HOLY TRINITYJUNE 7, 2020

Saint John Lutheran ChurchGriffin, Georgia

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GATHERING

Prelude

Welcome Confession and ForgivenessAll may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting,whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation. Amen.Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.Silence is kept for reflection.

Reconciling God, we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us;so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen.Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through ☩ Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace.Our sins are forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does not disappoint,because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.Amen.Our mission here at St. John is…We trust God and invite you to experience God’s inclusive Love!

Gathering Song (Next Page)

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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.The Prayer of the Day 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.

WORDGenesis 1:1--2:4a1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.  6And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.  9And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.  14And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth,

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18to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.  20And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.  24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.  26Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” 27So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.28God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.  4aThese are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

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Psalm 8 1O Lord our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth!— 2you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of infants and children;  you have set up a fortress against your enemies, to silence the foe and avenger. 3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,  the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, 4what are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them,  human beings that you should care for them?  5Yet you have made them little less than divine;  with glory and honor you crown them. 6You have made them rule over the works of your hands;  you have put all things under their feet: 7all flocks and cattle,  even the wild beasts of the field, 8the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,  and whatever passes along the paths of the sea. 9O Lord our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth!

2 Corinthians 13:11-13[Paul writes:] 11Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.  13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

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Gospel Acclamation

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.Matthew 28:16-2016Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.Sermon Silence is kept for reflection

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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

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Prayers of IntercessionCalled into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared world.

A brief silence.

God of community, you form us as your church. Guide our bishops, pastors, deacons, and all the baptized in sharing your life-giving good news with all the world. Strengthen us to be bold in our proclamation. Bless the ministry of Agustinian Lutheran School, Guatemala and St. Johannes, Bavaria. We pray for Grace Missions and Chez Moi Orphanage, Haiti. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great.God of counsel, all authority belongs to you. Encourage the leaders of this and every land to seek peace, equality, and unity. Instill wisdom in advocates who work toward justice in often ignored communitiesProtect those serving in the military, especially Sequoya McLendon, Chris Perrault, Chantz Roche. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.God of care, you created us in your image. Help us see your likeness in one another. Open our eyes to see and attend to all who face oppression and suffering. Console, heal, and nourish all in needespecially, Cathleen Dahl, Terry McCormick, Charlie Parks, William Panick, Bob Keener, Karen and Alvin Gruenewald, Susan and David Friend, Brandon, Stephanie and Kimber Roberts, Maureen Caldwell, April Kennedy, June Harnack, Debbie Sakmar, Pete and Marilyn Droegmiller, Myrna Schultz, John Bennett, Whitney O’Connor Hawk, Larry and Christie Stoermer, Sarah Lanier, Connie Klopfenstein and Charlie Norman, Bobbi Windsor, Carol Tackett, Dan Stewart, Ken Bell, Roger Mayo. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.We pray for those celebrating birthdays, Mark Miller, Jr, Ethan Miller, Catherine Park; those celebrating baptisms, Amelia Sevier, Les Windsor, Jill Gates, Julie Gates, Marilyn Droegmiller; those celebrating anniversaries, Matt and Brandi Baade; expectant parents, Jonathon and Katie McDaniel. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.We lift up all others we name in our hearts or on our lips….. (Pause). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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MEALWe Share the Peace of the LordSpecial Music Gathering of Gifts Prayer of ThanksgivingMerciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. Feed us again at this table for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. Amen.Spiritual Communion

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. AmenThanksgiving for the WordThrough 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.

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SENDING

AnnouncementsBlessingGod bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.

God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever.Amen.Sending Hymn (next page) Dismissal As we go on our way, let us remember…We are an equipping and responding churchthat continues to grow, impact, and transform lives.Go in Peace, May the Holy Spirit guide youThanks be to God!Postlude

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – June 7, 2020Cathleen Dahl, Terry McCormick, Charlie Parks, William Panick, Bob Keener, Karen and Alvin Gruenewald, Susan and David Friend, Brandon, Stephanie and Kimber Roberts, Maureen Caldwell, April Kennedy, John Roy, June Harnack, Debbie Sakmar, Pete and Marilyn Droegmiller, Myrna Schultz, John Bennett, Micah Stansell, Whitney O’Connor Hawk, Larry and Christie Stoermer, Sarah Lanier, Connie Klopfenstein and Charlie Norman, Bobbi Windsor, Carol Tackett, Dan Stewart, Ken Bell, Roger Mayo.

