Now the Feast and Celebration

Easter, the resurrection of the crucified Jesus, is one single celebration which lasts for fifty days.  Each Sunday of Easter—from the Resurrection to Pentecost—celebrates the resurrection, the appearances, acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord, the community’s experience of the risen Lord, Christ’s mission to the disciples, and the promise of the Spirit.  This fifty-day long celebration testifies to the truth that the last word and the lasting word is not death, but God’s Word of life.

Hymn for The Ascension of Our Lord:  

“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”

[click on the link below]

Alleluia, sing to Jesus! 

His the sceptre, his the throne. 

Alleluia, his the triumph, 

his the victory alone. 

Hark, the songs of peaceful Sion 

thunder like a mighty flood, 

Jesus out of every nation 

has redeemed us by his blood. 

Alleluia, not as orphans 

are we left in sorrow now; 

Alleluia, he is near us, 

faith believes nor questions how; 

though the cloud from sight received him 

when the forty days were o’er 

Shall our hearts forget his promise 

‘I am with you evermore’? 

Alleluia, Bread of Angels, 

thou on earth our food, our stay; 

Alleluia, here the sinful 

flee to thee from day to day;

intercessor, friend of sinners, 

earth’s Redeemer, plead for me. 

Where the songs of all the sinless 

sweep across the crystal sea. 

Alleluia, King eternal, 

thee the Lord of lords we own; 

Alleluia, born of Mary, 

earth thy footstool, heav’n thy throne; 

thou within the veil hast entered 

robed in flesh, our great High Priest; 

thou on earth both priest and victim

in the Eucharistic Feast.

GATHERING

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE

GREETING

Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen.

People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Pastor: The grace and peace of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, 

the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you all.

People: And also with you

HYMN OF PRAISE

“Now the Feast and Celebration”

[click on the link below]

PRAYER OF THE DAY     

Gracious and glorious God, you have chosen us as your own, and by the powerful name of Christ you protect us from evil.  By your Spirit transform us and your beloved world, that we may find our joy in Jesus Christ, your Son, and our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORD

THE CHURCH HEARS THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD ACTING
IN THIS AND EVERY TIME AND PLACE

FIRST READING  Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’
So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. 

SECOND READING  1 John 5:9-13

If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 

THE GOSPEL

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St.________, the _________ chapter.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

(The Gospel is read.)

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL READING  

John 17:6-19

‘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. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for 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. I 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. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And 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. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. 

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“Glorious Things of You Are Spoken”

[click on the link below]

Glorious things of thee are spoken, 

Zion, city of our God; 

he whose word cannot be broken 

formed thee for his own abode; 

on the Rock of Ages founded, 

what can shake thy sure repose? 

With salvation’s walls surrounded, 

thou may’st smile at all thy foes. 

See the streams of living waters, 

springing from eternal love, 

well supply thy sons and daughters, 

and all fear of want remove; 

who can faint while such a river 

ever flows their thirst t’assuage? 

Grace, which like the Lord, the giver, 

never fails from age to age. 

Round each habitation hov’ring, 

see the cloud and fire appear 

for a glory and a cov’ring, 

showing that the Lord is near; 

thus deriving from their banner 

light by night and shade by day, 

safe they feed upon the manna 

which he gives them when they pray.

 Savior, if of Zion’s city 

I, thro’ grace, a member am, 

let the world deride or pity, 

I will glory in thy name;

 fading is the worldling’s pleasure, 

all his boasted pomp and show; 

solid joys and lasting treasure 

none but Zion’s children know.

NICENE CREED   (on festival Sundays)

Pastor: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.

All: We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

    he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

    in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

    and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS

Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Jody Giesbrecht, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, John Beaven, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Joan Schock, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Bryan Matschke, Ursula Coakwell, Evelyn Robson, Audrey Hedlin, Liz Sand, Robin Stamm and baby Constantine, Mona Neher, Pat Sarich, Carl Rausch, the family of Lyle Sand, the family of Marguerite Sanders (Don Sander’s sister), the family of Norm Gregory, the family of Sophie Kobrynsky (Paul Slusar’s sister), the family of Mary Anderson (Evelyn Robson’s mother), the family of Steve Slusar (Paul Slusar’s brother), the family of Joel Zimmerman.

We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Somalia, Libya, Hong Kong, the Palestinians and Israelis,  Ethiopia, Mozambique, Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslim refugees and the ethnic Karen of Myanmar, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the people of Haiti suffering from natural and political disasters, the people of the Bahamas suffering from hurricanes, those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community threatened by the coronavirus.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH

 [The congregational response after each petition is:  “LEAD US IN THE WAY OF TRUTH AND LIFE.”

