ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
DICKINSON, ND
Living in Service to Christ
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 20, 2008
8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday

Announcements

GATHERING

The Entrance Hymn #798
The Apostolic Greeting p. 120
Hymn of Praise: This Is the Feast of Victory p. 122
Prayer of the Day Insert

WORD

First Reading Acts 7:55-60
The Word of the Lord Assembly: Thanks be to God
The Psalm Psalm 31 (Insert)
Second Reading 1 Peter 2:2-10
The Word of the Lord. A: Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation p. 124
Gospel John 14:1-14
Responses: The Gospel according to John . A: Glory to you, O Lord
The Gospel of the Lord A: Praise to you, O Christ

Sermon Longing for Spiritual Milk (1 Peter 2:2)
Hymn of the Day # 445
Apostles’ Creed, Prayers & Exchange of Peace (8:00 a.m.) p. 127-128
Sacrament of Holy Baptism (10:30 a.m.) p. 227

MEAL

Offering & Special Music: Carol Choir (8:00 a.m.) & Senior Choir (10:30 a.m.)
Presentation of the Gifts
Offertory Hymn: Praise and Thanksgiving (#689, st. 2)

God, bless the labor we bring to serve you,
That with our neighbor we may be fed.
Sowing or tilling, we would work with you,
Harvesting, milling for daily bread.

The Prayer & Great Thanksgiving p. 129
Distribution Hymns #471, #595, #574
The Table Blessing p. 136

SENDING

The Closing Prayer and Blessing p. 136
The Sending Song This Is My Father’s World (#824, st. 3)

This is my Father’s world, oh, let me not forget that,
Though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world; why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let heaven ring; God reigns, let earth be glad!

Dismissal: Go in peace; serve the Lord A Thanks be to God.

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Presiding Minister: Pastor Steve Tangen
Assisting Ministers: Jerry Myers (8:00 a.m.), Brittany Lantz (10:30 a.m.)
Deacons: Laura Meduna & Marcy Decker (8:00 a.m.)
Russ Murphy & Eileen Kopren (10:30 a.m.)
Organist: Barb Arneson
Servers: Anna Hertler & Marit Mikelsen (8:00 a.m.)
Austin Maus & Brianna Turcotte (10:30 a.m.)
___________________________________________________________

NEW HYMN: Today we’ll begin learning hymn #798, Will You Come and Follow Me. The composer is John L. Bell, a minister in the Church of Scotland, who composes hymns and worship songs. He set this hymn to a Scottish traditional tune. The words reflect the calling, or summoning, of disciples by Jesus.

BAPTIZED SUNDAY are Kane Michael Rivinius, son of Michael & Robin Rivinius, and Marleigh Rae Albert, daughter of Melvin & Emily Albert. Baptized Thursday night was Blake Bridger Homiston, son of KC & Autumn Homiston.

WELCOME TO WORSHIP: All the baptized are invited to the Lord’s Table. You may stand or kneel to receive the elements. Children who do not yet commune should have hands folded to receive a blessing from the pastors. Ask the servers for a gluten-free wafer if needed, or for white grape juice instead of wine.

FIRST QUARTER CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS are available in the narthex. Statements that have not been picked up by April 30 will be mailed. Children will receive their statements in their Sunday school classrooms.

WE LISTEN TO THE WORD: Today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. As First Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In our words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ, who is our way, our truth, and our life.

SUMMER CONFIRMATION TEACHER: We are looking for an additional teacher for junior high confirmation on Wednesday and Thursday, July 9 & 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. We also need an additional teacher on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 & 17 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Lisa at 225-6747 or lewton@stjohnelc.org.

WORSHIP INFORMATION: Attendance last week was 620 . . . Transmitters are available for the hearing impaired. Ask an usher for help . . . If it is uncomfortable for you to stand during the service, please feel free to remain seated . . . The nursery, located in the Commons Area, is staffed Sundays from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. for infants and children up to age four . . . Children’s bags are available during worship in the Commons Area and in the church entry . . .

