Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
4768 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
office: 652-8285; cell: 319-5424; home: 732-2631;
Email: pastor_green@ascension-wels.net;
Church’s Website: www.ascension-wels.net;
Pastor Robert Green; Officers: President: Mike Neff; Vice President: Chuck Thompson; Secretary:
Ralph Buehler; Elders: Mike Neff, Chuck Thompson, Ralph Buehler, Rick Grove, and Lance Pockey;
Fellowship: Ron Althoff; Treasurer: Rick Grove; Properties: Larry Stoner; Publications: Terry Reilly;
Stewardship: Franklin Stauffer; Evangelism: Steve Lange; Organists/pianists: Marge Metz, Scott
Salesky, and Brook Larson; Willing Workers: Chairwoman: Barb Buehler; Secretary: Linda Graf;
Altar Guild: Barb Buehler; LWMS Reporter: Marge Metz; Choir director: Lori Nowaczyk
Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2014
Welcome Guests and Visitors!
We are glad you are here. Please sign the guest book, located
on the cabinet to your left as you leave the sanctuary; or fill
out the guest card in the pew and put it in the offering plate.
Please include your e-mail or mailing address, if you would
like to be added to our weekly e-mail for sermons, bulletins
and announcements. There is restroom and a nursery in the
narthex.
A personal prayer for before worship from page 10 in the
hymnal Christian Worship: Heavenly Father, I have come
to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and
assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering
thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice
and sing your praise. Amen.
The order of service for today is The Common Service
found on page 15 in the front of the hymnal.
Introduction to the service: The creative, sustaining Word
of Christ brings people into fellowship with the true God and
fits them as living stones into the spiritual temple of God, the
holy Church.
Opening Hymn: 152 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives,
(verses 1 - 4)
Prayer of the Day: O God, you form the minds of your faithful
people into a single will. Make us love what you command and
desire what you promise, that among the many changes of
this world, our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of
heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
First lesson: Luke charts the progress of the Word as
preached by Paul. In Thessalonica, the Word is met with joy
by some, but stirs up the ire of Jews who become jealous of
its progress. Moving on from Thessalonica to Berea, Paul
preaches the Word to people "of more noble character." The
Bereans compared the message they heard with the written
Word. In so doing they find Christ, the heart of Old Testament
prophecy and New Testament proclamation. Take to heart the
call to be a Berean!
Acts 17:1–12 (NIV84) When they had passed through
Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where
there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As his custom was, Paul
went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he
reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and
proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.
“This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.
4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,
as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few
prominent women.
5But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some
bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and
started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in
search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the
crowd. 6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason
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and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting:
“These men who have caused trouble all over the world have
now come here, 7and Jason has welcomed them into his
house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that
there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8When they heard
this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.
9Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them
go.
10As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and
Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the
Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Bereans were of more noble
character than the Thessalonians, for they received the
message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12Many of the
Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek
women and many Greek men.
Psalm 33 found on page 79 in the front of the hymnal. The
Church sings of her heavenly Bridegroom, who upholds all
things by his Word for the sake of his Bride.
Second Lesson: Christ, the "living Stone," builds up his
people like living stones into a spiritual house. Jesus is
"rejected by men but chosen by God," and he makes his
people into a holy priesthood to the glory of God. This is all
the work of God's mercy in Christ. Calling sinners to himself,
he recreates them as his "chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation," that they may declare his praises now and in
eternity.
1 Peter 2:4–10 (NIV84) As you come to him, the living
Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to
him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a
spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in
Scripture it says:
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“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now
to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those
who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,”
8 and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is
also what they were destined for.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you
are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but
now you have received mercy.
Following the Verse of the Day the congregation joins in
singing the Triple Alleluia as found on page 18.
Verse of the Day: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen
indeed! I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord.
Alleluia. (John 14:6 cf NIV)
Gospel reading: This is the reading for the sermon.
