ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

CHURCH OF STEINBACH INC. MEMBER OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CANADA

465 Henry Street, Steinbach MB R5G 0H1 204-326-3758 Fax 204-326-2548

email: office@stpaulsteinbach.org www.stpaulsteinbach.org

OUR MISSION

God’s purpose for St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is: Accepting all people through God’s grace,

sharing our faith in Christ, and making disciples.

Lead Pastor: Rev. Terry Gudmundson 204-380-3293

Associate Pastor: Rev. Melissa Frankland 204-293-7930

Did You Know? Our church is a member of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in Canada. The ELCIC

came into being through a merger of the

Lutheran Church of America and the Evan-

gelical Lutheran Church of Canada which

took place in January of 1986. Did you know that the

national headquarters for the ELCIC are in Winnipeg?

There is another Lutheran church body called the Lu-

theran Church of Canada. It is the more ‘traditional’

church body that many people refer to as the ‘Missouri

church.’ The LCC is smaller than the ELCIC and came

into being in 1988. LCC churches practice infant bap-

tism and confirmation but they differ from ELCIC

churches in that they practice a closed communion and

don’t allow women to be pastors. Nearby LCC churches

can be found in Winnipeg, Portage and Morden.

If you didn’t already know…..now you do!

Sunday, May 19, 2019Sunday, May 19, 2019Sunday, May 19, 2019Sunday, May 19, 2019

Welcome to Our Traditional Worship ServiceWelcome to Our Traditional Worship ServiceWelcome to Our Traditional Worship ServiceWelcome to Our Traditional Worship Service

HOLY COMMUNION

G od feeds and renews us with the presence of Jesus Christ. In Christ’s body and blood given to

us, God forgives us and nourishes us for mission. In response to the Lord’s invitation I come - confessing my sin, trusting that the Lord is truly present, believing that to receive Him is to receive forgiveness - to partake of the Lord’s Supper. People of all ages and faith commu-nities are welcome.

Holy Communion is served in a continuous format unless announced otherwise. Participants are asked to fill out a registration card, available in the pews or at both entrances, and place them in the baskets at the entrances, or in the offering plates.

Ushers will direct you toward the aisle to come forward to the serving stations. If you desire to commune, extend your hand to the server who will place a wafer in your hand. If you prefer a gluten-free wafer, simply say “gluten-free” to the server. Wine is served from the chalice or individual cups; white grape juice is served from individual cups.

Come and hold in your hand and taste on your lips the love we cannot comprehend.

CHURCH FISHING DAY

Next Sunday, May 26

@ Big Whiteshell Lake

SIGN UP BESIDE CHURCH OFFICE

for a fantastic day of

FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FRESH FISH!

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR Tuesday 6:30 Stephen Ministers meeting Wednesday 6:30 am Men’s Fellowship 3:00 Sing-Song @ Bethesda Place 7:00 Scouts Thursday 10:00 Moms & Tots 7:00 Youth WOT (Worship on Thursday) Saturday 10:00 MNO Manitoba South Area Gathering, Friedensthal Sunday 9:15 Confirmation 9:25 Traditional Service with Communion; Sunday School; Adult Study 11:05 Contemporary Service with Communion Church Fishing Trip @ Big Whiteshell

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Sunday, June 2, Church Family Picnic, Friedensfeld Community Center, Worship 10:00, Lunch 12:00

• Sunday, June 9, Pentecost/Confirmation Service, 10:00

• Sunday, June 16, one service only, 9:25 am Worship in the Park, 10:30 am.

THE NUMBERS ATTENDANCE: May 12 - 9:25 - 154; 11:05 - 58 Christian Education - 52; Teachers/Guides - 14

OFFERING: May 12 - $20,778.50 (includes April direct deposit)

www.luthersem.edu/godpause

Revelation 21:1-6

Today's reading foresees the completed newness of

God's inclusive community. God will dwell in commu-

nity with all God's people and creation! Our God, who

is the beginning and the end, is also "the not yet" and

"the now."

Death, sorrow, pain, and thirst continue; they are part

of the old that has not yet passed away. Nevertheless,

God is with us in the now. Where do we find God's

newness dwelling now? Do we find God's newness in

our faith communities? We might find God's newness

in businesses, schools, clubs, agencies, or parks. We

could also find God's newness dwelling in encamp-

ments with people experiencing homelessness or in

cultures very different from our own.

Have you searched for God's newness? You may be

surprised where you find God dwelling. Start your

GPS--God's Position Search--and join the newness of

the inclusive, loving community you find!

Alpha and Omega, we await a time that is not yet

when you end all sorrow, pain, and need. Help us find

you now as you dwell in the newness of inclusive

community. Amen.

Mary Simonson Clark, '07

Social Work Adjunct and Field Instructor

Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minn.

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ 6Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the begin-ning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

L. The Word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God.

↑ Gospel Acclamation: “Alleluia” - p. 205 Alleluia! Lord and Savior, open now your saving word. Let it burn like fire within us; speak until our hearts are stirred. Alleluia! Lord, we sing, for the good news that you bring.

