emmanuel evangelical lutheran church
TRANSCRIPT
Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 9, 2021
10:15 AM Lutheran Liturgy of Holy Communion for
In-Person and Live Audio Broadcast of Service
5000 Old William Penn Highway Export, PA 15632
Rev. Dr. Alden W. Towberman, Interim Pastor
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WELCOME!
There are four ways to participate and connect to this morning’s service:
1. Attend the 10:15 AM worship service in our sanctuary.
2. Call in from any Phone:
a. Five minutes before the service, call this number:
(712) 770-5505.
b. When asked for the access code, enter 234426,
then press the # key.
3. By Text:
a. Text the words ‘Call me’ to 7127705505 then hit send
b. You will receive a phone call in seconds asking for our access
code
c. Enter 234426# to connect
4. Through the Free Conference Call app:
a. To download the free app., click HERE
For our ELC TeleGathering Support Page, click HERE
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MOMS!
What a blessing Christian mothers are to their
husbands, children and families in the Church! We
honor our Moms today and all Christian women for all
that you do in bringing the love of God into our lives.
And, happy Mother’s Day to all those wonderful
women who have “mothered others,” even though
they have not given birth themselves. God bless you
for all that you do in loving those entrusted to your care and for leading them
to Christ. WITH OUR LOVE, A FLOWER AND GIFT ARE BEING GIVEN TO
ALL WOMEN as you exit the Church today. The flowers are a gift from Mack
Flood (Christian Life) and the gift from Diana Hillman (Christian Education),
Debbie Weigold (Worship & Music Committee) and Gloria Christofano
(Worship & Music Committee); representing ELC’s Soul Life Team.
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PRELUDE Toccatta from Psalm 150 -Wagner Homer Adams, Organ
Meditation from Psalm 42 - Wagner
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P Blessed be the Holy Trinity, ✛ one God,
the life beyond all death,
the joy beyond all sorrow,
Our everlasting home.
C Amen.
P Rejoicing in Christ’s victory over sin and death, let us come before
God who calls us to repentance.
Silence is kept for reflection
P God of life,
C by the resurrection of Your Son, You make everything new.
Newness scares us, and we confess to shutting our doors in fear.
We have not listened well to voices that challenge us.
We have resisted the Holy Spirit moving us in new directions.
Our hearts are slow to believe your promises.
Forgive us, O God, and renew us to embrace without fear
the new life you have given us in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
P People of God: Christ is alive, and death has lost its power.
Through the waters of baptism, you have been born anew by the
living Word of God. Know that as you do truly repent, that your
sins are forgiven in ✛ Jesus’ Name and that the Spirit of the Risen
Christ lives in you.
C Amen.
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PROCESSIONAL HYMN
Please note: an organ interlude will be played between verses 2 & 3
THE GREETING
P Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
C He is truly Risen! Alleluia!
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HYMN OF PRAISE
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SALUTATION
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
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PRAYER OF THE DAY
P Let us pray. Lord of love, You have called us together this Sunday
for a day of rest and worship. Help us learn to rest in You. In our
high-tech and busy world help us to cherish our families and Your
relationship with us. Help us learn to take time to love and be
loved; time to receive love, time to abide in Your love and to bring
Your love to a troubled world. We pray and ask through Jesus, the
Savior and Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE LESSON Acts 10:44-48
A: While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all
who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who
had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was
poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking
in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone
withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
A The Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
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THE PSALM Psalm 98 Read Responsively
A: Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
C: The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
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THE EPISTLE 1 John 5:1-6
A: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,
and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of
him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love
God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that
we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not
burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the
world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our
faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water
only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who
testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
A The Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
THE ALLELUIA VERSE
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THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
C Glory to You, O Lord.
THE HOLY GOSPEL John 15:9-17
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If
you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have
kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I
have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may
be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life
for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No
longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his
master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard
from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me,
but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit
and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in
my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that
you will love one another.
THE GOSPEL RESPONSE
C Praise to You, O Christ
SERMON “Abiding In Love”
Rev. Dr. Alden W. Towberman
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HYMN OF THE DAY
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THE APOSTLES’ CREED
P God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ.
Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
C I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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.
THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
A Let us pray for the whole people of God in Jesus Christ and for all
people according to their needs.
A brief silence is kept
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A Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, abiding in You as Your
sons and daughters, build up our faith that we may find and know
abundant life by following Christ and bear the fruit of good works,
repentance, hope, kindness, peace, and joy. Lord, in Your mercy,
C Hear our prayer.
A For Your Church everywhere and this congregation that together
we may devote ourselves to the teaching of Your apostles,
fellowship in Your Name, and the faithful gathering of our Church
family around the family meal of bread and wine.
