+ The gospel for Easter’s seventh Sunday is always taken from the long prayer Jesus prays for his followers in John’s gospel on the night before his death, and always includes Jesus’ desire that his followers will be one as he and the Father are one. This oneness is not mere doctrinal agreement or institutional unity, but mutual abiding, interpenetrating life, mutual love, and joy. This oneness is the work of the Spirit whom we have received but also await. Come, Holy Spirit! +

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Refreshed by the resurrection life we share in Christ,
let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

We thank you, risen Christ,
for these waters where you make us new,
leading us from death to life, from tears to joy.

We bless you, risen Christ, that your Spirit comes to us
in the grace-filled waters of rebirth,
like rains to our thirsting earth,
like streams that revive our souls,
like cups of cool water shared with strangers.

Breathe your peace on your church when we hide in fear.
Clothe us with your mercy and forgiveness.
Send us companions on our journey as we share your life.

Make us one, risen Christ.
Cleanse our hearts.
Shower us with life.
To you be given all praise,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God,
now and forever.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN: Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (ELW #843 + Verses 1 & 3 )

1 Praise the One who breaks the darkness
with a liberating light;
praise the One who frees the pris’ners,
turning blindness into sight.
Praise the One who preached the gospel,
healing ev’ry dread disease,
calming storms and feeding thousands
with the very bread of peace.

3 Praise the one true love incarnate:
Christ, who suffered in our place;
Jesus died and rose for many 
that we may know God by grace.
Let us sing for joy and gladness, 
seeing what our God has done.
Praise the one redeeming glory; 
praise the One who makes us one

Text: Rusty Edwards, b. 1955
Text © 1987 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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.

HYMN OF PRAISE: Glorify Your Name (W&P #42 + Verse 1)

Father we love You.
We worship and adore You.
Glorify Your name in all thee earth.
Glorify Your name.
Glorify Your name.
Glorify Your name in all the earth.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Gracious and glorious God, you have chosen us as your own, and by the powerful name of Christ you protect us from evil. By your Spirit transform us and your beloved world, that we may find our joy in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

READINGS

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

+ In the days between Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost, Peter oversees the process whereby one of the members of the community of believers is chosen to be the twelfth apostle, in order to fill the vacancy created by Judas’s treachery and death. +

The first reading comes from Acts beginning at the 1^st Chapter.

¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, ¹⁶“Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus—¹⁷for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” ²¹So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” ²³So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 1

+ The Lord knows the way of the righteous. (Ps. 1:6) +

Together we will read responsively from Psalm 1.

 ¹Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked,
  nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
 ²Their delight is in the law of the Lord,
  and they meditate on God’s teaching day and night.

  ³They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither;
  everything they do shall prosper.
 ⁴It is not so with the wicked;
  they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
 ⁵Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes,
  nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
 ⁶For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
  but the way of the wicked shall be destroyed.

1 John 5:9-13

+ God has borne witness to the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in the Son of God believes in the witness of God and has the promise of eternal life. +

The second reading comes from 1 John beginning at the 5^th chapter.

⁹If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. ¹⁰Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. ¹¹And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

  ¹³I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

John 17:6-19

+ In this reading the church hears Jesus’ words on the night before his death—his prayer for his disciples and for all who would believe in him through their words. +

The Holy Gospel according to John beginning at the 17^th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

[Jesus prayed:] ⁶“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. ⁷Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; ⁸for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ⁹I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. ¹⁰All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. ¹¹And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. ¹⁴I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁵I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY: Rise, O Sun of Righteousness ( ELW #657 + Verses 1 & 5 )

1 Rise, O Sun of righteousness;
with your might creation bless.
Shine upon your church today,
showing all your gentle way.
Have mercy, Lord.

5 Honor, praise, and glory be
to the holy Trinity!
May your gracious will be done:
make us one, as you are one.
Have mercy, Lord. 

Text: Christian David, et al.; tr. Frank W. Stoldt, b. 1958
Text © 2003 Augsburg Fortress.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

Let us confess our faith saying the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.

+ A brief silence. +

Holy God, in Christ Jesus the joy of the church is made complete. Root the church in your Word and unify us as Christ’s body. Send us into the world as your loving people, ready to testify to your Spirit at work. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Mighty God, the world is your handiwork, displaying your creative impulse. Seas teem with life, forests reach up to praise you, and the mystery of life lies deep in the soil. Guard and keep this world for the well-being of all your creatures. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Gracious Sovereign, those who follow your ways are like trees planted near streams of water. Establish the leaders of nations and all in authority in your grace and truth. Strengthen them, so that the people they serve will have abundant life. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Generous Savior, you befriend those who are sick, suffering, poor, lonely, outcast, rejected, or sick. Grant healing and love to all in need, especially Bob Sarro, Fredrica Vidair, Briana, Ray Holm, Ruth Nouza, Johnathan, Durcie Banton, Buddy Poje, MaryAnn Hellenbrecht, Brock and Jesse. Give them tangible signs of your steadfast love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Creator God, here in this community we share the gift of praying, learning, and supporting one another. Give us thankful hearts as we claim the gifts that are unique to us and keep us from being envious of others with different gifts. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Healing God, you give comfort and healing of those who cry out to you. Surround everyone in need of healing with your tender presence. Come to our aid in this Coronavirus pandemic, heal those who are sick, support and protect their families from being infected, grant access to vaccines for all. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

