50 Years of Ministry1962-2012

A Celebration of the First Serviceand

A Recommitment to the Mission of the Congregation

Prince of Peace Lutheran ChurchRev. William A. Schaefer, Pastor

Living, Learning, Growing the Word of God

1325 Mission Road, Latrobe, PA 15650Phone: 724-537-7273 Fax: 724-537-6039

Webpage: www.princeofpeacelatrobe.comE-mail: office@princeofpeacelatrobe.com

In MemoriamThe Reverend James A. Gahagen

July 12, 1938 – November 4, 1985

This bulletin for the Celebration of the First Service of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is given

in loving memory of Pastor Gahagen.

Pastor Gahagen was the first pastoral representative on the site of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church during the summer of 1962 and thus was instrumental in the formation of Prince of Peace. He was called to lead Prince of Peace while he was still a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Pastor Gahagen was born in Punxsutawney, PA on July 12, 1938. He graduated from Thiel College in May of 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Jim then graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in May of 1963. He served as pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Carmichaels and Christ Lutheran in Beaver Falls. He then became the Director of College Relations and Planned Giving at Thiel College in Greenville, PA and finally served as the Director of Development for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Pastor Gahagen entered the Church Triumphant on November 4, 1985. He is survived by his mother, Mary Gahagen in Clairton, PA, his widow, Christine Bayshaw Mong in Greenville, PA , and two daughters, Amy in Jessup, MD and Anne in Greenville, PA.

We give thanks for his life, his leadership and his ministry. May God give each of us comfort in knowing that Pastor Gahagen is safe in his loving arms.

Welcome to worship this morning! If you are visiting with us this morning, welcome to the celebration. Today we celebrate the beginning of a ministry. Our 50th anniversary as a congregation began here in this very building on this very floor. As we celebrate this morning, as a courtesy to others in the congregation, we ask that everyone please turn off all cell phones and pagers during worship.

The Holy TrinityJune 3, 2012

Portions of this service are taken from the Service Book and Hymnal (1959) which was the hymnal that was used at the time of the first service. Other portions of the service are taken from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the current hymnal of the congregation. CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESSP In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy SpiritC Amen

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sin unto God our Father, beseeching him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.

P Our Help is in the name of the Lord.C Who made heaven and earth.P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.C And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

P Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess to you, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against you by thought, word and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring your grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C Amen

P O Most merciful God,C you have given your only begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us,

and for his sake, grant us remission of all our sins; and by your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of you and of your will, and true obedience to your Word, that by your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

P Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given his only Son to die for us and for his sake forgives us all our sins. To those that believe on his name he gives the power to become the children of God, and bestows upon them his Holy Spirit. Those who believe and are baptized shall be saved. Grant this, O Lord, unto us all.

C Amen

ENTRANCE HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty ELW 413

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C And also with you.

P The Lord be with you.C And also with you.P Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God, you have given us grace, by the

confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power of your divine majesty, to worship the unity. Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your eternal glory, one God, now and forever.

C Amen

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 6:1-8This reading narrates Isaiah’s vision of the Lord surrounded by angels.They sing “Holy, holy, holy,” a song the church sings at the beginning of the great thanksgiving. This liturgical text invites the church and all creation to sing in praise of God’s glory. That glory is God’s mercy toward sinners.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3And one called to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory."

4The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

6Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." 8Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Lector The Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God

PSALM Psalm 29

1Ascribe to the | LORD, you gods,  ascribe to the LORD glo- | ry and strength.

2Ascribe to the LORD the glory | due God's name;      worship the LORD in the beau- | ty of holiness.3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders;  the LORD is upon the | mighty waters.

4The voice of the LORD is a pow- | erful voice;      the voice of the LORD is a | voice of splendor.   R

5The voice of the LORD breaks the | cedar trees;  the LORD breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon;

6the LORD makes Lebanon skip | like a calf,      and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox.7The voice | of the LORD   bursts forth in | lightning flashes.

8The voice of the LORD | shakes the wilderness;      the LORD shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh.   R9The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the | forests bare.  And in the temple of the LORD all are | crying, "Glory!"

10The LORD sits enthroned a- | bove the flood;      the LORD sits enthroned as king for- | evermore.11O LORD, give strength | to your people;   give them, O LORD, the bless- | ings of peace.   R

SECOND LESSON Romans 8:12-17In describing the new life of faith, Paul refers to all three persons of the Trinity: the Spirit leads us to recognize that we are children of God the Father and sisters and brothers with Christ the Son.

