Grace Lutheran Church

555 SW Cashmere Blvd. Port St. Lucie, FL 34986-2034

Office: 772-871-6599

Gracelutheranpsl@gmail.com | www.GraceLutheranPSL.com

Pastor Cris Escher | Email: cris@gracelutheranpsl.com

We are so happy that you are here with us today. Our desire is to be like another home for you. We encourage you to register your name on the fellowship pad which you will find at the end of the row where you are sitting. If you are new to Grace or to the area and are looking for a church home, we hope you will consider joining our family here at Grace. A Fellowship Hour is held after the Worship Service, and we invite you to stay for a few minutes so we can get acquainted.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION is celebrated in our Worship Service today. This meal is for Christ Followers who recognize their sinfulness and their need for Christ’s forgiveness and strength, and desire to live a new life in Christ. We receive this meal recognizing the presence of Christ in, with, and under the bread and the wine. Children who have not been instructed in the meaning of the Sacrament may come to the Lord’s Table with their parents for a blessing, but are asked to fold their arms across their chests to indicate they are to receive a blessing. All those who commune are asked to indicate their participation by marking the appropriate column in the Red Attendance Books as they are passed at the beginning of the Worship Service.

IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SACRAMENT, the wine is made available in both the individual glasses and the common cup. Following the distribution of the bread, the individual cups will be offered. Then the common cup will be offered to those who do not have an individual cup in their hand. The acolyte will then gather the individual glasses. For those who have an intolerance to wine, grape juice is lighter colored in the individual communion glasses. Those who find it difficult to walk to the altar can be communed in the pew. Please inform the usher of your need.

ATTENDANCE BOOKS PLEASE BE SURE TO PASS ALONG THE RED ATTENDANCE BOOKS IN YOUR ROW AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SIGN IT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MINISTRY OF CARE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Believe: Who He Is

Who is God? Have you ever thought about that question? If someone were to ask you, how would you answer. Perhaps you would say Jesus. Perhaps you would say creator. The list goes on endlessly. But how does God work? What is the relation of the Father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit? The Apostles’ Creed, written almost 2000 years ago, answers these questions and is still amazing to this day.

Today:

How did Israel remember that God had saved them from slavery? They would give of their firstfruits and make sure the poor had food. What does this have to do with Pentecost?

(Asterisks (**) indicate that the people stand)

This is the day the Lord has made;

He calls the hours his own.

Let heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad,

Let praise surround the throne.

Today Christ and left the dead,

And Satan’s empire fell.

Today the saints his triumph spread,

They all his wonders tell.

Hosanna to the King of Kings,

To David’s holy son!

He helps us, He descends and brings

Salvation from the throne.

Blest be the Lord, who comes to us

With messages of grace;

Who comes in God his Father’s name

To save our sinful race.

Hosanna in the highest strains

The church on earth can raise.

The highest heavens, where he reigns,

Will give him nobler praise.

Pastor: God has found The Messiah, His servant.

PEOPLE: WITH HIS HOLY OIL, HE HAS ANOINTED HIM KING

Pastor: He will cry out to God, ‘You are my Father,

PEOPLE: MY GOD, AND THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION!’

Pastor: His unfailing love will always be with him, protecting him;

PEOPLE: HIS COVENANT WITH US WILL NEVER BE BROKEN.

Taken from Psalm 89

** THE PASSING OF THE PEACE

Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you all.

PEOPLE: AND ALSO WITH YOU.

(We greet one another with the handshake of peace and with the words

“The Peace of the Lord be with you.”)

Sung by Worship Team:

Bless the Lord, O my soul; bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me bless His holy name.

Sung by congregation:

Bless the Lord, O my soul; bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me bless His holy name.

Sung by all with key change:

Bless the Lord, O my soul; bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me bless His holy name.

THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

During Confession we take time to slow down and realize how we have lost God’s Great Story of goodness. We have served ourselves and our interests above God.

(Take a moment of silent reflection upon our need for God’s forgiveness)

Pastor: O Almighty God,

PEOPLE: WE CONFESS THAT WE HEAR THE GOOD NEWS BUT DO NOT ALWAYS LIVE IT OUT. WE FAIL TO TRUST YOUR KINGDOM COMING. FORGIVE US LORD. OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO RECEIVE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST IN OUR DAILY LIVES, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE ETERNALLY. IN THE NAME OF OUR SAVIOR WE PRAY. AMEN.

Pastor: The Story of Jesus is …….

There is new life everywhere. There is Good News everywhere. There is nothing lost that cannot be found, no dark place where light cannot shine, no awful past that cannot lead to a bright future. You are God’s beloved; you are a child of the resurrection. Live in the hope and promise of Christ. Your sins are forgiven, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

PEOPLE: AMEN.

** THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor: Almighty God, in your unfailing mercy

keep your church safe and holy.

Rule and guide your people always,

so that they remain in peace.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

PEOPLE: AMEN

THE FIRST LESSON Exodus 40:34-48

The congregation tent faces the rising sun in the east. Its orientation along with the bronze and gold objects all around create a brilliant sight every morning.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD.

THE SECOND LESSON Ephesians 2:18-22

The relationship between faith and works is often misunderstood. The truth is that salvation is God’s gift through Jesus. When we are transformed by grace, then we become His new creation and begin to live out the good works He has planned for us. Works, then, aren’t the means of salvation; they are its presence.

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD.

