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LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE PALMS

2250 Nebraska Avenue Palm Harbor, Florida

(727) 784-4119

www.lutheranchurchofthepalms.org Church Office Email: lcop2006@gmail.com

Pastor Greg’s Email: lcoppastor@gmail.com

We are a Welcoming Congregation.

All people, regardless of age, color, ethnic origin, marital status

(single, married, divorced, separated, widowed, partnered),

differently abled, sexual orientation, or gender identity are

welcome to join us and together we can grow.

Rev. Greg Hager – Pastor Kathy Bawel – Minister of Music

Synodical Deacons - Bruce Anderson, Donna Barabba, Karl Bawel, Christopher Gustafson, Jack Keiler

Welcome to Lutheran Church of the Palms. The Order for Worship is in the bulletin and the hymns are found in the Hymnal. We welcome to Holy Communion everyone who believes in the words of Jesus, “given and shed for you.” As we give praises to our Lord this morning we are gifted with everyone’s presence. This is the Lord’s Day, let us rejoice and be glad in it. If you need to step out of worship, please feel free to use the chapel near the Nebraska Avenue door. There is a monitor in there for you to view the service - simply follow the instructions to turn it on and off.

WELCOME GUESTS We invite you to return. Please sign the Guest Register and a Visitor Card from the pew. If you would like to be recognized, please wear the Visitor name tag. REGULAR WORSHIPERS Remember to greet those whom you don’t know before greeting friends. WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS are found on the bulletin boards in the Narthex and in the Fellowship Hall.

Second Sunday of Easter

April 3, 2016

MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY APRIL 10 Ushers………….………….Derick & Violet Rupnaraine Scott Bauch, Karen Skiratko Acolyte ……………………Faithful Servant Reader...……………….......Allison Kallevig Altar Guild………………...Kathy Sandrock Deacon ……….……….….. Bruce Anderson Assisting Minister ………... Buildings Opening ………..Ann Brunk Buildings Closing……..…..Scott Bauch Transportation...……….….Larry & Sue Langeloh Nursery Attendant………...Cassi Clayton

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE & OFFERING

March 6: 169 $4767.00 March 13: 134 $4004.00 March 20: 208 $4486.00 March 27: 248 $5425.00

Everyone is invited to Coffee Hour after worship. Our hosts today is Cathy Elwell and Genie Anderson. Flowers are given today by Chris & Heather Bailey in celebration of Ryan’s 6th birthday.

CHORAL CLOSING HYMN 376 Thine Is the Glory DISMISSAL Alleluia. Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. ____________________________________________________

Much ministry in daily life is done by unpaid members of the

congregation, often without recognition, who see their service as a response to God. We thank them for their dedication.

MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY APRIL 3 Ushers………….………….Don Malott, Joan Holmes Larry & Sue Langeloh, Acolyte ……………………Karen Bracalento Reader...……………….......Sunday School Altar Guild………………...Kathy Sandrock Deacon ……….……….…..Christopher Gustafson Assisting Minister ………...Geraldine Levani Buildings Opening ………..Don Malott Buildings Closing……..…..Kline Grogan Transportation...……….…..John Gustafson Nursery Attendant…………Cassi Clayton Nursery Care Staff provided by

If you have announcements, concerns or cares, please see the Deacon in the Church Office

by 9:45am.

We are all stewards and caretakers of the gifts of God Sewing Group every Tuesday at 9:30am New Bible Study-Wednesdays at 6:30pm- “The First 400 Years of Christianity” Confirmation Classes– April 3rd & 17th @ 6:30pm Clavinova Key Challenge-$200 each key Send updated email address and contact information to the NEW CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS - lcop2006@gmail.com The Beanbag Baseball Fundraiser is off to a flying start. Choir vs

council, sewing group vs Sunday school and youth, the Reisinger motley crew vs ??? Thrivent funds make this Clavinova fundraiser on April 10 after worship possible. Adult donation for lunch, $10. Children, $5. See Carol Reisinger or Gayle Braun to sign up.

Remember “Church of the Palms” in your Will Send cards, gifts, words of encouragement etc. to Intern Pastor Karl Bawel 532 14th St. S.E., Owatonna, MN 55060 Set up your Online Giving account. It’s easy to do!! www.osvonlinegiving.com/1654 Follow the Online Giving Users Guide Instructions located at the bottom of the page. Include your New 2016 offering envelope number. * If you use a Credit Card we are charged a fee.

Congregational responses are in bold print. Preludes/Silent Meditation CHORAL OPENING GATHERING CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Please Stand

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation. Amen. Let us come into the light, the revealing and healing light of God. Silence is kept for reflection.

