Pentecost Sunday                                                                 May 28, 2023

WELCOME to each of you gathered for worship this morning.  Please take a moment to complete the attendance sheet and place it in the offering plate when it is passed.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT “Sharing God’s love and His promise for tomorrowEngaging with God’s children to carry the light ofJesus Christ from the altar through the door.” Louis Sanders – Council PresidentVacant – Vice-PresidentDr. Eric Hahn – SecretaryAnni Hahn – Treasurer 

Love Lutheran Church

3730 MacArthur Blvd.

New Orleans, La 70114

504-362-1967

Love Lutheran e-mail addresses:  lovelutheran68@gmail.com

Love Lutheran Website:  www.lovelutheran.org

Love Lutheran is a Member of the ELCA

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website at: www.elca.org

Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans

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PRESIDING AT WORSHIP:  Rev Lisa Gaye

LECTOR:  Dixie Adkins

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                       IN OUR PRAYERS

Congregation Prayers:

Mary Sanders

Melissa Gallant

Sharon Steele

Dianne Revuelta

Lyn Weixel

Robert Onsgard

Kevin Trimble

Ken and Sandy Flora

Phillip Brubaker

Denise Daigrepont Roy

Ila Duncan

Jamie Johnson

Hans Heinemann

Rick and Gabe Lyons

Laurie Smith

Andrew Douglas

Arlene Ogg

Elaina Cannon and Children

Leya and Aaliyah

Wayne Prayers:

Bob Steele

Sarah Steele

Charlie Steele

Dirk Anderson

Joyce Barber

Jodee James

Lu Carrigan

Janice Bela

Dixie Adkins

Alex Adkins

Adam Adkins

Julien Adkins

Alisha Adkins

Dixie Prayers:

Bob Steele

Sarah Steele

Charlie Steele

Dirk Anderson

Joyce Barber

Jo Ellen Smith Nursing Home

Elaine Prayers:

Elaine Teague

David and Kim Teague

Joshua Teague

David Teague Jr.

Steven Teague

Terri Marino

Jackie Pavur

Shirley Lyons

Louis Mayer

Lane Wise

Paul Steele

Pastor Lisa Prayers:

Community and World

For Bob Steele recovering from surgery

For the Gable family as we mourn the loss of Kathy Gamble

For those who work and live in nursing homes

Staff of United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund

Our military serving here and abroad

We pray also for Love Lutheran Church and for all those in need of healing power of God’s love.

Ask and it will be given to you:  Our Lord invites us to bring all our cares and concerns to him and trust in his mercy and grace.  If you have prayer concerns please let Pastor Gaye know by noon on Wednesday so that your prayer request may be included in the prayers of the people at Sunday worship.  Please inform Pastor Gaye if your prayer request needs to be extended longer than two weeks.

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LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH   Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye                       Adult Bible Study:  9:00 A.M. Office: 504-362-1967                                               Worship:  10:00 A.M.  

Pentecost Sunday                                                                 May 28, 2023

PRELUDE  #WOV 681 “Come, O Holy Spirit, Come”

Professor Emerity Nchor-B Okoru

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

Wa Wa Wa Emimimo sung three times by Professor in Nigerian

Congregation will sing fourth time in English

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Stand as you are able)

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P:  In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

(Silence is kept for reflection)

P:  Most merciful God,

C:  We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.  We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.  Amen.

P:  In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority.  I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

OPENING HYMN:  #ELW 454 “Remember and Rejoice”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

THE GREETING

P:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C:  And also with you.

THE KYRIE

THE HYMN OF PRAISE:  “Now the Feast and Celebration”

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P:  Let us pray.

C:  O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit.  Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

(You may be seated)

First Reading:  Acts 2:1-21

Pentecost was a Jewish harvest festival that marked the fiftieth day after Passover.  Luke portrays the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the disciples before the gathered and astonished people assembled in Jerusalem for the festival.  Filled with the Spirit, the disciples were able to witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection.

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.   2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.  5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.  6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.  7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?  9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs–in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”  12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”  14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.  15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.  16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.  19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.  20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.  21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

(Other Languages)

The Word of the Lord.                   Thanks be to God.

Psalm:  Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. (Ps. 104:30)

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!  In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.

26 There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

27 These all look to you to give them their food in due season;

28 when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works—

32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

35b Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

Paul is helping the Corinthians understand the relationship between our God-given unity and Spirit-created diversity.  The Spirit creates the unity of faith and gives all Christians diverse gifts for the common benefit of all.  We need one another’s diverse spiritual gifts because the same Spirit has given them to each person for the common good.

3b No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.  4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.  7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.    11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.  12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The Word of the Lord.                   Thanks be to God.

(Stand as you are able)

Gospel:  John 20:19-23

The Holy Gospel according to John           Glory to you, O Lord.

The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

19 When 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.”  20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Gospel of the Lord.              Praise to you, O Christ.

(You may be seated)

SERMON

(Stand as you are able)

HYMN OF THE DAY:  #ELW 408 “Come, Thou Almighty King”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

P:  God has made us his people through our Baptism in Christ.  Living together in hope, we confess our faith.

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 into hell.

