FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER April 28, 2024

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

Wisconsin Synod

Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827

Organist Karen Davis, Mindy Kane, Church Telephone 763-682-4573

Lorraine Roush Email pastor@myimmanuel.org

WELCOME, VISITORS:     We are glad you could be with us and we welcome you back any time. Please sign our “Welcome” card found in the pew holders or sign the guest book in the narthex/entry.

Prayer Upon Entering Church

Almighty, ever-living God, grant that I may gladly hear your Word and that all my worship may be acceptable to You; through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

HYMN (#283) “Speak, O Savior; I am Listening”

M: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. 

In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away 

my guilt.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

C: (Sung) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Blessed are they who take refuge in him.

Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness continues forever.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Blessed are they who take refuge in him.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray. O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:     (Sung) Amen.

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Acts 4:32-37

³² The whole group of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they held everything in common. ³³ The apostles continued to testify about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ with great power, and abundant grace was on all of them. ³⁴ There was not a needy person among them. For from time to time those who were owners of lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds received from what was sold, ³⁵ and laid it at the apostles’ feet. It was distributed to each one according to what anyone needed. ³⁶ Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him. He brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.         (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 67 (page 91)

SECOND LESSON 1 John 3:18-24

¹⁸ Dear children, let us love not only with word or with our tongue, but also in action and truth. ¹⁹ This is how we know that we are of the truth and how we will set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. ²² We also receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. ²³ This then is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we love one another just as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps his commands remains in God and God in him. This is how we know that he remains in us: We know it from the Spirit, whom he has given to us.              (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY

M: Alleluia. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Alleluia.  (John 15:5)

C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

These words are written that we may believe 

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 15:1-8

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he is going to cut off. And he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will bear more fruit.

³ “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I am going to remain in you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Likewise, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him is the one who bears much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers. Such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this: that you continue to bear much fruit and prove to be my disciples.        (EHV)

M: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN OF THE DAY “Fruitful Trees, the Spirit’s Sowing”

SERMON TEXT John 15:1-8

SERMON THEME “Jesus the Vine—We the Branches”

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. 

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, 

the holy Christian Church, 

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.   

THANKSGIVING

OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.

HYMN “Christ the Vine”

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

O Lord God, our strength, our song, and our salvation, you fulfilled your promises by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. 

Thanks be to God! 

You give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

In your compassion you sent Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life to rescue the lost.

Drive out all doubt and gloom 

that we may delight in your glorious triumph.

Lift our eyes heavenward to see him who lives to make intercession for the saints, and grant us confidence in the greatness of his power. Keep before us the vision of your redeemed people standing before your throne and singing the song of victory:

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

to receive wisdom and power and honor and glory and praise.

Make us instruments of your peace as we bring the good news of hope and new life to those around us. Guide us in the use of all that you have entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our treasures.

Risen Lord, live in us that we may live for you.

Merciful Lord Jesus, grant healing to the sick, and strengthen the faith of the suffering and the dying. Assure them of your abiding presence, and comfort them with the hope of eternal life.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

Gracious Father, you have restored to us the joy of your salvation. With happy hearts, we come before you and say:

Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

C: 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.

M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your 

saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: (Sung) Amen.

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. 

C: (Sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN (#761 S) “Christ is With Me”

Verse of the Day

During the week memorize and think about this verse of the day:

I am the vine; you are the branches. 

If you remain in me and I in you, 

you will bear much fruit.

(John 15:5)

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER April 28, 2024

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

THE SCHEDULE   

Sat., May 4 9 a.m., Spring Clean-up Day w/pizza

Next Sun., May 5: Greeters: Kleist Family

Shut-In Visitors for May: Sharon Liefert

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

QUARTERLY VOTERS’ MEETING is today after the worship service. While the meeting is open to the entire congregation, voting is done by those men over 18 who have requested and been accepted by the voters’ assembly. Give prayerful consideration to becoming a voting member.

SPRING CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY: There will be a church yard clean-up day on Saturday, May 4, beginning at 9 a.m. with a pizza for those who participate. If convenient, please bring rakes, shovels, yard trash bags and wheelbarrows.

ASCENSION DAY SERVICE: Mark your calendar for the 2024 Special Ascension Day Service on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at Salem-Loretto which will be hosted by the pastors of the circuit. 

PASTOR BARLOW-CROSS: The members of Cross Lutheran Church in Rockford have invited us to a Farewell Service and dinner for Pastor and Cindy Barlow on May 26, 10 a.m. A sign-up sheet is located on the table in the narthex.

YOUTH NERF WARS: Redeeming Grace is hosting a spring nerf event on Saturday, May 11. See poster on the west bulletin board. Admission is a food shelf item. Participants will get raffle tickets for each food shelf item you bring and there will be drawings for prizes throughout the event. RSVP to pastorjmayer@gmail.com by Wed., May 8.

WEST MISSION TRIP: There will be 18 West Lutheran High School students heading to Logan, Utah in June, partnering with Truth in Love Ministry. Your words of encouragement, prayers and financial gifts are vital to the success of the team. See poster on the west bulletin board or more information at https://givebutter.com/westmission24.

ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE: 

Sunday, April 21 70

FOR THE LORD’S WORK: April 21: General Fund-$2,376 (Minimum Weekly Amount Needed-$2,375); West-$35; Salem-$2.

Personal Devotions?

Consider using the prayers and readings from each Sunday’s worship bulletin during your daily personal/family devotions—

–“Prayer of the Day”

–“Prayer of the Church”

–Re-read God’s Word and reflect upon it and how it applies to you.

–Review the sermon theme and text and its applications for you.