Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians: We GATHER with songs and prayer, We HEAR God’s word, We SHARE a meal of bread and wine, We are SENT into the world to love and serve. Let us know how this format works for you.
TODAY IS THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
GATHERING SONG
“Christ is Made the Sure Foundation”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, form the minds of your faithful people into your one will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READING
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For
“Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11 let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL
20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,[a] so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “Pamoja Tutashinda”
Christian unity – as the Bible describes it, as Jesus prayed for, for us – doesn’t mean we all have the same opinions on everything, or that we have to hide our disagreements, or that we can’t deal with conflict. In fact, I will argue, the unity we are called to gives us the freedom to be more open to each other’s ideas and opinions. When we trust that we are truly united, that we are guided by a holy kind of Harambe – pulling together, when we can trust that each of us want what for Cross of Christ not just what we want, but what is best for us as a church and for our witness through our mutual sharing and serving and welcoming, then we can have lively discussions that are marked by generosity of spirit, graciousness of attitude, gentleness of words, and goodness of heart.
When we believe and behave as Jesus prayed we would, then is when we are the church that Jesus loved so much he was willing to die for. Then is when we are the people of God together, united, effective, impactful. In union with Christ and in unity with one another – Pamoja Tutashina – together we succeed. May our guiding Holy Spirit inspire and empower us, that we may indeed be one. Amen.
SONG OF THE DAY
“We All Are One in Mission”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Trusting God’s promise of new life, we pray for the renewal of the church, the world, and all of creation. Each petition ends “Lord, in your mercy,” to which the congregational response is “Hear our prayer.”
Unite us, O God, as your Son prayed, that with one voice we may worship you and share your gospel of grace. Grant us vision as we gather at our Annual Meeting, that we might continue to grow in faith, serve our neighbors, welcome all, use our gifts wisely, and build connections that lead to faith. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Unite us, O God, with fellow Christians, and with people of all faiths who share in common a calling to care for creation, for the sick and the sorrowful, for the abused and the objectified, and for all in need. Today we especially pray for our ELCA East King County Cluster sister congregation St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, and Pastor Mark Griffith. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Unite us, O God, as citizens who strive for peace and unity among all people. Heal the wounds of division in our nation. Give a spirit of collaboration to world leaders, so that all people know safety, security, and dignity. Protect those living in lands of hostility, oppression, and corruption. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Unite us, O God, in our caring for others, that we may be your hands of healing and hope. Comfort those who are worried and fearful. Guide all making difficult decisions. Bless those without adequate shelter, employment, medical care, and other basic needs, including Sarah, Mark, Madison, Ray and Ali who we were blessed to meet and assist this week. Lord in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Unite us, O God, as we remember members and loved ones who have face challenges of many kinds, and who have asked for our public prayers: Nancy and Kenny Anderson and family; Anna Bero; former member John Boyd; Ellie Dennison; Linda Ernst; Phyllis Hahn; Audrey Harris; Ruth Huehnerhoff; Eileen Johnson; Priscilla Kanestrom; Jeanne Lawson; Kay Marsh; Carol McCandless, Arlene Palmerton’s son Wayne; Marlys Paulson; and Marilyn Van Brero. Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Unite us, O God, in confidence in your promise of life eternal for all who live and die in faith in Jesus Christ. Gird the grieving and bless the memory of our departed dear ones. We remember before you today Ann Huseby and family at the passing of her father, Tom Griffith; and friends and family of our brother in faith, Lee Dates. Guide us in this life until we are reunited with Tom, Lee, and all the saints in the life to come.
Lord, in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
United as one in Christ Jesus, our risen Lord, we commend these and all our prayers to you in his holy name.
Amen.
COMMUNION SONG
“Let Us Break Bread Together”
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the 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, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
BOTH ADULT FAITH FORMATION & CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL ARE ON BREAK – Adult Faith Formation is on “Spring Break” and will resume on June 16 as we continue our study of the book of Acts. Children’s Sunday School takes the Summer off and returns September 8.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY – Our Annual Congregational Meeting and Luncheon begins after worship, at 11:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend this important meeting, with the election of several new Church Council members, an update from Vision Task Teams, and more information about the Roof Truss Repair Project (see below). If you did not pick one up last Sunday, copies of the Annual Report are available in the Narthex. Remember to sign in if you are a voting member (confirmed member) of Cross of Christ so we can establish a quorum.
