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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
May 3. 2026
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Pastor: The Reverend Leonard H. Bolick
Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend Terrell G. Long, Jr.
Rachel’s Day
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to worship today! May God richly bless you as we worship together. If you are visiting for the first time, please sign the guest register in the front entrance of the church.

Rachel’s Day is observed annually by the Women of the ELCA on the first Sunday in May to mourn children lost to violence and to advocate for the safety of children, particularly those affected by gun violence, abuse, and poverty. Initiated in 1996, this day of prayer and action encourages congregations to renounce violence and seek hope.

Gathering Music
P: Welcome and announcements
Prelude “fairest lord jesus” gawthrop
(Remain seated during prelude)
GATHERING: We have been gathered by the Holy Spirit.
*(As the music begins, we are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)
*Gathering song: “how firm a foundation” elw#796
*greeting
P: 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.
A litany of determined resolve for Rachel’s Day
Assisting Minister: A reading from the Gospel of Matthew, the second chapter. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt . . . for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” When Herod saw that he had been tricked . . . he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem. . . . Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
AM: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
AM: Out of fear and in silence, we have left ourselves and our children victims to gun violence.
All: We are determined to raise our voice in loud resolve.
AM : The Herods of the world are seeking out our little ones to destroy them.
All: We are determined to raise our voice in loud resolve.
*greeting
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.
*Thanksgiving for Baptism
(The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, Xone God,
The fountain of living water,
The rock who gave us birth,
Our light and our salvation.
Amen.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
We are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
(Water poured as all give thanks.)
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,
And above all we praise you for the gift of NEW life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit,
And RENEW our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
In the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.

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*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

AM: Our children need us to stand for them. Keep us from giving up and giving in.
All: We are determined to raise our voice in loud resolve.
AM: With each shooting our children lives our lives, and society is changed forever. All: We are determined to raise our voice in loud resolve.
AM: Rachel shows us the way to justice, to be heard, to make a difference.
All: We are determined to raise our voice in loud resolve.
AM: Help us to get up and move all that stands in our way of keeping our children safe.
All: Our resolve is in you, O God.
AM: Help us to be consumed only by the joy of our children when they feel safe.
All: Our resolve is in you, O God.
AM: Help us to turn to you when we are overwhelmed and don’t have the answers. All: Our resolve is in you, O God.
AM: Help us rejoice in anticipation of the day when every gun is no more.
All: Our resolve is in you, O God.

P: *Kyrie

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CANTICLE OF PRAISE-assisting minister
[Refrain-Everyone] Verses (1) (3) women verses (2) (4)Men

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray….
O God of justice, give us determination and resolve, so that we can do the work of beating guns into swing sets and give hope to our children. This we ask through your Son, the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

(The congregation may be seated .)

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Word: God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

First Reading: Acts 7: 55-60
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to serve tables so that the apostles could be free to serve the word (Acts 6:1-6). Stephen does more than distribute food, however. For his preaching of God’s word, he becomes the first martyr of the faith.
A reading from Acts, the seventh chapter
55 Filled with the Holy Spirit, [Stephen] gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

second reading 1 Peter 2: 2-10
Christ is the cornerstone of God’s saving work and the foundation of our lives. We are God’s chosen, holy people who continuously celebrate and declare the mercy of God we experience through Jesus Christ.
A reading from 1 Peter, the second chapter
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious,

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and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” 8 and “A stone that makes them stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Psalm 31: 1-5; 15-16 (sung in unison)
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be | put to shame; deliver me | in your righteousness. 2 Incline your | ear to me; make haste to de- | liver me. 3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag | and my stronghold; for the sake of your name, lead | me and guide me. 4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly | set for me, for you are my tow- | er of strength.

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5 Into your hands I com- | mend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, | God of truth. 15 My times are | in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who | persecute me. 16 Let your face shine up- | on your servant; save me in your | steadfast love.”

*Gospel Acclamation

P*Holy Gospel john 14: 1-14
On the night that he is to be arrested, Jesus shares final words with his disciples. As the one through whom God is known, he promises to go before them and act on their behalf.
The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fourteenth chapter
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?

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Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
P: The gospel of the Lord
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon the REverend Leonard H. bolick
*hymn of the day “you are the way” elw# 758

P: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father
He will come again 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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Assisting Minister: Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
God of glory, you have built your church on Christ the cornerstone. Inspire lay leaders, deacons, pastors, and bishops to proclaim forgiveness and your steadfast love to all whom they encounter. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of majesty, you bring forth plants and animals, skies and seas, mountains and valleys. Protect all you have made from the ravages of pollution and climate disaster. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of mercy, you intend governments and social service agencies to be instruments of peace and justice. Guide political leaders and organizations to be agents of compassion, and raise up advocates for those who seek refuge and assistance. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of well-being, you soothe those in distress, console all who grieve, provide for any in need, and comfort those who are sick. Instill caregivers with a sense of purpose to be your healing hands in this world. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of community, you call us together as your people for mutual support and to witness to your love in the world. Make your presence known among those unable to attend worship today. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of eternal life, you have prepared dwelling places for your people, so that we are never separated from you. We give you thanks for the faithful departed who witnessed to your mighty acts in word and deed. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

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P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.

*Sharing of the Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Offering (You may remain seated.)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful response for all God’s gifts.)
Offertory “contemplation” rasley

Offering Prayer
P: Merciful God,
accept the fruits of our labor, gathered to give you glory.
You have set a table before us, a glimpse of that great day
when we will hunger and thirst no more.
Nourish us with the body and blood of Jesus,
that goodness and mercy may follow us
and bless the world you love.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

MEAL: (God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ).

great Thanksgiving-spoken
The presiding minister greets the assembly and invites all present to give thanks.

The presiding minister continues:
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise… here the minister continues with the preface for the day, concluding: ...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

Words of remembrance
The presiding minister continues.
P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

*Lord's Prayer
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.

Invitation to Communion: P: Come to the table of new life. Receive the Risen Lord.
White grape juice is available in the center of the tray for those unable to drink wine.
When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond: Amen.
**if you would like to take communion in your seat, please indicate to an usher and they will bring it to you.**

Communion Song

Communion music

*After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands; and the minister
continues:
The Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in His Grace.

Post Communion Canticle

P: Prayer after communion
Holy One,
through this meal you have made your home among us
and are making all things new.
Send us now to speak peace to anxious hearts,
to love our enemies,
and to bring your healing to the nations.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

P*Blessing
God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end,
Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead,
and the Spirit, our advocate and peace,
Xbless you now and forever.
Amen.

Sending Hymn: “christ is alive! Let Christians Sing” #elw 389 elw#377

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude “sing joyfully to god” powell

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God by
Harold & Judy Smith

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Susan Woodie by Marc Woodie

Sunday Servants May 3rd
Assisting Minister..............................................................................................Leah Isley
Lay Reader.........................................................................................................Leah Isley
Ushers ………………....................................................James McGee & Rodney Setzer
Greeter................................................................................................................Lou Perry
Acolyte………………..…………...........................................................David Hartmann
Crucifer.......................................................................................................Rodney Setzer
Tabulators………………...................................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild……..............…….............…...Leah Isley, Kelly Taylor, & Amanda Pritchard
Presenters........................................................................................Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message.....................................................................................Katie Hamann

Week of May 3rd
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship Service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday 10:30 AM Prayer Team
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 7:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Future Important Dates
Sunday, May 10th-Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 10th-Ascencsion Sunday
Synod Assembly– May 28th, 29th, and 30th~Registration deadline is May 5th
Sunday, June 14th-Graduate Sunday

“may the hope of jesus find you” choir

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