Service can be found at the following link:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE WINE used during the Sacrament of Holy Communion today is given to the Glory of God by John & Kristy Young.
THE COMMUNION BREAD was prepared by John & Kristy Young.
THE ALTAR FLOWER deliveries have been temporarily stopped as all worship services are being livestreamed on Facebook until further notice.
THE BULLETINS are given to the Glory of God by Alan Walter.
SHOP VIA AMAZON SMILE! Go to “St. Peter Lutheran” on Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com); the church earns proceeds (0.5%) when members buy through Amazon Smile.
GIANT & REDNER’S GROCERY CARDS can be purchased through Doug Beck or the Church Office with no added cost to you. The church earns 5% on all grocery cards bought.
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETINGS are being held on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
NEW GIVING OPTIONS are being put in place through Stewardship. St. Peter’s has joined a church giving program called Tithe.ly which offers secure online giving. More details are available in the May Herald. For any questions, please contact Doris Sterner
MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
(Contact Church Office For More Information)
5/03 TODAY Worship – Communion – livestreamed, 10:00 am.
Virtual Fellowship Hour, 11:30 am.
5/05 TUE. NATIONAL TEACHER DAY.
5/06 WED. Virtual Sunday School, 4:00 pm.
5/07 THU. NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.
5/10 SUN. MOTHER’S DAY.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER.
Worship – livestreamed, 10:00 am.
5/12 TUE. Virtual Executive Committee Meeting, 6:00 pm.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 3, 2020
THEME OF THE DAY – I am the gate
As he prepared to return home near the end of three years in a state prison, the man wrote to the church where, before his arrest, he had worshiped, attended Bible study and played guitar in the music program. While an inmate, he went to chapel and showed up at Bible study on a regular basis. He was ready and hopeful to return to his faith community. Days before his release, he received a letter from the church: “We cannot allow you to fellowship with us until our mission committee meets to decide whether to admit you.”
“I am the gate,” says Jesus, the shepherd and the bringer of life. Jesus is the one who opens the way. For all who suffer rejection—barred from entrance and denied community because of who they are, how they behave, where they come from, what they’ve done, how they look, or what they believe—it is shocking to hear Jesus say, “I am the gate, and I came to bring abundant life to all my sheep.” We may think, Really? Me? Can it be so?
To the religious leaders who saw themselves as gatekeepers—the deniers and allowers, the definers and approvers, the deciders and assigners—Jesus voiced his graced rebuke: “No! I am the gate, and the gate is open. All with ears listening and hearts aching for mercy, come this way. Enough of those who kill your hope, destroy your spirit, steal your worth! Thieves and bandits they are, in righteous disguise.”
And to the church, Jesus voices this nonnegotiable word: “I am the gate. The gate is open, bringing goodness and mercy to all. There are no exceptions and no exclusions. So, my sheep, pour my wine, break my bread, splash my water, serve my meal, spend my life, be my body, welcome all as my own. The gate is open.”
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Ronald Wesemann Pastor
Denise Rich Church Administrator
Gabriel Rebolla Music Director
Jessica August Nursery Attendant/Youth Leader
Hymns & text are reprinted under the following license: OneLicense.net #A-714041.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS009150.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.