ROOF TRUSS REPAIR UPDATE – We have received all the permits necessary to begin the roof truss repairs – finally! The work is slated to take place between July 15 and September 15. These dates are approximate at this time. We don’t yet know if the work will necessitate not using the Sanctuary and/or Fellowship Hall for part of the time. Contingency plans are being made and will be shared with the congregation if and when alternative worship options are necessary. In the meanwhile, we look forward to the work being completed, the trusses repaired, enhanced and fully secured, and the yellow posts removed at last! Information will be shared with you throughout the process. Thank you for your patience and support.
BOOK CLUB MEETS TOMORROW – The Page-Turners will meet at 3 pm at Hildegard Schmidt’s house. The book chosen is Amor Towles’ “A Gentleman in Moscow.” We will not meet in summer.
LARKS MEET TUESDAY – at 10 am in the Living Room as we continue to plan outings for summer and fall.
PASTOR DAVE ON VACATION – He will be out of the office Wednesday through Monday. In his absence Pastor Judy will preach and lead worship next Sunday and is on call for pastoral emergencies.
TIME TO TEE IT UP GOLFERS – Join the Cross of Christ golfing group on Thursdays at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course. All are welcome – pros to duffers! Schedules and contact info are at the Information Desk in the Narthex.
ARK GRADUATION FRIDAY – Cross of Christ members are invited to join the celebration of our graduating (to Kindergarten!) class of 2019. The festivities begin with a pizza party in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm, followed at 7 pm by the graduation ceremony with music from all our Ark kids in the Sanctuary.
DAYS FOR GIRLS MEETING SATURDAY – Join us at 10 am in the MAC. Long-time missionary to Tanzania Jean Wahlstrom will be our guest speaker, sharing about the MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School in Tanzania, and Operation Bootstrap Africa.
PRAYERS CHAIN BECOMES PRAYER NET – As part of her Caring Ministries leadership, Pastor Judy is in the midst of making a few changes to the Prayer Chain. The first change is the name – it will now be called the “Prayer Net” – think ‘network’ that connects people or a ‘net’ that catches or holds things. The Prayer Net will be an e-mail list for requests for public prayers. For example, if someone is having hip replacement surgery and they ask to be in the public prayers on Sunday, this will also be communicated by email to the Prayer Net. Folks who had been on the old Prayer Chain e-mail will be moved over onto the Prayer Net (unless you’d like to come off, in which case just let Pastor Judy know). If you’d like to be added to the Prayer Net e-mails, just inform Pastor Judy. However, we know that there may be situations when people would like to be prayed for, but are not ready to be in the public prayers of the congregation and that’s okay. When you communicate your desire for prayers, Pastor Dave or Pastor Judy will make sure to clarify if you’d like your concerns to be for the wider Cross of Christ community or to have these concerns kept private. We want you to know that we respect your wishes and will keep these prayers confidential. If you have any questions about this change, please contact Pastor Judy. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE – JULY 13 – TANZANIA 2020 SAFARI-THEMED DINNER AND FUNDRAISER – Overlooking beautiful Lake Sammamish, the back yard of the home of the Matt and Andrea Pohle family – Cross of Christ and Tanzania 2020 members – will be magically transformed into a luxury safari camp with outdoor dining on the evening of July 13 for our “Taste of Tanzania” dinner and fundraiser. This fun, colorful, and tasty event will help support our education, church, and medical partners among the Masai and others in northern Tanzania. Cross of Christ is planning its fourth mission journey to the region in July, 2020, with about 18 traveling team members and the entire congregation and friends as support team. All proceeds from “Taste of Tanzania” will go to partners and special projects, which you’ll learn more about at the event. Please save the date and look for more details to come soon about how to make your reservations and/or financial gift. Asante Sana – Thank you very much!
PARKING LOT HOSPITALITY – As a reminder, we have three parking spots reserved for “Courtesy and Visitor Parking.” These are intended for those who might need them most – like those with temporary mobility limitations, families with young children, and expectant mothers. Please help “Welcome All’ by not parking in these spaces if you are able to walk a few steps farther. Also, please remember that all spaces marked as reserved for handicapped can only be used by those with authorized handicap license plates or rear-view mirror placards. These spaces are occasionally monitored by Bellevue Special Parking Enforcement. Thanks for practicing parking lot hospitality!
NAME TAGS ARE SIGNS OF WELCOME – You’re encouraged to wear your Cross of Christ name tag to worship each Sunday. This simple act helps people get to know one another, is welcoming for guests, and is greatly appreciated by the pastor (who, try as he might, occasionally temporarily forgets names!). If you have misplaced your name tag, Office Administrator Judy Giseburt would happily make you a new one. Contact Judy in the office at 425-746-7300 or at office@cofclc.net.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, Norman Stromer, and Marilyn Van Brero.
SENDING SONG
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