Lord in Your mercy,
C Hear our prayer.
A For those who are in want of body, soul or spirit, hear our prayers
for health, and healing according to their needs. Especially we pray
this week for Jack, Rhonda, and Alaina Hewett, Jim and Peggy
Lewis, Jordan Pelusi, Gene and Sally Seidling. We ask for Your
healing and comfort for Dick Lester, Vince and Donna Berardinelli,
George Jr. and Donna Campagna, Rosemary Palmer, Ingeborg
Schindler, Marian Weihe, Dave Whipkey, and Mary Lou Zalin; for
friends and family, Steven, Sarah, our NALC Bishop Emeritus John,
Maddy, Nancy, Norma Jean, Russ, Carol, and Virginia. At this time,
we pray for others for whom You would have us pray today. (Silent
Prayers are offered, or names spoken out loud by those worshipping at
home) Lord, in Your mercy,
C Hear our prayer.
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A For the Christian home and the Christian family this Mother’s Day
that it may be protected and strengthened through the Holy Spirit.
For our mothers and grandmothers here and in heaven, we give
thanks. Be with all new mothers and old mothers, enable them
joyfully to fulfill their calling. We also pray for those who fill the
role of ‘mother’ through adoption, foster families, and for all
women who are mothers of faith to those around us, who
encourage, teach, serve and love us with the love of Christ. With
grateful thanks we pray for them and thank You for them and ask
you to bless them today and always! Lord, in Your mercy,
C Hear our prayer.
A As a mother loves her child, so You love each of us. God of love, all
glory and praise to You today and forever. As You love us, so may
we gratefully return Your love by striving to love one another.
Lord, in Your mercy,
C Hear our prayer.
Intercessions
P Guided by the Holy Spirit, we place into Your care, our needs and
all for whom we pray, witnessing our faith for the sake of Your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
THE PEACE OF THE LORD
P The Peace of the Lord be with you always.
C And also with you.
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OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS ARE RECEIVED
Offerings are brought forward to the altar during the singing of the offertory
hymn “Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Lord.”
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Accept, O Lord, thy Gifts We Bring Homer Adams, Organ
OFFERTORY HYMN
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THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE OFFERTORY PRAYER
A Blessed are You, O God, ruler of heaven and earth.
Day by day, You shower us with blessings.
As You have raised us to new life in Christ,
give us glad and generous hearts,
ready to praise You and to respond to those in need,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give our thanks and praise.
THE PREFACE
P It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all
places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, Holy Father,
through the Great Shepherd of the flock, Christ, our Risen Savior;
who after His Resurrection sent His Apostles to preach the Gospel,
Baptize and teach all nations, and promised to be with them
always, even to the end of the age. And so, with the Easter Church,
and with all the company of heaven, we praise Your Name and join
their unending hymn…
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THE SANCTUS
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P In 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.
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THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 INVITATION TO COMMUNION
P Christ our Passover Lamb is sacrificed for us.
C Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
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THE AGNUS DEI
THE COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL
All are welcome to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in
the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and believe
that Jesus Christ, crucified and Risen, is truly present in, with and under
the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENT
After receiving the Sacrament, please return to your seat for prayer and
reflection.
COMMUNION MEDITATION MUSIC Homer Adams, Organ
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THE POST COMMUNION BLESSING
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and
keep you in His grace.
C Amen.
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
A Loving God,
by Your Spirit, we are born anew,
and You nourish us like newborns with this holy food,
by which we grow into salvation.
Give us grace to live as Your risen daughters and sons,
Shining in the world with the Light of Life,
until You gather all creation to Your heavenly table
where Christ reigns in glory forever.
C Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
P May Almighty God who has brought us from death to life, make
you perfect in every way to do God’s will, and the Blessing of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you now, and remain
with you always.
C Amen.
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THE SENDING HYMN
THE DISMISSAL
A Christ is Risen! Share the Good News.
C Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Homer Adams, Organ
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PRAYING FOR YOU
Jack, Rhonda, & Alaina Hewett, Jim & Peggy Lewis, Jordan Pelusi,
Gene & Sally Seidling
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER
If you would like to add or remove someone from the Prayer List or Prayer
Chain, please feel free to contact the office at [email protected]
or 724-327-2190.
