Worship for Sunday, July 11, 2021: Time After Pentecost

An aside in the gospel reading today tells of the death of John the Baptist. In this story we hear a preview of what is to come for Jesus, and a reminder of what happens to many prophets. But, in Christ, the hope of the prophets comes alive. God’s message for all still lives on.
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Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 168; Music: Plainsong mode VI; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. 

Worship for Sunday, July 4, 2021: Time After Pentecost

Jesus returns to his hometown, where we see that faith is an important part of his power on earth. Without it, things just aren’t the same. Through faith, the disciples go out without anything, and see the Spirit at work: in generosity and in the changed lives of many. Faith makes all the difference.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 168; Music: Plainsong mode VI; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. 

Worship for Sunday, June 27, 2021: Time After Pentecost

Healing takes center stage in our gospel reading today. Intentional and unintentional healings surround Jesus, with people coming to him in faith, believing that he has the power to bring life from death.
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Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 168; Music: Plainsong mode VI; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, June 20, 2021: Time After Pentecost

Today in the gospel reading, Jesus stills a storm. As the storm raged around the disciples, they feared for their lives. When we call on Christ, he will calm the storm. The storms of life listen to the Creator of all. His power is greater than all that we fear.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 168; Music: Plainsong mode VI; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, June 13, 2021: Time After Pentecost

Jesus teaches today in parables: stories told about everyday things that give the crowds (and us) images of the Kingdom of God. This kingdom’s growth is mysterious and often hidden, and yet it is powerful enough to become the life and home for the whole world: a tree of life for all of creation.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 168; Music: Plainsong mode VI; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, June 6, 2021: Time After Pentecost

As Jesus’ teaching spreads, some struggle with it and assume he is possessed by a demon. Jesus uses this moment of challenge to teach about the family of God, which is possessed, but by the Holy Spirit! This family is knit together as the body of Christ through baptism in order to be God’s hands and feet in the world.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 168; Music: Plainsong mode VI; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, May 30, 2021: The Holy Trinity

The First Sunday after Pentecost celebrates the Holy Trinity, the idea about who God is: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Three-in-One and One-in-Three. It’s an idea that is difficult if not impossible to explain, but at its core is one concept: God is community, and through Christ we are a part of that community life of God. We are a part of the Trinitarian life of Christ.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 169; Music: Bob Moore, b. 1962; Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!” ELW 413; Text: Reginald Heber, 1783-1826, alt.; Music: NICAEA, John B. Dykes, 1823-1876; Hymn text and tune are in the public domain.

Worship for Sunday, May 23, 2021: Day of Pentecost

“The Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with its gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as it calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith.” (Martin Luther, Small Catechism)

​Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 169; Music: Bob Moore, b. 1962; Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Use with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind” ELW 400; Text: Herman G. Stuempfle Jr., b. 1923; Music: CWM RHONDDA, John Hughes, 1873-1932; Text © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, May 16, 2021: Ascension of Our Lord

Ascension of Our Lord is always celebrated 40 days after Easter, which was last Thursday! But we are celebrating this important day today. Today, we celebrate that day that Jesus ascended, but remember that his presence is still here with us. We are not to sit and look up into heaven but remember that Christ is present all around us, and that the Spirit is calling us out into the world!

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 169; Music: Bob Moore, b. 1962; Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing!” ELW 393; Text: Bede, 673-735; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship; Music: LASST UNS ERFREUEN, Geistliche Kirchengesange, Koln, 1623, arr. hymnal version; Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress; Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, May 9, 2021: 6th Sunday of Easter

Jesus calls on his disciples to love one another, as he loves them. This love is more than just a “surface-level” idea of love, but that deep, abiding love of God that Christ has for all of us. This is a love that will die for a friend, as Christ has died for us all. This is the love that Christ calls us into, the same love that he has for all of us.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 169; Music: Bob Moore, b. 1962; Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” ELW 708; Text: Tom Colvin, 1925-2000, alt.; Music: CHEREPONI, Ghanaian folk tune, adapt. Tom Colvin; arr. Jane Marshal, b. 1924; Text and music © 1969, 1982 Hope Publishing Company; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, May 2, 2021: 5th Sunday of Easter

Our source of life is made clear in today’s reading: Christ. Jesus is the vine on which we grow as branches. We share in the risen life of Christ as the branches share in the life of the vine. Baptism joins us into this life, we are fed at the table, and sent back out to do God’s work in the world.

