Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians: We GATHER with songs and prayer, We HEAR God’s word, We SHARE a meal of bread and wine, We are SENT into the world to love and serve. Let us know how this format works for you.
TODAY IS THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
GATHERING SONG
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Generous God, your love is never ending, and your generosity knows no bounds. Inspire us to respond to the many blessings we receive from you with gratitude and joy as we share and serve in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Liberator, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
1 Peter 4:7-11
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL
Matthew 25:14-21
PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT:
“An Idle Tale?”
Here’s a REAL biblically-based truth about what God REALLY says about sharing our time, talent, and treasure – about stewardship. Giving as God calls us to – driven by a desire to respond to God’s generosity – is meant to bring us joy. Sharing our blessings is meant to bless us. Being a part of God’s mission through our church – a mission of grace and service and welcome – is life-enhancing, connecting us to a purpose bigger than ourselves. Stewardship is exciting!
Our campus is one of the instruments we use to be God’s generous people by being good neighbors and hospitable hosts. Your giving supports our campus and our staff, our worship and our fellowship events, our learning opportunities and our serving outreach, our many ministries and our shared mission. I’m excited to share examples with you in the coming Sundays. I’m also excited that Cross of Christ has been, is today, and is committed to being in the future a place of generosity and joy, as we share the gifts God entrusts to us with one another and others.
SONG OF THE DAY
“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Trusting God’s promise of new life, we pray for the renewal of the church, the world, and all of creation. Each petition ends “Lord, in your mercy,” to which the congregational response is “Hear our prayer.
Strengthen the witness of your church in all corners of the world. Make us visible signs of your grace so others may see your goodness and come to believe. Inspire us to joyfully respond to your generosity with faithful use of the time, talent, and treasure you have entrusted to us. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Breathe life and peace into your creation. Protect homes, fields, and communities from storms and natural disasters. Bless environmentalists, engineers, advocates and legislators who work to curb carbon, air, water and all forms of pollutions. Stir us to use less so others might have enough. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Protect and provide for all whom you send out in mission across the world. Empower global mission organizations and partners who provide for the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors near and far, including Lutheran World Relief, ELCA World Hunger, Congregations for the Homeless, and Hopelink. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
By the resurrection of the wounded Christ, you draw near to those wounded in body or spirit. Liberate all who are bound by grief, abuse, addiction, or pain. Restore faith to the despairing and hope to the suffering, especially those with special needs who have asked for our public prayers: Nancy and Kenny Anderson and family, Anna Bero, former member John Boyd, Ellie Dennison, Linda Ernst, Phyllis Hahn, Audrey Harris, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Eileen Johnson, Priscilla Kanestrom, LaNita Landru, Jeanne Lawson, Kay Marsh, Marlys Paulson, and Marilyn Van Brero. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God. Come near to us with your saving help, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen.
COMMUNION SONG
“O Praise the Name (Anástasis)”
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
BLESSING OF THE QUILTS – The beautiful quilts on the pews today will be blessed and sent around the world to people who need them. They are also a lovely reminder of one of the ministry projects Cross of Christ does as we serve others. Thanks to all the people who have worked gathering fabric, sorting, washing, sewing the tops, putting the three layers together, edging, putting the quilts out today and taking them down after worship, boxing them and delivering them to the trucks in Seattle. Thanks also to those who make contributions towards materials and shipping costs. What wonderful examples of stewardship of time, talent and treasure! The Quilters invite you to join them on 2nd and 4th Mondays – 10 am to 2 pm. Bring a lunch. Laugh, work and enjoy the company of others. You are welcome to come for all of the time or some of it. All skill levels welcome!
PERSONAL CARE KITS – Also being blessed and sent today are 150 Personal Care Kits. Supplies have been purchased, put into kits and packed for shipment to Lutheran World Relief. They include a comb, nail clipper, toothbrush, soap, and a towel. These are sent to people in need all over the world. Thanks to all who participated. If you are able, we are looking for donations to offset the cost of purchasing supplies and shipping fees. Thank you for helping bless the 150 people receiving their new kits!
NO ADULT FAITH FORMATION – We are on our “Spring Break. We’ll resume our study of the book of Acts on June 16.
CHILDRENS’ SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY – Kids age 4-10 are invited to join the fun 10:15-10:55 am, between services, in the Youth Room.
PASTOR DAVE AT BISHOP’S CONVOCATION THIS WEEK – Beginning this evening through Wednesday lunch, Pastor Dave will join Bishop Kirby Unti and rostered leaders – pastors and deacons – for this semiannual gathering, at Seabeck Conference Center. He’ll return to the office Wednesday afternoon – hopefully rested and inspired!. Please keep Pastor Dave, Bishop Unti, and the pastors and deacons of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA in prayer.
