J. Todd Bruning
Apr 25, 202115 min
More details available at:
https://bruningt.wixsite.com/companionship/post/how-to-zoom-worship-with-us
Rev. J. Todd Bruning, Pastor
Dolphene Davis, Minister of Music
3100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
(church) 214-428-2892 (cell) 972-653-0316
We Serve as a Vehicle through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is spread.
(Sip your coffee and discuss Exodus 9 or 15 or John ... and how God might reach a Wide Range of People through us during the 50 Day, 8 Sunday season of Easter ... or what does COMPANIONSHIP mean for you for the final three quarters of 2021?)
On April 25, 1862, the Confederacy experienced one of the greatest defeats of the Civil War in the Battle of New Orleans. But for a long time, the battle for the Mississippi was the only logistical victory won by the Union. It would be another year and a half before the momentum of the war finally shifted in the Union's favor, when General Lee was finally defeated at Gettysburg. Until July of 1863, despite overwhelming advantages, the Union Army lost battle after battle.
Too much infighting amongst leaders makes it almost impossible to execute a successful battle strategy. And somehow, setting people free seems to always lead to infighting amongst leaders. It's certainly what happened with Moses and the Israeilites. And it has certainly happened over and over in American history too.
Wade in the Water was a song about freedom and the Promised Land.
Wade in the Water ... and it will be harder for slave catchers to catch your scent.
Wade in the Water ... and it will be harder for the slave catchers to follow your footsteps. Wade in the Water ... and somebody will be hiding nearby to guide you toward the Underground Railway. Wade in the Water ... and you are not alone.
But Wade in the Water is also a reminder for us to wash away the pride that leads to discord, division and infighting within the Family of God. The Israelites were eventually freed from the Egyptians. But the first generation struggled to follow God's lead after Wading in the Water through the Red Sea. So the next generation had to Wade in the Water too, across the Jordan, into the Promised Land.
Wade in the Water ... most often also means ... okay, God, I surrender ALL. You lead. I will follow.
A) PRELUDE: Hymn #235 in the Red Book: I Surrender All
B) First Lesson: Exodus 9:1-12, 24, 27-30, 34, 35 read by #1, #2, & #3
1) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field -- on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’” The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet HIS HEART WAS UNYIELDING and he would not let the people go.
2) Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on people and animals throughout the land.” So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on people and animals. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians. But THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.
3) [Next came] the worst [hail] storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation, [and] Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.” Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.” ... [And] when Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. So PHARAOH'S HEART WAS HARD and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.
C) First Hymn: Wade in the Water - led by Cynthia Liggins Thomas (2019) and by The Sunset Four Jubilee Singers (1925)
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Lime GREEN is the color for Mental Health Month in MAY and the BLUES are played during Black (or BIPOC) Mental Health Month in JULY
C) SECOND LESSON: EXODUS 15:19-21, 5-8, 12-17, led by #1, #2 & #3
1) When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.” The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.
2) Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy. “In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies.
3) In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone -- until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance -- the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
This is the Word of the Lord.
D) HALLELUJAH! from the Houston 2018 ELCA National Youth Gathering, leading into our MESSAGE for the YOUNG at HEART, a special edition for EASTER SUNDAY
E) KYRIE, led by Carlos Leggett
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
E) LITURGY & PRAYER led by #4 & #5
5) The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
4) We gather together and share a CREED to remember that in God, we have a Companion who will never fail us and will be with us always. It is a CREED that reminds us that death is never the final answer, and the hope springs eternal for those who follow the God of Resurrection and Life.
5) We take this moment to confess our sins: Do you confess that you are captive to sin and cannot free yourself from this trap of sin and death, at least not in this life? Do you confess that you have sinned against God in anger, rebellion, frustration, doubt and fear.
4) Do you confess that, because your neighbor fails to love in the way that God commands, that you also have not loved your neighbor as yourself? Do you confess that you struggle to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
5) Do you ask, with the help of Jesus Christ, Forgive us, Lord, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
4) Brothers and sisters hear this grace: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you and for His sake, God forgives you all of your sins. As a called disciple of Christ I declare the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
5) The peace of Christ be with you always.
4) We will now switch to Gallery View. As forgiven sinners, please share the peace with somebody on this call, using their name.
F) Gospel Lesson: JOHN 10:11-, led by #6
Our Gospel Lesson comes from John 10th Chapter.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away -- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
H) SECOND SONG: Through It All / Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus / Soon and Very Soon -- led by Andre Crouch, CeCe Winans, and some of the Gaither Vocal Band
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
J) SERMON: "I Ain't Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf ... or am I?" shared by Pastor Todd
William Worden, in his book Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, suggests that instead of wandering through the Kubler-Ross stages of grief we instead focus on the four tasks of grieving.
Did you catch those four steps there. Those four tasks to address loss and grief? Tasks a hired hand never, ever learns. But a good shepherd always does:
Of the pain we feel. And of the pain we cause.
Feel the pain when it’s my loss I’m grieving. Allow my friend to tell me about the pain I caused when I let them down.
