Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church 3670 Perkiomen Avenue

Reiffton, Reading, PA 19606

610-779-0534

Celebrating the Fifth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2020

A Service of Word and Sacrament

I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

Welcome to Reformation: Please add your voice and heart to the worship: sing the hymns

and pray the prayers. CD’s are available of the services. Please let the office know if

you would like a copy. Services are Livestreamed on Facebook. They can be found

on Reformation’s Facebook Page – click on “videos”.

Today’s Service: Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14

Today’s theme is Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. He is that

because God raised him from death. Our readings begin with an account

of the death of Stephen, the first person to be martyred for his forthright

statement of faith in Jesus Christ. The selection from Psalm 31 is a

response to that story, and includes words (verse 5) that Jesus quoted

from the cross. These are words that are always part of the church’s

Night Prayer (Compline).

The reading from First Peter urges us to grow into salvation, and

describes the church as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

God’s own people. We are that through baptism into Christ. The first

part of today’s gospel is frequently read at funerals for its reassurance of

God’s generous hospitality in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the

life for us who follow him. How are you living out this priesthood,

serving in Christ’s name? How is Jesus the way, the truth, and the life

for you, especially now?

Service participants for this morning:

Presiding Minister: Rev. L. George Detweiler

Director of Music: Heidi Rochlin

Assisting Minister: Debra Detweiler

Livestreaming: Tom Sahaida and Jared Preston*

Today’s flowers are given to the glory of God

by the Bowers in honor of their wedding anniversary

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,

we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness.

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 your Spirit moved over the waters

and by your Word you created the world,

calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.

Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.

At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy

Spirit.

By water and your Word, you claim us as daughters and sons,

making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,

and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.

Shower us with your Spirit,

and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

GATHERING SONG Alleluia! Jesus is Risen! ELW # 377

GREETING

Alleluia! Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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.

KYRIE

HYMN OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray… Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the

truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow

in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life

with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The assembly is seated.

FIRST READING Acts 7:55-60

A reading from the 7th chapter of Acts.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life ELW 816

Bob Benton, Soloist

SECOND READING 1 Peter 2:2-10

A reading from 1st Peter, the 2nd chapter.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

GOSPEL John 14:1-14

The Holy Gospel according to John, the 14th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

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

The assembly is seated.

Before and after the sermon: Alleluia! Christ is risen:

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

SERMON

The assembly stands.

HYMN OF THE DAY I Am the Bread of Life ELW # 485

Nicene Creed

Let us confess our faith together.

We 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.

Offering of Music: “Do Not Be Afraid” by Philip Stopford

The Rochlin Ensemble Singers

PRAYERS

Assisting Minister: 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.

Each petition of the prayers concludes with these words:

Alleluia! Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Assisting Minister: With bold confidence in your love, almighty God,

we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ

our Lord.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray together with confidence in the words our Savior gave us.

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

BLESSING

Alleluia! Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

Amen

SENDING HYMN NOW THE GREEN BLADE RISES ELW379

DISMISSAL

Assisting Minister: Alleluia! Christ is risen: Christ is risen

indeed! Alleluia!

POSTLUDE

* Our Live streaming of worship is a team effort. For these services,

Jared Preston prepares the banners that appear on the screen, but there is

only one person on site overseeing the stream: either Andy Dobroskey or

Tom Sahaida. In normal times, Stu Johnston runs the sound board, and

Chris Richards is available to deal with network or computer

issues. Thanks to all these volunteers!!

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26750.

PRAYER LIST

Please keep the following in your prayers. If you would like to place a

name on the prayer list, please first get their permission, then call the

church office or e-mail to: mail@reformationlutheran.org. We will

keep their name on the list for three months. If the name needs to

remain on the list just call Pat with an update.

Reformation Family: Carol Baer, Joyce Osborne, Jayne Phillips,

LaJune McDonough, Bob Rutherford, Melanie Bechtel, Patti Kline,

Jane Hoffmaster, Marie Kisling, Barb Regar, Julie Seiz, Beth Sperling,

Jessica Fry, Kaj O’Leary, Roger Hillibush, Cindy Shirey, Mark Painter,

Tina Little. Judy Zettlemoyer, Owen Marone, and Harriet Clauser.

Friends of Reformation: Alyssa Rohrbach, Mike Jarmiolowski, Chris

Billy, Gerry, Hilary Hughes, Bonnie Claycomb, Carl, and Diane

Benner.

We are praying for our Healthcare and Emergency Workers in this

unusual time. The list below is of members and friends who work in

those fields. If you know of others, please let Pastor Detweiler know.