Hymns: Gospel Acclamation, ELW 169; Music: Bob Moore, b. 1962; Music © 2009 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “O Blessed Spring” ELW 447; Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, b. 1953; Music: BERGLUND, Robert Buckley Farlee, b. 1950; Text © 1993 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg Fortress; Music © 1993 Robert Buckley Farlee, admin. Augsburg Fortress; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, April 25, 2021: 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Today we hear of Jesus as our Good Shepherd, the one who calls our name. We hear his voice calling in our lives, and we know that he has laid down his life for us. This shepherd always watches over his sheep, because this is a relationship built on love; built on Christ’s love for all of Christ’s sheep.

Hymns: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” ELW 789; Text: arr. Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847; Music: BRADBURY, William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “Thine Is the Glory” ELW 376; Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939; Music: JUDAS MACCABAEUS, George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “The Lord’s My Shepherd” ELW 778; Text: The Psalms of David in Meeter, Edinburgh, 1650; Music: BROTHER JAMES’ AIR, James L. Macbeth Bain; arr. Gordon Jacob, 1895-1984; Arr. © Oxford University Press;  Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, April 18, 2021: 3rd Sunday of Easter

On this third Sunday of Easter, Jesus appears to his disciples and shares food with them. As he shares a meal with them, he opens up the Scriptures and reminds them of the meaning of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Word and Meal: A pattern that the church has kept up for 2,000 years. We too are witnesses to all these things. We too are witnesses to God’s work in Jesus’ resurrection.

Hymns: “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!” ELW 377; Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926; Music: EARTH AND ALL STARS, David N. Johnson, 1922-1987; Text © 1995 Augsburg Fortress; Music © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Thine Is the Glory” ELW 376; Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939; Music: JUDAS MACCABAEUS, George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “The Peace of the Lord” ELW 646; Text: Anders Ruuth; tr. Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923; Music: LA PAZ DEL SENOR, Anders Ruuth; arr. hymnal version; Spanish text and music © Anders Ruuth, admin. Augsburg Fortress; English text © Lutheran World Federation; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress;  Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, April 11, 2021: 2nd Sunday of Easter

We gather today with the disciples, huddled in fear after the resurrection. Thomas isn’t sure if the resurrection has happened, the rest of the disciples are hiding behind locked doors. But Jesus enters in and breathes on them the Spirit, and the doors are flung open. A new community is born, and we too are given the courage to go out and share the good news, to declare with Thomas “My Lord and my God!”

Hymns: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia!” ELW 369; Text: attr. Wipo of Burgundy, d. c. 1050; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882, alt.; Music: LLANFAIR, Robert Williams, 1781-1821; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “Thine Is the Glory” ELW 376; Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939; Music: JUDAS MACCABAEUS, George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “We Walk by Faith” ELW 635; Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1871, alt.; Music: SHANTI, Marty Haugen, b. 1950; Music © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, April 4, 2021: Resurrection of Our Lord

On this day, God’s love burst forth from death’s grasp, and we stand with the women at the empty tomb, witnesses to this love in our lives. We say “Alleluia!” and go out to spread the story of Jesus’ resurrection and love in our lives, recognizing that the gospel story is not finished: it goes on in our story!

