ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 3, 2026
As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Harry Rowe Shelley
Ben Ruby, baritone & Gene Hodges, tenor
GATHERING
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!
Amen.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister continues.
Merciful God, you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation: morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us, including our beautiful local lakes.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows.
Break down barriers that divide us. Fill us with the breath of peace.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism, and for making us a new creation. We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise, now and forever.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
ELW 645
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ, our head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion's help forever
and our confidence alone.
To this temple, where we call you,
come, O Lord of hosts, and stay;
come, with all your lovingkindness,
hear your people as they pray;
and your fullest benediction
shed within these walls today.
Here bestow on all your servants
what they seek from you to gain;
what they gain from you, forever
with the blessed to retain;
and hereafter in your glory
evermore with you to reign.
Praise and honor to the Father,
praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit,
ever three and ever one:
one in might and one in glory
while unending ages run!
PRESENTATION FOR HOLY BAPTISM
God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world.
Parents and godparents present the candidate:
We present Isabella for baptism.
The presiding minister addresses parents and godparents:
Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have Isabella baptized into Christ?Response: We do.
As you bring Isabella to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: to live with her among God's faithful people, bring her to the Word of God and the Holy Supper, teach her the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in her hands the Holy Scriptures, and nurture her in faith and prayer, so that your child may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.
Jalen and Karla, do you promise to help Isabella grow in the Christian faith and life?
Response: We do.
The presiding minister addresses godparents:
Amanda and Devon, do you promise to nurture Isabella in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God's Spirit, and to help her live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church?
Response: We do.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly: People of God, do you promise to support Isabella and pray for her in her new life in Christ?
We do.
The assembly stands.
Profession Of Faith
The presiding minister addresses the full assembly:
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.
Three Renunciation Questions
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
We renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
We renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
We renounce them.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
BAPTISM OF ISABELLA SHEA HARMONY BANKS
Isabella, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed be God: the source of all life, the word of salvation, the spirit of mercy.
The presiding minister continues:
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit, you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life.
Laying both hands on the head of the newly baptized, the minister prays:
Sustain Isabella with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.
The presiding minister marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of each of the baptized. Oil prepared for this purpose may be used. As the sign of the cross is made, the minister says: Isabella, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.
WELCOME
A lighted candle is given to the newly baptized as assisting minister says: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Ministers and baptismal group face the assembly.
Assisting minister leads the assembly in the welcome.
APOSTOLIC 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.
KYRIE (page 98)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE (page 101)
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor, glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Proverbs 4:10-18
0 Hear, my child, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 119:25-32 (We will read the Psalm responsively by whole verse.)
25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word.
26 I have recounted my ways, and you answered me;
instruct me in your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your commandments,
that I will meditate on your marvelous works.
28 My soul melts away from sorrow;
sustain me according to your word.
29 Take from me the way of lying,
let me find grace through your teaching.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set your judgments before me.
31 I hold fast to your decrees;
O Lord, do not put me to shame.
32 I run the way of your commandments,
for you increase my heart's capacity.
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”
8 and
“A stone that makes them stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
GOSPEL: John 14:1-14
The Holy Gospel according to John, the 14th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Baptized and Set Free
ELW 453
We are people created,
chosen by God.
Then we're washed, ever gently,
in mercy and love.
Sin has power no more.
Jesus opened the door
to a fountain bringing healing,
and wholeness and more.
We are fed and we're nourished,
filled and refreshed.
Then our hunger returns and
again we are blessed.
For whatever the need,
God is greater indeed:
endless ocean, always deeper
than all of our need.
We are nourished by water,
all living things,
and by life that the Spirit
abundantly brings.
As we journey toward home,
may your presence be known:
precious river, ever-flowing,
now carry us home.
Now with praise and thanksgiving,
we join the song.
All are welcome! We gather
to sing loud and strong.
Not enslaved, but set free!
From now on, all will be
one in Jesus, one in water,
baptized and set free!
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
A brief silence.
