J. Todd Bruning
- Jun 13, 2021
- 12 min read

SUN., June 13 - ODE TO JOY SUNDAY: Are we Owed Some Joy?

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.

Owed Some Joy on ODE to JOY Sunday?

10:45 - Leader's Meeting

11:00 - Coffee Hour in 11 Minutes

(Sip your coffee and discuss Philippians 4, Ezekiel, and Mark ... 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?)

11:11 - WORSHIP BEGINS

Please fill this out for Pathways to Promise by Father's Day!

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104 Years Ago Today (and 100 years ago): Bombs were dropped on a city.

On June 13, 1917:

World War I: The deadliest German air raid on London of the war is carried out by Gotha G.IV bombers and results in 162 deaths, including 46 children, and 432 injuries. Four years later the same technology would be used on the Greenwood District of Tulsa, often known as Black Wall Street. Only this time, Americans were bombing Americans.

23 Years Ago Today: Rev. J. Todd Bruning was ordained.

On June 13, 1998

23 Years Ago Tuesday: J. Todd Bruning and Jamie Bruning were married

On June 8, 1996

A) PRELUDE: Hymn #298 in the Red Book: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Beethoven Flashmob in Nuremberg, Germany

B) First Lesson: Philippians 4:4-8 read by #1

1) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, ...

if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

C) First Hymn: Love Divine, All Love's Excelling, Led by Brian Christopher Clay

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

Please fill this out for Pathways to Promise by Father's Day!

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JUNE 6: Outdoor Worship @ St. John's Lutheran in Oak Cliff

JUNE 20: JUNETEENTH SUNDAY -

OUTDOORS @ Mt. Olive

Companionship Instructor Training - Via Zoom

June 26-27 (Friday/Saturday):

July 30-31 (Friday/Saturday):

August 27-28 (Friday/Saturday):

https://www.thecompanionshipmovement.org/train-the-trainer-application

NEW BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday, June 9 is our FIRST "ACTS of COMPANIONSHIP" ... Wednesday Night Bible Study at 7 PM

Luke and Listening

Ananias and Hospitality

Philip and Side by Side

Barnabas and Neighboring

Silas and Accompaniment

C) SECOND LESSON: EZEKIEL 17:22-24, led by #2

2) Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks Be to God!!

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.

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 #5 & #6

3) 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.

3) 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.

3) 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.

3) 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: MARK 4:26-34, led by #5

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

Our Gospel Lesson comes from John 3rd Chapter.

GLORY TO YOU, O LORD!

5) He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

PRAISE TO YOU, OH CHRIST

H) SECOND SONG: Beautiful Things, I asked my church musician to record himself singing Beautiful Things for our Ash Wednesday service. He put together this video. What do you think? ... Pastor Joe McGarry, Prince of Peace Kensington, CT

Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are below)

J) SERMON: "HEROES see HOPE in a HANDFUL of TINY SEEDS" shared by Pastor Todd

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Brian Christopher Clay: HEROES: An excerpt from Episode One of "2911 A Faith Experience" ... #BeAHero #2911 #Avodah

Storytime at Bedtime, In The Age of Covid-19, by Emma Rogers

Rev. John M. Perkins, Christian Community Development Association

If you want an URBAN MINISTRY that is THRIVING, consider investing in FOUR SEEDLINGS.

These SEEDLINGS are both deeply Biblical and decidedly Counter Cultural. So most congregations neglect tending these vital SEEDLINGS that help a community, really ANY community, thrive:

Collaborative FOOD Pantries
Cooperative Community GARDENS
COMPANIONSHIP, and
Community Development through MICROeconomics.

Over the last forty years, practitioners of Christian Community Development have distilled the philosophy into 8 Key Components. The first three are based on John Perkins’ original “three R’s” of community development: relocation, reconciliation and redistribution. Other components were later added by Christians discovering ways to rebuild poor neighborhoods.

Is this how Jesus loves us? Is this how we are called to love one another?

Is this a way of living that you would like to learn more about? Too?

Even if the water is deep? And could be dangerous?

Yes, certainly with the help of God? Amen.

https://www.thecompanionshipmovement.org/train-the-trainer-application

K) THIRD SONG: Let Us Break Bread Together , On Me, led by Brian Christopher Clay

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

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.

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.

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.

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.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia. Alleluia.

GREAT THANKSGIVING & Preface by #8

Please UNmute & RESPOND

The Lord be with you,

AND ALSO WITH YOU

Lift up your hearts

WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD!

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE.

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

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:

We remember that we are Dust and to Dust we shall Return. But, Alleluia!!

The Body of Christ is Broken for Me. Alleluia!! The Blood of Christ is Shed for Me. And our God of Resurrection brings to life even that which once was dead. Alleluia!! May the Spirit of God bring the gift of Resurrection into our lives, into our families, into our church, into our community, and into our country. Amen.

1) Lamb, Of God, led by Dolphene Davis

2) Joyful, Joyful, Lord We Adore Thee, led by Lauryn Hill and others in Sister Act 2 (Finale)

Please MUTE & SING:

1) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us (repeat) ... Lamb of God, you take away, the sins of the world, grant us peace ... grant us peace.

M) Post Communion Blessing & Prayer led by #8

ALL: May the body and blood of our Risen Lord, Jesus the Christ, strengthen you and keep you in His grace, now and always. Amen.

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: Lift Every Voice and Sing - led by the Brian Christopher Clay

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O) SENDING: Led by led by #8

What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?

TO SERVE as a VEHICLE through which the Gospel is Spread!!!

Go in Peace and Serve the Lord!

Thanks be to God!! And WE WILL!!

COMPANIONSHIP is a ministry of PRESENCE, a relationship responding to isolation and suffering and supportive of healing and recovery.

COMPANIONSHIP welcomes the stranger, building a CIRCLE of CARE with individuals who are facing emotional and mental health challenges.

COMPANIONSHIP is rooted in our natural capacities as human beings to be sensitive, compassionate and concerned.

I) BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday, June 16 is our NEXT "The ACTS of COMPANIONSHIP"

Wednesday Night Bible Study at 7 PM

Luke and Listening

Ananias and Hospitality

Philip and Side by Side

Barnabas and Neighboring

Silas and Accompaniment

II) COMPANIONSHIP: Clean HEART Project... June 27 at 1 PM after worship

Creating a HERE WE STAND Network

ANNIVERSARY MUSICAL on Sunday, September 19?

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