Hymns: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” ELW 365; Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. . Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4; Music: EASTER HYMN, J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “Thine Is the Glory” ELW 376; Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939; Music: JUDAS MACCABAEUS, George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” ELW 364; Text: Bernard Kyamanywa, b. 1938; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922; Music: MFURAHINI, HALELUYA, Tanzanian traditional; Text © 1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, admin. Augsburg Fortress; Music © Howard S. Olson, admin. Augsburg Fortress; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Good Friday

We gather together for the 2nd of our great three days of worship around Christ's betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. Good Friday takes us to the heart of our humanity and reminds us of our death. But we also are reminded tonight of the powerful message of hope that comes through the cross and empty tomb. We are reminded that, through God's love, life spring's from death.

Worship for Maundy Thursday

 Join us as we gather on the first of the three great days (Maundy Thurday, Good Friday, and Easter) to worship and hear the message of Christ's passion, crucifixion, and resurrection. Tonight's service is the first part of one, larger service that culminates on Easter morning.

Worship for Sunday, March 28, 2021: Palm Sunday

The  Sunday before Easter brings us to Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is a reminder of how quickly things can change in life: On Sunday, the crowds are shouting “Hosanna, praise the Lord!” as Jesus enters Jerusalem; on Friday, these same crowds will be shouting “crucify him!” as Jesus is let out of Jerusalem to be killed. In all of this, we see Jesus’ humility and love, and are reminded of our call to serve others in the same way.

Hymns: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” ELW 344; Text: Theodulph of Orleans, c. 760-821; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, alt.; Music: VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN, Melchior Teschner, 1584-1635; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. Lenten Acclamation, ELW 177; Music: Richard Proulx, b. 1937; Music © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc.; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Ride on, Ride on in Majesty” ELW 346; Text: Henry H. Milman, 1791-1868, alt.; Music: TRURO, T. Williams, Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Midweek worship for Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Join us for our final week of Midweek worship! This week, we explore the theme of obedience and hear from the beloved disciple John, portrayed by Pastor Josh.

Copyrights: “Stay With Me” ELW 348; Text: Taizé Community; Music: STAY WITH ME, Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994; Text and music © 1984 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.
 “Holden Evening Prayer” Text and Music: Marty Haugen; Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, March 21, 2021: 5th Sunday in Lent

As we come to the 5th Sunday in Lent, we hear of a new covenant that God promises to make with God’s people. This will not be a covenant like all the others but will be one that is written on the people’s hearts. Christians will speak of this covenant being made in the person of Jesus: a covenant made with us on the cross and in the empty tomb.

Hymns: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” ELW 338; Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869; Music: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. Lenten Acclamation, ELW 177; Music: Richard Proulx, b. 1937; Music © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc.; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Now the Green Blade Rises” ELW 379; Text: John MacLeod Campbell Crum, 1872-1958; Music: NOEL NOUVELET, French Carol; Text and arr. from Oxford Book of Carols © Oxford University Press 1928; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Midweek worship for Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Midweek Lenten worship for week 4! This week's sermon drama explores the theme of declaration through the character of Peter.

“Take, oh, Take Me as I Am” ELW 814; Text and music: TAKE ME AS I AM, John L. Bell, b. 1949; Text and music © 1995 Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Holden Evening Prayer” Text and Music: Marty Haugen; Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, March 14, 2021: 4th Sunday in Lent

The covenants that are made between God and us are founded on God’s faithfulness, not our ability to be perfect human beings. That is made clear this week: we complain and grumble all the time. We forget to be grateful, and yet God remains faithful and offers us forgiveness, healing, and salvation despite all we do. We can’t be perfect, but that doesn’t stop God’s love and healing from doing its work in our lives.

