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We are delighted to have you with us this morning as we gather to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are visiting today, we are glad you are here! Whether you are visiting from out of town, seeking a new church home, or for any other reason, thank you for choosing to worship with us. We would love to get in touch with you. Please fill out your contact information in the red folder at the end of your pew, or fill out the information on the back cover of this bulletin, and place it in the offering plate as it passes before you.

About Us: Since her opening service on Christmas Eve in 1948 and her charter the following year, Ruthfred Lutheran Church has been a congregation rooted in the conviction that the Bible is inspired by God, living and active, capable to produce faith in its hearers, and true and faithful in all its parts. As such, our preaching and teaching aim to be faithful to its correct interpretation and is central to our

worship of God.

Our Divine Service, called the “Common Service,” possesses a rich history that stems from the early days of the Lutheran Reformation. It is centered upon God’s Word, and proclaims the realities of God’s abundant grace in Jesus Christ from its start to its close. If this is a new form of worship for you, this bulletin will serve as a welcome companion. The order of service begins on

page 3.

The Divine Service begins as our organist begins the Prelude. When the music starts, please quiet your hearts

as you prayerfully prepare for worship.

Our cover is a paper cut or scherenschnitte created specially for our church by our very own Kathryn Carr. The artwork will reflect liturgical and Ruthfred-specific themes that occur

throughout the year.

Welcome to Ruthfred Lutheran Church!

Member of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (www.aflc.org)

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The Divine Service of the Word Memorial Day Sunday

The Fifth Sunday after Easter, May 26, 2019

Prelude:

“Eternal Father” (David Schwoebel)

Duet for piano & organ

“The Road Home” (Thad Fiscella)

Will Charlton, pianist

The Opening Hymn:

“God Of Our Fathers” (SBH521)

(Please stand as we join our hearts in song)

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We confess our sins at the beginning of each service, because we are coming into the presence of a holy God. Though we are sinners who daily struggle with sin , we are invited to come to Him to receive the forgiveness of sin earned for us by Jesus. Through this forgiveness, we are given a right standing before a holy God. Because sin is both corporate and personal, we confess our sins together, and privately in the silence of our hearts.

The Call to Worship

Pastor (P): We open this service in the name of the Father, and of the

Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation (C): Amen

A Reading from Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

The Star-Spangled Banner—(vs. 1 & 4)

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land

Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto “In God is our trust”; And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The Confession of Sin (SBH, p. 41)

Pastor (P): Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching him, in the

Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.

Our help is in the name of the Lord

Congregation (C): Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.

C: And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

P: Let us bow or kneel for the confession of our sin.

Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto thee, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against thee by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploring thy

grace, for the sake of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

(Silent Prayer of Personal Confession)

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Together:

O most merciful God, who hast given thine only-begotten Son to

die for us, have mercy upon us, and for his sake grant us remission

of all our sins; and by thy Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge

of thee and of thy will, and true obedience to thy Word, that by thy grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our

Lord. Amen.

The Absolution:

P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us, and has given his only-begotten son to die for us, and for his sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on his name, He gives the power to become children of God, and bestows upon them His Holy Spirit. The one who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this O Lord,

unto us all.

C: Amen

The Introit (Read Responsively; Please stand)

P: Christ is Risen.

C: He is Risen indeed and is coming again.

P: With a voice of singing, you declare and tell this, alleluia; utter it

even to the end of the earth.

C: The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob. Alleluia,

alleluia.

P: Make a joyful noise unto God, all you lands:

C: Sing forth the honor of his Name; make his praise

glorious. (Isaiah 48:20; Psalm 66:2)

The Gloria Patri (Sung in Unison; SBH p. 41)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world

without end. Amen.

The Kyrie (Sung in Unison; SBH p. 48)

P: Lord, have mercy upon us.

C: Lord, have mercy upon us.

P: Christ, have mercy upon us.

C: Christ, have mercy upon us.

P: Lord, have mercy upon us.

C: Lord, have mercy upon us.

“Introit” means “to enter into,” and is a responsive reading meant to lead God’s forgiven children into the worship of Him. The words are from Scripture, and relate to the theme of the day in the liturgical calendar.

