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Home  >  Resources  >  Prepare to Worship

Worship for the Season of Easter May 2008

Prepare for Worship

May 4th, Seventh Sunday of Easter

In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus prays for unity among his disciples. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Our children will pick up this theme in a musical, "Life of the Party," that they will present at 8:45 and 11 this Sunday.

The readings are Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; and John 17:1-11. The hymns are ELW 531, "The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing," ELW 482, "I Come with Joy," and ELW 826, "Thine the Amen." At 8:45 and 11 am, Evangel Choir, Boy Choir, and Joyful Noise with present the musical "Life of the Party" by Tom Long and Allen Pote. Fran Paterik has done the staging and directing, and our Chamber Orchestra will provide the accompaniment. The musical will provide the "word" portion of the liturgy, but otherwise these will be Sunday communion services as usual.

May 11, Day of Pentecost

On Pentecost, the fiftieth day of Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as the power of God among us that heals, forgives, inspires, and unites. In the reading from Acts, images of wind and fire describe the Spirit poured out on disciples of all nations. In John’s gospel the risen Christ breathes the Spirit on his followers on Easter evening. In the one Spirit we were baptized into one body, and at the Lord’s table the Spirit unites us for witness in the World.

The readings are Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; and John 20:19-23. The hymns are ELW 401, "Gracious Spirit, Heed our Pleading"; ELW 395, "Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord"; and ELW 627, "O Day Full of Grace." At 8:45, the pre-service will be Joyful Noise singing "A Song of Praise." Cantorei, Nexus & VIP will sing "Send It on Down," for offering, and Alison Bachman will sing "Like the Murmur of a Dove’s Song" during communion. At 11:00 am the offering music will be "O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace" sung by our Cathedral Choir. This is also a "healing Sunday", and we won’t forget that it is Mother’s Day as well!

 May 18, The Holy Trinity

In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made know in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

The readings are Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; and Matthew 28:16-20. The hymns are ELW 413, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," ELW 412, "Come, Join the Dance of Trinity," and ELW 414, "Holy God, We Praise Your Name."

At 8:45 Cathedral Choir will sing "Holy is the Lord," by Andreas Hammerschmidt and "Credo" from Missa choralis, by Franz Liszt for communion.

May 25, Time after Pentecost-Lectionary 8

Christians recognize that the source of all good things is the God who feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field. We rejoice that we are held in the palm of God’s hand. God cannot forget us any more than a woman could forget her nursing child. Nourished at the Lord’s table, we share these gifts with those who are anxious, hungry, poor, or in any kind of need.

The readings are Isaiah 49:8-16a; Psalm 131; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; and Matthew 6:24-34. The hymns are ELW 461, "All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly," ELW 735, "Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth," and ELW 858, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty." During communion the assembly will sing ELW 781, "Children of the Heavenly Father."