Seventh Sunday of Easter
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
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 the desire of Jesus 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!
Mothers’ Day is observed on the second Sunday in May. It was established firstly as a secular holiday to celebrate and honor one's own mother but has evolved to include motherhood in general.
FIRST READING: Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26
In the days between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, Peter oversees the process whereby one of the members of community of believers is chosen to be the twelfth apostle in order to fill the vacancy created by the treachery and death of Judas.
PSALM: Psalm 1
SECOND READING: 1st John 5: 9-13
God has borne witness to the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in the Son of believes in the witness of God and has the promise of eternal life.
GOSPEL: John 17: 6-19
In this reading the Church hears the words of Jesus on the night before his death—his prayer for his disciples and for all who would believe in him through their words.
Announcements!
CHURCH EVENTS
SUNDAY DISCUSSIONS BEFORE CHURCH We meet at 9:45 on Sunday mornings to have discussions before the service each week. We currently are reading C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity.
MOTHER'S DAY MAY 12
ASSENSION AND PENTECOST come right after Mother's Day. Big days on the Church calendar. Why not plan to spend it with your Church Family.
FATHER'S DAY IS JUNE 16
BREAKFAST AT FIRST ENGLISH ON JUNE 30, I know it seems like we just did it. The last couple of months have been pretty easy. We come and help where we can and serve those who need to be served. Jesus did it, so can we.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
THE FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT UPTOWN ON MAY 17TH Lots of fun is planned. The Groove will be playing from 8-10:30. There will be 5 food trucks, one will have tacos, one will have barbeque. There will be stuff for kids and vendors selling their wares. Come on down for fun and music.
FRIDAY NIGHT UPTOWN FOR JUNE 14TH will include the music of Lee Grant; more food trucks, including Schmidt’s (love me some cream puffs); and for the dads, Cruisin with the Mayor will be done again this year.
PRAYERS
Please keep these people in your prayers: Michael Koch, Margret Phillips' 1-year-old granddaughter Aurora Lander, Wesley and JoAnn Porter, Nicole Biler Robinette, Mike and Donna Toy, and all of those who are still suffering from illness or other health issues, as well as their families.
Please remember all of our shut ins and sick: Arlene Castor. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)
FUNDS FOR ZION
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.
