February 18, 2024 — 9:00 AM Service

PRELUDE
“Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word” (arr. Paul Manz)
Chris Sasik, Tim Graf

WELCOME

LITANY
For us, you created
mountains and valleys,
hummingbirds and albatross,
mustard seeds and redwoods,
wild animals and beloved pets.
We praise you, creative God.

In us, you created
hearts that long for wholeness,
minds that seek understanding,
senses that experience Creation,
and a divine spark of your holy image.
We praise you, creative God.

With us, you are creating
stories of life beyond death,
songs of hope beyond despair,
meals of abundance beyond greed,
and visions of heaven on earth.
We praise you, creative God.

May we create
blessings for our neighbors,
peace in our communities,
and harmony with the Holy Trinity.
Amen.

HYMN
“Holy, Holy, Holy” (Choir sings St. 1-2, St. 3- ALL)

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, your creativity is apparent in the stark, simple beauty of nature. In a butterfly’s life cycle or the changing of seasons, we find stability, order, and intention. In the complex stories of our lives, however, we struggle to find that same clarity. Help us to trust that your goodness is expressed perfectly in the slow unfolding of history. Even when it’s hard to recognize, may we search for the saving love of your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

READING
Acts 2:1-13

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“Altered Through God’s Creativity”

OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Sing to the Lord God“ (Giovanni Battista Pergolesi)
Josh Eidem, Tim Graf

OFFERING PRAYER
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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.

PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
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 all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“Mercy Still” (arr. Heather Sorenson)
Canticle Choir, Larry Bach (Director)

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

BEFORE YOU GO

BENEDICTION

HYMN
“Let the Whole Creation Cry” ELW # 876

SENDING:
Go in peace. Live out your faith in daily life. Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE
“Sonata No. 21” (Gottfried Reiche)
Brass Ensemble

The Musicians for Today’s Worship

Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
Larry Bach (Director)
Barb Carroll (Organist)
Josh Eidem
Brass Ensemble
Chris Sasik
Canticle Choir

Prayers

As a community of faith we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:

Jason Schultz, Jen Cater & family on the death of Lou Schulz
Meggy Wagner and family on the death of her father, Reinhold
Prayers for Debbie Gelle and family on the death of her father Don Denike
Jeanne Aamot and family on the death of her mother, Nancy
Caleb Wragge, Kathy, Kari, Gary Blackford and family on the death of Marilyn Kramme
Gabrielle Sybilrud and family on the death of Gabrielle’s mother, Mary Kahman
Gwen Chapman and family on the death of her stepfather, Len Prahl
Prayers for Deb and Roger Supalla and family on the death of their nephew, Brian Sommers

Prayers of Mourning:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Psalm 130:1–2
For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’. John 11:25–26

As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:

Prayers for Ralph and Mary Hanson’s son Kristopher
Darlene our wonderful cook at Spirit in the pines who has surgery coming up
Andrew Pick
Delores Cornelius
Ron Bergom
Gabe Perez
Delia Tufte
John Rostad’s father, Mike
Stephanie Berg’s son-in-law, Zach

Long Term Prayers:

Gordon Gilbert
Kathy Hoagland
Dave & Sherri Anderson’s daughter, Sarah Anderson-Jacobson
Ron Wolfbauer
Dick Smith
Tammi Ziesemann as she continues her cancer treatment
For the people of Haiti enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence.
For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine – non-violence and peace.
All those in the military serving our country

General Prayers:

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Names will remain listed for three weeks unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.