“Kyrie” is from the Greek word for Lord, which is the first word of the prayer. Distinct from the confession of sin, it is a prayer for God to grant His mercy in every aspect of our lives and to supply us with all our needs, personally, corporately and for the whole world.

The Absolution is based upon God’s instruction in Luke 24:47 that repentance and the forgiveness of sins should be widely proclaimed in the name of Jesus. (See also1 John. 1:9).

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The Hymn of Praise:

“All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name!” (SBH426, vs 1 & 2, 2nd tune)

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God’s chief means of extending His grace to His children is through His Word. Hearing it and learning it are central to His proper worship.

The Collect:

P: The Lord be with you:

C: And with thy spirit.

P: Let us continue to pray: O God, from whom all good things do come. Grant to us your humble servants, that by your holy inspiration we may think those things that be right, and by your merciful guiding may perform the same; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

C: Amen

The First Lesson: Acts 16: 9-15 (ESV)

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to

Macedonia and help us.” 10

And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 So,

setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,

12 and from there to Philippi,

which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

13 And on the

Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.

14 One who

heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a

seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15

And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the

Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

The “collect” is a prayer of the day for each day in the liturgical calen-dar. It is meant to “collect” the prayers of God’s people.

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The Psalm: Psalm 67 (ESV, Read Responsively)

P: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to

shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving

power among all nations.

C: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples

praise you!

P: Let the nations be glad and sing for you, for you judge the

peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.

C: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples

praise you!

P: The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.

C: God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

The Epistle Lesson: Revelation 21: 9-14, 21-27 (ESV)

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will

show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11

having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve

gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—

13 on the

east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had

twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the

twelve apostles of the Lamb….21

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 And I saw no

temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on

it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and

there will be no night there. 26

They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it,

nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those

who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

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The Gradual:

Alleluia, alleluia. It behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead and thus to enter into his glory. Alleluia. I came forth from the Father, and came into the world. Again I leave the world, and go

to the Father. Alleluia. (Luke 24:26; John 16:28)

The Alleluia (Sung in Unison)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Holy Gospel Lesson: John 16: 22-33 (ESV)

The Congregation shall rise and sing, “Glory be to Thee, O Lord.”

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

25 “I have said these things to you

in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.

26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to

you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27

for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

28 I came from the Father and have come

into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and

not using figurative speech! 30

Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you

now believe? 32

Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

33 I have

said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the

world.”

The Congregation shall sing, “Praise be to Thee, O Christ.”

“Alleluia” is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord.”

The “Gradual” (Latin for step) is a liturgical reading bridging the readings of the epistle and the Gospel. It is comprised of Scripture, mostly the Psalms.

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The Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed (Confessed in Unison)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and Earth

And In Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he

shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the Com-munion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the

body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

The Announcements (Please be seated)

The Special Music

8:30 Senior Choir—Battle Hymn of the Republic (Steffe/Ringwald)

11:00 George Barrett, trumpeter—Memorial Day Hymn Medley

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence in the dim and flaring lamps,

His day is marching on!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, Let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

Amen!

The Apostles’ Creed is a statement of Christian belief used since the early Church. It’s not specific to any one Chris-tian denomination, but used by the Church as a whole. We choose to confess it together as a unified reminder of what we believe to be true about God, and His car-ing service to us.

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The Sermon

Hymn:

“My Country, ‘Tis

Of Thee”

(SBH360)

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The Sermon is the central component of our Worship. In it, we hear God’s word taught and explained. We hear His Law, convicting of sin and guiding the believ-er. We also hear the promis-es of His Gospel, the Good News of Christ’s work for us—His redemption, for-giveness and provision of life eternal.

The Sermon:

“Safe & Secure” | John 16: 22-33

The Offertory Response (Sung in Unison; Please Stand)

Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit with-

in me. Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation:

and uphold me with thy free Spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12)

The Offering & Offertory

“Abide With Me” (Dale Wood)

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The Closing & Silent Prayer (Please bow or kneel in prayer)

The Lord’s Prayer (Prayed in Unison)

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; 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.