Denotes Eternal Glory
MEMBERS OF EMMANUEL:
Dick Lester, Vince and Donna Berardinelli, George Jr. and Donna
Campagna, Rosemary Palmer, Ingeborg Schindler,
Gene Seidling, Marian Weihe, Dave Whipkey, Mary Lou Zalin
FRIENDS OF EMMANUEL:
Steven Foust (Husband of Amy Foust), Sarah Deer (God Daughter of
Kathy Gustafson), NALC Bishop Emeritus John Bradosky, Maddy
Martino Tigano (Friend of Mary Whipkey), Nancy Erwin (Sister of Bob
Jordan), Norma Jean Hill (Friend of June Ugen), Russ Jones (Uncle of
Michele Hiener), Carol Nussle (Friend of June Ugen), Virginia Wollgast
(Mother of Diana Hillman)
Today’s Altar Flowers are given by Karla and Kathy
Gustafson in Loving Memory of our Mother,
Ida Mae Acker.
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MEMBERS IN SERVICE
We are currently in need of Acolytes, Altar Guild Volunteers and
Flower Sponsors. Please contact the office if you’d like to help.
(724)327-2190 or [email protected]
Members
in Service
6th Sunday
of Easter
5/9/2021
10:15 AM
In
Sanctuary &
Audio
Service
7th Sunday
of Easter
5/16/2021
10:15 AM
In Sanctuary
& Audio
Service
Pentecost
Sunday
5/23/2021
10:15 AM
In Sanctuary
& Audio
Service
Trinity
Sunday
5/30/2021
10:15 AM
In
Sanctuary
& Audio
Service
Second
Sunday
After
Pentecost
6/6/2021
10:15 AM In
Sanctuary
& Audio
Service
Presider Pastor
Towberman
Pastor
Towberman
Pastor
Towberman
Pastor
Towberman
Pastor
Towberman
Assisting
Minister(s)
Kathy
Gustafson
John
Jacoby
Holly
Pelusi
Julie
Schamber
Steve
Cehovin
Counters
Dave &Mary
Whipkey
Dave & Mary
Whipkey
Bob Jordan &
MaryAnn
Sinwell
Bob Jordan
& MaryAnn
Sinwell
Scott Wilson
Greeters &
Ushers
Howard &
Debbie
Weigold
Dan &
Danette
Hunter
Mack & Karen
Flood
Ron &
Susan
Smith
Volunteers
Needed
Acolyte Volunteer
Needed
Volunteer
Needed
Volunteer
Needed
Volunteer
Needed
Volunteer
Needed
Altar Guild
Karla &
Kathy
Gustafson
Volunteers
Needed
Donna
Berardinelli
Donna
Berardinelli
Donna
Berardinelli
Flowers
Karla and
Kathy
Gustafson
Dan & Cherie
Wolovich
Denny &
Kathy Potter
Flower
Sponsors
Needed
Flower
Sponsors
Needed
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THIS WEEK AT ELC
Sunday, May 9 7:00 PM Festive Bells Rehearsal - Church
Monday, May 10 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Office Hours
6:00 PM Daisy Troop #50237 - HH
6:00 PM AA – LH Tuesday, May 11 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Office Hours
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM accessAbilities – LH
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM accessAbilities - LH
7:00 PM Worship & Music mtg.*
Wednesday, May 12 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Office Hours
9:30 AM – Noon accessAbilities - LH
11:00 AM eNews Deadline
11:00 AM Prayer Group*
2:00 PM – Liturgical Music Recording
6:30 PM – Book Study “Betrayed”
meet.google.com/ndm-zegp-hbz
7:00 PM AA - HH
Thursday, May 13 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Office Hours
6:30 PM – BSA Troop #208 – LH
7:00 PM Al-Anon Family Group – HH
7:00 PM Executive Officers Mtg.*
Friday, May 14 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Office Hours
6:00 PM – Girl Scout Troop #26100 – HH
Saturday, May 15 10:00 AM Taizé Rehearsal – Sanctuary
*Denotes Teleconference (712)770-5505, Access Code 234426#
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Vacuuming? A group of Christians was studying the story of Zacchaeus, the
stature-challenged tax-collector (and notorious cheat) who
was called down by Jesus from his perch in a sycamore tree to
host Him at dinner (Luke 19:1-10). The group leader posed the question: “How would you react if
Jesus invited Himself to your house?” Everyone cracked up when one of the women blurted out: “I’d
run home and start vacuuming!”
But here’s the thing – JESUS LOVES DIRTY HOUSES – it’s the only kind He invites Himself into, in fact!