Justice Seeking God, you give fortitude to those who experience racism as part of their daily realities, who fear for their lives and that of those whom they love. May we do our part to learn about racism’s presence in our world, to accompany, and to advocate when members of your beloved community are not treated with the respect deserving of one created in your image. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

Creator of the human family, your children in the Holy Land are fighting once again. In the places where Jesus walked, the blood of innocent people cries from the ground for justice and peace. As we pray for the peace of the whole world, move us beyond liturgy to action, beyond fear to love, and beyond bias to understanding. Be with your Palestinian children, granting them peace with justice and reconciliation. Be with your Israeli children, giving them courage to tear down walls and build bigger tables where all can gather in your name for a feast in God’s peaceable realm. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Saving God, your wonderful promise is the gift of eternal life in Jesus. Through the witness of those who have died in you, strengthen us now in this gift of life. We cherish the memory of your saints. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

SHARING OF CHRIST’S PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always!
And also with you!
Let us share Christ’s peace with one another.

OFFERING MESSAGE & PRAYER

Please consider continuing to mail in your offering or giving online!  We continue to have expenses that need to be covered during this time. We are most grateful for your generosity.

Let us pray.
O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. 
Amen.

OFFERTORY HYMN: Give Thanks (W&P #41)

Give thanks with a grateful heart, 
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.

And now let the weak say, “I am strong,” 
let the poor say, “I am rich,”
because of what the Lord has done for us.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,”
let the poor say, “I am rich,”
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks!

Text: Henry Smith
© 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. International © secured.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.
Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

IN PERSON WORSHIP

In person services will begin on May 2 at 10:00am. Reservations are not necessary, but masks are.

CONFIRMATION

Next Class is June 6th at 11:30am. Details forthcoming.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Virtual Sunday School will take place on May 16th via Zoom at 11:30am. Julia Klarman will send out more information closer to that date so look out for her email.

FLOCKING
It’s Flocking Season at Holy Trinity! A flock of pink flamingos have begun gracing the yards of Holy Trinity members and friends. The fundraiser supports the Holy Trinity Youth Group trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering. Contact Diane Gilroy for more information on how to flock someone’s yard or to purchase Flocking insurance!

EXITING THE SPACE AFTER IN PERSON WORSHIP

At the end of worship this morning we ask that all in-person worshipers exit the space as quickly as possible while maintaining social distance. If you would like to gather in fellowship with one another to talk and catch up it is much safer and easier to maintain social distance on the lawn than it is inside and allows us to clean up the worship space more quickly. Thank you for your help.

PRAYER LETTERS

Even while we are still worshiping online prayer letters are still available. If you are interested in receiving the weekly prayer list please contact Ruth.

COFFEE HOUR
11:00am via Zoom.  Contact Carol Robinson for additional information.  It’s an opportunity to stay in touch with fellow Members.

COUNCIL MEETING
June 8^th meeting via ZOOM @ 7:30 pm

WORSHIP BULLETINS

Worship bulletins are available on Tuesdays for the following Sunday and may be found outside the red doors at the entry door for the office.

CELL PHONE DONATIONS

Holy Trinity is in need of a few more spare smartphones for Worship live streaming. If you have a spare iPhone or Android phones that you would be willing to donate please contact the church office, Ruth, Pastor Analyse, or Carol R. to make arrangements to drop them off. We can wipe the memory from the phone for you and it will be used to record video and audio. Thank you to those who have already donated. We really appreciate it.

NEW PARAMENTS

We are in the process of buying some much needed paraments for the altar. We welcome any gifts to purchase them as they are quite expensive.

WOMEN’S GROUP

MAY 19th via ZOOM @ 7:00pm

COVID VACCINE

As of May 13th, 2021 all New York residents over the age of 16 are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents over the age of 12 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine only at this time.

To see if you qualify click here, find the location for your vaccination, and to make an appointment visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder, turbovax.info, the NY State Vaccine website or you can call 1-877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692) NOTE: When you make an appointment you must fill out the form at https://forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine.

Get real time updates for appointment openings straight to your phone by following TurboVax’s Twitter Account. ( Click the link, then the follow button and then click the notification bell). TurboVax tracks appointment availability for the 5 boroughs, Long Island, and Upstate.

If you need to find a COVID test, locations are updated by zip code weekly at nyc.gov/covidtest or by calling 1-212-COVID19 (1-212-268-4319).

Holy Trinity is happy to help you with this process. Please contact Pastor Analyse at pastoranalyse@holytrinitybellerose.org or 516-400-2438.

Other announcements are located in the downloadable bulletin at the top of this webpage.

BLESSING

May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom
to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus.
The God of life,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.

SENDING HYMN: Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing! (ELW #389 + Verses 1 & 5)

1 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. 
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936
Text © 1975, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

DISMISSAL

What is our Mission?  Welcoming all to grow in faith; living Christ’s message of serving and loving neighbors near and far.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Contact Us

holytrinitybellerose.org