Welcome to

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 202 Van Buren Street

Evans City, Pennsylvania 16033-1127 (724) 538-5810

Pastor Brandon Johns May 31, 2020

10:15 Worship Service

Pentecost

John answered them all,

“I baptize you with water,

but one more powerful than I am is coming…

HE WILL BAPTIZE

YOU WITH

THE HOLY SPIRIT

AND FIRE.”

Luke 3:16

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Prelude Holy Spirit, Truth Divine Franz J. Haydn Bell Ringing

CALL TO WORSHIP On the first Christian Pentecost, there were surprises: The rush of a violent wind and tongues of fire. On this Pentecost, we can receive the surprises of God. We can be moved to speak and act in new ways. With hesitant eagerness, we welcome the Spirit. We will risk stepping into God’s vision for us.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

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THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation. Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your image and planted us in a well-watered garden. In the desert you promised pools of water for the parched, and you gave us water from the rock. When we did not know the way, you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters. At the cross, you watered us from Jesus’ wounded side, and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life. We praise you for your grace conveyed through water and Word, for the water in this font, words of promise spoken and heard here, and the baptisms we have witnessed; and for refreshing and renewing waters and words everywhere. Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love. Satisfy the thirsty, and give us the life only you can give. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

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GATHERING HYMN: Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling

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.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful

people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of

that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and

rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son

and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and forever. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

First Reading: Acts 2:1-21 1When the day of Pentecost had come, [the disciples] 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. 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.

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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.’”

A: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God!

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (Read in Unison) 24How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures. 25Yonder is the sea, great and wide,

with its swarms too many to number, living things both small and great. 26There go the ships to and fro, and Leviathan, which you made for the sport of it. 27All of them look to you to give them their food in due season. 28You give it to them; they gather it; you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. 29When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath,

they die and return to their dust. 30You send forth your Spirit, and they created; and so you renew the face of the earth. 31May the glory of the LORD endure forever; O LORD, rejoice in all your works. 32You look at the earth and it trembles; you touch the mountains and they smoke.

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33I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. 34May these words of mine please God. I will rejoice in the LORD. 35bBless the LORD, O my soul. Hallelujah!

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 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.

A: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God!

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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Gospel: John 7:37-39 The holy gospel according to John, the 7th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

37On the last day of the festival [of Booths], the great day, while Jesus was standing [in the temple], he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

This is the Holy Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON

“As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s

heart shall flow rivers of living water.’”

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HYMN OF THE DAY: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart

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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, 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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

We call on your spirit of unity, giving thanks for our different vocations. Activate and utilize the diverse gifts present in your church, that they reveal your love for all.

The response for each petition is: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.

We pass the peace of Christ, which is wholeness through reconciliation, from wherever we are, trusting the Holy Spirit, who makes us one, moves between us no matter the distance.

ANTHEM It Only Takes a Spark sung by Anna Johns

OFFERING

As we live in our current reality of a community in diaspora, financial offerings can still be dropped off at the church, mailed, or made electronically (tithe.ly app, etc.). As always, these avenues of offering are for the sake of serving the desire of the community to steward the gifts God has given us, not as a demand for your salvation. Please remember that although we are physically apart for a time, St. Peter’s remains a hub of ministry and service, and relies on your ongoing financial support to ensure our ministry of worship, faith formation, and care for one another and our neighbor is able to continue.

OFFERTORY PRAYER Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, when and how we are made able, through the power of Jesus, our risen Savior and Lord. Amen.

CANTICLE OF THANKSGIVING

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THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things: you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise. By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts: freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise. Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise. Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER Lord, remember us in your kingdom and help 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

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BENEDICTION The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.

The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.

SENDING SONG: God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind

SHARING FOR SERVING: BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES AND MISSION NOTICES

DISMISSAL Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! By the power of the Holy Spirit, you are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

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POSTLUDE Chorus of the Blessed Spirits Christopher W. Von Gluck

RECOGNITION OF ARTISTS:

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #24133. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Prayers Have Been Requested Recently For The Following

Ruth Roberts (surgery) Daisy Trout Joyce Hays Rick Roberts (Broken Foot) Kathy Pfeifer Eilene Budisky (Shoulder Surgery) The Family of Jean Sutton Jess LaCava (pancreatic cancer) Sandy Zacherl Charles Sinz The Family of Ruby Smith

Please hold these members and friends of St. Peter’s in your prayers.

St. Peter’s Upcoming Events:

Please check out our website for the most up to date information regarding activities here at St. Peters:

www.stpeterslutheranevanscity.org You can also find previous worship services on the website that can be watched at any time.

Devotions Daily at 11:30am

Our Monthly Benevolent Cause for June

Our Monthly Benevolent Cause for June will support

Evans City Fire Dept. If you would like to support this

cause, please mark the other line on your

contribution envelope EC Fire Dept.

A special service will be held next Sunday evening (June 7) in

addition to the regular worship service. Please watch for an email

regarding instructions, a zoom link, and the time for the service.

The Eternal Candle

is given in loving memory

of Sue Ludwik

by Joe Ludwik & Family

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Today’s Pentecost Flowers Are Sponsored by the following:

In Loving Memory Of

- Dean McMillen by Mary Belle McMillen

- Frank & Freda Merrison, and John Watson Sr. & Ruth Corfield

by Debbie & Jim Merrison

- Paul Wingard, and Charles M. & Mabel A. Peters by Lucille

Wingard

- Heinie & Mary Jane Raupp Sr. and John & Ruth Watson by Heinie

& Mary Jane Raupp

- Bob Domhoff and Charles M. & Mabel A. Peters

by Marlene Domhoff

- Loved ones by Don & Marsha Reedy

- Harold R. Graham by Barb Graham

-Edward Kerr, Floyd & Elizabeth Reinhart by Carol Kerr & Family

In Honor Of

- Patty & Charlie Flach, Joe Ludwik, and Troy & Beverly

by Mary Belle McMIllen

- Our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren

by Heinie & Mary Jane Raupp

- Our family by Don & Marsha Reedy

- Children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren by Barb Graham

-My children & My 35 grand & great

grandchildren by Carol Kerr

To The Glory of God

- By Charlie & Patti Flach

- By Helen Barto

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Welcome to St. Peter’s

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray that your

worship experience will fill you with the grace and

mercy of Almighty God through his Holy Spirit.

Newcomers and Guests

New to St. Peter’s? We are glad you found us.

Please check in with Pastor by calling or email to talk about

what St. Peter’s is like under regular conditions and so you can

be connected with the ministries we are holding in old and

new ways during these social distance times.

Staying in Touch:

Please feel free to contact us by phone or internet:

Church Office: 724.538.5810

Church Email: stpeterslcec@zoominternet.net

Pastor Email: rev.brandonjohns@gmail.com

Church Website: www.stpeterslutheranevanscity.org

Church Facebook Page: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Presence lends us

courage

to persist.

~ Michele Cushatt, Relentless