   On the third day he rose again;

   He ascended into heaven,

   And 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 Christian church.

   The communion of saints

   The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

   And life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

A:  United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

(A brief silence)

A:  Passionate God, you sent your Spirit through the gifts of fire, wind, and word.  As you equipped the disciples for their work, equip us to bring the good news to all those who long for you.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  Ever-present God, your spirit embraces all.  Send your spirit of understanding to immigrants, refugees, and any experiencing language barriers.  Bless the work of translators, ESL teachers, ambassadors, and international peace organizations.  Safely guide those fleeing war and danger.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  Merciful God, you anoint us with your spirit.  Bless nurses, doctors, midwives, chaplains, counselors, and hospice workers as they care for those in need.  We pray for all who seek your comfort (especially…).  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  Generous God, you impart a variety of gifts.  Set aflame the desire to learn from one another, especially those who differ from us.  Make your presence known through missionaries, peace workers, and through the outreach ministries of our synod and community. Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)

(After each petition we respond:)

A:  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

A:  Life-giving God, we give thanks for those who have died to new life in you.  As we observe Memorial Day, we remember those who died in military service.  Comfort all who mourn, and usher in a world where war is no more.  Hear us, O God.

C:  Your mercy is great.

P:  Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, we lift our prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Lord Jesus, you said to your apostles: I leave you my peace, my peace I give you.  Look not on the sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.

C:  Amen.

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

(You may be seated)

THE OFFERING

(Stand as you are able)

THE OFFERTORY:  “As the Grains of Wheat”

(printed on the following page)

THE OFFERTORY PRAYER

A:  Let us pray, Merciful God,

C:  everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.  We joyfully release what you have entrusted to us.  May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

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

C:  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

PROPER PREFACE

P:  It is indeed right and just, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, and to celebrate this day in festal joy.

     For today you completed the paschal mystery, today you sent the Holy Spirit to all whom you raised with Christ and called to be your children.

     On Pentecost you fill your Church with life: your Spirit gives to all peoples the knowledge of the one living God and unites the many tongues in confessing the one faith.

     Therefore all peoples on earth praise you in paschal joy, and we join the praise of heaven and magnify your glory:

THE SANCTUS:

(printed on the following page)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

P:  “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed,

     took bread and when He had given thanks,

     He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying:

    ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.

     Do this in remembrance of Me.’

    “In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, gave thanks,

     and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you;

     this cup is the New Testament in My blood,

     which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.

     Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

     With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

P:  We say together

C:  Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.  Amen

P:  We pray together THE LORD’S PRAYER

C:  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.

THE COMMUNION

P:  The gifts of God for the people of God, feed on them in your heart with thanksgiving.

C:  Amen

(You may be seated)

The Communion follows:

During the communing of Pastor and Assistant the congregation sings “Lamb of God”

(printed on the following page)

(Stand as you are able)

COMMUNION HYMN:  #ELW 396 “Spirit of Gentleness”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A:  Let us pray.

Gracious God, in you we live and move and have our being.  With your word and this meal of grace, you have nourished our life together.  Strengthen us to show your love and serve the world in Jesus’ name.

C:  Amen.

#WOV 681 “Come, O Holy Spirit, Come”

Professor Emerity Nchor-B Okoru

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

Wa Wa Wa Emimimo sung once by Professor in Nigerian

Congregation will sing second time in English

(Candles lit from Christ candle representing Holy Spirit,

Christ candle and all congregation candles extinguished end of last verse)

THE BENEDICTION

P:  The God of all, who raised (+) Jesus from the dead, bless you by the power of the Holy Spirit to live in the new creation.

C:  Amen.

SENDING HYMN:   #ELW 400 “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

DISMISSAL

P:  Go in peace.  Serve the Risen One.

C:  Thanks be to God.

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Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible with Apocrypha.

Copyrighted elements of Revised Common Lectionary, liturgical texts, and liturgical music used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license number SB144485.  All music and portions of the liturgical music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-705233.  All rights reserved.  Clipart and images as reprinted from Churchart.com license.

Scripture Next Sunday: First Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 1:1-2:4a;

Psalm 8;

2 Corinthians 13:11-13;

Matthew 28:16-20

Hymns

(continued on the following page)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

In the event of an emergency you may contact Pastor Gaye at the church office (504) 362-1967.

Cell Phones:  We are requesting that members and visitors please silence your cell phones to “off” while in the sanctuary and we are in worship service.

UPCOMING EVENTS:  

Please consider a donation to the Memorial Engelbracht Guest Musician Fund.  Donation envelopes can be found in the rear of the church.

If you wish to help to aid in the recovery of victims of disaters, donations can be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.

https://milwardfuneral.com/obituaries/2139-kathryn-kathy-thompson-thornton-gamble

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Daily devotional website as suggested by Pastor Lisa Gaye

https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/

Meditation on the Lessons – Take Home

Prayer:

O Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest your word, that we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

1.  Identify a passage from scripture today that touches your life.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit as you write: “From what I’ve heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be?  Is God inviting me to change in any way?

From the Lambeth/African Bible Study Method EPCUSA

Last modified: June 9, 2023