Confirmation Sunday and next Thursday

[Janet Katari]

Hello all!

I'm looking forward to our upcoming Confirmation activities!

On Sunday, students will help lead worship. Neal is the acolyte/crucifer;
Frances helps lead the Thanksgiving for Baptism; Max reads the 1st lesson;
Josie prays the prayer of the day; Josie helps lead the final blessing.
Parts are at the bottom of this email.

On Thursday, May 16, we meet 4:30 to 6:30. Please review my last email with
homework which we'll share on that Thursday. Let me know if you have any
questions. After we review homework, we'll start on Martin Luther's small
catechism, discussing our own beliefs and Luther's.

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Peace,
Janet

Welcome & Thanksgiving for Baptism

*Frances:* Baptized into the dreams of God, we wade into the Sacred waters
and make our ways and alliances public.



We dream of togetherness & love.

*We live in mess & complexity.*

We share at the table.

*We pursue justice.*

We resist the forces of evil within us and around us.

*We practice moral and ethical imagination. *

We struggle.



The waters are all-consuming, and no part of our lives goes untouched. In
all things, they remind us that all our lives are bound together by the One
who claims us each as beloved.



*Pastor Janet: *Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the fountain of
living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation.

*Amen.*
_______________________________________________

The First Reading                                                        Acts
1:15-17, 21-26

*Max*: A reading from the book of Acts:

15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd
numbered about one hundred and 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. 21“So
one of the men who have accompanied us during the time that the Lord Jesus
went in and out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John until the
day when Jesus 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.

*Max: *Word of God, word of life.                *Thanks be to God.*
___________________________________________________

The Prayers of the People

*Maddie* from front area near leaders’ chairs:

O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection,
teaching them to love all people as neighbors. As his disciples in this
age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are
privileged to live and our neighbors with whom we share it.

*A brief silence.*

You make us sacred through your word. Send your church to spread your love
and joy. Embolden all bishops, pastors, and deacons to be loving ministers
of your word and sacraments. God of grace,

*Hear our prayer.*

Your creation groans under the strain of all that we have built. Help us
find ways to reverse melting glaciers and dwindling forests. Bolster those
who work for climate justice and help us all to be good and faithful
stewards of your creation. God of grace,

*Hear our prayer.*

Your people seek wisdom, understanding, and peace. Guide all those who
govern and inspire them to work on behalf of the most vulnerable in our
midst. We especially pray for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, that
all, including children and families, can live in safety. God of grace,

*Hear our prayer.*

Your people need your loving care. Protect them from all harm. Comfort
those in any affliction, support those who grieve, and bring solace to
those near death. We especially pray for those we name aloud now (*please
wait 10 seconds). *God of grace,

*Hear our prayer.*

Your Spirit lives within us here. Inspire the work of this congregation and
unite us as one. Bless all the mothers in our midst, console those for whom
this day is difficult, and gather us all under the care of your loving
wings. God of grace,

*Hear our prayer.*

Your saints dwell with you in light. Keep us ever thankful for those who
have gone before us in faith. Inspire us by the lives they lived, and the
possibilities left unfulfilled. God of grace,

*Hear our prayer.*

Open our hearts to your power moving around us and between us and within
us, until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy, in
communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of
all that is broken.

*Amen.*

___________________________________________________

The Blessing

*Josie:* *Josie: *The miracle of God is this: at any given time and in any
given moment, the opportunity to live out love is present. We can create
justice together. The Spirit accompanies us. We practice this resurrection
hope.

And so we dance, sing, and shout for joy! Christ is Risen. Christ goes
before us. Christ calls us to hear the Good News of healing, hope, and
redemption and to pass it along.

*Pr. Janet:* In the name of the Father ☩ Son & Holy Spirit.* Amen.*

Janet Katari (she/her)
Pastor, Christ Church, Lutheran, San Francisco
seniorpastor at christchurchlutheran.org
415-215-1576

“Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely
transparent and the divine is shining through it all the time." - Thomas
Merton
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