the hope in our fear.
4. On the journey to Emmaus, in our stories and feast, with Jesus we claim that the greatest is least: and his words burn within us let none be ignored, who welcomes the stranger shall welcome the Lord.
(11:00)Joyful Canticle by Kevin McChesney
The EmBELLishments
Offertory#183 Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
Offertory Prayer
ALet us pray, by your Son's presence among us you have raised us up, O God, raised us to new life, holy life, joyful life. And so we raise our hearts to you, along with these gifts. Accept them as signs of our love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
CAmen.
The Great Thanksgiving and Sanctuspage 172, Holy, Holy, Holy
Words of Institution
(8:30) Senior Kindergarten will recite the Lord’s Prayer
(11:00) The Lord’s Prayerpage 145 [Traditional Version]
Invitation to Communion
[Please be seated]
Lamb of Godpage 174
Communion Anthem(8:30)I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord by Carl Schalk
Senior Choir
Communion Hymn#522 As We Gather at Your Table
[Please stand]
Prayer after Communion
ALet us pray. As once you made yourself known to the Emmaus disciples in the breaking of the bread, so you have made yourself known to us in this meal. As we have experienced your presence here, fill us with the contagious joy that the disciples felt. Lead us to spread the good news: "The Lord has risen indeed!" You are the Lord forevermore.
CAmen.
Sending
Sending of Communion
PLet us pray. Eternal God, whose glory is revealed in the crucified and risen Lord, bless those who go forth to share your Word and Sacrament with our sisters and brothers who are sick, homebound, or imprisoned. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those to whom we bring this communion in the body and blood of your Son, that we may all feast upon your abundant love made known in Jesus Christ our Lord.
CAmen.
Today’s Highlights
For more information on the church’s activities, please pick up the bulletin announcements from the Welcome Center, ask an usher or go to our website.
(8:30) Temple TalkBarb Agnew, Friends of the Monarch Trail
Blessing
PGo forth in joy to love and serve God in all that you do.
CWe are sent in the name of the risen Christ.
PMay the God of peace, who raised to life the great shepherd of the sheep, make us ready to do his will in every good thing, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
CAlleluia! Amen.
Sending Song#646 The Peace of the Lord
Dismissal
PAlleluia! Go and tell the good news that Christ is risen.
CThanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude
Your presence has blessed our worship service. May you be strengthened by the strong word of God
expressed through music and worship today. The peace of the Lord be with you as you go.