Season of Easter

May 3, 2020 | 11 am

St. John’s Lutheran Church | Salisbury, NC

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Welcome to St. John’s!

You’ll notice that our worship follows a simple pattern that has guided the church’s worship since the first century — Gather, Word, Meal, Sending — a pattern designed to nourish and

strengthen us for the week ahead. Welcome to worship!

Gathering The Holy Spirit gathers us as the people of God

Call to Worship Set a Fire Written by Will Reagan

Bradley Chestnut, Soloist

Prayers of Confession

We make the sign of the cross as a reminder of our baptism. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray. God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence for reflection and self-examination. Most merciful God, we confess that we are not perfect. We have said and done things we regret. We have tried to earn your redeeming grace, while denying it to others. We have resisted your call to be your voice in the world. Forgive us, loving God. Give us your righteousness, the strength to put aside our failures, and the courage to try again. Amen.

God’s Promise of Forgiveness God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. May Almighty God strengthen you with his light, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

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Hymn 879 For the Beauty of the Earth DIX Verses 1-3 and 5 (See page 9)

Today’s first and last hymns are in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. They are drawn, in part, from the beautiful words of Psalm 8, including "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth."

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.

Let us pray.

O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Word We hear God’s word in scripture reading, preaching, and song

First Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9, 13-16 A living hope

The Apostle Peter writes: 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 13Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God!

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Response Witness Arranged by Hall Johnson Teresa Moore-Mitchell, Soloist

The Holy Gospel: John 21:1-14 Jesus appears to seven disciples 1After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." 6He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Sermon Pastor Rhodes Woolly Hymn 796 How Firm A Foundation FOUNDATION

See Page 10

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Apostle’s Creed. Gathered as God’s people across time and space, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Solo He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands

Teresa Moore-Mitchell, Soloist

Prayers of Intercession. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer. Lords Prayer 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.

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Sending

Forgiven and nourished, we are now sent into the world to share God’s love. Benediction Sending Hymn 824 This Is My Father’s World TERRA PATRIS

See Page 11 Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God! Postlude This Is My Father’s World Setting by Rob Durocher

Unless otherwise indicated, today’s service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship

and is reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #26999.

Worship Participants

PASTORS: The Rev. Dr. Rhodes Woolly, The Rev. Laura Henrik INSTRUMENTALISTS: Rob Durocher, Minister of Worship and the Arts; organist READER: Sydney Sims GUEST SOLOIST: Teresa Moore—Mitchell; Instructor of Music (Voice-classical) at Catawba College. She is also currently a member of the Salisbury Symphony Board of Directors. SOLOIST: Bradley Chestnut, Worship Leader, piano SONG LEADER: Rosemary Kinard, Associate Parish Musician, accompanist Carter Woolly SOUND: Mike Agee VIDEO: Taylor Hutchins, Production Manager

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JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR THE FOLLOWING:

CONGRATULATIONS — Alyssa Smith and Phillip Harris were married on Saturday, April 25 at St. John’s. Dean and Tammy have a new granddaughter. Tatum Safrit was born this morning May 1. Chase and Ashly Safrit are the proud parents. Ellen Fink is great grandmother. CONDOLENCES — Tom and Kathy Isenhour, and family, on the passing of Tom’s brother, Barry Isenhour, on Tuesday, April 28 in Virginia after a brief illness. A private graveside service will be held at Chestnut Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Lauren Russell Stephenson’s dad, James “Jim” Russell passed away on April 26 in Texas. A small graveside service with family will be held on Tuesday, May 5. Bob Tannehill’s brother, Joseph King Tannehill, died April 19, his memorial service will follow at a later date. Mike and BJ Connor, Nichole Towns and family, on the passing of Mike’s mother on Tuesday April 21. THIS WEEK’S PRAYER CONCERNS — Dr. Ronald Smith, Nancy Austin, Rachel Safrit, Julie Carr ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS — Tyler Holden, Henry Kluttz, Jack Connery, John Myers, Perry Hood, Bob Melton, Phyllis Edwards, Jane Shuping, Barbara Rufty, Hal Furr, Walter Tatum, Jim Rabon, Matt Stahl, Sonny Lippard, Nancy Parrish, Thomas Livesay, David and Paula Kafitz, Karen Shelton, Gene Myers, Kent Brown

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St. John’s Lutheran Church 200 West Innes Street ● Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 ● 704.636.3431

stjohns-salisbury.org ● To contact a staff member: first name@stjohns-salisbury.org

Pastoral Ministry Senior Pastor…………………………………………………………………………………..…….....The Rev. Rhodes Woolly Pastor for Youth and Discipleship……………..……………………………………..…….……..The Rev. Laura Henrik Visitation………………….……………………………………………………………….……………….…...………..Wade Rouzer Worship and Music Ministry Minister of Worship and the Arts.……………………………...………………………………..Rob Durocher, deacon Associate Parish Musician ………………………………………………………………….….…………....Rosemary Kinard 9:27 Worship Leader…………………………………………………..……………………………….………Bradley Chestnut 8:30 Organist………………………..……………………………….…………………………….…………..Deanna Boksleitner Production Manager…………………….…………………………………………………….………………....Taylor Hutchins Director of Music Emeritus………………………………………………………………..………..…...Karl Kinard, deacon Program Ministry Youth……………………...………………………………………………………………………..………….The Rev. Laura Henrik Children……………………………………………………………………………………………………...….………...Stacey Shafer Adults…………………………………………………………………..………….…………………………………..…….Danny Hines Senior Adults …………...……………………………………………….………………………………………………..Diane Poole St. John’s Kindergarten (4 and 5 year olds) ……………………………………………….……………....Teresa Stoner Child Development Center (infant through 4 and after school) ………….…...….…………...Courtney Bost Administrative Team Business Manager ………………………………………………………………………….………………..……..Ruth Ann Diehl Office Manager…………………………….…………………………………………………………………..……..Deborah Cross Communications Specialist………………………..…………………………………………………..…………..Angel Owens Facilities Manager…………...……………………………………………………………………..……………………...Jon Koppe Maintenance...……………………..………………………………………………………………………..……...David Ellenburg

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Verses 1-3 and 5

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