Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/24/2018
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
945 W. Round Bunch Rd., Bridge City, TX 77611
(409) 735-4573
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Commemoration of John the Baptist
June 24, 2018
WELCOME
PRELUDE “Festive processional” – David Lasky
Ricardo Padron, trumpet
Please stand if you are able.
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, full of compassion and mercy, abounding in steadfast love. Amen.
Trusting God’s promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sin against God and one another.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
Eternal God our creator,
in you we live and move and have our being.
Look upon us, your children,
the work of your hands.
Forgive us all our offenses,
and cleanse us from proud thoughts and empty desires.
By your grace draw us near to you,
our refuge and our strength;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. In the mercy of almighty God, Christ died for us while we still were sinners; and for his sake, God ☩ forgives you all your sins. Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” ELW 249
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE Glory to God ELW S99
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Almighty God, by your gracious providence your servant John the Baptist was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Grant to your people the wisdom to see your purpose and the openness to hear your will, that the light of Christ may increase in us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please be seated.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
FIRST LESSON Malachi 3:1-4
1See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM “A Joyful Ring” – Cynthia Dobrinski
Hand Bell Choir
SECOND LESSON Acts 13:13-26
13Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; 14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.” 16So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
“You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.’ 23Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; 24before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.’
26“My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Please stand if you are able.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
All worshipers will sing the Alleluia. The Choir will sing the acclamation proper.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
GOSPEL Luke 1:57-80
The holy gospel, according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: 68“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,
70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.78By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON
Please stand if you are able.
HYMN OF THE DAY “How Firm a Foundation” ELW 796
HOLY BAPTISM
Candidates for baptism, sponsors, and parents gather with the ministers at the font. The assembly is seated.
Baptismal Candidate: Luke Augustus Buysse
Parents: Nathan Aaron and Jennifer Diane Buysse
Sponsors: Chris and Scott Nettles,
Debora Llano, Laura Robertson
In baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the church, the body of Christ. Living with Christ and in the communion of saints, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.
Sponsors for the candidate, in turn, present the candidates:
We present Luke Augustus for baptism.
The presiding minister addresses parents or others who
bring the children for baptism.
Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have your child baptized into Christ?
Response: I do.
As you bring your child to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: To live with him among God’s faithful people, bring him to the word of God and the holy supper, teach him the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in his hands the holy scriptures, and nurture him in faith and prayer, so that your child may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace. Do you promise to help your child grow in the Christian faith and life?
Response: I do.
The presiding minister addresses sponsors:
Sponsors, do you promise to nurture this child in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God’s Spirit, and to help them live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church?
Response: I do.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly:
People of God, do you promise to support Luke and pray for him in his new life in Christ? We do.
Please stand if you are able.
Profession of Faith
The presiding minister addresses candidates for baptism as well as the parents and sponsors of young children. The assembly may join in the responses.
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
Response: I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
Response: I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
Response: I renounce them.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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. Thanksgiving at the Font
Water may be poured into the font before or during the thanksgiving. At the font, the presiding minister begins the thanksgiving:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, holy God. You are the creator of the waters of the earth. You are the fire of rebirth. You poured out your Spirit on your people Israel. You breathe life into our dry bones. Your Son Jesus promised to send the Spirit to us that the world may know your peace and truth.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, and breathe new life into those who are here baptized. By your Spirit adopt us all as your children, through our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Baptism
The presiding minister baptizes the candidate. Water is poured on the candidate’s head, as the presiding minister says:
Luke, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the baptism, the assembly responds with the following acclamation.
Blessed be God, the source of all life, the word of salvation, the spirit of mercy.
Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life.
Laying both hands on the head of each of the newly baptized,
the minister prays for each:
Sustain Luke with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.
The presiding minister marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of each of the baptized. As the sign of the cross is made, the minister says:
Luke, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.
Welcome
A lighted candle is given to each of the newly baptized as a representative of the congregation says:
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The ministers and the baptismal group face the assembly. A representative of the congregation leads the assembly in the welcome.
Let us welcome the newly baptized. We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God’s creative and redeeming word to all the world.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Filled with the Holy Spirit, we join with the church in every place, praying for the world that God so loves.
A brief silence.
Holy God, you send messengers to purify and refine your people, and your hand was with John, who prepared the way for Jesus. Renew and embolden your church to share the message of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. Let the youth of our churches hear your love for them as they gather in Houston this coming week. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Holy God, maker of heaven and earth and all things within them, bless this summer season and make us faithful stewards of your abundant provisions. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Holy God, you do not leave your people defenseless. Guide the leaders of the nations so that they will be people after your own heart who carry out your wishes. Guide our feet into the way of peace. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Holy God, by your tender mercy the dawn from on high breaks upon us. Give the light of hope to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death so that they know your steadfast love. We pray especially for . . . . Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Holy God, watch over this community of faith and guard our hearts, minds, words, and actions. Inspire our youth to grow in faith. Keep in your care those who travel, those who are moving to a new home, and those who have no home. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Holy God, you have looked favorably upon your people and have raised up a mighty savior for all in Jesus. Raise us up on the last day with all who have died in Christ. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
By the sure guidance of your Holy Spirit, O God, we lift up our prayers in trust and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please be seated.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERINGS
ANTHEM “There’s a Voice in Wilderness” – Anne K. Organ
OFFERTORY PRAYER Please stand if you are able.
Let us pray. Merciful God, you open wide your hand and satisfy the need of every living thing. You have set this feast before us. Open our hands to receive it. Open our hearts to embrace it. Open our lives to live it. We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS ELW S108
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
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 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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come, let us eat. The feast is spread.
LAMB OF GOD ELW S112
MUSIC DURING THE DISTRIBUTION
“Canon in D” Johann Pachelbel
Ricardo Padron, trumpet
Please stand if you are able.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Let us pray. Jesus Christ, host of this meal, you have given us not only this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. Filled again by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of justice, may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. Amen.
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.
SENDING HYMN “Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters” ELW 445
SHARING THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.
POSTLUDE “Sarabande” – George F. Handel
Ricardo Padron, trumpet