God of glory, you have built your church on Christ the cornerstone. Inspire lay leaders, deacons, pastors, and bishops to proclaim forgiveness and your steadfast love to all whom they encounter. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of majesty, you bring forth plants and animals, skies and seas, mountains and valleys. Inspire us to protect your creation from pollution and climate change. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of justice, bring an end to war and genocide around the world. Guide political leaders and organizations to be agents of compassion, and raise up advocates for those who seek refuge and assistance. Inspire us to work towards an end to gun violence and a world of safety and peace.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of healing, you comfort those who are sick, console those who grieve, provide for those in need, and soothe those in distress, especially Mary, Barbara, Mabel, Doris, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Avery, Dean, John, Abby, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max. Encourage caregivers with compassion and stamina to be your healing hands in this world. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of union, you call us together as your people for mutual support and to witness to your love in the world. Make your presence known among those unable to attend worship today. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of life, you have come to be with your people, and made space in yourself so that we are never separated from you. We give you thanks for the faithful departed who witnessed to your love in their words and actions, especially Anne Guilford. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
GRATITUDE
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
OFFERTORY
Celtic Prayer
Cabaniss
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 181
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to com.
OFFERING PRAYER
Merciful God,
accept the fruits of our labor, gathered to give you glory.
You have set a table before us, a glimpse of that great day
when we will hunger and thirst no more.
Nourish us with the body and blood of Jesus,
that goodness and mercy may follow us
and bless the world you love.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (page 107)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (page 108)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
In the night in which he was handed over,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, 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 sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
LORD'S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
All baptized children of God are invited to the Lord’s Table, where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We partake at the communion rail; gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and we will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Anyone may remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer, following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the table of new life.
Receive the risen Lord.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
In This Feast of Love
ACS 962
In this feast of love,
in this feast of love,
Lord, you share your blood and your body,
Jesus, Lamb of God.
In this bread and wine,
in this bread and wine,
you have promised, Lord, to be with us,
Lamb of God divine.
Grant us peace, O Lord,
grant us peace, O Lord;
fill us with the joy of your Spirit,
ever-living Word.
Here Is Bread
ELW 483
Here is bread here is wine
Christ is with us He is with us
Break the bread drink the wine
Christ is with us here
Refrain
In this bread there is healing
In this cup there's life forever
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here
Here is grace here is peace
Christ is with us He is with us
Know His grace find His peace
Feast on Jesus here Refrain
Here we are joined in one
Christ is with us He is with us
We'll proclaim 'til He comes
Jesus crucified Refrain
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Holy One, through this meal you have made your home among us
and are making all things new.
Send us now to speak peace to anxious hearts, to love our enemies,
and to bring your healing to the nations.
In the name of Jesus our crucified and risen Lord.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death
ELW 452
Awake, O sleeper, rise from death,
and Christ shall give you light;
so learn his love, its length and breadth,
its fullness, depth, and height.
To us on earth he came to bring
from sin and fear release,
to give the Spirit's unity,
the very bond of peace.
There is one body and one hope,
one Spirit and one call,
one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,
one God who made us all.
Then walk in love as Christ has loved,
who died that he might save;
with kind and gentle hearts forgive
as God in Christ forgave.
For us Christ lived, for us he died,
and conquered in the strife.
Awake, arise, go forth in faith,
and Christ shall give you life.
BENEDICTION
God the Creator, the beginning and the end,
Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
and the Spirit, our advocate and guide,
+ bless you now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
Prelude and Fugue in G major
Johann Sebastian Bach
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings and sundaysandseasons.com, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, Music: Harry Rowe Shelley, 1858-1947. Arr. © 2010 Hal Leonard Corporation. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation, Text: Latin hymn, c. 7th cent; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, alt. Music: Henry Purcell, 1659-1695; arr. Ernest Hawkins, 1802-1868. Public domain.
Baptized and Set Free, Text and music: Cathy Skogen-Soldner, b. 1956. Text and music © 1999 Augsburg Fortress, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Celtic Prayer, Text and music: Mark Cabaniss, arr. John Purifoy, b. 1952. Text and Music © 1997 Hal Leonard Corporation. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress, Music © 2004 Augsburg Fortress, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
In This Feast of Love, Text: Jarkko Maukonen; tr. Mark Sedio, b. 1954. Music: Jarkko Maukonen; arr. Mark Sedio. Text and music © 2017, 2020 Jarkko Maukonen, admin Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Here Is Bread, Text and Music: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950. Text and music © 1991 Make Way Music, admin. Music Services. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death, Text: F. Bland Tucker, 1895-1984. Text © 1980 Augsburg Publishing House. Text reprinted and streamed with permission under One License A-722274. All right reserved. Music: Carl G. Gläser, 1784-1829. Public domain.
Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 557, Music: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1665-1750. Public domain.