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL registration forms are available on the bulletin board in the Commons Area. VBS is Friday, May 30, June 6, 13, and 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Thursday, May 26 in the evening. VBS is for kids who are three years old through those entering the sixth grade.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL LEADERS: There are several opportunities to help lead VBS. Areas of help include working with crafts, science experiments, snacks, music, or preschool. If you are interested, please contact Susan Moberg at moberg@stjohnelc.org, or call the church office at 225-6747.

ORIENTATION FOR CONFIRMATION for students who will enter the seventh and eighth grades next fall will be Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. All students and parents are required to attend.

LINDA SPLICHAL RESIGNS: Our children’s choir director, Linda Splichal, has resigned her position as serving the congregation for 10 years. We are so very grateful for her faithful service to the children’s music ministry, which included not only directing the choirs, but also helping to develop their young lives of faith. There are job applications for this paid position, and copies of the job description in the church office for anyone interested in the position. The time requirement for the paid position includes Wednesday evenings and two Sunday mornings each month during the school year.

HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE? Learn more about the origins of the Bible in Pastor’s Tangen’s adult class Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in the main floor Fellowship Room.

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sunday: 7:00 p.m. Senior High Youth Group
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Quilting
7:00 p.m. Stewardship Team Meeting
7:00 p.m. Vacation Bible School Workshop

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting
12:00 p.m. Staff Appreciation Lunch
5:30 p.m. Children’s Choirs Pizza Party
6:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Practice
7:00 p.m. Wednesday School for High School
7:00 p.m. Eighth Mentor Groups Meet with Pastors

Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Midweek Worship
Friday: 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study at Days Inn

THE 2008 CONFIRMATION SERVICE is Sunday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. Consider worshiping at the 8:00 a.m. service, or at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, to allow more room for confirmation families at the 10:30 a.m. worship.

REHEARSAL, PICTURES AND RECEPTION for the 30 eighth graders being confirmed on Sunday, May 4, will be Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Parents are invited for the evening events and the reception.

THANK YOU to the members of the Congregation Council. They are serving an “Appreciation Lunch” for the lay staff members of the congregation on Wednesday at noon.

WANT BREAKFAST? You can support the DHS/THS Post-Graduation Party fund-raising efforts by having breakfast Sunday, April 20 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club. Cost is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 10 and under.

CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTOS: Lifetouch Church Directories will be producing a new photo directory for us in 2008. A free 8x10 portrait and a copy of the new directory will be given to every family or individual whose picture is taken. You may schedule your session online using the Lifetouch link on St. John’s web site (www.stjohnelc.org), or schedule your session in person between Sunday worship services in the Commons Area through April 20. Plan to have your picture taken during one of these photo sessions:

Tuesday - Friday, May 6-9 2:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday - Friday, May 14-16 2:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

EIGHTH GRADE MENTOR GROUPS will meet on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. to talk with the pastors and finish their faith statements and stoles. Some seventh grade groups may also be meeting, so please check with your mentor leader.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES are many at the new camp site of Badlands Ministries. The maintenance building and cabins need to be moved, the church basement completed, and framing done for the tent platforms. You name it, and wet likely have a job just for YOU! Contact Bernie Kordonowry at 575-4907 so he'll be sure to be on site on the days you'd like to be there. There’s an announcement sheet on the tables at the church entries that provide dates and details.

JOIN THE ST. JOHN STAFF AT BIBLE CAMP: Members of the church staff are volunteering at the Bible Camp during their moving activities. If you want to join the staff, we’ll be at the camp Tuesday morning, Apr. 29, helping to clean and pack equipment in the lodge.

COLLECTION DRIVE: The senior high youth group is collecting items for the Dickinson Violence and Rape Crisis Center. They are in need of daily essentials that may be left in the white baskets in the Commons Area and at the front of the church.