Jesus has risen indeed! So, why let your heart be troubled?
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John 14:1–12 (NIV84)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust
also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were
not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a
place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come back and take you to be with me that you also may be
where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am
going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are
going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really
knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on,
you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be
enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after
I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has
seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the
Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that
the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my
own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his
work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the
Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the
miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has
faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even
greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Sermon Hymn: 356 You Are the Way, through You Alone
Sermon: by Pastor Robert Green based on John 14:1-12
Jesus has risen indeed! So, why let your heart be troubled?
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Offering: 426 Yours Forever, God of Love (verses 3 and
5)
Communion Hymn: 391 God Loved the World So that He
Gave
Please see below for an explanation of our communion
practice.
Closing Hymn: 152 I Know That My Redeemer Lives,
(verses 5 - 8)
Regarding Communion: For our Guests…
Our God generously comes to us with forgiveness in
very tangible means as we participate in Holy Communion.
Because the Bible has convinced us that Jesus’ body and
blood are present in the Lord’s Supper, and that receiving this
Sacrament together is a public statement of complete
oneness in our beliefs, our congregation doesn’t want to be
presumptuous and put you in the position of stating your
agreement with our convictions before we have had an
opportunity to explain them. Therefore we ask our visitors to
wait to take communion with us until each has spoken to the
pastor. Thank you for your understanding.
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For Our Members please see page 156 of the hymnal for
preparation questions and page 10 for prayers before and
after communion.
A prayer for after worship from page 11 of Christian
Worship, A Lutheran Hymnal:
Good Shepherd, I was glad to be here, gathered with your
flock to worship you. Cause the Word I have heard to take root
in my heart and bear fruit in my life. Guide me in paths of
righteousness, that my words and actions might lead others
to glorify you. Grant, O Lord, that the lips which have sung
your praise may continue to glorify you in the world; that the
ears which have heard you speak may be open always to your
Word and closed to hatred and discord; that the tongues
which have confessed your name may always speak the truth
without fear; that all of us who have worshiped together today
may be united in true love for each other as you have loved
us in Jesus. Amen
Announcements for the week of May 18th
Attendance last Sunday: 30; 1 computers watched it on the
internet; 64 visits to the website including 15 from 10 cities in
and around Harrisburg, from 23 states, one each from
Argentina, China, Brazil, Croatia, and Russia.
We have had some troubles broadcasting the service the last
two weeks, hopefully it will start working again.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 4, 7:00 pm Stephen Bautista, a guitarist, and a WELS
Lutheran, will put on a concert at Ascension. Stephen is a
WELS member from Las Vegas, Nevada, and a full-time
Christian Music Missionary that seeks to "enlighten the lost
and encourage the found" with his original, Christ-centered
music. Listeners enthusiastically describe Bautista as having
a similar musical and vocal style to that of James Taylor, but
with lyrics that convey a solid Gospel message.
He tours the country with his wife, their seven "roadschooled"
children, and a 125-pound dog, living in a travel trailer they
pull behind a Chevy Express van.
Stephen has two Nashville-produced CDs available for
purchase at his concerts and worship services. His music is
also available online at www.StephenBautistaMusic.com,
iTunes, Amazon, and most other online outlets.
Please consider supporting Stephen's music mission by
purchasing his CDs and/or contributing a freewill offering that
will help him continue spreading the Gospel with his music.
For more information about Stephen's music and upcoming
events, visit www.StephenBautistaMusic.com.
Friday, June 20, 7:00 pm Branches Band, they were here
about a year and a half ago, will put on a concert.
Branches Band exists to serve Christ through music.
Members of the band Andy Braun (guitar, vocals, and
harmonica), Jeremy Bakken (bass, piano, and vocals), and
Rachel Braun (vocals, piano, and small percussion) travel all
over the country with this ministry. They play hymns and
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original songs based on scripture to edify worship services,
add fun to church functions, and much more!