Every loss can lead to something new and wonderful. Losing a parent can lead to deepening other relationships. Even losing trust can lead to something new and wonderful. If we adjust our world enough to learn the lesson God is longing to teach us in this loss too.
If we Face the REALITY. Experience the PAIN. Adjust the ENVIRONMENT.
Our grief will head us toward healing. When we let others help us make an ENDURING Connection. When we learn that lesson. When we see that what happened back there can teach us a lot about what we’re facing up ahead.
Lime GREEN is the color for Mental Health Month in MAY and the BLUES are played during Black (or BIPOC) Mental Health Month in JULY
K) THIRD SONG: You've Got a Friend, led by Bebe & Cece Winans featuring Aretha Franklin
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
L) LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION (Google Drive) This is the Feast of Victory (Dropbox) .... Led by Carlos Leggett & Tanya Browne
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymns of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
GREAT THANKSGIVING & Preface by #7
Please UNmute & RESPOND
The Lord be with you,
Lift up your hearts
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, Holy Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so with the Church on Earth and all the hosts of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, led by Pastor Todd
Please MUTE & SING:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD, Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he, who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & Lord's Prayer, led by #7
The Words of Institution are recorded for us in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke as well as by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: ‘Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.’
“In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you; this cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you and for all people, for the remission of sins. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'”
When the disciples didn't know how to PRAY in the face of the challenges ahead of them, they asked Jesus for help. He said, "Pray this way!" Will you share with me the Lord's Prayer?
Please UNMute & RESPOND
Come to the Resurrection Banquet, for all is ready. We have journeyed for 40 days from Ashes and Dust to Resurrection and an Empty Tomb during Lent, and we continue that journey for 50 days from Easter to Pentecost:
1) Lamb, Of God, led by Dolphene Davis
2) Give Me Jesus, by our dear Minneapolis friend, in the episode The Magic of Music: Rachel Kurz, from the Paddle Pilgrim Podcast of our dear Seattle friend, Dave Ellingson
Please MUTE & SING:
M) Post Communion Blessing & Prayer led by #7
Let us pray. Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Help us to stand with Jesus as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. AMEN.
N) BENEDICTION: What A Friend We Have In Jesus - led by Marvin L. Winans (appropriately, at a funeral)
O) SENDING: Led by led by #7
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Go in Peace and Serve the Lord!
The 1969 Freedom Seder &
James Cone's 1969 book: Black Power & Black Theology
The Role of EXODUS in African American Liberation
Meet at 10 AM on Saturdays for 11 AM Distribution
May 9 (after worship): BLESSING BAG conversation
After Synod Assembly: Saturday, April 24, 9am-3pm Central.
Marie, Corey & Todd were registered here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/3176027
Full details for Assembly can be found here: https://www.ntnl.org/event/2021-synod-assembly/
BLESSING BAG Companionship Strategy:
12 Months & 12 Companions - 600 Bags plus Special Gift
ST. JOHN'S, OROMO, UMOJA Churches (African & African American)
WARREN, ST. PAUL & ST. LUKE'S United Methodist Churches
2 for KING of GLORY in North Dallas (Cameron)
2 for CHRIST in University Park (Holli)
ST. LUKE'S in Richardson
RESURRECTION in Plano
PRESTON MEADOW in Plano
REJOICE in Frisco
BETHANY & CENTRAL in East Dallas & Lake Highlands
EMMANUEL & FIRST UNITED in East Dallas & Lake Highlands
GLORIA DEI & FIRST SEGRADA FAMILIA in Garland
FAITH in Flowermound or REJOICE in Coppell
HOLY TRINITY, OUR REDEEMER, NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, West of Dallas
FIRST & HIGHLAND PARK UMC Churches
MEETING WITH BISHOP & 3 NTNL & 3 Fair Park & 4 Mt. Olive Folks
Visit ALL of our Companion Congregations in 2021, starting with St. Luke's Lutheran Church on Sunday, MAY 2, 2021
3-4 COMPANIONSHIP TRAINERS to go through Companionship Train-the-Trainer on May 21-22 (Pentecost Weekend) ... Helen, Marie, Lakeesha, Corey, Holli
73 People from our past who will give $73 to our Short Term Building Project (more than $5000)
73 People from our present and future who will give $730 to our short term mission project (more than $50,000)
Lime GREEN is the color for Mental Health Month in MAY and the BLUES are played during Black (or BIPOC) Mental Health Month in JULY
POSTLUDE: Hymn #61 in the Red Book: Christ Has Arisen, Aleluya, a traditional Tanzanian hymn led by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Burke, VIRGINIA, Mfurahini, Haleluya, led by Azania Front Lutheran Church, Dar Es Salaam, TANZANIA, Africa, Er ist erstanden, Halleluja, Evangelische Banter Kirche Wilhelmshaven, GERMANY, Mfurahini, Haleluya, led on Udugu Sunday at Advent Lutheran Church in NEW YORK CITY by Joshua Coyne, Nora M. Gustuson, Michael Eisenstein, Brian Peck, and Aaron Wunsch.