J. Todd Bruning
May 30, 202114 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 Acts 10, Deuteronomy 6, and John 3 ... and how God might reach a Wide Range of People through us during the long season of Pentecost ... or what does COMPANIONSHIP mean for you for the final half of 2021?)
In Oklahoma, Dick Rowland, a young African American shoe shiner, was accused of assaulting a white elevator operator named Sarah Page in the elevator of a building in downtown Tulsa. After the events that followed on May 31 and June 1 the Greenwood District, often known as Black Wall Street, was almost completely destroyed. One of the richest African American communities in the country was eviscerated with almost no legal ramifications. Until recent years, especially in white communities, but also in Arican American communities, this massacre (not race riot) was almost completely erased from history books.
A) PRELUDE: Hymn #298 in the Red Book: Jesus, Remember Me, When You Come Into Your Kingdom
B) First Lesson: Acts 10:39-48 read by #1 & #2
1) (Peter testified) “We are witnesses of everything [Jesus] did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
2) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
2) So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
C) First Hymn: Baptized in Water, Sealed by the Spirit, led by Michael Saward and the Orchard Enterprises, Journeysongs Third Edition: Volume 16; Baptized in Water, Sealed by the Spirit, led by Chris Brunelle
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are below:)
Baptized in water, sealed by the spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ our king; Heirs of salvation, trusting his promise - faithfully now God's praise we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, dead in the tomb with Christ our king; One with his rising, freed and forgiven, thankfully now God's praise we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our king; Born of one Father, we are his children - joyfully now God's praise we sing.
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: DEUTERONOMY 8:1-10, led by #3 & #4
3) This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe, so that you may live and increase, and go in and occupy the land that the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. REMEMBER the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments.
4) [God] humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. The clothes on your back did not wear out and your feet did not swell these forty years.
3) Know then in your heart that as a parent disciplines a child so the Lord your God disciplines you. Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God, by walking in his ways and by fearing him.
4) For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, 8a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey,
3) A land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper.
4) You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.
This is the Word of the Lord.
D) I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in My Heart, heading into our MESSAGE for the YOUNG at HEART, a special edition for the EASTER Season.
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 #5 & #6
5) The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
6) 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.
6) 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.
6) 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.
6) 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 3:1-17, led by #7 & #8
Our Gospel Lesson comes from John 3rd Chapter.
7) Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”
8) Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
7) Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”
8) Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
7) Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
8) No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
H) SECOND SONG: Deep River Medley, arranged and led by Pastor Todd
J) SERMON: "Deep Rivers: Remembering our Companion(s)" shared by Pastor Todd
K) THIRD SONG: We Remember, written by Marty Haugen and led by Chris Brunelle
We remember how You loved us to Your death, And still we celebrate, for You are with us here; And we believe that we will see You when You come, In Your glory, Lord, we remember, we celebrate, we believe.
1. Here, a million wounded souls are Yearning just to touch You and be healed Gather all Your people, and hold them to Your heart.
2. Now we recreate Your love we Bring the bread and wine to share a meal Sign of grace and mercy, the presence of the Lord.
3. See the face of Christ revealed in Every person's standing by Your side Gift to one another, and temples of Your love.
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 #8
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 #8
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) Jesus, Remember Me, a Taize worship song led by Michelle Sherliza, OP
Please MUTE & SING:
M) Post Communion Blessing & Prayer led by #8
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: God is Working - led by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
God is working; He's still working God is working even now Though we often don't know just how God is working, He's still working God is working even now.
Though we cannot see And we can't quite understand Remember God is still in control He has promised to see you thru somehow And He's working even now
Hallelujah, He's working even now Hallelujah, He's working even now Though we often don't know just how God is working; He's still working God is working even now.
O) SENDING: Led by led by #8
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Go in Peace and Serve the Lord!
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
Meet at 10 AM on Saturdays for 11 AM Distribution
May 9 (after worship): BLESSING BAG conversation
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
Visit ALL of our Companion Congregations in 2021, starting with St. Luke's Lutheran Church on Sunday, MAY 2, 2021
3-4 Mt. Olive COMPANIONSHIP TRAINERS to go through Companionship Train-the-Trainer on May 21-22 (Pentecost Weekend) ... Tanya, Helen, Marie, Lakeesha, Corey, Holli
5/21 (6-9 PM) & 5/22 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
3-4 South Dallas COMPANIONSHIP TRAINERS go through Companionship Train-the-Trainer:
6/25 (6-9 PM) & 6/26 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
7/30 (6-9 PM) & 7/31 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
8/27 (6-9 PM) & 8/28 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
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)
POSTLUDE: Overcomer led by Mandisa from her "The Greatest Hits” Album