DAY OF PENTECOSTMay 31, 2020

Saint John Lutheran ChurchGriffin, Georgia

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GATHERING

Prelude

Welcome Thanksgiving for BaptismAlleluia! Christ is risen.Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are raised with him to new life.Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your imageand planted us in a well-watered garden. In the desert you promised pools of water for the parched, and you gave us water from the rock. When we did not know the way, you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters.At the cross, you watered us from Jesus’ wounded side, and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life. We praise you for your salvation through water, for the water in this font, and for all water everywhere.Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love. Satisfy the thirsty, and give us the life only you can give. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.Amen.Our mission here at St. John is…We trust God and invite you to experience God’s inclusive Love!

Gathering Song (Next Page)

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Greeting The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.The Prayer of the Day O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORDActs 2:1-211When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.  5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”  14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

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18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 9And I will show portents in the heaven aboveand signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b 24How manifold are your works, O Lord!  In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its swarms too many to number,  living things both small and great. 26There go the ships to and fro,  and Leviathan, which you made for the sport of it. 27All of them look to you  to give them their food in due season.  28You give it to them; they gather it;  you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. 29When you hide your face, they are terrified;  when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. 30You send forth your Spirit, and they are created;  and so you renew the face of the earth. 31May the glory of the Lord endure forever;  O Lord, rejoice in all your works.  32You look at the earth and it trembles;  you touch the mountains and they smoke. 33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;  I will praise my God while I have my being. 34May these words of mine please God.  I will rejoice in the Lord. 35bBless the Lord, O my soul.  Hallelujah!

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1 Corinthians 12:3b-133bNo one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.  4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

  12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

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Gospel Acclamation

The Holy Gospel according to St. John. Glory to you, O Lord.John 20:19-2319When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.Sermon Silence is kept for reflection

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The Nicene CreedWe believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became truly human.for our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen

Prayers of Intercession7

Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

We call on your spirit of unity, giving thanks for our different vocations. Activate and utilize the diverse gifts present in your church, that they reveal your love for all. Bless the ministry of Agustinian Lutheran School, Guatemala and St. Johannes, Bavaria. We pray for Grace Missions and Chez Moi Orphanage, Haiti. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.We call on your spirit of righteousness. Wherever we as a people are divided, unite us. Wherever we are prideful, humble us. Protect those serving in the military, especially Sequoya McLendon, Chris Perrault, Chantz Roche. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.Tender God, we wait with hope for your presence to heal us, bless us, restore us, and give us peace. You know all the names of those suffering for whom we pray this day especially, Cathleen Dahl, Terry McCormick, Charlie Parks, William Panick, Bob Keener, Karen and Alvin Gruenewald, Susan and David Friend, Brandon, Stephanie and Kimber Roberts, Maureen Caldwell, April Kennedy, June Harnack, Debbie Sakmar, Pete and Marilyn Droegmiller, Myrna Schultz, John Bennett, Whitney O’Connor Hawk, Larry and Christie Stoermer, Sarah Lanier, Connie Klopfenstein and Charlie Norman, Bobbi Windsor, Carol Tackett, Dan Stewart, Ken Bell, Roger Mayo. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.We pray for those celebrating birthdays, Chantz Roche, Harry Willard; those celebrating baptisms, Rita Bennett, Enid Mswia, Harry Willard; those celebrating anniversaries, Steve and Sandra Harwood; expectant parents, Jonathon and Katie McDaniel. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.We lift up all others we name in our hearts or on our lips….. (Pause). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

MEAL

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We Share the Peace of the LordSpecial Music Gathering of Gifts Prayer of ThanksgivingMerciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. Feed us again at this table for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. Amen.Spiritual Communion

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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. AmenThanksgiving for the WordThrough Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

SENDING

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AnnouncementsBlessingGod bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.

God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever.Amen.Sending Hymn (next page) Dismissal As we go on our way, let us remember…We are an equipping and responding churchthat continues to grow, impact, and transform lives.Go in Peace, May the Holy Spirit guide youThanks be to God!Postlude

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – MAY 31, 2020Cathleen Dahl, Terry McCormick, Charlie Parks, William Panick, Bob Keener, Karen and Alvin Gruenewald, Susan and David Friend, Brandon, Stephanie and Kimber Roberts, Maureen Caldwell, April Kennedy, John Roy, June Harnack, Debbie Sakmar, Pete and Marilyn Droegmiller, Myrna Schultz, John Bennett, Micah Stansell, Whitney O’Connor Hawk, Larry and Christie Stoermer, Sarah Lanier, Connie Klopfenstein and Charlie Norman, Bobbi Windsor, Carol Tackett, Dan Stewart, Ken Bell, Roger Mayo.

