SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER-ASCENSION May 5, 2024
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Synod
Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827
Organist Mindy Kane, Karen Davis, 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.
Before Communion
Lord, I am not worthy to be a guest at your holy table. But you are the friend of sinners, and you will not cast me out. This bread is your body, which bore my sins upon the tree. This wine is your blood, which purifies me from all guilt. At your invitation, I come rejoicing. Receive me, my Savior. Amen.
THE COMMON SERVICE
Beginning on Page 15 in the Hymnal.
HYMN (#175) “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise”
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: (Sung) Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
C: (Sung) Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: (Sung) Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
GLORY BE TO GOD
C: (Sung) Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace,
good will toward men.
We praise you, we bless you, we worship you,
we glorify you, we give thanks to you, for your great glory,
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us.
For you only are holy; you only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the
glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: The Lord be with you.
C: (Sung) And also with you.
M: Let us pray: Lord Jesus, King of glory, on this day you ascended far above the heavens, and at God’s right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that, at your command and by your power, we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Acts 1:1-11
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (NIV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 47 (page 85)
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 4:7-16
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (NIV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Alleluia. (Matthew 28:20)
C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
STAND
GOSPEL Luke 24:44-53
After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
C: (Sung) Glory be to you, O Lord!
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (NIV)
M: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and became fully human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who in unity with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
BE SEATED
HYMN (#171) “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”
SERMON TEXT Acts 1:1-11
SERMON THEME “You Need the Right Tools”
After the sermon, the congregation stands and sings:
C: (Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.
OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
M: Blessed Jesus, you ascended to the right hand of your Father’s majesty, power, and glory and now reign as eternal King of kings and Lord of lords.
C: We praise you for your victory over sin, death, Satan and hell.
M: O ascended Prophet, equip your Church to proclaim the precious gospel message of God’s love for all the world.
C: Give courage to our hearts, power to our words and success to our efforts.
M: O ascended High Priest, represent us before the Father as his own dear children and heirs. Defend us against Satan’s every accusation. Ask for the Father’s rich blessings in our everyday lives.
C: Plead for his mercy and grace on our behalf.
M: O ascended King, direct the affairs of governments and nations that they may serve the best interest of your Church.
C: You are our Lord, Master and King.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow
M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
Silent prayer
M: As the disciples lifted their eyes to watch your ascension, so lift our eyes daily to look for your coming again in glory.
C: Lord Jesus, come quickly. 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.
THE SACRAMENT
PREFACE
M: The Lord be with you.
C: (Sung) And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
C: (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we praise you especially for the glorious resurrection of your Son, the true Passover Lamb, who by his sacrifice took away the sins of the world and by his resurrection restored everlasting life. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
C: (Sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts:
heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: (Sung) Amen
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
C: (Sung) O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN (#170) “Draw Us to Thee” (#377) “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”
THANKSGIVING
SONG OF SIMEON
C: (Sung) Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
C: (Sung) And his mercy endures forever.
M: O God the Father, source of all goodness, in your loving kindness you sent your Son to share our humanity. We thank you
that through him you have given us pardon and peace in this sacrament. We also pray that you will not forsake us but will rule our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit so that we willingly serve you day after day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
M: 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 (#173) “On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build”
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER-ASCENSION May 5, 2024
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
THE SCHEDULE
Tues., May 7 2 p.m., Tuesday Bible Study
Thurs., May 9 7 p.m., Special Ascension Day Service at Salem
Fri., May 10 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Immanuel Volunteer Day at Wise Penny—work as much as you’d like
Next Sun., May 12: Greeters: Kowalke Family
Shut-In Visitors for May: Sharon Liefert
OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
THANK YOU to Pastor Bruce Janisch for sharing God’s Word with us this morning and conducting our service. Pastor Oehlke is leading worship at Mt. Olive.
SUNDAY SCHOOL THANK YOU: Today is the final Sunday School before summer break. As a congregation we thank all those families who faithfully sent their young people and we also extend a special thank you to those teachers and substitutes who willingly served this year: Emily Kleist, Linda Hoffmann, Megan Peters, Julie Gutknecht, Mark Hoffmann, Sharon Liefert, Monica Kowalke, Jenny Weese.
JOINT ASCENSION SERVICE: All are invited for an evening of worship and praise to our Ascended Lord on Thursday, May 9 at 7pm. Salem Lutheran Church (9615 Pioneer Trail, Loretto) will host this service and a number of area Pastors will be participating in the service. Our special musical group this year will be the Praise Ringers, a group of WELS and ELS handbell ringers from the Twin Cities area. The offering gathered in the service will support West Lutheran High School’s Tuition Assistance Fund and a free will donation will be gathered in thanks to God for the service of the Praise Ringers. (Facility notice: The wheelchair lift is currently not working at Salem and we do not have a wheelchair ramp. We are terribly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.)
“BLESSED BASSINET” MAY FUND-RAISER: During the month of May, Ladies Fellowship will be sponsoring a fund-raiser for the New Day Pregnancy and Resource Center. The “Blessed Bassinet” is set up in the upper narthex to collect baby items and/or cash for this cause.
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 28 63
FOR THE LORD’S WORK: April 28: General Fund-$1,878 (Minimum Weekly Amount Needed-$2,375); Salem-$2.
Verse of the Day
During the week memorize and think about this verse of the day:
Surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.
(Matthew 28:20)
