J. Todd Bruning
- Apr 25, 2021
- 15 min read

SUN., April 25 - 4th Sunday of EASTER: Wade in the Water!!

https://zoom.us/j/619327455

Meeting ID: 619 327 455

More details available at:

https://bruningt.wixsite.com/companionship/post/how-to-zoom-worship-with-us

Right at the crest, where MOUNT OLIVE begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all of the mighty works they had witnessed!!    LUKE 19:34

Mount Olive Lutheran Church

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

www.mountolivedallas.org

We Serve as a Vehicle through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is spread.

STEAL AWAY HOME: Fourth Sunday of Easter

10:45 - Leader's Meeting

11:00 - Coffee Hour in 11 Minutes

(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?)

11:11 - WORSHIP BEGINS

149 Years Ago Today: The Battle of New Orleans

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?

To Serve as a VEHICLE through which the Gospel is Spread!!!

In the next 6 weeks, DAY BY DAY, we will be intentional

about being a VEHICLE

that will deliver CONFIDENCE, COMPASSION, and COMPANIONSHIP

to a tremendously anxious COMMUNITY,

remembering that God is our REFUGE & STRENGTH.

SERMON SERIES: The Blues & Greens of Baptism

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

EASTER: HERE HE STANDS ... Christ is Risen! Pastor Alberty led.

April 11: Let My People Go

April 18: Steal Away Home

April 18 Discussion: Blessing Bags & Roof Fundraiser

April 25: Wade in the Water

May 2: Hold On (Keep Your Hand on that Plow)

Outdoor Worship @ Christ Lutheran in University Park

May 9: Roll, Jordan, Roll

May 16: We Shall Overcome

May 21-22: Companionship - Train the Trainer

JUNE 20: JUNETEENTH SUNDAY - OUTDOORS @ Mt. Olive?

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.

Thanks Be to God!!

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.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

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.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

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.

AND ALSO WITH YOU

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.

I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY

Creator of heaven and earth.

I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST,

God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT,

the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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.

WE DO.

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?

WE DO.

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.

WE DO. AMEN.

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.

AMEN.

5) The peace of Christ be with you always.

AND ALSO WITH YOU.

4) We will now switch to Gallery View. As forgiven sinners, please share the peace with somebody on this call, using their name.

PEACE BE WITH YOU.

F) Gospel Lesson: JOHN 10:11-, led by #6

Halle, Halle, Halle-lujah, led by Tanya Browne & Dolphene Davis

Our Gospel Lesson comes from John 10th Chapter.

GLORY TO YOU, O LORD!

“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.

PRAISE TO YOU, OH CHRIST

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:

1) Face the REALITY.

Of the pain we feel. And of the pain we cause.

2) Experience my PAIN.

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.

3) Adjust my ENVIRONMENT.

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.

And then, 4) Make an ENDURING Connection …

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.

SERMON SERIES: The Blues & Greens of Baptism

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