12So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.Lector The Word of the LordC Thanks be to God

HOLY GOSPEL John 3:1-17Jesus’ miracles prompt Nicodemus to visit him in secrecy. Jesus tells him about being born of the Spirit and about the Son who has been sent by God to save.

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John in the 3rd chapter.C Glory to you O Lord

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

11Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

17Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

P The Gospel of the LordC Praise to you O Christ

SERMON The Rev. Larry CambergInterim Assistant to the Bishop

HYMN OF THE DAY Faith of Our Fathers

Litany of Recommitment and Affirmation of BaptismP Fifty Years ago, one hundred and fifty seven people met in this place to begin

a new congregation to be a strong tower for God’s Word in Lawson Heights.C We give you thanks and praise for their visionP There are many who were here for that first service who have entered into

your Church Triumphant and many who have moved to other places and congregations.

C We give you thanks for their lives and faithfulnessP Their mission was to be a family in Christ, to love one another and to bring

God’s word into the world through loving words and faithful service.C We recommit ourselves to their mission of being your Word in the world.P Today we commit ourselves to strive for our new mission of Living, Learning,

Growing the Word of God. We do this with the same vision and enthusiasm that the founders of this congregation had fifty years ago.

C We commit ourselves to your service O God.P Those who founded this congregation did so with courage, not knowing where

they were being lead, but only having faith that you, O God, would lead them safely.

C Give us the same courage to be your disciples whom you are sending out fifty years later.

P We are called to profess our faith daily in word and deed. Let us now reaffirm our baptisms with the words of the Apostles’ Creed. Do you believe in God the Father?

C I believe in God, the Father almighty,      creator of heaven and earth.P Do you believe in God the Son?C I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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 to the dead.      On the third day he rose again;      he ascended into heaven,      he is seated at the right hand of the Father,      and he will come to judge the living and the dead.P Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,      the holy catholic church,      the communion of saints,      the forgiveness of sins,      the resurrection of the body,      and the life everlasting. Amen.

P You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:     to live among God's faithful people,     to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper,     to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,     to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,     and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

C I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.P People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life

in Christ?C We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.P Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God that through water and the Holy

Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.

C Amen.

Prayers of IntercessionP Lord in your mercyC Hear our Prayer

P The Peace of the Lord be with you always.C And also with you.

Choir Anthem O Worship the Lord ClatterbuckOfferingOffertory Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

P Let us pray. God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord.

C Amen.

P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

P Holy are you, almighty and merciful God. Holy are you and great is the majesty of your glory.

You did so love the world as to give your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him might not perish, but have everlasting life; Who having come into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus 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 given for you. Do this in 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, it is shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering his salutary command, his life-giving Passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension and his promise to come again, we give thanks to you Lord God Almighty, not as we ought but as we are able; and we ask you to mercifully accept our praise and thanksgiving, and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us and these your own gifts of bread and wine, so that we and all who partake of it may be filled with heavenly benediction and grace, and receiving the forgiveness of our sins, may be sanctified in soul and body, and have our portion with all your saints.

To you, O God, Father Son and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy Church, world without end.

C Amen.

P Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.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

P These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Come for the banquet is nowready.

As we gather around the table of our Lord, all Baptized Christians who believe in the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion this morning. Children visiting with us today, who receive the Sacrament in their home congregation, should follow the practices from that congregation. If you do not wish to receive the Sacrament this morning, you are invited to come forward for a blessing. Please indicate this to the Pastor as you come forward. Gluten-free wafers are available – ask the Pastor for them when you come forward

P Gracious God, we thank you that at your holy table you have fed us again with this bread and wine, the food of everlasting life. Send us, your servants, into all the land, that we may act wisely, seek the good of our neighbor, and call others to come to the feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen.

P May the Lord bless you and keep. May the Lord’s face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the Name of the Father, and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

Sending Hymn The Church’s One Foundation ELW 654

P Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!C Thanks be to God!

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26207.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.

Participating in the Service Today:Presiding Minister: The Rev. William A. Schaefer

Preacher: The Rev. Lawrence Camberg, Interim Assistant to the Bishop, SWPA Synod

Organist: Garnet Snyder

Choir Director: Margy Williams

Greeters: Shirley Kelley/Vickie Onusko

Lector: Rosie Nickle

Acolyte: Rachel Douglas

Ushers: Jack Bangor

Lay Assistants: Pat Fry/Sue Tschupp

Counters: Kellie Douglas/Pam Yuhaniak

Altar Care: Sheila Thompson/Ginger Warren

This morning the flowers are given to the Glory of God to commemorate and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Prince of Peace by Ron and Carol Carey and Family.