Day of Pentecost
Christ Lutheran Church
Deepening people’s connections to Christ
Bringing meaning to daily life
Making a difference in our community
Welcome to Worship!
All are welcome, and we are glad you are with us as we pray and worship together, growing in faith as followers of Christ.
Today’s Worship Theme: We have received a Spirit not of fear but of truth, for we are children of God!
We give thanks for our choir on their last Sunday of the season, and bless the staff, leaders, and volunteers who have made our ministry possible!
Masks are optional in the sanctuary since Covid levels have decreased in the community. Thank you for silencing your cell phones.
We extend a special welcome to guests worshipping with us today! Please sign the visitor log in the narthex or sign-in on Zoom in the live chat. We hope you’ll feel welcomed and spiritually nourished. If you’d like to speak to the pastor about the congregation, please let her know directly or call the church office at 314-962-6011.
We welcome young children to worship. Children’s bulletins and bags with children’s materials are available in the narthex.
We will celebrate communion together. Those on Zoom are invited to gather the bread and wine and join us for worship. All are welcome at God’s table!
This bulletin will be your guide in Worship. In our spoken readings and prayers, the congregation speaks the items in bold.
Assistive Listening Devices are available at the rear of the sanctuary. Please see an usher for use instructions.
We are here to help you! To be added to our e-mail list, to have a hymnal delivered to your home, or to get a printed bulletin mailed to you, or of there is any other way we can assist you, please let us know.
Sunday, May 28, 10:00 am
Click to join Zoom Worship or
Call in from any phone 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 278 217 453 Password: 971744
GATHERING
PRELUDE – Komm Heiliger Geist – J.G. Walther
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SILENT MEDITATION Let us prepare for worship by quieting our hearts and minds.
Please stand in body or spirit.
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.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Every week, we start out by remembering that we are God’s children. Sometimes, we take time to ask for God’s forgiveness and help using a Confession and Forgiveness, because we all make mistakes! Other Sundays, we remember our baptisms, and celebrate God’s love and the gift of life.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. We give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water is poured into the font.
We give you thanks, holy God, for you created the waters of the earth; wide oceans, rushing streams, clear lakes, mighty Mississippi River. You led your people through the sea and called them to life in covenant with you. Your Child was baptized in the River Jordan and continued a mission among us. You pour out your Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth. Through this water remind us of the gift of baptism. Renew in us your promise so that we may serve this world in all its need; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Light, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN – 943 As the Wind Song
We sing in Worship because it is a way to come together and pray to God as a family. And then, we offer one another peace, promising to love, forgive, and care for one another.
SIGN OF PEACE Peace Be With You!
HYMN OF PRAISE This is the Feast, Setting 4
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. God of signs and wonders, like a rushing wind your Spirit moved upon the first disciples on the day of Pentecost, and lit the fire of hope and life in their hearts and minds. Send your Spirit upon your church in this time and place, and make us prophetic witnesses to your hope and love for the world. Amen.
Please be seated.
WORD
We Lutherans call the Bible the “Living Word.” It was written a long time ago by people who were inspired by God to share about their faith. It is “living” because even today, reading the Bible helps us learn about God, and how to bring God’s love and mercy to the world. So, every week, we read from the Bible together at Worship. We call this part of the service “The Word” because we read the word of God!
Reader: Megan Meadows
FIRST LESSON Acts 2:1-21
The First Lesson is from Acts, chapter two.
1When the day of Pentecost had come, the apostles were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
[Everyone call out, in any language!] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages!
5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But 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. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, 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. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 104:24-34, 35b
We will read Psalm 104 responsively.
Leader: 24How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
People: 25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its swarms too many to number, living things both small and great.
Leader: 26There go the ships to and fro, and Leviathan, which you made for the sport of it.
People: 27All of them look to you to give them their food in due season.
Leader: 28You give it to them; they gather it; you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
People: 29When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
Leader: 30You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth.
People: 31May the glory of the Lord endure forever; O Lord, rejoice in all your works.
Leader: 32You look at the earth and it trembles; you touch the mountains and they smoke.
People: 33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being.
Leader: 34May these words of mine please God. I will rejoice in the Lord.
People: 35bBless the Lord, O my soul. Hallelujah!
SECOND LESSON 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
The second lesson is from 1 Corinthians, chapter twelve.
3bNo one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to 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. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
12For 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. 13For 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.
Please stand in body or spirit.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia Setting 4
Reader: Pastor Meagan
GOSPEL John 20:19-23
The Holy Gospel according to St. John, chapter twenty, Glory to you, O Lord.
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON
CHILDREN’S SERMON
BLESSING OF STAFF, TEACHERS, AND LEADERS FOR EDUCATION AND MUSIC
As our program year ends, we take a few minutes to bless all of the leaders, volunteers, and staff who have made ministry possible this year. Leaders and staff, please come forward, and all who have ministered with them throughout the year, please stand!
