PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING HYMN: 504 A MIGHT FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
STORY BEHIND THE HYMN
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy. Amen.
Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: God, our provider,
C: help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen.
P: Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (read in unison)
Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
READINGS
Isaiah 6:1-8
1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
Romans 8:12-17
12Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
GOSPEL: John 3:1-17
HOLY GOSPEL
P: The Holy Gospel of John Chapter 3 and I read in Jesus’ name.
C: Glory to you O Lord. (Reading of the Gospel)
1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
INTRODUCTION TO THE HYMN SING AND HYMN STORY SERVICE
HYMN: 638 BLESSED ASSURANCE
HYMN STORY
HYMN: 785 IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
HYMN STORY
STATEMENT OF 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 to the dead; 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 catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN: 818 O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH YOU
HYMN STORY
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P: . . . Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
OFFERING
We join Christians all over the world in worshipping God through our giving of financial resources. For members and friends, the mission and ministry of this congregation is completely dependent upon your generous giving. Our offering is a significant act of worship, and we now worship God through our giving. If you have brought your offering with you today, please place it in the basket in the back as you leave. You may send your giving to the church office or give through the link on our website. Thank you for supporting our ministry.
HYMN STORY (Introduce the next hymn.)
SENDING HYMN: 595 JESUS LOVES ME!
BENEDICTION
P: Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God.
FLOWERS AT GRACE given today by Dave and Michelle Clark in honor of Keith’s high school graduation.
COFFEE HOUR will resume on June 6. Grace members may sign by to serve coffee and bring treats in the back of the church.
THE ELROY SENIOR MEALS SITE is looking for volunteers when they reopen the meals site soon. Volunteers are needed to serve out meals and do dishes; clear tables and clean up; or transport people to the site. Volunteers are scheduled ahead, generally for two days per week. Volunteers receive a free meal. Contact Karen Nelson at 462-5175 to volunteer.
GRACE’S FLOWER CHART: The Grace congregation will again be taking requests to give flowers in memory or in honor of a person or event. Two nice altar bouquets are provided for each Sunday. The cost is $28 to sponsor the flowers and you may take them home after the service. You may sign up on the chart in the hallway. Let us fill the year with flowers!
GRACE CHURCH GARAGE SALE is open again. It will be open Fridays 10AM-2PM and Saturdays 9AM to Noon continuously through the summer weather permitting. The money collected is used to maintain the elevator at Grace. This also serves as an outreach to the Elroy community. Donations are being accepted. They can left in the garage behind the church. We do not accept TVs, computers, printers, or anything you would need to pay to have disposed of. Any questions, call Karen Nelson at 608-547-4108.
ELROY AREA FOOD PANTRY says “Thank You” to the Grace Lutheran Church for allowing them to have the food pantry in church building and for all who help with the food distribution.
+ Together in Mission +
WELCOME! If you are a visitor, please fill out a “Welcome Card” and drop it in the offering plate. Fountain Grace Trinity Lutheran Parish is a congregation of the ELCA in the La Crosse Area Synod. We invite you to participate with us in following Christ as he leads.
Parish Office: 226 Erickson Street, Elroy WI 53929 Parish E-mail: fgtlpadmin@centurytel.net Phone: (608)462-5398 Sunday Organist: Heather Vlasak Sunday Pianist: Bev Rood
Parish Secretary: Kris Stauffacher; Grace Custodian: Dave Clark
Check us out on our web page www.fgtlp.org
AND find us on Facebook search @FGTLutheranParish
We gather each week to worship God, Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. at Grace & each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Trinity or Fountain.
Our Communion invitation is for all who seek to partake of the real presence of Christ in this meal. All are welcome to the Lord’s Table.
Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 AM—1 PM
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