First Lutheran Church

PRIDE & Father’s Day

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The central characters of today’s gospel are the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip, an apostle, deacon, and follower of Jesus. The Ethiopian Eunuch, having been sexually mutilated, cannot enter the Temple in Jerusalem for worship. He indeed, is a “stranger at the gate.” Upon a Spirit-filled meeting between the
Eunuch and Philip, the faith demonstrated by the Eunuch compels Philip to baptize him. Both depart from each rejoicing and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

Juneteenth

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Peter Randall

Introduction

Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.

Pentecost II

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Cassandra Chavez,

Assisting Minister:Sue Newburg

Introduction

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the
healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

Trinity Sunday

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Beatrice Michels Brown
,

Assisting Minister:Sue Newburg

Introduction

Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

Pentecost & Confirmation

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Dawn Caffelle

Lay Reader: Weston Pearson

Confirmands: Addison Pellerin,
Dashwan Pinto, Avandro Goncalves,
Justin Dahlgren

Introduction

Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and
among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.

Easter VII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Lay Eucharistic Minister: Jeanne Govonni

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.

Easter VI

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Introduction

Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We
receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

Easter V ã Baptism

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in
the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.

Easter IV

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.

Easter III

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with
sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts
burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

Easter II

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction

In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the
new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.

Easter

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Acolytes: Matthew Carlson & Juliette Carlson

Introduction

This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34):Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise,gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.

Good Friday | Tenebrae

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson & The Reverend Dr. Pauline Wanjiru Njiru


Assisting Minister:

Introduction

Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days on Easter Day.

Maundy Thursday

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson & Reverend Dr. Pauline Wanjiru Njiru


Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction

This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.

Stations of the Cross

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson & Beatrice Michels-Brown


Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Robert Diercks, Artist: After teaching design and art courses full-time for 33 years, Professor Emeritus Robert Diercks teaches one semester a year at Franklin Pierce University. For this abbreviated cycle of The Stations of the Cross, he was inspired by a recent Exhibition at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of the local Boston artist, Alan Rohan Crite.