Let us pray. Creative God, thank you for the staff, teachers, and leaders who supported our education, music, service, fellowship, and caring programs throughout the year. Thank you for their ministry in our congregation, and for all those who have ministered with them.
As we enter into summer, renew all who have led and lived in faith in so many ways. During the months of respite, fill them with joy, love, hope, patience, and openness to your Spirit moving among us. May their hearts and minds be open to those around them, and the adventures they will experience in this season of rest. May the faithful ministry of music, service, learning, and caring we have shared inspire us, and may we return to our programs in the fall ready once again to welcome and serve as Jesus did.
God bless them and keep them. Make your face shine upon them, and be gracious to them. Lift up your face upon them and give them peace. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Please stand in body or spirit.
HYMN OF THE DAY – 674 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
APOSTLES’ CREED
Each week, we say a creed, a statement of what we believe as Christians. We say it every week, because we are all still learning about our faith, and it helps to practice it together. We use different words sometimes, but we always say that we believe that God created all things, that God came in Jesus to show us how much he loves us, and that the Holy Spirit brings life, courage, and hope.
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.
Please be seated.
PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The Prayers of Intercession are when we pray together as God’s family. “Intercession” means we are praying for each other, and for the world, not only for ourselves.
Prayer Leader: James Gilliland
Please stand in body or spirit.
United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Passionate God, you sent your Spirit through the gifts of fire, wind, and word. As you equipped the disciples for their work, equip us at Christ Lutheran and around the world to bring the good news to all those who long for you. Risen Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Restoring God, wind and flame bring life and destruction throughout the world. We pray for those who work with wind energy, for migratory birds, for protection for lands facing destructive fire, for forestry managers and firefighters. Renew the face of the earth. Risen Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
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. Risen Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Generous God, you impart a variety of gifts. Set aflame the desire to learn from one another, especially those who differ from us. Empower and inspire us to use the gifts we have that all may know your radical love and grace. Today we especially give thanks for our Director of Choirs Diane Drollinger and her 25 years of faithful ministry of music with Christ Lutheran Church, and the ministry of our choir, who will rest for the summer season and return to bless us again in the fall. Risen Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Presider
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. We pray especially for those named in Remembering One Another in Prayer, and those named by we who gather this morning . . . Risen Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
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. Risen Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
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. Amen.
Please be seated.
OFFERING
We are called to be stewards of all of God’s abundance, so that the community in which we are planted may thrive: time, presence, and skills, and God’s creation. We are also called to financially embody care for our community inside and outside our sanctuary. Please support our ministries as you are able. To support ministry financially, you can give electronically on our website, or send a check in to the office. If you give electronically, place the “I give electronically” slip from your pew in the basket if you wish.
OFFERTORY – Komm Heiliger Geist – Johann Sebastian Bach
Please stand in body or spirit.
OFFERTORY HYMN – 942 Every Time I Feel the Spirit, v. 1, 2
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Let us pray. Almighty God, we have opened our hands to you, and our hands have been filled with good things. Receive the gifts we bring in gratitude for your care for us, that all the world may be blessed with your generous Spirit. Amen.
MEAL
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
When Jesus was here on earth, he had meals with all different people, everywhere he went. Sometimes he even got into trouble because people didn’t like who he ate with! At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples they should eat with one another, so they would remember that no matter what, Jesus is right here with us, not just in our imaginations, but in the bread and wine we share together. We have Communion every week so we remember Jesus is with us, and invites us to care for each other as he did.
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for you have amazed us with your unfailing love. With your own hands you shaped the creation and filled the earth with your wonders. You breathed into us and we rose from the dust; the face of the earth came alive. From the cloud you spoke to Moses and through your prophets you promised
to pour out your Spirit on all creation. In these last days you sent your child, Jesus the Christ, to speak your words of mercy and peace. Though he was killed, you raised him to new life, and now he comes to all who are thirsty, pouring out the new wine of the Spirit, intoxicating us with visions and dreams, awakening within us your marvelous gifts of wisdom, faith, healing, prophesy and discernment, and firing our tongues with everlasting songs of joy.
And so, with the earth and all of its creatures, with all of your children of all corners of the earth, and with all of the angels and saints, we join your joyful hymn of praise.
SANCTUS Setting 4
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread 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 sins. Do this for the remembrance of me.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
We say the Lord’s Prayer together every week, because when the disciples wanted to know how to pray, this is how Jesus taught them. We are reminded that God loves us like a parent. We ask God to provide what we need, help us to follow God, and to forgive us when we make mistakes. And we remember that everything belongs to God.
