5th Sunday of Easter
Community in Christ Lutheran Church
April 28, 2024
9 a.m.
Welcome to worship! We are glad you are here today!
If you are visiting with us, please let us know if there is anything you would like to know about our family of faith.
Prelude
Announcements
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Opening Song "Take Me to the Water" ACS 957
Greeting
Kyrie
Canticle of Praise
Prayer of the Day
Reading: Acts 8:26-40
26An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Reading – 1 John 4:7-21
1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The word the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
The Gospel according to Luke the 24th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. The Word of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day “Holy is the Lord God Almighty”
Nicene Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Peace
Offering
Offertory Hymn "As the Grains of Wheat" ELW 465
Offering Prayer
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord's Prayer (Sung)
Distribution of Communion
Communion Hymns "Because He Lives"
"Where Charity and Love Are Shown" ACS 931
Post Communion Blessing & Prayer
Benediction
Song "We Have Seen the Lord" ELW 869
Dismissal
Postlude
Adapted From Sundays and Seasons.com. SAS014958 Copyright 2024 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Announcements
Weekly Calendar:
Sunday, April 28—9 a.m. Worship (Contemporary & Livestreamed); Coffee Cart (Narthex), 10 a.m. Sunday School (begins in Sanctuary), N.Y.G. meeting (Parlor); 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional); 2 p.m. Softball Game (North Meck Park); 6 p.m. Confirmation Class
Monday, April 29 - 9:30 a.m. 5:11's Women's Book Study (parlor)
Tuesday, April 30—10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Narthex); 6:30 p.n. Card Ministry (Spirit Center)
Wednesday, May 1 - 1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)
Thursday, May 2 - 6 p.m. Carillon Bell Choir (Spirit Center), 7 p.m. Everyone (packing party for bell servicing)
Sunday, May 5—9 a.m. Worship (Contemporary & Livestreamed); 10 a.m. Coffee Cart (Narthex), S.S. (begins in Sanctuary; 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional)
New Banners: Our worship space has a slightly new look with the addition of banners on the front and side walls. These banners, based on the stained glass windows from the Spirit Center, are from the generosity of memorial gifts and will be dedicated on May 19th.
New Members: If you are interested in joining CIC or you just want to learn more about our family of faith, please e-mail Pastor Michael at pastormichael@communityinchrist.net
Annual Meeting: Mark your calendars! CIC’s annual meeting will be held on June 2nd. The meeting will be held immediately after the 10am service.
PERF - The Pastors Emergency Relief Fund is getting low. This fund is used to help people in the community in need of assistance. It could be for a Cashion's or Harris Teeter Gift card or to help someone with a utility bill or rent. Please consider donating to this fund so the opportunity to help our neighbor in need can continue. Thank you.
May Grocery Cart: Angels & Sparrows is a Community Table and Resource Center for families and individuals who need assistance with food, health, education, housing, finances, and more. The kitchen help at Angels and Sparrows is in need of Bread Crumbs (plain or Italian), Penne Pasta, Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce. When you’re doing your grocery shopping this month consider picking up a few of these items and adding them to the grocery cart at CIC. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our grocery cart collections each month. Your generosity is making a difference!
Vacation Bible School Camp Firelight Registration Opens Online Today! www.myvbs.org/CICLC Camp Firelight VBS “A Summer Camp Adventure with God” July 28-August 1, 2024, 6:00-8:00 P.M. Children 4 years old through 5th grade. Registration cost is $15.00/child with a maximum cost for a family of $35.00. Please check out the May Newsletter for more details. Adult and Student Volunteers are still needed.
For questions contact: Suzi Hinrichs at 630-841-7124 or suzihinrichs@gmail.com
Have you joined CIC's new online photo directory yet? The directory is through a program called Church Center, which is also an app.
Follow the QR code to get started.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Narthex.
Preschool Registration for 2024/2025 Is open: Please call or email Sharon Fuller for more details or refer to our website for an online
registration form. Or click on the QR code
Preschool Registration for Summer Camp is now open: Sessions are June 3-6, June 24-27, July 15-18, August 5-8. All camps run from
9:05 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please call or email Sharon Fuller for more details or refer to our website for an online registration form. Or click on the QR code
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. Based upon 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet on the third Sunday of the month between services to discuss ways we can continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Jill Brooks (jlkbrooks@gmail.com) with any questions. Our next meeting will be on May 19th between services in the Fellowship Hall.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: We will meet, Tuesday, April 30th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Spirit Center. Participants are asked to enter through the doors nearest the Spirit Center. Need more information? Contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: We will meet on Thursday, May 9th & 23rd, at 10 a.m. in Classroom #1. Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
Happy Times Seniors: Will meet Wednesday, May 15th, in the Spirit Center at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and Bingo! Please bring your own bag lunch. RSVP Ron Major (704) 622-0517 HunterRon35@hotmail.com
Take Me Out To The Ball Game … Maybe Even Twice! There are two separate Kannapolis Cannon Baller opportunities in the next two months! One is a unique opportunity to support Lutheran Services Carolinas and the second is our annual CIC ball game outing for fun and fellowship!
Friday, May 10th, is Faith Night at the Cannon Ballers and a portion of the ticket sales goes to supporting Lutheran Services Carolinas! Ticket prices are $14 and you MUST use the provided link (https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Lutheranservices) to pay the Cannon Ballers directly and for your ticket sale to help LSC! You can purchase tickets through the link until 5pm on the night of the game!
Friday, June 21st, at 7pm is CIC’s night at the Cannon Ballers! CIC has a block of tickets to sit together to enjoy this game with new and old friends! It’s also Princess Night AND there are fireworks after the game! The cost of this game is $10 per ticket paid directly to CIC on the website (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z442/campaign/C-12NB9) or via check with “baseball game” in the memo line. To hold your spot, you will
need to BOTH 1- sign up your whole group on Church Center AND 2- make payment by Sunday, June 16th. Use this link or QR code to register
today for CIC’s night at the Cannon Ballers! https://community-in-christ-lutheran-church-430595.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2287988 If you need help signing up on Church Center, please contact the church office.
Save the Date! CIC's Annual Golf Outing will be on September 9th at Verdict Ridge in Denver. All proceeds will benefit CIC Youth Ministries.