Pastor:  As we celebrate the joy of the resurrection, knowing that God has given us a new birth into a living hope, let us pray for the life of the Church, for the well-being of the world, and for the whole creation as it longs for the grace of God’s new life, saying, “Hear us, O God of life,” and responding, “Lead us in the way of truth and life.”

Petitioner:  God of life, our deepest identity is discovered in baptism, proclaimed in the Word, and nourished in Christ’s holy supper.  Send your Spirit to help us in our struggle to be one people of faith who struggle for the unity that you intend for your Church and for the entire human family.  Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:  God of all creation, you bless us with the beauty of earth, sky, sea, and all creatures.  You have given the gift of food in your creation.  Bless the labour of farmers, gardeners, and ranchers who till soil, spread seed, and raise animals.  Send renewing and refreshing rain.  Raise up plants and animals, trees and fruit that will feed all humankind.    Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:   God of promise, through the prayer of your Son he has entrusted our communities, our lives, and our world into your care.  We, too, pray for unity and peace in our homes, relationships, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.  We pray for university students completing their studies this academic year, for safety and good health  in the upcoming holiday, and for those who are absent.  Draw all into your life-giving future: those who share our faith in Christ, those who do not, and especially those who have no faith.  Hear us, O God of life…

Pastor:   God of healing, your promises are medicine and healing for our bodies and spirit.  Be present with those experiencing grief and loss, sickness and pain, fear and depression, addiction and abuse, loneliness and brokenness.  We remember especially before you …  Make us agents of your love, serving the sick, broken, weak, and forgotten ones.  Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:   God of peace, you have given the gift of reconciliation.  Make us humble in our relationships with other nations, protect and lead your world through times of trouble, violence, and distress.  Whether there is division or conflict among us or among nations, send your Spirit to stir up peace that your desire for peace and life may be known by everyone in every time and place.   Unite our words and deeds for justice with those of our sisters and brothers in the world. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:  God of hope, your Spirit makes us a part of Christ’s living and life-giving self and makes us alive with Christ’s life.  You call us into a love that exceeds our understanding or desire.  We pray that through your renewing way of forgiveness, you would make your people into a church which abides in the oneness of Christ’s love and embodies Christ’s perfect love in an imperfect world. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:  God of mission, you have redeemed and anointed your people through baptism and united us in the death and resurrection of Jesus for a life-giving mission.  Your resurrection creates new ways to live.  As Christ prays us into the joy and mutuality of relationship with him and mutual life, love, and joy with one another, open new opportunities, renew our ministries and our callings through your promise of new life and through your Spirit provide us with the faith and courage to reach out and love all our neighbours, especially those we find hardest to love, so that we might be a community using our gifts for all people.   Hear us, O God of life…

Pastor:  Sustaining God, as you bring life even out of death, hear our call for your abundant life, make our prayers part of your new creation, and guide us with the hope of joy in your presence for the sake of the crucified and risen one, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

People:  Amen.

THANKSGIVING

THE COMMUNITY PRAISES GOD FOR THE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF CREATION
AND THE SAVING DEEDS OF JESUS CHRIST

THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE

Pastor: Sisters and brothers, rejoice, encourage one another, live in peace.
God through Christ has given us the gift of reconciliation.

People: Therefore, let us be reconciled to God and to one another.

Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

People: And also with you.

(If with others greet one another with a gesture of peace, using these or similar words: “Christ’s peace be with you.”)

THE OFFERING

(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Leader: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, O God,

People: ruler of heaven and earth.  

Day by day you shower us with blessings.

As you have raised us to new life in Christ,

give us glad and generous hearts.

May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you,

dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Pastor: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

People: Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

  on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

  who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

SENDING

ALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF GOD, LEAVE IN PEACE,
AND ARE SENT OUT TO SERVE

BENEDICTION

Pastor: The God of life, who has called you to eternal life in Christ,

lift you up and restore you to wholeness.

People: Amen.

Pastor:  Jesus Christ, the Living Word,

bless you and send you to be his witnesses.

People:  Amen.

Pastor:  God the Holy Spirit, who renews the whole earth,

refresh, restore, support, and strengthen you this day and always.

People: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

“Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds”

[click on the link below]

Now all the vault of Heav’n resounds 

in praise of love that still abounds: 

‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’ 

Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! 

Repeat their song of glory here: 

‘Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!’ 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

Eternal is the gift he brings, 

therefore our heart with rapture sings: 

‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’ 

Now still he comes to give us life 

and by his presence stills all strife. 

Christ has triumphed! He is living! 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; 

set heart and will on things above 

That we conquer through your triumph; 

Grant grace sufficient for life’s day 

that by our lives we truly say: 

‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’ 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

Adoring praises now we bring 

and with the heav’nly blessed sing: 

‘Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!’ 

Be to the Father and our Lord, 

to Spirit blest, most holy God, 

All the glory, never ending! 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISMISSAL

Pastor: Alleluia!  Go and tell the news that Christ is risen.