Of course, we aren’t literally talking about domestic hygiene here, but rather about the filth and
disarray that is found in the residence of the human soul. One of Jesus’ short parables dealt with this
kind of spiritual housekeeping:
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking
rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes,
it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil
than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the
first.” (Luke 11:24-26)
Like a lot of Jesus’ parables, this one is difficult to nail down to a single precise explanation, but that
doesn’t keep it from speaking powerfully to the heart of anyone who has ever wrestled with a
destructive habit or chronic temptation: many recognize the devastating cycle of determined
‘housecleaning’ that achieves a period of apparent reform, followed by catastrophic relapse and a
sense of guilt and hopelessness that is all the more bitter because of the raised expectations. Yes,
this parable speaks of an all-too-familiar cycle of determination and despair – but what is the solution?
The parable seems to provide none, and that is indeed the situation for the person trying to clean up
their own spiritual ‘house’ without Him – all the frantic vacuuming and stuffing into closets merely
sets up for a worse version of the original mess.
We certainly recognize the impulses of the lady whose first reaction is to clean the floors before Jesus
sees the litter, and we often react the same way – we want Jesus to live in our hearts, but first we
have a lot of necessary ‘housecleaning’ to take care of! But as Jesus’ parable of the ‘unclean spirit’
illustrates, our personal efforts to rid our lives of all that trash only provide a congenial emptiness for
the return of the destructive impulses that are never very far away.
In science there is an axiom that “nature abhors a vacuum,” meaning that where there is emptiness,
nature will try to fill it. The same thing goes for an empty heart.
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You see, the issue in the parable is the delusion that sweeping out (vacuuming up) the dirt will make
the house stay clean, and that never works! Jesus didn’t tell Zacchaeus to ‘clean up his act’ so He
could visit him, but rather, Jesus invited Himself into a ‘dirty house.’ And that’s the unstated point to
the parable of the unclean spirits: we are to joyfully welcome Jesus into our own dirty houses with
the knowledge that He alone can fill the void that keeps accumulating trash. Rather than trying to
hide our dirt, we point it out to Him (confession) and invite Him to show us the trash that we missed!
We do this, not with the anxiety of displaying our messes to a fussy critic, but with the relief of ones
who have been gifted with the free services of the ideal live-in housekeeper – a housekeeper who
collects all of the garbage and makes it go away (absolution), and then cheerfully rolls up His sleeves
to tackle with us the on-going housework (sanctification). Jesus handles the vacuuming! With Him
residing in my heart, it is always fit for the inspection of the King!
Of course, being human, we’re still going to sin and know the remorse of failure. There may even be
times when our feelings of failure push us towards thinking that our situation is hopeless – that Jesus
has gotten disgusted with living among the filth and moved out. It is then that we must forcibly remind
ourselves of this glorious truth: what took Jesus to the cross was His unfailing love for those ‘dirty
houses’ that He alone can clean!
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
© 2017, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Export, PA Visit us at www.teamfishhooks.com
TODAY’S MUSIC All music used with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-730330. All rights reserved.
Hymn of Praise/ELW Setting 1:
https://lcms.app.box.com/v/LSB-Divine-Service-1/file/629811269
Alleluia and Verse/Common:
https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Flcms.box.com%2Fv%2Flutheran-service-
book/view/629811297
Sanctus/ELW Setting 1:
https://lcms.app.box.com/v/LSB-Divine-Service-1/file/629811623
Lamb of God/ELW Setting 1:
https://lcms.app.box.com/v/LSB-Divine-Service-1/file/629811677
Recordings of past audio services may be found on our website:
www.ourlutheranchurch.org.
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WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preaching/Presiding Rev. Dr. Alden W. Towberman
Assisting Minister Kathy Gustafson
Organ Homer Adams
Recorded Vocals Gloria Christofano
Tele-gathering Hostess MaryAnn Sinwell
Sanctuary Audio Host Fred Schamber
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome Worshippers! May the Gift of Resurrection Life strengthen and
fill you with new Faith and Joy in believing. Emmanuel Lutheran
Church is now open for in person worship on Sundays at 10:15 AM. If
you are a visitor worshipping with us through the audio broadcast, we
invite you to worship with us again next week. If you are without a
church home, we would like to invite you to become part of God’s
Family here at Emmanuel Lutheran. Just call our church office at
(724)327-2190 and Pastor Towberman will be in touch.
“We are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song,” St. Augustine
declared. On Easter Sunday, Alleluia, the song of heaven that had been
absent from our worship since Ash Wednesday, returned. We greet the
word with great rejoicing: it is like meeting an old friend once again
after a long absence. We say it and sing it again and again throughout
the Great Fifty Days of Easter. Alleluia! The Lord Is Risen!
Your Offerings
During this time of both In Person and Audio worship, we ask that
those worshiping from home please continue to remit your offerings by
mail to: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 396, Export, PA 15632