TOWN HALL MAY 5 – between services, hosted by your Church Council, in preparation for the Annual Congregational Meeting June 2. Main topics of discussion will be the proposed 2019-20 budget, an update on the roof truss repair project, and reports from Task Teams gathering information for future mission and ministry opportunities and ways to finance them. Please attend this important information session in the Library – and mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon.
TIME TO TEE IT UP GOLFERS – Join the Cross of Christ golfing group on Thursdays at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course. All are welcome – pros to duffers! Schedules and contact info are at the Information Desk in the Narthex.
WELCA BIBLE STUDY LEADERS THURSDAY – Join Pastor Dave and other Circle Leaders as we prepare for this month’s gatherings and Bible Study from 10-11:15 am in the Conference Room. Bring your Bibles, the May edition of “Gather” magazine and your note-taking supplies. All ladies are welcome – you don’t have to be this month’s study facilitator to attend!
UPDATE ON BISHOP ELECTION PROCESS – Delegates to the Assembly of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA will be electing a new Bishop from a slate of nine candidates nominated by members of congregations of the Synod. Our voting delegates are Pastor Dave, Pastor Judy, Jerry Johnson and Kristie Walker. Joyce Johnson and Ben Fowler are attending as “Visitors” without voting privileges. (By the way, any member of any Synod church including Cross of Christ can attend the Assembly as a visitor. The cost is $70. Contact Office Administrator Judy Giseburt to learn more.) Besides attending the Assembly and praying for delegates and candidates, you can be a part of the Bishop election process in several ways. You are invited to meet the candidates at two upcoming Bishop Nominee Forums – Saturday, May 4, 10 am-12 pm at First Lutheran in Bothell and Sunday, May 5, 2-4 pm at Salem Lutheran in Mount Vernon. You can learn more about the candidates by reviewing survey results, reading brief biographies, and reviewing other informative data at: www.lutheransnw.org/BishopElection. You are also encouraged to submit questions you would like the Synod’s Bishop Nomination and Election Task Force to consider asking nominees at Q & A times at the Assembly via the election moderator, David Swartling, retired Seattle attorney, social services advocate, and immediate past Secretary of the ELCA, via his email: DavidSwartling@comcast.net.
PRAYERS CHAIN BECOMES PRAYER NET – As part of her Caring Ministries leadership, Pastor Judy is in the midst of making a few changes to the Prayer Chain. The first change is the name – it will now be called the “Prayer Net” – think ‘network’ that connects people or a ‘net’ that catches or holds things. The Prayer Net will be an e-mail list for requests for public prayers. For example, if someone is having hip replacement surgery and they ask to be in the public prayers on Sunday, this will also be communicated by email to the Prayer Net. Folks who had been on the old Prayer Chain e-mail will be moved over onto the Prayer Net (unless you’d like to come off, in which case just let Pastor Judy know). If you’d like to be added to the Prayer Net e-mails, just inform Pastor Judy. However, we know that there may be situations when people would like to be prayed for, but are not ready to be in the public prayers of the congregation and that’s okay. When you communicate your desire for prayers, Pastor Dave or Pastor Judy will make sure to clarify if you’d like your concerns to be for the wider Cross of Christ community or to have these concerns kept private. We want you to know that we respect your wishes and will keep these prayers confidential. If you have any questions about this change, please contact Pastor Judy. Thank you!
PARKING LOT HOSPITALITY – As a reminder, we have three parking spots reserved for “Courtesy and Visitor Parking.” These are intended for those who might need them most – like those with temporary mobility limitations, families with young children, and expectant mothers. Please help “Welcome All’ by not parking in these spaces if you are able to walk a few steps farther. Also, please remember that all spaces marked as reserved for handicapped can only be used by those with authorized handicap license plates or rear-view mirror placards. These spaces are occasionally monitored by Bellevue Special Parking Enforcement. Thanks for practicing parking lot hospitality!
NAME TAGS ARE SIGNS OF WELCOME – You’re encouraged to wear your Cross of Christ name tag to worship each Sunday. This simple act helps people get to know one another, is welcoming for guests, and is greatly appreciated by the pastor (who, try as he might, occasionally temporarily forgets names!). If you have misplaced your name tag, Office Administrator Judy Giseburt would happily make you a new one. Contact Judy in the office at 425-746-7300 or at office@cofclc.net.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, Norman Stromer, and Marilyn Van Brero.
SENDING SONG
“This Is Amazing Grace”
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
