KOG SERVICE FOR MAY 22, 2022

NOWTHE FEASTAND 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

Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, 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 16:9-15

During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

SECOND READING

Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honour of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practises abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.

THE GOSPEL

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fourteenth chapter.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL READING

John 14:23-29 Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading”

Gracious Spirit, heed our pleading,
fashion us all anew.
It’s your leading that we’re needing,
help us to follow you.

Refrain
Come, come, come, Holy Spirit, come.
Come, come, come, Holy Spirit, come.

Come to teach us, come to nourish
those who believe in Christ.
Bless the faithful, may they flourish,
strengthened by grace unpriced. Refrain

Guide our thinking and our speaking
done in your holy name.
Motivate all in their seeking,
freeing from guilt and shame. Refrain

Not mere knowledge, but discernment,
nor rootless liberty;
turn disquiet to contentment,
doubt into certainty. Refrain

Keep us fervent in our witness;
unswayed by earth’s allure.
Ever grant us zealous fitness,
which you alone assure. Refrain

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, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Bryan Matschke, Audrey Hedlin, Mona Neher, Carl Rausch, Oma Ywo, Joan Schock, Owen Peterson, Lux Matschke, the family of Norm Gregory, the family of Mary Anderson (Evelyn Robson’s mother), the family of Joel Zimmerman, the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Ray Johnson (the brother of Doris Turner), and the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of Dunja Yousif (former member of King of Glory), the family of Helen Neher (Carol Sarich’s mother), and the family of John Beaven (Bev Gregory’s brother).

We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the children and people buried in unmarked graves at residential schools and First Nation lands, and all those who have suffered the trauma of residential schools, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan and Darfur, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, the Palestinians and Israelis, the civil war in Ethiopia, Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslim refugees and the ethnic Karen of Myanmar, Lebanon, Sre Lanka, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the people of Haiti suffering from earthquake, hurricane, and political disasters, those in southern MB, especially the Peguis first nation, southeastern SK, northwestern AB, and Hay River NWT devastated by torrential rains and flooding, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nebraska battling wildfires, the people of India caught in an oppressive heatwave, those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, especially the victims and families of the mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community still threatened by the coronavirus and fearful of the omicron variant.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH

[The congregational response after each petition is: “COMPLETE YOUR NEW CREATION.”]

Pastor: As we celebrate the joy of the resurrection, let us pray for God’s continuing work of new creation in the life of the Church, for the peace and well-being of the world, and wherever brokenness and death oppose God’s abundant life, saying, “Hear us, O God of life,” and responding, “Complete your new creation.”

Petitioner: God of life, through the resurrection of Jesus you make all things new. We pray for all who hunger for the fruit of the Spirit, for all who feel spiritually empty, for all estranged from you. Send your Spirit to work among us creatively and redemptively to lead us into a richer, deeper meaning of living life in Christ and providing us with a love and peace that overcomes all worry and fear. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner: God of all creation, you have given us in baptism the waters of healing and of life. In creation you have provided water to sustain all life. We pray for this fragile earth, for all creatures that creep or run, swim or fly, that land, air and water will be preserved and restored to nourish all life. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner: God of hope, in your Spirit vision abounds. Paul had a vision of what to do. John had a vision of what will be. Give us vision of imagination and understanding to witness to life in you, to love, to bring peace that the world does not give, and to serve our community. Hear us, O God of life…

Pastor: God of healing, we pray for those who wait for relief from their burdens, anxieties, and griefs, and for those who long for their health to be restored. We remember especially before you …. May all find comfort in the abiding presence of Jesus. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner: God of peace,your love bears fruit in action and service. Empower us with your love that our love might bring about peace and reconciliation, tolerance and respect between peoples of different nations, cultures, and creeds. Support those who work for peace among nations and peoples. Reveal your self-giving love in their actions and words. Hear us, O God of life…

Petitioner: God of promise, you accompany us on our journeys of both despair and hope, in trials and anxieties. Relieve the fears and troubles of those in our communities and strengthen the bonds of community for mutual care and assistance. Through your Word and font and table you call us into a peace that exceeds our understanding or desire. We pray that through your renewing way of grace and forgiveness, you would make your people into a church which abides in Christ’s peace 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, invites us into the joy and mutuality of relationship with him, open new opportunities, renew our ministries and our callings through your promise of new life, and graciously give us the resolve to faithfully worship, nurture and proclaim Christ’s love with one voice 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:

“Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!”

[click on the link below]

“Alleluia! Jesus is risen!

Trumpets resounding in glorious light!

Splendor, the Lamb, Heaven forever!

Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!