The Benediction

P: May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May he make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you

May he lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace.

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

(Numbers 6:24-26)

C: Amen.

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The Closing Hymn:

“Rejoice, The Lord Is King!” (AMB157)

The Silent Prayer & Chimes

The Postlude:

“Rondeau” (Henry Purcell)

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Announcements

The altar flowers are presented by a sister in Christ in gratitude to the glory of God.

Nursery Today: 8:30—Greta Kelly; during Sunday School—Vickie Hendershot; 11:00—Claudia

Patalong.

Known to be hospitalized: Joe Cawley is now home.

Stewardship Project for May - City Mission Patriot House: During the month of May we will

be collecting items for the veterans in the Life Recovery Program at City Mission’s 22-bed residence. Please take a tag off the Giving Tree by the upstairs elevator and return your donation by Sunday, June 2nd. Contact Jill Kurtz with any questions. Thank you for your

generosity and participation.

Sign-Up for Your Picture for Our New Pictorial Directory: The picture sheets are filling up

fast. If you have not already signed up to have your pictures taken be sure to see or call Pat Lutz at your earliest convenience or you can sign up on line from our website. Just click on the

Lifetouch link to go to the sign up area. Thanks in advance for your help.

WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS! If you can serve in the month of June, please call Pat this week or see me today to let me know. Going forward we still have to fill August through December. We enjoy having our coffee and donuts on Sunday but in

order to continue this service, we need persons to take a month and help. Sign up outside the

kitchen on the sheet provided. Thanks in advance. Pat

Dr. Don Bierle, founder of FaithSearch International will be with us at the Sunday School hour, as well as an afternoon session at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2019. A light lunch will

be served before the afternoon session. Please sign up today for the luncheon. We need to have a good idea of how many will attend. You can sign up on the bulletin board outside Pat's

office. Sign up TODAY!

TAKE NOTE: Beginning TODAY, Sunday, May 26th, the side doors that face the convenience store will be locked. This is necessary for security reasons. We are sorry for any inconvenience

this may cause.

Next Sunday, June 2nd the Senior Confirmation Class will receive their First Holy

Communion at the 11:00 a.m. service.

ManUp Pittsburgh is June 8th! Mike Tomlin and Tunch Ilkin will be speaking, among others, and numerous breakout sessions. The cost is $49.00. Men you can still sign up online, or talk

with Brian Schmidt.

One More College Graduate: Rachel Fife (granddaughter of Anne Fife), Penn State University,

Physician Assistant Degree.

Pastor’s Fund: Given by a friend in Christ in memory of Ruth Shea.

Pastor’s Fund: Given by a friend in Christ in honor of the baptism of Theodore Battaglia.

Pastor’s Fund: Given by the Higgins Family in memory of Bob Dymond.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL, SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2019

LARGE CLASS ROOM (Adult) Pastor Osier continues his 4-week series on the Book of Jonah as seen through

the lens of Tim Keller’s new book “The Prodigal Prophet”.

Coming Sunday, June 9, 2019… Dr. Don Bierle, founder of FaithSearch International will be with us at the Sunday School hour,

as well as an afternoon session at 12:45 p.m. He will be speaking about his faith journey from an atheist biology university professor to becoming a devoted follower of Jesus.

A light lunch will be served before the afternoon session. Please sign up today for the

luncheon. We need to have a good idea of how many will attend. You can sign up on the

bulletin board outside Pat's office. Sign up TODAY!

UPPER ROOM (Adult) No Class Today

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YOUTH NEWS

TNT (9-12 Grade)

Tuesday Nights from 7pm-9pm the high school youth gather at the church. During this time, we play games, participate in worship, have a time of Bible study, and spend time growing as a community. hope to see you there!!

SWAP (6-8 Grade)

There will be SWAP tonight!!! SWAP is our weekly get together for 6-8 Graders, during this time we play games, have a Bible lesson, and get to know one another as we become a community in Christ.