HOLY GOSPEL: John 13:31-35

Congregational response after the announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glo-rify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little chil-dren, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” 34I give you a new com-mandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.35By this eve-ryone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

L. The Gospel of the Lord.

C. Praise to you, O Christ.

↓ Message Hymn of the Day:

“Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service” - # 712 ↑ Apostles’ Creed - p. 105 Prayers of the People Sharing of the Peace ↓ Offering ↑ Offertory - Doxology - # 884 The Great Thanksgiving - p. 206-207 The Lord’s Prayer - p. 208 ↓ Communion Hymns (sung during the distribution):

“Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal” - # 464 “Chief of Sinners Though I Be” - # 609 “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” - # 697 “Children of the Heavenly Father” - # 781 ↑ Prayer after Communion The Benediction - Blessing Sending Song (sung to tune of # 805):

“We All Are One in Mission” - # 576

HOLY COMMUNION Holy Communion is offered in the CONTINUOUS FORMAT today. Registration cards are available in the pews and at both entrances. Participants are

asked to fill out a card and place it in the basket provided or in the offering plate. All are welcome at God’s table.

PRAYER REMINDERS In your prayers this week, please remember Anne Appleby, Bob Angell, Bernice Borkowsky, Rhona Dundas, Chris Funk, Laura Heckert, Tina Heckert,

Wanda Hoehn, Marlene Klassen, Emma Kuehn, Gordon Pachal, Helmuth Renz, Henrietta Reimer, Duane Schultz, Joan Schultz and Bernie Stahn.

EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY Our sympathy is extended to Eileen Gunn, family, relatives and friends of Clayton Gunn, who passed away on Sun-day, May 12 at the age of 81. The funeral service for Clay-ton took place here on Thursday, May 16, with Pastor Terry officiating. The flowers on the organ today have been left by the family as a gentle reminder of his pass-ing. May our God of compassion grant strength, comfort and hope during this difficult time and in the days to come.

REMEMBERING A LOVED ONE The daffodils on the altar today have been placed by Chris and Darlene Turner, Charlene and Don Freund, Dorinda and Mike Penner and their families in loving memory of their beloved husband, father and grandfather, Gerry Schmidtke, May 10, 1944 - February 20, 1992. “It is a deep mystery, this matter of life and death; until one day, we find the courage to accept that the living aren’t meant to understand death, only to celebrate life, and to remember that the only real death is forgetting.”

GIFT OF REMEMBRANCE In a tribute of love and remembrance a Memorial Gift has been received from Gary and Betty Schnellert in memory of their dear cousin, Henry Schalla, who passed away April 11, 2019. “Deep in our hearts your memory is kept, to love, to cherish and never forget.”

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS St. Paul’s will host the Sing-Song at Bethesda Place on Wednesday, May 22, 3:00 pm. Volunteers who come to help with the service will be blessed as they share the gospel with the residents. Contact Marieanne Schwarz, 204-320-1913 to let her know you’ll be there.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ALTAR GUILD We are looking for a volunteer or two to become a part of the Altar Guild. The Altar Guild is made up of 12 volun-teers who, on a rotation basis, prepare the altar area for each worship service. It is a great opportunity to learn and to be a part of this very important church ministry. Contact the church office.

GARDENING TIME Calling all gardeners! Garden plots are available for rent at the back of the church parking lot. Cost: $50/plot. Size 20x35 feet. Just a few spaces left. If you would like to reserve a spot, please contact the church office.

THANK YOU DEPARTMENT

• To all who so faithfully prayed for me and offered their care and concern in various ways throughout the time of my illness and as I continue to recover. Your kindness and compassion have blessed me and lifted me up dur-ing this time. Thank you all!

- Gerda Schinkel • To all who have assisted with the service today.

Please Note: Small numbers (eg. p. 211) refer to liturgical settings at the beginning of the Lutheran Book of Worship.

Larger bold numbers (eg. # 239) refer to hymn numbers. The up arrow means the congregation is asked to stand, the down arrow, to be seated.

↓ Welcome & Announcements

↑ Confession and Forgiveness - p. 94-96

Gathering Song:

“Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer” - # 618

GREETING: 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.

The Kyrie - p. 203

Canticle of Praise - p. 204

PRAYER OF THE DAY: L. Let us pray together: All. Holy God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing. Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love, that made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

↓ GOD’S WORD: Reader Ralph Krentz

FIRST READING: Acts 11:1-18

1 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circum-cised believers criticized him, 3saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ 4Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 8But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 10This hap-pened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six broth-ers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” 15And

as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 17If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ 18When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’

L. The Word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 148 (Congregation reads bold parts)

L. 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! C.

2 Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his host! L. 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! C.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens! L. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. C.

6 He established them forever and ever;

he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. L. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, C.

8 fire and hail, snow and frost,

stormy wind fulfilling his command! L. 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! C.

10 Wild animals and all cattle,

creeping things and flying birds! L. 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! C.

12 Young men and women alike,

old and young together! L. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. C.

14 He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!

SECOND READING: Revelation 21:1-6

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 19, 2019