In faith and hope, let us join together in praying the words that 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 THE TABLE
Gathered together, separated by space, but not by time, let us, people of all ages and genders and histories, eat the bread, and drink the wine. Come to the table and be nourished with Christ’s love in his body and blood.
Please be seated.
For those in the sanctuary, we invite you to come forward, waiting at the front pew until it is your household’s turn to receive communion. We will serve communion by intinction, with the servers dipping the bread into the wine for you.
For those on Zoom, we invite you to take time right now to break bread, and know that this whole community of faith joins in the meal with you. Peace be upon you this day!
AGNUS DEI Setting 4
COMMUNION HYMNS
395 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
396 Spirit of Gentleness
Please stand in body or spirit.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Each week, we are nourished and fed as we gather in the sanctuary and on Zoom to celebrate communion together. And each week, members of this community bring the sacred meal to those who are unable to be with us for Worship. Share not only the sacrament we have celebrated, but also the love of God and the Christ Lutheran Church family.
Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, Living Water, Breath of Life, for nourishing our roots and creating us anew in this meal. By the power of your Spirit, renew us to live as your body, alive for a future of praise, empowered for decades of witness and service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
SENDING
BENEDICTION
We come to Worship every week so we can go out and bring God’s love to the world, so we always end Worship with a Benediction–a blessing–to help us do that.
May the grace of God bless you with peace. May the love of Christ sustain you in joy, and the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with courage, this day and forever more! Amen!
CLOSING HYMN – 400 God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind, v. 1, 2, 4
CHARGE
Go out in the world and share the good news! Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE – Komm Heiliger Geist, Fantasia Supra – Johann Sebastian Bach
WORSHIP LEADERS AND ASSISTANTS
We would like to thank those who helped with worship today:
Usher: Sherry Mitchler, Mike Hoyer
Key Person: Sherry Mitchler (open), Keith Lissant (close)
Acolyte: Micah Ruff
Assisting Minister: James Gilliland
Altar Guild: Keith & Nancy Lissant
Flower Team: Nancy Lissant, Harriet Scholle
Lector: Megan Meadows
Counter: Susan DeBusk
Zoom Host: Kersten Horn
Organist: Mark Ruff
Preacher & Presider: Rev. Meagan McLaughlin, Pastor
Acknowledgments: Portions of today’s service are from: All Creation Sings published by Augsburg Fortress, copyright 2020; Lutheran Book of Worship published by Augsburg Publishing, copyright 1978; Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1, copyright 2012, printed by Westminster John Knox Press, Creative Worship Resources, Creative Communications for the Parish, reprinted by permission, all rights reserved; Now the Feast and Celebration, copyright 1990, printed by G.I.A. Publications; Sundays and Seasons, Year C 2022, copyright 2021; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006, printed by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, Minnesota, reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-71-939, all rights reserved.
REMEMBERING ONE ANOTHER IN PRAYER
Please include the following people in your prayer life during this week. To add a name to the Prayer List, inform Pastor Meagan (pastor@christwg.org or 314-962-6012) or our Church Administrator, Mahlik Good (mahlik@christwg.org). Please assure that the individual agrees to have his or her name printed in the bulletin.
ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS: Those who are suffering from chronic pain & diseases, Shelly Madden, Linda Armstrong, Gege Brightman, Christine Austin, Kate and Brian Bates (John Hoffmann’s sister and brother-in-law), Evan Deck, Helga Hayes, Joan (friend of the Roocks), John Hoffmann, Bev & Al Marcus (friend of John Hoffmann), Anna McIntyre, Donna Munger, Doris & Harry Rahlfs (Karen Wood’s parents), Shirley Wolf, Wayne Wellman (Susanne Reimer-Fey’s brother), Kerry Munger (son of Donna Munger), and Steve Hoerchler (Phil Hoerchler’s father).
IN BLESSED MEMORY: For all of those who have died and all of those who grieve, that they may know the presence of God who grieves with us.
IN MILITARY SERVICE: Josh Duncan, Chris Hudson, Jesse Proctor, Scott Warr.
A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
WELCOME, GROW, SERVE IN CHRIST
1 Selma Avenue at Lockwood
Webster Groves, Missouri 63119-3199
Telephone: 314-962-6011
E-mail: office@christwg.org
Website: http://www.christwg.org
Rev. Meagan McLaughlin, Pastor
Pastor’s Contact Information: 314-962-6012 | pastor@christwg.org
Organist – Mark Ruff
Director of Choirs – Diane Drollinger
Church Administrator – Mahlik Good
Church Council President – Jessica Gunther
Stephen Leaders – Linda Griffith and Carolyn Crowe
Director of Senior Adult Ministries and Faith Community Nurse – Carolyn Crowe
A designated Webster University Campus Ministry congregation
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Called to Welcome and Serve 