BIRTHDAYS BAPTISMS6/8 Mark Miller, Jr 6/9 Amelia Sevier6/9 Ethan Miller, Catherine Park 6/10 Les WindsorANNIVERSARIES 6/11 Jill Gates, Julie Gates6/7 Matt and Brandi Baade 6/13 Marilyn DroegmillerEXPECTANT PARENTS MILITARYKatie and Jonathon McDaniel Sequoya McLendon, Chantz Roche,

Chris Perrault

FAMILY AND FRIENDS : Liz and Bob Sherliza, Deb Tutson, James and Ellen Granum, Brooke Davis (Friends of Saint John); Ruby Reid (family of Gwen Flowers-Taylor); Doug and Pat Sederquist (brother and Sister-in-law of Kathy and Bill Gates); Charles Harper, Tim Kennedy (family and friends of April Kennedy); Rick Schnaible, Phyllis Kesler (family of Lyle and Cheryl Kesler); Mary Locke (mother of Janet Kindred); Kim Lothrop, (family of Connie Klopfenstein); John Bechtel, Susan St. John, (family and friends of Sarah Lanier); Isaac Russell (family of Marcus Loner); Jim & Emma Shoup, Chuck and Bunny Blume, (friends of Tish Martin); Sara, Merline and family (Friends and family of Gwen and Charlie Parks), Melissa Roy, Mary Donna Harris (family of Jill Roy); Doug Maxwell, Max Maxwell (Brother and Father of Debbie Sakmar); Jack Bauser (family Carol Tackett), Anneka Swann, Anna Baron, Tina Sprouse, Amanda Doyle, Ted Helms, Herbert Rogers (family and friends of Bill, Cherie, and Mandy Tidwell).

PASTOR MARY’S CONTACT INFOE-mail: pastor_st.john@yahoo.com Cell is: (309)-212-0888.

TITHINGThere are several ways to give to Saint John during the Covid-19 shutdown. (1) Mail your tithe to Saint John at the address listed on the next page. (2) Go online to Tithe.ly.com and give using a credit card. The easiest way to get to the correct page is to use the link in the weekly newsletter or the link on our webpage at www.stjohngriffin.org. This service does charge, so be sure to add the fees to your intended gift. (3) We are set up with United Bank to take gifts of stock. If you are interested in giving stocks, please let the office know and we will give you the contact info at United Bank.

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Thank you for your continued support of Saint John and it’s ministries.NEWS FROM THE COVID-19 TASK FORCEGreetings to everyone! Your Saint John Covid-19 Task force 19 (comprised of Phyllis Hutchings, Dr. Vaughn and Cheryl Maples, Sandra Harwood, and Pastor Mary) has been meeting, and working on steps to take for us to have worship again in person at Saint John.

That being said, the task force, in sharing with council, plans that we will not reopen the church for worship, or for outside groups, with the exception of the upcoming election voting (already scheduled with the county on June 9 th) ) until Pastor Mary returns from the Midwest in late July . (Pastor Mary leaves July 1st with her family to the Midwest. This year, she is staying a little longer because she promised 6 years ago to officiate at a friend’s wedding that is taking place on July 18th) Please note that there will still be worship online at 10 a.m. on Sunday’s in July with guest preachers.

After much learning, and with consultation with the Bishop and synod staff guidelines for reopening, the following criteria will need to be met for opening:

Public health numbers: we will not open if there is a surge in numbersCleaning supplies (including masks, sanitizers): adequate and sufficient suppliesVolunteers to clean after each service: sufficient numbersTraining for volunteers (it is highly recommended that the volunteers be younger than 65, and not have compromised immune systems for themselves or family members that they live with at their home.)

When we do have worship in person, we will have worship for several weeks, and make sure that everything is working well for everyone before we decide about opening our doors to the outside groups that use the church building. Until that time, there will be no outside groups in the building.We do have the AA group meeting in our trailer currently (they did close until recently) but we have asked them to follow health guidelines for protection of everyone at those meetings.

Next week, our task force will meet in person to look at the spaces at church to come up with a plan for worship. Worship may be a little different. We may not be singing ourselves. We may have Communion differently. We may worship in a different space in the building when we come back together. We may be seated much differently then we have been in the past. But, we will do our best to be able to meet together and to worship together when the criteria is met.The task force will be talking about worship on both Sunday, and Wednesday. There may be stages of opening with different things happening at each stage. More news will be coming in the next few weeks.

We know that this is not easy. Most of us miss seeing each other, talking face to face, sharing peace or a hug. Many of us long to worship together. But, while we are apart, we are still worshipping together online. God has not left any of us. God is still a very present help in these times. We all are working together for everyone’s safety, and health, to be able to come together once again in person.More details, and plans will be coming out in the next two weeks. Until then, if you have any thoughts or concerns, feel free to get ahold of anyone on our task force. Please keep us in prayer for

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guidance of where we are going. Please know that we pray for all of you as we ask for your continued health and safety of you and your family. Blessings, Saint John Covid-19 Task Force.Greetings St. John,

I am excited to announce that Council has called a special congregational meeting on Sunday, June 7 at 11:00 AM for the purpose of approving a 2-year term call for Pastor Mary. Because Pastor Mary was called as Interim, the Synod has strongly recommended that we offer her a two-year contract. After the two years, we may offer her a permanent position. The reason for this is that she would have to leave while we went through the call process for a permanent pastor which could take up to three months. During the call process, we would have to obtain another bridge pastor.