People: Christ is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Because of the high level of COVID cases throughout Saskatoon and the province, at an online consultation involving all the church leaders and clergy in the Synod it was strongly recommended that congregations continue to suspend all in person worship services until a time when it is safe to gather together.   King of Glory’s Church Council met to consider this recommendation and unanimously passed a motion that we suspend in person worship services and post online worship services on our website through May 2021. Of course, should there be any significant changes with regard to the pandemic situation the Church Council will revisit the issue.

COMING UP AT KOG  

• Sunday, May 16, King of Glory online Worship service. 
• Sunday, May 23, King of Glory online Worship service. 
• Sunday, May 30, King of Glory online Worship service.
• Sunday, June 6, King of Glory online Worship service.
• Sunday, June 13, Redeemer provides online Worship service for all 7 seven ELCIC churches. 

March, April, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG

2020 Budget:  $49,536       Monthly Budget:  $4,180.50     Weekly Budget:  $964.73

2021income/expenses: $796.40

March income/expenses: -$1,234.48

Contributions from April 25 through May 5: $800

Offerings.  

Even though we are not meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them.  Church Council has decided that best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.

Send your contributions to:  King of Glory Lutheran Church

    3318 Merritt Street

    Saskatoon, SK  S7M 3P6

Thank you for your generosity.

The website  for all seven ELCIC congregations in Saskatoon is now up and the address is https://saskatoonelcic.com/   It will be used now mainly for sharing information during the pandemic and posting services from the various churches.

Co-Treasurer position for King of Glory 

King of Glory is looking for a co-treasurer primarily responsible for documenting and filling out the forms for the province, the Canada Revenue Agency and the ELCiC.  They will work Pat Sarich whose primary responsibility is oversight of the budget and the bookkeeping with respect of receipts and expenditures.  Please contact Pastor Michael about this position.

St. David’s Trinity United Church’s

Refugee Support Committee

CURBSIDE CHICKEN DINNER 

Wednesday, May 26th

Curbside Pick-up between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

ADVANCE TICKETS only by May 19th:  $20/meal

(Catered by Mulberry’s Restaurant)

All profits will assist with settlement expenses for our refugee family

Meal includes roast chicken, potatoes, vegetables, dinner roll

(chilled, ready to heat or freeze)

Gluten free meal available at no extra cost

Call the office at 306 978-0707 to purchase tickets or

via Interac e-transfer st.davidstrinityuc@sasktel.net

(no password is required)

Dear Michael,

Even after everything we have seen this past year, I am sure you are just as shaken as I am by the news reports coming from India — they are truly upsetting and the situation is urgent. 

I’m writing today to ask you to stand with the people of India as they face a fight against COVID-19 that goes beyond anything the world has seen to date.

The number of cases of COVID-19 in India has surpassed 20 million and the death toll has passed 200,000. The deadly surge in infections is overwhelming health services across the country, leading to a lack of beds, healthcare personnel, and oxygen. The wave of critical illness, coupled with lockdowns and curfews, is having a serious impact on livelihoods and food security across the country.

Millions are grieving, and it’s rapidly getting worse.

As the devastation brought on by the second wave of COVID-19 continues to unfold in India, CLWR is joining leading Canadian aid agencies – through the Humanitarian Coalition – in launching an appeal to raise funds and rush emergency assistance to people in need.

Humanitarian Coalition members are already actively responding to the crisis by supporting the healthcare system with oxygen, ventilators, field hospitals and PPE, promoting COVID vaccination and safe hygiene practices, and ensuring food security and basic survival for vulnerable families.

As a member of ACT Alliance, we have local partners in India who are prepared to respond immediately, but only with your help. You can make a difference — your donation will help provide emergency medical support to those forced to be sick at home, ensure access to vaccines and medical supplies for the most vulnerable, and support critical advocacy and public awareness efforts to keep as many people safe as possible. 

Together, we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. 

Will you give today? You can make a donation online now at clwr.org/India — it’s immediate, convenient and secure. 

Donations can also be made by phoning our office at 1-800-661-2597 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT), or by mailing a cheque to 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5. 

Thank you for responding with compassion, and for your partnership.

Many blessings,

Additional Prayers

Petitioner:  Generous God, fill us with compassion and concern for others, young and old, that we may look after one another in these challenging days. Bring healing to those who are sick with the virus and be with their families. Comfort the family and friends of those who have died. Strengthen and protect all medical professionals caring for the sick and all who work in our medical and health care facilities. Give wisdom to leaders in healthcare and governance that they may make the right decisions for the well-being of people.  We pray in gratitude for all those in our country who will continue to work in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us all. Bless them and keep them safe.  O God of creation and life, we place ourselves in your protection.  May the mantle of your peace enfold us this day and tomorrow.  Hear us, O God of life …