And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:11)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
HYMNS FOR THE WEEK
- Opening Hymn “Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels” (LSB 491)
- Hymn of the Day “Christ Is the Worlds Redeemer (LSB 539) Text here.
- Communion Distribution Hymns
- “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy” (LSB 590)
- “Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray” (LSB 623) Text here.
- “Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand” (LSB 564)
- “Hear Us, Father, When We Pray” (LSB 773)
- “What Is This Bread” (LSB 629)
- “God Has Spoken by His Prophets” (LSB 583)
- Closing Hymn “New Songs of Celebration Render” (LSB 792) Please note that the video is not the hymn from LSB but same tune.
seventh sunday in easter
HE HAS RISEN, HE HAS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA!
Sermon Starter
“There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all.”
Those are words of a song written in 1985 by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. While you might not recognize the verse, you will, no doubt, recognize the name of the song. “We Are the World” was composed and performed throughout the US and around the world in an effort to alleviate hunger in Africa. The song was dusted off and used again in a campaign to encourage giving for the overwhelming human need in the little island nation of Haiti.
While the need in Africa in 1985 was quite real and while Haiti continues to suffer extreme poverty and devastation from earthquakes, it takes more than a song to bring people together for a cause. Especially when the effort pretends to exalt life as the “greatest gift of all” when, in fact, life, in this world in which we live is considered quite expendable. Striving to save the lives of people in other countries does not cover up the fact that our culture has become what Pope John Paul II so aptly called a culture of death.
Collect of the Day
O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.