Saturday, March 28, 2020

Fifth Sunday in Lent

St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
March 29, 2020



Introduction
In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be raised with him to new life. 




In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy


Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ and serve you in righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.


Readings and Psalm

The dry bones of Israel brought to life

I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope. (Ps. 130:5)

Life in the Spirit

Raising of Lazarus

Meditation

Offering

Offering Prayer
God of the wilderness,
We give these offerings in gratitude,
rejoicing in the abundance of your gifts to us.
We give these offerings in faith,
trusting that you will provide for our needs.
We give these offerings in hope,
knowing you can use them to spread your love in this world.
And with these offerings, we give ourselves;
May we live with generous hearts, with open hands. 
We ask this all in the name of Jesus, the Christ of God.  Amen

Let us pray to God,
who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For all who are affected by coronavirus,
through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who are guiding our nation at this time,
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the gravely ill and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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 peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen

Be at Peace.  Christ is with you.  Thanks be to God!



Blest Be the Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the unity of heart and mind
is like to that above.

We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.

Text: John Fawcett, 1740-1817, alt.

+                      +                      +

Here is a little something to smile about (courtesy of Donna Hocker).




Prayer Requests

Cristi (Forrester) Piper and her husband Zach are expecting their first child any moment now. 

Sherry Fahnestock has pneumonia and is at home recovering.

Sadie and Rich Garner have been disgnosed with COVID-19 and are home.

Pat Midolo is at SpiriTrust Lutheran the Inn at Luther Ridge under the care of hospice. 

Vicki McKee is beginning a new round of cancer treatments at Heshey Medical Center.

For Jack and Kathy Bookheimer and Cathy and Jerry Peters as they mourn the death of their Jack and Cathy's brother, Clyde Bookheimer.

Ed Barrett is at home recovering from respiratory issues.

Gail Cox: her back/neck surgery has been postponed until later this summer.

Sally Toma is dealing with cardiac arrhythmia.

Bruce Toma is resuming treatments for his pancreatic cancer in a new trial at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.  (see announcement below about Bruce)

Commemorations

Hans Nielsen Hauge, renewer of the church, died 1824
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Hauge was a layperson who wished to revitalize the church in Norway. As a result of a mystical experience, he felt called to preach. Many professionals in the church feared his motives and influence, and he was imprisoned for leading unauthorized gatherings.

John Donne, poet, died 1631
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
After finishing his education at Oxford University, Donne seemed headed for a career in the English public service. But a series of circumstances led him into the ordained ministry. He is well known as a writer of both secular and sacred poetry.

Benedict the African, confessor, died 1589
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Born a slave on the island of Sicily, Benedict lived as a hermit until the pope ordered all hermits to attach themselves to a monastery, at which time Benedict joined the Franciscans. Though illiterate, he was highly respected as a confessor and later superior of his community.


Announcements

Faith Formation
While all activities are canceled into the unforeseen future, we at St Luke are working with you in keeping the Faith.

Small Groups are encouraged to reach out to its members and possible still have their meetings via phone, Zoom, Face Time or even Skype.
Children and Youth, parents keep an eye out for a packet “Bible Time With Shelly” in your inbox.
Tuesday Book Group is planning a Zoom meeting March 31. 

Due to the Pandemic we will not be ordering Easter Flowers this year.



ELCA World Hunger:  Make your check payable to “St. Luke Lutheran Church” and write ELCA World Hunger in the memo line. Or give online using Vanco. 



Bruce Toma will be featured in the next broadcast of NOVA, the PBS television show, in an episode that will run this coming Wednesday evening on WITF at 9:00 PM.








Staying connected
During this time of separation, take advantage of ways to stay connected with one another. Maybe you have questions about today's readings and would like to get a discussion going. Please use the comment section below.  Or, you may want to share prayer concerns or needs for assistance. You can do that in the comment section below. Maybe you have found a creative way of managing and would like to share it. Post your pictures or videos on our facebook page. There are a fair amount of people in our congregation and community who do not have email and do not engage with social media. Please be ambassadors and evangelists! Reach out to your neighbors with phone call or note. Remember, we're all in this together. God's got the whole world in his hands.

St. Luke Facebook Page
Click on this to go to our Facebook page.





2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202

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