For a complete schedule and more information about
Branches Band, visit us at: www.branchesband.com or find
us at www.facebook.com/branchesband. CDs and other
merchandise will be available afterwards
Brain storming sessions: We will have one more session to
be scheduled. WE NEED EVERYONE MEMBER TO
PARTICIPATE. Our thanks to Sharon for providing the meal
and facilitating the discussion. Our thanks to Brooke for
babysitting.
If we have missed anyone’s birthday or anniversary, please
tell Mike Neff or Pastor Green.
May Birthday’s:
Larry Stoner 5/5;
Beth Jones 5/5;
Dawn Fleming 5/13;
Wendy Stoner 5/17;
Linda Graf 5/22;
Mike Nowaczyk 5/23;
Scott Salesky 5/24
May Anniversaries
Mike and Lori Nowaczyk 5/13
Lutheran Pioneers: meeting time to be determined.
Ascension Choir: To Singers and Wannabe Singers! We
need you! If you would like to join our choir, please speak to
our director Lori Nowaczyk.
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Target shooting club: Join us on the last Saturday of each
month at the Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers Club. You must
be a member or guest to go. For more information please ask
Pastor Green, Tammy McGhee or Mike Neff.
Ushers for May 14 Ron Althoff, Jerry Hawks, and Lance
Pockey
Bible Classes: weekday classes this week:
Wednesday: 10:30 am Bible class 1st Corinthians
Thursday:
7:00 pm Bible Study on 1 Corinthians at the
West Shore YMCA
Sunday:
9:00 am Sunday school for all ages;
Adults study Ecclesiastes
Prayer requests: Please let Pastor Green know of any prayer
requests for you or your loved ones. We pray for God has
commanded us to pray and they have requested the prayers.
We pray:
for those with cancer: Dirk Martinez; Brian Terry
(Brenda Thompson’s nephew), Bob Dunlop friend of Pastor
Green; Rendell Wolfe, relative of Barb Penstone for bone
cancer; Grace Glenn, Patti Reed’s step-mother; Kathleen
Woodall, Jeanne Green’s sister; Anthony Pockey, Lance’s
father; Shirley Maxwell; Solfryd, Ann-Helen’s mother; Birgit
Peltzer, friend of Pastor and Jeanne;
for those with heart issues: Karen Bray, Vyonne
Stephenson’s daughter, Helen Crogle, friend of Phyllis
Cross, Francis Pockey, Lance’s mother; Paul Kraft;
for other health issues: For Barbara Stottlelmeyer,
Kimberly Larson’s grandmother, for health issues; Joylynn
Larson, for multiple sclerosis; Paul Glenn, (Patti Reed’s
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brother) for vision problems; for Steve Murray, for stroke;
Ann Swan, for kidney problems; Sonia Schmidt for cerebral
palsy; Evelyn Kraft for lung issues; Bob Leathe for arthritis,
heart, and kidney issues; Josephine Hockey, Patti Neff’s
mother, for health problems; Faye Falcone Phyllis Cross’s
sister for eyesight;
for faith, health and welfare: Marlin Hauer, Kundry’s
father; Sharon Miller, Phyllis Cross’ niece; Jordan Glenn;
Daniel Reed; Destiny Reed; Patrick Collins; Pam Seed;
Ryan Collins; Billy Martin; Chris and Heather and sons
Dalton
and Dane;
for our world and home mission work;
for our college students: Eric Metz, Steven
Nowaczyk;
for those in the military: Brian Easter, Sarah
Buehler; Lance J. Pockey; Alyssa Briggs; Dennis Willie;
Anthony R. Pockey.
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This week at Ascension:
Wednesday: 10:30 am Bible study 1st Corinthians
Thursday:
7:00 pm Bible Study W. Shore – 1
Corinthians
Sunday:
9:00 am Bible class for adults-Ecclesiastes
9:30 am Sunday for children
10:30 am Worship for all ages.
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