Now the interesting part – we will be conducting this meeting through a video tele-conferencing app called Zoom. Council has been using this app and it has been working well. You will be able to join this meeting with a smart phone or camera enabled desktop or laptop. You can also join for audio only with a touch tone phone. On a smartphone, you download the app from the app store. On laptops and desktops, you go to the Zoom website and download the app. Let us know if you want to join with a phone and we’ll get you the access code.

Additional instructions for Zoom is printed on the next page.

If you prefer to receive it by text, you will need to let the church office know no later than 2pm on Thursday, June 4 at 770-228-0662.

I still don’t know much about Zoom, but if you need any help, I’ll try my best to get you the information you need. Also, our Council members are happy to help! I look forward to seeing you virtually then! Mark MillerCouncil President

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Zoom meet up to vote for calling Pastor Mary Armstrong-Reiner for a two-year term call onSunday, June 7th at 11 a.m. (you will be able to get on zoom starting at 10:50 for the meeting)

What is Zoom? Zoom is a meeting place online where people gather for discussions, meetings, visits, etc. from wherever they are, and be able to see and hear each other. It is a virtual meeting. The church has been using zoom for our twice monthly council meetings, and our twice monthly staff meetings. Even with all the times that we get onto these meetings, we can still have some issues with getting onto a meeting. So, before the June 7 meeting, we want to offer some time to get on together, and make sure everyone feels comfortable doing so.Are you new to Zoom? A Zoom newbie? Would you like some help getting on to the meeting, either by video or phone? We have the answer for you! Gayle Harvil, our amazing zoom teacher, will set up a one on one with you to guide you through getting on and off zoom so that you are ready to go come meeting time. She is happy to talk with you and walk you through the process in the coming weeks. You may call or text Gayle at (770)-468-8103 starting this Friday, May 22nd and Saturday, May 23rd from 9a.m. to 9 p.m. to try this out. She will also be available next week, starting Wednesday, May 27th through Saturday, May 30th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. again. If you call or text, and she doesn’t answer, she will get back to you as soon as she can. Please give her time as one or two people may reach out to her at the same time.Please note that you can get onto zoom through video via the internet, or on a phone line only, and you can then be on audio only. So, it works both ways. This is not hard to do but if you haven’t done this before, it can be confusing. Please take advantage of this help, and join us online on the zoom meetings.Please note: Help will be available if you can’ t get onto the zoom meeting. If you need to call someone for help, call the church at: (770)-228-0662, and speak to Gayle Harvil, who will walk you through getting on. If you wish to text to get the code again to get on the zoom meeting, please text Jennifer Durham at: (770)-584-2091.

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Saint John Lutheran Church1689 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

Griffin, GA 30224 Church Phone: 770-228-0662

Email: stjohnelca@bellsouth.netWebsite: www.stjohngriffin.org

Facebook: Saint John Evangelical Lutheran ChurchPastor Mary Armstrong-Reiner

Pastor_st.john@yahoo.comCell 309-212-0888

Support StaffLynn Jones, Administrative Assistant Amy Droegmiller, Youth LeadersMarilyn Droegmiller, Organist Gayle Harvil, Praise Team DirectorJoan Thomas, Choir Director Heather Loner, Nursery AttendantJennifer Durham, Choir Accompanist

Congregation CouncilMark Miller, President Donna MilamDon Taylor, Vice-President Phyllis HutchingsEnid Mswia, Secretary Liesl KompelienButch Armistead, Financial Secretary Tyler SwensonTish Martin, Treasurer Rita Johnson

Ministry ContactsAltar Guild: Sandra Harwood Member Care: Sarah Lanier, Cherie TidwellEducation: Phyllis Hutchings Property: John Sanders, Matt BaadeFellowship: Laura Miller, Martha Dansby Social Ministry: Jill Gates, Don TaylorFinance: Tish Martin, Butch Armistead Stewardship: Mark Miller Gifts and Memorials: Tish Martin Worship: Sandra Harwood Glocal Mission: Andy Harnack, Larry Schultz Youth Ministry: Amy Droegmiller

All liturgies, prayers, Bible passages and music are reprinted with permission from the following resources.Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License 23384;

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OneLicense.net. License #A-701923; CCLI License # 2725291.

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