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.

Anthem for The Day of Pentecost:  

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”

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Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; 

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! 

God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! 

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, 

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; 

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, 

Which wert and art, and evermore shall be. 

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, 

Though the eye of sinfulness Thy glory may not see; 

Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee, 

Perfect in power, in love and purity. 

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! 

All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, in sky, and sea: 

Holy, holy, holy! – merciful and mighty! 

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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”

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PRAYER OF THE DAY     

God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the triune God:  Author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom.  Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us.  Glory and praise to you, Father, Son, and 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  

Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’ 

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ 

SECOND READING

Romans 8:12-17

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

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 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 

‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

SERMON

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HYMN OF THE DAY

“Come, Join the Dance of Trinity”

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Come, join the dance of Trinity, 

before all worlds begun- 

the interweaving of the three, 

the Father, Spirit, Son. 

The universe of space and time 

did not arise by chance, 

but as the Three, in love and hope, 

made room within their dance. 

Come, see the face of Trinity, 

newborn in Bethlehem; 

then bloodied by a crown of thorns 

outside Jerusalem. 

The dance of Trinity is meant 

for human flesh and bone; 

when fear confines the dance in death, 

God rolls away the stone. 

Come, speak aloud of Trinity,

as wind and tongues of flame 

set people free at Pentecost 

to tell the Savior’s name.

We know the yoke of sin and death,

our necks have worn it smooth;

go tell the world of weight and woe

that we are free to move!

Within the dance of Trinity,

before all worlds begun,

we sing the praises of the Three,

the Father, Spirit, Son. 

Let voices rise and interweave, 

by love and hope set free, 

to shape in song this joy, this life: 

the dance of Trinity.

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, Joanne, Bill, and Jocelyn Adams, 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, Belarus, 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, the people of India devastated by cyclones,  those in the Northwest Territory recovering from flooding, 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 promise, the power and mystery of your presence as trinity graces our lives with hope and renewal.  Open us up to the challenges you place before us and all your people, and help us to be your presence of love and your witness of faithfulness in the world. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:  God of all creation, you make, redeem, and sustain a world of awe, beauty and abundance.  Guide us in our actions to find ways to be careful stewards of all your creation that your glory may be revealed in lakes, rivers, and oceans, mountains, valleys, prairies, forests and deserts.   Bless us with good weather and rainfall, and give us thankful hearts for all your goodness.   Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner: God of life, through your revelation to us as Trinity you call us into a love that exceeds our understanding or desire.  As Trinity you model the way of living together as a community of unconditional love.  Make us and all your people into a church community  which abides in this trinitarian  love and embodies this perfect love in an imperfect world.   Hear us, O God of life…

Pastor:   God of healing, in our weakness we know not how to pray.  Intercede for us, bringing hope to the sorrowful, fearful, and anxious, and healing to those who are suffering or ill.  We remember especially before you …  Teach us to call you Abba as we entrust everything to you and pray that you bring an end to pain, loss, brokenness, and sorrow.   Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:   God of hope, in spite of all we have heard and all that we have seen we forget where healing comes from, forget who binds all together as family, forget that life in Christ is completely different.  Through touching the water of baptism, hearing the Word of forgiveness, tasting the goodness of your life-giving meal, help us remember that we have a God of truth, a Triune God, who graciously creates, redeems and sustains all creation, and whose steadfast love for us is certain and assured.  Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:   God of peace, protect and lead your world through these breathless times of trouble, violence, and distress.  Be with those in the path of violence and war.  Guard them against harm and give them a future with hope.  In these days when nation condemns nation send your peace to the places that need it most.  Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner:  God of mission, remind us of promise and possibilities, of failure and forgiveness and faith as through you, our Triune God, we seek to build a community of shared ministry and outreach.  The gift of your Spirit creates new ways to live.  Send your Spirit and renew our ministries and our callings,  and give us the voice to faithfully worship, nurture and proclaim Christ’s love for all in our community and in our world.    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

“I Bind unto Myself Today”

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I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, 

By invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three. 

I bind this today to me forever 

By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation; 

His baptism in Jordan river, 

His death on cross for my salvation; 

His bursting from the spicèd tomb, 

His riding up the heavenly way, 

His coming at the day of doom 

I bind unto myself today. 

I bind unto myself the power 

Of the great love of cherubim; 

The sweet “Well done” in judgment hour; 

The service of the seraphim; 

Confessors’ faith, apostles’ word, 

The patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls; 

All good deeds done unto the Lord, 

And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today 

The power of God to hold and lead, 

His eye to watch, His might to stay, 

His ear to hearken to my need. 

The wisdom of my God to teach, 

His hand to guide, His shield to ward; 

The Word of God to give me speech, 

His heavenly host to be my guard. 

Christ be with me, Christ within me, 

Christ behind me, Christ before me, 

Christ beside me, Christ to win me, 

Christ to comfort and restore me. 

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, 

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, 

Christ in hearts of all that love me, 

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. 

I bind unto myself the name, 

The strong name of the Trinity, 

By invocation of the same, 

The Three in One and One in Three. 

By whom all nature hath creation, 

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: 

Praise to the Lord of my salvation, 

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISMISSAL

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

People: Christ is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Because COVID cases as well as the distribution of vaccinations continues throughout Saskatoon and the province, King of Glory’s Church Council at its May meeting unanimously passed a motion that we suspend in person worship services and post on-line worship services on our website through June 2021. If circumstances permit we will hold in-person worship services—following the provincial protocols recommended—on the first and third Sundays in July and August at our regular time 6:30 p.m.  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 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. 
• Sunday, June 20, King of Glory online Worship service.
• Wednesday, June 23, Church Council meeting via Zoom
• Sunday, June 27, King of Glory online Worship service.

April, May, 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: -$716.34

March income/expenses: -$1,512.74

Contributions from May 5 through May 23: $1750

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 with 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.

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 …