Brunch (9-12 Grade) On certain Sundays, we host brunch after Church for the youth at the Fouks’ House. Brunch typically starts immediately after church, and goes until around 4pm. If you like good food, good

company, and fun games, brunch is perfect for you. Our next brunch will be today May 26.

Summer Kickoff Every year we mark the beginning of our summer programming with an event called the Summer Kick Off, during this event we have a cook out, play a large group game, usually involving water, and celebrate the ending of the school year/the beginning of summer. This

year our summer kick off will be June 1st 5-9pm at the church.

Save the Date:

May 26 Brunch

June 1 Summer Kickoff

July 1-6 FLY Convention

Questions/concerns? Contact Brandon Fouks: Fouksanator@gmail.com

(c) (715)-781-6063

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VBS is July 22-26th!

Looking for Volunteers!!

WE NEED YOU!

Let’s make it great for the kids!!

Please look at how you can get involved!

*We really need YOU to help make VBS awesome, we are looking for lots of volunteers! Look how you can help!

Go to following website to sign up:

https://vbspro.events/p/events/68ad8a

Visit the table at the bottom of the stairs on the first floor for more information!

Questions?

Contact Lauren Compel by email at

VBS_laurencompel@yahoo.com

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Prayer Requests

Please use this space to let the

pastors, elders and/or church

know of your prayer needs.

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Please keep this request

Private (to be kept amongst the

pastors and vicar only).

Please make this request

known to the Ruthfred prayer

team and announce it to the

congregation when

appropriate.

This Week At Ruthfred

Today (5/26) MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY 8:30 a.m.— Worship Service 9:45 a.m.—Sunday School

11:00 a.m.—Worship Service

Monday (5/27) MEMORIAL DAY

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Wednesday (5/29) HERALD MAILING

Friday (5/31) 6:30 a.m.—Men’s Prayer Group @ Panera’s

“My peace I give you,” says Jesus. “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14: 27, NIV). As we enter into worship, we invite you to share

the peace of Christ with one another. During the announcements, please sign the Friendship Pad and

return it to the center aisle.

Attendance for Last Week: Church...423 Sunday School...127

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Visiting with us?

Please use this tear-off section to

help us get to know a little bit

about you and how we may best

serve you.

If you have a specific concern or

prayer request, please use the

space on the other side of this

fold.

Date:

___________________________ Name:

___________________________ Children:

___________________________ Address:

___________________________ Phone (indicate home, cell, etc.)

___________________________ Email:

___________________________

I am a/an:

1st-Time Visitor

2nd-Time Visitor

Out-of-Town Visitor

Regular Attendee

I would like to learn more about:

What It Means To Be a Christian

Church Membership

Ruthfred’s Ministries or Groups

Ways To Share My Gifts

Ruthfred Staff

Rev. Steven P. Carlson| Senior Pastor (412) 835-7140 (ext. 229) PastorCarlson@ruthfred.org

Rev. Adam G. Osier| Assistant Pastor (412) 835-7140 (ext. 226) PastorOsier@ruthfred.org

Paula Mikulan| Office Manager (412) 835-7140 (ext. 222) PaulaMikulan@ruthfred.org

Ron Thorhauer| Business Manager (412) 835-7140 (ext. 224) RonThorhauer@ruthfred.org

Patricia Lutz| Administrative Assistant (412) 835-7140 (ext. 225)

PatriciaLutz@ruthfred.org

Brandon Fouks| Director of Youth Ministry (412) 835-7140 (ext. 240) BrandonFouks@ruthfred.org

Brian Lyskava| Custodian

Andrew Vogel| Multi-Media Coordinator (412) 860-6270 AndrewVogel@ruthfred.org

Robert Vogel Senior & Bell Choirs

Frederick Schell Organist

Melissa Manzo Children’s Choir

Erin Campion Preschool Director

Lauren Compel & Denise Stutzman Kid’s Time Leaders

Ruthfred Lutheran Church 3401 South Park Road Bethel Park, Pennsylvania 15102 Phone: (412) 835-7140 Email: ruthfred@ruthfred.org www.ruthfred.org