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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
May 10, 2026
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Pastor: The Reverend Leonard H. Bolick
Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend Terrell G. Long, Jr.
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.

Gathering Music
P: Welcome and announcements
Prelude “hymne” Vangelis
Recognition of mothers
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: “o zion, haste” elw#668
*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.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the minister begins.)
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
P: Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb!
Amen.
P: Let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Merciful God,
you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation:
morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
*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.)

Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness
who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows.
Break down barriers that divide us.
Fill us with the breath of peace.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism,
and for making us a new creation.
We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise,
now and forever.
Amen.

P: *Kyrie

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CANTICLE OF PRAISE-assisting minister

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray….

(The congregation may be seated .)

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

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

First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11
Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.
A reading from Acts, the first chapter
[Luke writes:] 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

second reading Ephesians 1: 15-23
The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we are given the wisdom to know the power of the risen Christ and the empowering hope that the knowledge of this inheritance provides.
A reading from Ephesians, the first chapter
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Psalm 47 (sung in unison)
1 Clap your hands, | all you peoples; shout to God with a | joyful sound. 2 For the Lord Most High is | to be feared: a great king over | all the earth, 3 who subdues the | peoples under us, and the nations un- | der our feet;

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4 who chooses our inheri- | tance for us, the pride of Jacob, | whom God loves. 5 God has gone up | with a shout, the Lord with the sound | of the ram’s horn. 6 Sing praises to | God, sing praises; sing praises to our | king, sing praises. 7 For God is king of | all the earth; sing praises | with a song. 8 God reigns o- | ver the nations; God is en- | throned on high. 9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered as the people of the | God of Abraham. The rulers of the earth belong to God, who is high- | ly exalted.

*P Gospel Acclamation

P*Holy Gospel luke 24: 44-53
On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter
Glory to you, O Lord.
44 [Jesus said to the eleven and those with them,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the

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Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
P: The gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ.
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.

(The congregation may be seated.)

Sermon the REverend Leonard H. bolick
*hymn of the day “loving spirit” ELW #397

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

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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.)
Gracious God, your Son Jesus ascended to fill all time and space and is present with all people. By your Holy Spirit, lead your church and its leaders in faith, hope, and love, and in sharing the presence of Christ. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Majestic God, your Son Jesus entrusts his ministry to his followers to care for all you have created. Instill in us a commitment to sustainable ecological practices. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Almighty God, your Son Jesus sits at your right hand and rules the cosmos. Inspire national and local politicians to lead with equity and fairness, raise up advocates and activists for those seeking justice, and cultivate peace throughout the world. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Merciful God, your Son Jesus carries with him the scars of suffering as our wounded healer. Guide with your wisdom the work of surgeons, pharmacists, midwives, and all medical specialists, and bring your healing touch to all who are sick. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

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Caring God, your Son Jesus reveals the depths of your love and gathers all people to himself. Accompany us in our work and play to make your presence known in all that we do. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Life-giving God, by his death and resurrection, your Son Jesus destroyed death forever. With thanksgiving we remember those who rest from the labors, assured of your promise of everlasting life. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
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/noisy 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 “in this very room” duet-kim ledford & David hartmann

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.

*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.

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: “we know that christ is raised” elw#449

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude “postlude on “St. Anne” bye

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of All Mothers by Tom & Anne Hensley

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

The bottles are on the table in the narthex. You may place change or a check written to the Caldwell Pregnancy Care Center in the bottle. Bottles are due back to the church by Father’s Day, June 21st.

PLC will be hosting a blood drive on Friday, May 15th. The drive will be from 1:15 to 5:00 PM. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex. The community and friends are invited to participate. So, if you know anyone who would like to donate, please refer them to this blood drive. Cookies and /or snacks are needed for the blood drive for the donors. There is a sing-up sheet on the table in the narthex. Cookies and snacks need to be at the church by Friday morning, May 15th.

On Sunday, June 14th, we will celebrate “Graduate Sunday.” While we do not have any active students graduating this year, we do have some grandchildren. If you would email to me or leave information on my desk about your grandchild, (school, degree(s), major, college or work plans, I will create an insert with their names and information. I will need these no later than Sunday, May 24th.

Week of may 10th
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:oo a.m. Worship Service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
6:00 p.m. WELCA
Wednesday
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 1:15-5:00 PM
American Red Cross Blood Drive, Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Happy
Mother’s Day

“may the hope of jesus find you” choir

Almighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Amen.

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