Bible Study
Join Pastor Pokora for Bible Study this evening at 7 pm (via Zoom).
To join use Meeting ID 798 0806 5588 and Password v7PTVg
Grace Lutheran Church Invites You!
Grace Lutheran Church invites you to attend a Life & Legacy Series on Thursdays during the month of May.
Preparation for the Food Pantry & Clothing Closet
Volunteers are needed to help load, unload, and put away the items from River Bend Food Bank. The load will be delivered by River Bend Food Bank to All Saints Lutheran Church at 9:15 am on Thursday, May 18th.
Volunteers are always needed during the week to prepare boxes, stock the shelves, and hang/organize clothing.
Food Pantry & Clothing Closet
The Food Pantry & Clothing Closet are open every Saturday from 11 am – 1 pm, even holiday weekends.
Sunday Schedule
All are welcome to join us for worship and fellowship time at All Saints Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 21st, the 7th Sunday of Easter.
Worship – 10 am (sanctuary)
Fellowship/Refreshments – after worship (gathering space)
Theme & Write Up for the Season of Easter
written by Matt Reece, Director of Music Ministries
God’s grace transforms our suffering into feasting
Christ is risen – he is risen indeed! The shadows over the sun have cleared, and we rejoice in the risen Savior’s victory over sin and death.
During the season of Lent, we wore the sackcloth and ashes of silence and introspection. We looked into the shadows of ourselves and discovered God waiting for us even there. Now, a new morning has dawned. The stone has been rolled away. Suffering has been transformed into feasting. Our ears ring with shouts of “Hosanna!” and “Alleluia!”
Christ shares our suffering, and shows us God’s grace by remaining present with us even on our most difficult journeys. The trials of our lives don’t allow us to just flip a switch from darkness to light: each day is a pathway through both suffering and feasting. No matter the stones and roots we encounter on the path, God is constantly creating us anew to be filled with his Spirit of love and compassion.
As we celebrate the resurrection throughout the season of Easter, may our hearts be filled with love and light, and may our suffering be transformed into feasting.
Introduction
In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family.
Scripture
Acts 1:6-14 – Jesus’ companions at prayer after his departure
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 – Sing to God, who rides upon the clouds. (Ps. 68:4)
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 – God will sustain and restore those who suffer
John 17:1-11 – Christ’s prayer for his disciples