** THE HOLY GOSPEL John 20:19-23

The hope of resurrection has often been a topic on the lips of Jesus. Now it is taking shape. Confusion gives way to conviction as Jesus appears alive over the next few days. One by one He convinces His followers that God has raised Him from the dead.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord

PEOPLE: PRAISE TO YOU, O CHRIST.

** THE APOSTLES’ CREED

SERMON HYMN “Holy Spirit”

“Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,

Breathe new life into my willing soul.

Bring the presence of the risen Lord

To renew my heart and make me whole.

Cause Your Word to come alive in me;

Give me faith for what I cannot see;

Give me passion for Your purity.

Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Holy Spirit, come abide within;

May Your joy be seen in all I do—

Love enough to cover ev’ry sin

In each thought and deed and attitude,

Kindness to the greatest and the least,

Gentleness that sows the path of peace.

Turn my striving into works of grace.

Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,

Giving life to all that God has made,

Show Your power once again on earth;

Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.

Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.

Lead us on the road of sacrifice

That in unity the face of Christ

Will be clear for all the world to see.

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,

And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.

Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,

That we may be fed with the bread of life.

Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;

Unite them with the prayers we offer now.

Grace our table with Your presence, and give us

A foretaste of the feast to come.

** THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

(After each petition)

Pastor: . . . Lord, in your mercy,

PEOPLE: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

** THE LORD’S PRAYER

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

PEOPLE: AND ALSO WITH YOU.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

PEOPLE: WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

PEOPLE: IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE.

Pastor: The tree of life in the midst of the garden was the tree of our defeat.

Christ was lifted up on the tree of victory; and where life was lost, there life has been restored. And so we praise you ....

PEOPLE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT,

HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY.

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.

** THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE DISTRIBUTION HYMNS

“Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord”

Draw near and take the body of the Lord,

And drink the holy blood for you outpoured;

Offered was He for greatest and for least,

Himself the victim and himself the priest.

He who His saints in this world rules and shields,

To all believers life eternal yields;

With heav’n-ly bread He makes the hungry whole,

Gives living waters to the thirsting soul.

Come forward then with faithful hearts sincere,

And take the pledges of salvation here.

O Lord, our hearts with grateful thanks endow

As in this feast of love you bless us now.

“Lay My Sins on Jesus”

I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God;

He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load.

I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains.

Clean in his blood most precious till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus; all fullness dwells in him;

He heals all my diseases; my soul he does redeem.

I lay my griefs on Jesus, my burdens and my cares;

He from them all releases; He all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus, this weary soul of mine;

His right hand me embraces; I on His breast recline.

I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;

Life fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

CHORUS

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS! GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

MORNING BY MORNING NEW MERCIES I SEE;

ALL I HAVE NEEDED THY HAND HATH PROVIDED

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, LORD, UNTO ME!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. (CHORUS)

Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth;

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide.

Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow;

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside. (CHORUS)

Pastor: May the God who breathed life into creation be with you, His church. May Christ Jesus equip you, His body and bride. Go in His peace and serve His creation.

PEOPLE: AMEN.

** THE CLOSING HYMN “Almighty Father, Bless the Word”

Almighty Father, bless the Word

Which through your grace we now have heard.

Oh, may the precious seed take root,

Spring up, and bear abundant fruit!

We praise you for the means of grace

As homeward now our steps retrace.

Grant, Lord, that we who worshipped here

May all at last in heav’n appear.

SENDING

Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD.

Today June 18, 2017

Sunday School & Adult Bible Study 8:45 pm

Worship 10:00 am

Fellowship 11:00 am

Korean Church Worship 1:00 pm

This Week

AA Sunday, 7:30 pm

Via de Cristo @ Bocks home Monday, 6:30 pm

Heatherwood Tuesday, 7:00 pm

Bible Study @Perkin’s Restaurant Thursday, 7:00 am

Worship Team Thursday, 10:00 am

Mahjong Thursday, 12:00 noon

Korean Church Prayer Meeting Saturday, 6:00 am

NEW WOMEN’S COMMUNITY GROUP Beginning Sunday, June 25 at 7:00 pm in the home of Leigh Liagre, Leigh and Coli will begin a new women’s Bible study, fellowship, and prayer group. Email coliescher@gmail.com if you would like more information.

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE CLASS will begin at 8:45 am. Students from grades 4 through 7 will be together in one class taught by Barbara Ruzicka. We will be using the children’s room. Friends are welcome. And of course, all adults are invited to participate in the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Nancy Oldham, 6/20; Chuck Kamrath, 6/21; Marilyn Piotrowicz, 6/21; Claude Hessee, 6/24.

ANNIVERSARIES Daren and April Sherwood, 6/21 (10); Steven and Soo Choung, 6/23 (43).

If we have missed your anniversary or birthday, please drop us a note

in the office or email us at Gracelutheranpsl@gmail.com.

THE FLOWERS adorning the altar this morning are given to the glory of God by Roy & Nancy Brewer in honor of Father’s Day

FLOWER CHART The flower chart continues to be posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. If you would like to order flowers to adorn the altar for a specific Sunday, please write your name on the appropriate line. The cost per Sunday is $27.00. We thank you for your help.

PRAYER LIST/CHAIN If you have family and/or friends you would like our members to include in our prayers, please submit their names in writing by completing one of the forms in the narthex or send an email to the church office at GraceLutheranPSL @gmail.com and title it “Prayer List”. Members of the “Prayer Chain” are listed on the bulletin board in the narthex. Thank you.

www.GraceLutheranpsl.com

Remember to check out our website and follow us on Facebook. They’re both “works-in-progress”, but the calendar and information on our website is updated constantly.