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 Season of Easter
“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
[click on the link below]
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Prasie eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
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
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he 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 7:55-60
But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.
SECOND READING 1 Peter 2:2-10 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner’,
and
‘A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.’
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
THE GOSPEL
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John the fourteenth chapter.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL READING John 14:1-14 ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
[click on the link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
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, Kyrie Parimi, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Audrey Hedlin, Mona Neher, Oma Ywo, Owen Peterson, Helga Halldorsdottir, Evaline Sanders, Wayne Andre, Pat Sarich, Cari Schappert, the family of Norm Gregory, the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of John Beaven (Bev Gregory’s brother), the family of Carl Rausch, the family of Janet Gregory (Bev Gregory’s sister in-law), the family of Robert Gregory (Bev Gregory’s brother in-law).
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, the fighting in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the Palestinians and Israelis, Ethiopia and Tigray, Myanmar and the Rohingya Muslim refugees, Lebanon, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the 100 million refugees and displaced persons, the 345 million people suffering from food insecurity, the people of Haiti suffering from political disasters, the victims and communities in Turkey and Syria devastated by earthquake, those in Alberta and Saskatchewan threatened by wildfires, those in Quebec, British Columbia, and along the Mississippi River threatened by flooding, and those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence.
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. In baptism you have made a new people of us who live in your presence. Help us to see all people in the new light of the resurrection that through forgiveness and in love we might bring life, joy, and hope to any who are broken, sorrowful, and caught up in anxiety and worry. Hear us, O God of life…
Petitioner: God of all creation, you have prepared a place for us in your creation and have given us the way and the truth that leads to life. Help us to care for this planet we have damaged. Provide wisdom, protection, and aid to all threatened by flooding, wildfire, and the effects of climate change. Mend the scarred places of our earth. Hear us, O God of life…
Petitioner: God of promise, you call us into situations and prepare places for us that require difficult choices and decisions. Give us the self-discipline and forethought, the faith and the courage, to recognize the needs of not only our families and friends, but also our enemies, and to respond to all with forgiveness and care. Hear us, O God of life…
Pastor: God of healing, you promise to wipe away every tear from our eyes. Comfort those who are lost and discouraged, facing the loss of a loved one, a job, good health, sustaining relationships, or their own inner peace and wholeness. We remember especially before you …. Renew all with your promise of life. Hear us, O God of life…
Petitioner: God of peace, your Spirit makes us a part of Christ’s living and life-giving self and makes us alive with Christ’s life. By your Spirit shape us to share your love. While we abide securely within your love, alert us to hear the cries for justice of our sisters and brothers in the world. We remember all who are broken and helpless, and all who suffer in the face of oppression, persecution, and violence. Hear us, O God of life…
Petitioner: God of hope, you come down to us and make your dwelling among mortals. Bring peace to our urban centres and bring well-being to our rural areas. Bring employment, security and productivity to our cities and visit struggling farms and ranches with good weather, fair markets, and resources. 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. At this time and with the gifts you have given us, enable us to serve and to witness to the one who is our way, our truth, and our life. Through your Spirit show us your ways; teach us your truth; enliven our mission. 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
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Alleluia! Go and tell the news that Christ is risen.
People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY AT KOG – Sunday, May 7Coffee Social after the service. Hosted by Carol Sarich.
THIS WEEK AT KOG – Thursday, May 11, Bev Gregory is hosting (154 Arrand Crescent) quilt- making bees every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
COMING UP AT KOG – Sunday, May 7Coffee Social after the service. Hosted by Carol Sarich. – Tuesday, May 16, Church Council meeting via Zoom, 7:30 p.m. – Thursday, May 18, Bible Study, “A Short History of Grace,” 7:30 p.m. Host needed. We meet in Pastor Michael’s home, 1010 Duke Street. – Sunday, May 21 Congregational Meeting on joint worship services with St. David’s/Trinity, after the service. – Saturday, May 27, Men’s Breakfast Out at Mulberry’s Restaurant 2326 B Millar Avenue, 8:30 a.m.
– Wednesday, May 31, Women’s Breakfast Out, at Mulberry’s Restaurant 2326 B Millar Avenue, 10:00 a.m. – Thursday, June 1, Bible Study, “A Short History of Grace,” 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Renita Falkenstern. We meet in Pastor Michael’s home, 1010 Duke Street.
March, April, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG
2023 Budget: $50,471 Monthly Budget: $4,260 Weekly Budget: $971
2023 income/expenses: $4,263.63
March income/expenses: -676.89
Weekly contributions for March: March 5: $740 March 12 and 19: $1555 March 26: $220 Weekly contributions for April: April 2: $1120 April 9: $130 April 16: $190 April 23: $40 April 30: $325
Pastor Michael will be in Canmore, AB Monday through Friday. In the event of a pastoral emergency he can be contacted at 306-370-8582.
Installation of Church Council Officers and Members-at-Large: Jennipher Karst, Chairperson, Kyle Sarich, Vice-Chairperson, Lauren Pelletier, Secretary, Ryan Baker, Treasurer, Karen McKenzie, Financial Secretary, Don Sanders, Karen Larson, and Jody Giesbrecht members-at large. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct them, that their thoughts and their actions will be rooted and grounded in Christ’s grace and love for all, and that what they plan and do will be for the building up of this community of faith.
“A Short History of Grace”. This Bible and theology study looks at the ways grace is interpreted from the time of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, through St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther and to contemporary theologies of liberation.
Emergency Appeal – Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria: Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), along with other leading Canadian aid agencies in the Humanitarian Coalition, is appealing for funds to assist those in need in Turkey and Syria affected by the earthquake and to support rescue efforts. Our focus right now is to provide blankets, shelter, life-saving clean water, food and healthcare. Please give what you can by donating at clwr.org/earthquake or by calling 1-800-661-2597 (office hours Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm), and pray for all those who are affected.
Offerings.
Even though we are not all 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.
King of Glory Lutheran Church 