Hymns: Lenten Acclamation, ELW 177; Music: Richard Proulx, b. 1937; Music © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc.; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “There in God’s Garden” ELW 342, sts. 1-4; Text: Kiraly Imre von Pecselyi, c. 1590-1641; tr. Erik Routley, 1917-1982; Music: SHADES MOUNTAIN, K. Lee Scott, b. 1950; Text © 1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.; Music © 1987 Birnamwood Publications, a div. of MorningStar Publishers, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Midweek Lenten Worship for March 10, 2021: Week 3

Week 3 of our Midweek Lenten Worship Series: At the Crossroads! This week's theme is compassion. Sermon drama is done by Rev. Jeanette Bidne (Trinity, Blue Earth) and Rev. Kristen Venne (Community, Geneva and Trinity, New Richland), and is recorded at Hayward Lutheran.

“Ubi Caritas et Amor” ELW 642; Text: Latin antiphon, 9th cent.; Taizé Community; Music: TAIZE UBI CARITAS, Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994; Text and music © 1979 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.
“Holden Evening Prayer” Text and Music: Marty Haugen; Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, March 7, 2021: 3rd Sunday in Lent

As we continue to explore the covenants found in the Hebrew Bible, this week we look at the 10 commandments. How do these 10 commandments guide our lives, lived with God and with one another? This question gets at the heart of our calling as baptized children of God and what it means to live out of that identity in our everyday lives.

Hymns: “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery” ELW 334; Text and Music: THOMAS, Marty Haugen, b. 1950; Text and music © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. Lenten Acclamation, ELW 177; Music: Richard Proulx, b. 1937; Music © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc.; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” ELW 803; Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748; Music: HAMBURG, Lowell Mason, 1792-1872; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Midweek worship for Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Week 2 of our Midweek Lenten worship!
Theme: Judgement; Character: Pilate

“Jesus, Remember Me” ELW 616; Text: Luke 23:42; Taizé Community; Music: REMEMBER ME, Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994; Text and music © 1981 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.
​“Holden Evening Prayer” Text and Music: Marty Haugen; Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, February 28, 2021: 2nd Sunday in Lent

In the second week of Lent, we remember the covenant God made with Abraham and Sarah. This promise took time, was full of frustration, but showed this old couple that God was faithful. Our own lives may be full of struggles, but we too can cling to the cross and to the promises of God, promises that might take a lifetime to come to fruition. 

Hymns: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” ELW 324; Text: John Bowring, 1792-1872; Music: RATHBUN, Ithamar Conkey, 1815-1867; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN. Lenten Acclamation, ELW 177; Music: Richard Proulx, b. 1937; Music © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc.; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” ELW 335; Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915; Music: NEAR THE CROSS, William H. Doane, 1832- 1915; Hymn text and tune are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Midweek Lenten Worship for February 24, 2021: Week 1

Week 1 of our Midweek Lenten worship! This week's sermon drama is done by Pastor Josh (Hayward) and Pastor Erica (Salem).
Theme: Betrayal; Character: Judas

Music: “O Lord, Hear My Prayer” ELW 751; Text: Psalm 102:1-2; Taizé Community, adapt.; Music: HEAR MY PRAYER, Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994; Text and music © 1982, 1991 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.
​“Holden Evening Prayer” Text and Music: Marty Haugen; Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Sunday, February 21, 2021: 1st Sunday in Lent

Following Jesus’ baptism, and before he begins his mission, he goes into the wilderness and is tempted. The baptismal life we are all a part of doesn’t mean that life will be free of danger, temptation, or struggles. In this gospel reading, we witness Jesus entering our journey of life and faith: baptism, struggle, and mission.

Hymns:  “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” ELW 325; Text and music: SOJOURNER, African American Spiritual; arr. hymnal version; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. Lenten Acclamation, ELW 177; Music: Richard Proulx, b. 1937; Music © 1975 GIA Publications, Inc.; Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved. “Bless Now, O God, the Journey” ELW 326; Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1955-1993; Music: LLANGLOFFAN, Welsh tune, 19th cent.; Text © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc.; Reprinted and used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-722483. All rights reserved.

Worship for Ash Wednesday: February 17, 2021

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