BIRTHDAYS BAPTISMS6/1 Chantz Roche 6/1 Rita Bennett, Enid Mswia,6/5 Harry Willard Harry WillardANNIVERSARIES6/2 Steve and Sandra Harwood MILITARYEXPECTANT PARENTS Sequoya McLendon, Chantz Roche,Katie and Jonathon McDaniel Chris Perrault

FAMILY AND FRIENDS : Liz and Bob Sherliza, Deb Tutson, James and Ellen Granum, Brooke Davis (Friends of Saint John); Ruby Reid (family of Gwen Flowers-Taylor); Doug and Pat Sederquist (brother and Sister-in-law of Kathy and Bill Gates); Charles Harper, Tim Kennedy (family and friends of April Kennedy); Rick Schnaible, Phyllis Kesler (family of Lyle and Cheryl Kesler); Mary Locke (mother of Janet Kindred); Kim Lothrop, (family of Connie Klopfenstein); John Bechtel, Susan St. John, (family and friends of Sarah Lanier); Isaac Russell (family of Marcus Loner); Jim & Emma Shoup, Chuck and Bunny Blume, (friends of Tish Martin); Sara, Merline and family (Friends and family of Gwen and Charlie Parks), Melissa Roy, Mary Donna Harris (family of Jill Roy); Doug Maxwell, Max Maxwell (Brother and Father of Debbie Sakmar); Jack Bauser (family Carol Tackett), Anneka Swann, Anna Baron, Tina Sprouse, Amanda Doyle, Ted Helms, Herbert Rogers (family and friends of Bill, Cherie, and Mandy Tidwell).

PASTOR MARY’S CONTACT INFOE-mail: pastor_st.john@yahoo.com Cell is: (309)-212-0888.

TITHINGThere are several ways to give to Saint John during the Covid-19 shutdown. (1) Mail your tithe to Saint John at the address listed on the next page. (2) Go online to Tithe.ly.com and give using a credit card. The easiest way to get to the correct page is to use the link in the weekly newsletter or the link on our webpage at www.stjohngriffin.org. This service does charge, so be sure to add the fees to your intended gift. (3) We are set up with United Bank to take gifts of stock. If you are interested in giving stocks, please let the office know and we will give you the contact info at United Bank.Thank you for your continued support of Saint John and its ministries.

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NEWS FROM THE COVID-19 TASK FORCEGreetings to everyone! Your Saint John Covid-19 Task force 19 (comprised of Phyllis Hutchings, Dr. Vaughn and Cheryl Maples, Sandra Harwood, and Pastor Mary) has been meeting, and working on steps to take for us to have worship again in person at Saint John.

That being said, the task force, in sharing with council, plans that we will not reopen the church for worship, or for outside groups, with the exception of the upcoming election voting (already scheduled with the county on June 9 th) ) until Pastor Mary returns from the Midwest in late July . (Pastor Mary leaves July 1st with her family to the Midwest. This year, she is staying a little longer because she promised 6 years ago to officiate at a friend’s wedding that is taking place on July 18th) Please note that there will still be worship online at 10 a.m. on Sunday’s in July with guest preachers.

After much learning, and with consultation with the Bishop and synod staff guidelines for reopening, the following criteria will need to be met for opening:

Public health numbers: we will not open if there is a surge in numbersCleaning supplies (including masks, sanitizers): adequate and sufficient suppliesVolunteers to clean after each service: sufficient numbersTraining for volunteers (it is highly recommended that the volunteers be younger than 65, and not have compromised immune systems for themselves or family members that they live with at their home.)

When we do have worship in person, we will have worship for several weeks, and make sure that everything is working well for everyone before we decide about opening our doors to the outside groups that use the church building. Until that time, there will be no outside groups in the building.We do have the AA group meeting in our trailer currently (they did close until recently) but we have asked them to follow health guidelines for protection of everyone at those meetings.

Next week, our task force will meet in person to look at the spaces at church to come up with a plan for worship. Worship may be a little different. We may not be singing ourselves. We may have Communion differently. We may worship in a different space in the building when we come back together. We may be seated much differently then we have been in the past. But, we will do our best to be able to meet together and to worship together when the criteria is met.The task force will be talking about worship on both Sunday, and Wednesday. There may be stages of opening with different things happening at each stage. More news will be coming in the next few weeks.

We know that this is not easy. Most of us miss seeing each other, talking face to face, sharing peace or a hug. Many of us long to worship together. But, while we are apart, we are still worshipping together online. God has not left any of us. God is still a very present help in these times. We all are working together for everyone’s safety, and health, to be able to come together once again in person.More details, and plans will be coming out in the next two weeks. Until then, if you have any thoughts or concerns, feel free to get ahold of anyone on our task force. Please keep us in prayer for

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guidance of where we are going. Please know that we pray for all of you as we ask for your continued health and safety of you and your family. Blessings, Saint John Covid-19 Task Force.