God of grace and glory, you have brought us through the night of sin into the light of Jesus’ resurrection. Yet our lives are still shadowed by sin. Make us alive in Christ, O God. Make us new as you make all things new. Rescue us from evil and the gloom of sin, renew us in grace, and restore us to living in your holiness, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. Rejoice with all creation around God’s throne! The light of the risen Christ puts to flight all evil deeds, washes away sin, restores innocence to the fallen, casts out hate, brings peace, and humbles earthly pride. Jesus Christ loves you and + frees you from your sins by his blood. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen. HYMN 361 The Day of Resurrection!

When giving the bread and cup the communion ministers say:

The Body of Christ given for you. The Blood of Christ shed for you. The response is Amen. Communion is received by dipping the bread into the wine. Gluten free available.

HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION: 820, 474 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Please Stand We give you thanks, O God, that you make your home with us, bringing heaven to earth in this holy meal. Fill us with your Spirit as we go from here, that we may wipe away tears, tend to those in mourning and pain, seek the healing of the nations, and bring to earth the presence of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. SENDING OF COMMUNION Eternal God, whose glory is revealed in the crucified and risen Lord, bless those who go forth to share your word and sacrament with those who are unable to worship with us. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those to whom we bring this communion in the body and blood of your Son, that we may all feast upon your abundant love made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SENDING BLESSING The blessing of the Lord God Almighty, the blessing of + Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit of truth be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit Let us pray as Jesus taught us; 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 Please Be Seated

The table of life is spread before you. Feast on the goodness and mercy of God.

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. KYRIE

THIS IS THE FEAST THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Holy, living, and loving God,

we praise you for creating the heavens and the earth. We bless you for bringing Noah and his family through the waters of the flood,

for freeing your people Israel from the bonds of slavery, and for sending your Son to be our Redeemer.

We give you thanks for Jesus who, living among us, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and with a love stronger than death, gave his life for others.

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 life-giving death and glorious resurrection, we await your promised life for all this dying world.

Breathe your Spirit on us and on this bread and cup: carry us in your arms from death to life, that we may live as your chosen ones, clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

…..we praise your name and join their unending hymn

Let us pray, PRAYER OF THE DAY Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith in you and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Please be seated

First Reading Acts 5:27-32

27When they had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118:14-29 14The Lord is my strength | and my song, and has become | my salvation. 15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents | of the righteous: “The right hand of the | Lord acts valiantly! 16The right hand of the Lord| is exalted! The right hand of the | Lord acts valiantly!”

17I shall not | die, but live, and declare the works | of the Lord. R 18The Lord indeed pun- | ished me sorely, but did not hand me o- | ver to death. 19Open for me the | gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks | to the Lord. 20“This is the gate | of the Lord; here the righ- | teous may enter.” 21I give thanks to you, for you have | answered me and you have become | my salvation. R 22The stone that the build- | ers rejected has become the chief | cornerstone. 23By the Lord has | this been done; it is marvelous | in our eyes. 24This is the day that the | Lord has made; let us rejoice and be | glad in it. 25Hosanna! | O Lord, save us! We pray to you, Lord, pros- | per our days! R 26Blessed is the one who comes in the name | of the Lord; we bless you from the house | of the Lord. 27The Lord is God and has giv- | en us light. Form a procession with branches up to the corners | of the altar. 28You are my God, and | I will thank you; you are my God, and I | will exalt you. 29Give thanks to the Lord, for the | Lord is good; God’s mercy en- | dures forever. R

PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

CHORAL ANTHEM MEAL THE OFFERING As the ushers bring the offering forward, the congregation stands and sings:

OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray the offering prayer as one voice. Blessed are you, O God, 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, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Rooted in the abundant life and love of Christ Jesus, we pray for the life of the church, the lives of people in need, and the life of all creation.

A brief silence.

Holy God of resurrection, fill us with your Holy Spirit to announce the new life you give through Christ Jesus. Lead us to people who need to hear good news. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Breathe new life into all of creation. Send sun to warm and water to saturate yards, fields, and mountains. Set all things in order, that abundance may come forth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Open paths for cooperation between nations to care for refugees, survivors of natural disaster, and people living through war. Bless the efforts of peacemaking troops, diplomats, and relief organizations to foster peace in the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Pour out your enduring mercy to strengthen those who persevere in difficult times. Bless the sick, especially……. Guide them to places where they may find shelter in your presence. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Gather together the various gifts of this community and unite us in praise. Harmonize the sound and movement of instruments, voices, hands, feet, and, bodies. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Here other intercessions may be offered.

You have united yourself with the saints at rest through Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead. Join us all together in his resurrection on the last day. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. We deliver all this into your care, O God, trusting in the work of your Holy Spirit to bring all things into the risen life of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Second Reading Revelation 1:4-8

4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Please Stand

GOSPEL John 20:19-31 The Holy Gospel According to John. 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The gospel of the Lord.

SERMON Please be seated. HYMN 390 The Risen Christ Please Stand In Christ, you have heard the word of faith, the gospel of salvation. We believe in him and are marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. Living together in trust and hope we confess our faith. NICENE CREED 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.