(pastor@reformationlutheran.org):

Scott Bogust, Heather McHale, Kelly Brizek, Deborah Powell, Lauren

DeAcosta, Ginny Rathman, Kathy Galbraith, Sarah Galbraith, Chris

Karasek, Ted Lis, Exeter PD, Randy Reinecker, Patty Matijasich, Cathy

Sarra, Heather Rawson, Cindy Shirey, Megan Shirey, Lisa Sokoloff,

Joel Sokoloff, Jen Weaver, Abbey Weaver-Stine, and Greg Wilson.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The invitations to the Zoom Town Hall with Bishop Zeiser set for

Monday at 7:00 PM have been sent. If you have not received one and

would like to participate, please let Sara Lambert know at

sara.sue.lambert@gmail.com. She will send you the invitation so you

can join the meeting.

mailto:pastor@reformationlutheran.orgmailto:sara.sue.lambert@gmail.com

Congratulations to Jeff & Lynn DeAcosta on the birth of their first

grandchild, Jayce DeAcosta, on May 7!

High School and College Graduates - We want to recognize those

graduating this spring. If you have a graduate in your family, please let

the office know. In early June we will be printing a list of those

graduating.

Geraniums for Pentecost – Help us to beautify our sanctuary for the

Day of Pentecost on May 31. Please consider getting a geranium in

honor or memory of loved ones. The cost is $4 a geranium. The

flowers will be planted on our church grounds.

Reformation’s staff members are observing normal office hours, but

most work is being done from home. If you need to reach Pastor

Detweiler, please call his cellphone (610 389-5338) and leave a

message. He will call you back.

Scholarship application deadline has been moved forward to May

15th. Applications can be found on the Reformation web site, and can

be mailed into the church office. If you are furthering your education

beyond high school. We would love to see your application in

soon. Scholarship Committee.

Online Resources for our Stay-at-Home Period

Many of us have valued participation in worship through Facebook over

the last month. A couple of changes have been made to our church

website: www.reformationlutheran.org to also help during this time.

Under the Worship section – there is now a page where the last 2 videos

of worship services are posted. This may be ease access for some

people, especially those not using Facebook.

In addition, under the Ministries – Education section, there is a series of

videos for lessons, crafts and activities for Stay-at-Home Sunday School

provided by our Education Coordinator – Beth Robbins. Check it out!

Clothing Bank News – We have no idea when we will be able to open

the clothing bank to the public. We will continue our schedule as

planned for the future gives. If we can open in May we will distribute

shoes for all sizes. In June we will distribute children's summer

clothing. In July we will distribute underwear and socks. As you are

http://www.reformationlutheran.org/

cleaning your homes if you come across shoes or children's summer

clothing please hold them until we can get back together.

If you know someone in need of clothing please ask them for sizes and I

will try to fill their needs from the closet.

Stay home, stay safe and we will keep on doing our best!

Wanted - Ham bones, Ham bones, Easter Ham bones. Ham and bean soup is on the next menu. Ham bones are needed to

make the broth. If you are not making soup from your Easter ham or

drippings, please save in your freezer until we get together the next time

and decide on a “Soup Group” cooking date. Thank you!

The weekly Monday Bible study on Romans resumed Monday, April

20, at 1 PM via Zoom. To participate, please email

pastor@reformationlutheran.org so he can include you in the meeting.

(Using Zoom requires either a smartphone or a computer with a

camera.)

mailto:pastor@reformationlutheran.org

Reformation’s Staff

Interim Pastor: L. George Detweiler Pastor@reformationlutheran.org

610 389-5338

Secretary: Pat Bower mail@reformationlutheran.org

Accountant: Larry Varone L.varone@reformationlutheran.org

Office hours: Mon. & Thurs. 9-11

Treasurer: Carole Miller

Director of Music: Heidi Rochlin

Coordinator of Christian Ed: Beth Robbins woodrobb@ptd.net

Interim Director of Youth: Katrina Robbins

Web Master: Sarah Hawk webmaster@reformationlutheran.org

Sexton: Mike Schneeberger

Custodian: Debbie Wieland

Congregation Council Members

President: Sara Lambert Vice President: Mark Dobroskey

Secretary: Melanie Bechtel

Financial Secretary: Steve Barnett

Alicia Bergey Patty Matijasich

Michelle Karasek Nick Steiger

Tina Little Kathy McDonough

Pam Schneeberger Cynthia Smoker-Johnston

mailto:webmaster@reformationlutheran.org