Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

Acts 1:1-11 | “Why do you stand looking to the sky?” an angel asked Jesus’ disciples following his ascension. Bewildered and horrified, the disciples’ gaze looked longingly in the direction where Jesus had just been taken into heaven by a cloud. But what the disciples did not yet understand was that in Jesus’ ascension, no longer would there be any place, or any time, that they would be separated from their Lord. Instead, God’s power would be right there with them as heaven and earth were gathered together. As we continue our walk as disciples of Jesus, join us for worship as we hear this promise, and consider what it means for us to seek out God’s power at work among us and in us, in every moment of our lives and our world.

Ascension Sunday Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: The Gift of Love. Hal Hopson, Arr. John Carter. Music: ©1972, 1995 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Crown Him with Many Crowns  Text: Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894, sts. 1-3,5: Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903, st. 4. Music: DIADEMATA, George J. Elvey, 1816-1893.  Covered under One License subscription.  Hymn of the Day: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing, Text: Bede, 673-735; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship.  Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Köln, 1623; arr. hymnal version.  Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress.  Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: This Little Light of Mine. Text: African American spiritual; arr. Horace Clarence Boyer, b. 1935. Arr. © Horace Clarence Boyer, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

John 15: 9-17 | By the love of Jesus, we are called friends. With Christ as our vine, we are invited to live as branches, firmly attached to God’s abiding promises. But attached to the vine, we also find ourselves surrounded by many, many other branches. So what does that mean for our lives together as a community? Join us as we consider the messy love that Jesus calls us to as we live together as one vine.

Easter 6 Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Lord of the Dance, arr. Carter, Hope Publishing. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!  Text: Brian A Wren, b. 1936. Music: TRURO. T. Williams, Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789. Text: © 1975, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription.  Hymn of the Day: Build Us Up, Lord, Text: Mark Glaeser. b. 1956, and Donna Hanna, b. 1952.  Music: BUILD US UP, Mark Glaeser, and Donna Hanna.  Text and music © 2003 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises. Text: South African: tr. Freedom is Coming, 1984.  Music: Haleluya! PELO TSA RONA, South African. Tr. © 1984 Utrick, admin. Walton Music Corp. Covered under One License subscription. 

John 15: 1-8 | In the past year, connection, whether a connection to one another or a connection to Christ, has looked different. So now, as we continue to celebrate the season of Easter, what might it mean for us to remain connected to Christ as our source of life? And what might it look like to open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, creating room for even more abundant life and purpose to spring forth? Join us for worship as we hear the promise of Christ abiding in us out of love, and re-connect ourselves to the life that only God can provide.

Easter 5 Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: And Can It Be? by Marilynn Ham, from Ivory Exaltation, published by Lillenas/My Savior’s Love by Lloyd Larson, from Lead Me to Calvary, published by Lorenz. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Alleluia! Jesus is Risen! Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1995. Music: David N. Johnson. Published by Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Text: Henry van Dayke, 1852-1922, Music: Hymn to Joy, Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, adapt. Tone Chime arrangement by Martha Lynn Thompson. Used with permission.

1 John 3:16-24, John 10: 11-18 | Likely the most well-known psalm is Psalm 23, starting, “The Lord is my shepherd…” This week, we hear from Jesus himself, stating that he is our “good shepherd.”  Often, these images of God are comforting, but they also point to something deeper: relationship. In Jesus, we are drawn into a relationship with God. And now, living in that love, we are called to live in that same sense of relationship with Christ and one another. But do we have room in our communities for those relationships to change us? and change our communities? It’s one thing to say “all are welcome,” but are we really open to the potential change that may come when we engage in a true, authentic relationship? Join us, as we ponder these questions, and consider how we are called to live as a part of Christ’s flock.

Easter 4 Worship Bulletin

The music is covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, Christ’s life has been given to us…now! Not only does this promise us eternal life after death, but it also transforms the way we live now. So what is this Good News all about? Join us for worship as our children, youth, and families share a special message with us today, urging us to be God’s Good News in the world.

Easter 3 Worship Bulletin

Music and liturgy covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

Mark 16: 1-8 | Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! With the whole people of God, we join our voices in shouts of acclamation this day! But early on that first Easter morning, the women who came to Jesus’ body found themselves with a problem. At first, they were concerned who was going to roll away the stone. But hearing the news that Jesus had been raised from the dead, going forth from the tomb, they were sent with a whole new problem: how, now, were they to live, in light of this news? As people of faith, today, we trust that in Christ, death has been defeated and is no longer the “problem.” But then what does that mean for us, as we live in light of this Easter news? Join us, as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead, and as we are sent forth into the world as witnesses. Liturgy and words for worship adapted from a prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | santifiedart.org. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

Easter Sunday Worship Bulletin

John 19:1-30 | On Good Friday, we gather at the foot of Christ’s cross. It might seem odd that we call such a day “good.” But on this day, even as we gaze upon the horrors of the cross, we believe that it is through Christ’s cross that God’s mission in the world is finished. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are drawn into relationship with our heavenly Father and offered the only way and truth that leads to true and abundant life. Join us for worship as we acknowledge our sin and brokenness and look to Christ’s cross for grace and mercy. Liturgy and words for worship adapted from a prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | santifiedart.org. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

Good Friday Worship Bulletin

John 13, Luke 22 | As we begin our journey through the Great Three Days – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, leading to Easter Sunday – we begin with Jesus as he washes his disciples feet and shares in one last meal. These two acts become commands that Jesus gives his followers as something to hang onto – reminding them of the extent of his love. From that love that holds us together in union with Christ and with each other, we then are sent forth to be the very body of Christ in the world around us. Join us as, once again, we begin to hear God’s saving love story for all the world. Liturgy and words for worship adapted from a prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | santifiedart.org. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

Maundy Thursday Worship Bulletin

John 12:1-19 | This Sunday begins the most sacred and holy week within the life of the Christian church: Holy Week. Today, we begin with shouts of acclamation, praising Jesus as our Lord and our King. As Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, throngs of people went after him and followed him. What drew them? It could have been a whole host of reasons. Yet something compelled them to begin the journey so that they might, at last, come and see God’s love revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection.

This Holy Week, we too are compelled by the Spirit to take up this journey. Our motives may be mixed, but regardless, the Holy Spirit continues to push us onward – almost as if in a crowd – to come and see for ourselves the depth of our Father’s love.

If you missed worship this week, join us as we begin our journey to the cross. Whatever your motive, and wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here. Liturgy and words for worship adapted from a prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | santifiedart.org. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

Palm Sunday Worship Bulletin

Jeremiah 31:31-34| Ever feel a bit broken? Or, feel as though your relationship with God is a bit broken? You’re in good company, for the Israelites in the book of Jeremiah felt the same way. Looking around them, they saw devastation and were desperate for any good news; and looking within themselves, with the help of the prophet, they recognized that their relationship with their Lord had been tossed to the side, breaking the bond they once had. But even amidst that brokenness, God made a promise: again, and again, and again, to restore and reform the people, not remembering their sin, but remembering them in love. Join us for worship as we claim this promise for ourselves and invite the Spirit to reform us. Liturgy and words for worship adapted from a prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | santifiedart.org. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A.

Lent 5 Worship Bulletin