Greetings St. John,

I am excited to announce that Council has called a special congregational meeting on Sunday, June 7 at 11:00 AM for the purpose of approving a 2-year term call for Pastor Mary. Because Pastor Mary was called as Interim, the Synod has strongly recommended that we offer her a two-year contract. After the two years, we may offer her a permanent position. The reason for this is that she would have to leave while we went through the call process for a permanent pastor which could take up to three months. During the call process, we would have to obtain another bridge pastor.

Now the interesting part – we will be conducting this meeting through a video tele-conferencing app called Zoom. Council has been using this app and it has been working well. You will be able to join this meeting with a smart phone or camera enabled desktop or laptop. You can also join for audio only with a touch tone phone. On a smartphone, you download the app from the app store. On laptops and desktops, you go to the Zoom website and download the app. Let us know if you want to join with a phone and we’ll get you the access code.

Additional instructions for Zoom is printed on the back of this letter.

I understand for a lot of you this may be a new thing, so in addition to instructions with the meeting announcement we will be holding a “trial run” on Sunday, May 31 also at 11:00 AM so we can check in and see if you have any problems with this app. No business will be discussed at the “trial run” – we want to make sure it works for you! You will receive the meeting access code via email. If you prefer to receive it by text, you will need to let the church office know no later than 2pm on Thursday, June 4 at 770-228-0662.

I still don’t know much about Zoom, but if you need any help, I’ll try my best to get you the information you need. Also, our Council members are happy to help! I look forward to seeing you virtually then! Mark MillerCouncil President

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Zoom Practice Meeting on Sunday, May 31 st at 11 a.m. Zoom meet up to vote for calling Pastor Mary Armstrong-Reiner for a two-year term call onSunday, June 7th at 11 a.m. (you will be able to get on zoom starting at 10:50 for the meeting)

What is Zoom? Zoom is a meeting place online where people gather for discussions, meetings, visits, etc. from wherever they are, and be able to see and hear each other. It is a virtual meeting. The church has been using zoom for our twice monthly council meetings, and our twice monthly staff meetings. Even with all the times that we get onto these meetings, we can still have some issues with getting onto a meeting. So, before the June 7 meeting, we want to offer some time to get on together, and make sure everyone feels comfortable doing so.Are you new to Zoom? A Zoom newbie? Would you like some help getting on to the meeting, either by video or phone? We have the answer for you! Gayle Harvil, our amazing zoom teacher, will set up a one on one with you to guide you through getting on and off zoom so that you are ready to go come meeting time. She is happy to talk with you and walk you through the process in the coming weeks. You may call or text Gayle at (770)-468-8103 starting this Friday, May 22nd and Saturday, May 23rd from 9a.m. to 9 p.m. to try this out. She will also be available next week, starting Wednesday, May 27th through Saturday, May 30th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. again. If you call or text, and she doesn’t answer, she will get back to you as soon as she can. Please give her time as one or two people may reach out to her at the same time.Please note that you can get onto zoom through video via the internet, or on a phone line only, and you can then be on audio only. So, it works both ways. This is not hard to do but if you haven’t done this before, it can be confusing. Please take advantage of this help, and join us online on the zoom meetings.Please note: For both meeting dates, May 31st, and June 7th, help will be available if you can’ t get onto the zoom meeting. If you need to call someone for help, call the church at: (770)-228-0662, and speak to Gayle Harvil, who will walk you through getting on. If you wish to text to get the code again to get on the zoom meeting, please text Jennifer Durham at: (770)-584-2091.

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Saint John Lutheran Church1689 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

Griffin, GA 30224 Church Phone: 770-228-0662

Email: stjohnelca@bellsouth.netWebsite: www.stjohngriffin.org

Facebook: Saint John Evangelical Lutheran ChurchPastor Mary Armstrong-Reiner

Pastor_st.john@yahoo.comCell 309-212-0888

Support StaffLynn Jones, Administrative Assistant Amy Droegmiller, Youth LeadersMarilyn Droegmiller, Organist Gayle Harvil, Praise Team DirectorJoan Thomas, Choir Director Heather Loner, Nursery AttendantJennifer Durham, Choir Accompanist

Congregation CouncilMark Miller, President Donna MilamDon Taylor, Vice-President Phyllis HutchingsEnid Mswia, Secretary Liesl KompelienButch Armistead, Financial Secretary Tyler SwensonTish Martin, Treasurer Rita Johnson

Ministry ContactsAltar Guild: Sandra Harwood Member Care: Sarah Lanier, Cherie TidwellEducation: Phyllis Hutchings Property: John Sanders, Matt BaadeFellowship: Laura Miller, Martha Dansby Social Ministry: Jill Gates, Don TaylorFinance: Tish Martin, Butch Armistead Stewardship: Mark Miller Gifts and Memorials: Tish Martin Worship: Sandra Harwood Glocal Mission: Andy Harnack, Larry Schultz Youth Ministry: Amy Droegmiller

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All liturgies, prayers, Bible passages and music are reprinted with permission from the following resources.Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License 23384;

OneLicense.net. License #A-701923; CCLI License # 2725291.

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