05/28/2026
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1375 Grand Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-223-3400 [email protected] www.blcbaldwin.com
Rev. James D. Smith-Pastor
Baptized People of God, Ministers Stuart Waters - Keyboardist Sunday, May 31, 2026
The Holy Trinity
First Sunday after Pentecost
Copyright: #660 – Lift Hight the Cross: Text – George W Kitchin, Music – ;Sydney H Nicholson; #661 – I Love to Tell the Story: Text – Katherine Hankey, Music – William E Fischer; #841 – Lift Every Voice and Sing: Text – James W Johnson, Music – J Rosamond Johnson. ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, our creator, our protector, our wellspring of life. Amen.
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another. (pause for silence and self reflection).
Most Merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, 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. Amen.
Prayer of the Day: Almighty creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Hymn: # 660 – Lift High the Cross
WORD
First Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was
good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
Psalm 8 (congregation please respond in the bold text)
O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
*Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; God’s glory fills the whole earth. Alleluia. (Isa. 6:3)
Response after announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL: Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON: Pastor James D. Smith
Hymn of the Day: # 661 – I Love to Tell the Story *Apostles Creed, p. 105
*Prayers of Intercession
Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church and the needs of the world.
A brief silence.
Holy God, we are in awe of your creative work. Continue that work in your church, making us a new creation that proclaims your presence and love. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Creator God, nature reveals your power and glory. Protect water sources, vegetation, and wildlife as reminders of who you are. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Redeemer God, you call us to pray for those in authority. Guide our leaders to pursue the work of fostering peace and community. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Sustaining God, you are mindful of your people in every circumstance. Heal those who are sick. Provide for all who hunger. Protect those in harm’s way. Comfort any experiencing hardship. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we pray for the children of our church and community. Provide for their needs. Support their caregivers. Nurture their faith. God of grace, hear our prayer.
We especially pray today for: Our military and their families, Peace Corps workers, our First Responders (Fire, Police, EMS), Healthcare Workers, Transit Workers, teachers, Sophia, Symons Family, McPherson Family, Derkatch family, Peragine family, Michelle, Frank, Gloria Holke, Pat Tucker, the Offley family, Shirley Byer and family, James and Prentella McSwain, the Broadhead Family, the Zamparelli family, the Nicholas family, the Simpson family, the Roulston family, Charles Hale, Roberta Neidballa, Kim McManus, the Lebby family, the Robinson family, Yanni and Sydell Saddler and family, Orvia Williams, Winston Flowers, Olga Young, Joyce Scott, The Cotton and Victor family, the Norcia family, the Kogan family, Rosalie Connor, the Petito family, Stephanie Scott, Linda Odom, the Washington and Flowers family, Mack Smith, John and Jean Anne Miller and family, Michael Branker, Broderick family, the Ayling family, Mack Baker, Matthew and Diana Pietrzak, Shaan Shivdasani, the Wynn family, the Dunbar, Humphrey & Jackson families, the Tesoriero family, the Stepteau family, Caolan Michael Joy, Ishmael and Yvonne Barthley, Phyllis Taylor, the Staton family, the Applewhite family, Bev Mitchell and family, Ortman family, Juanita Cunningham, Melhado family, Charlene Coyne, Lawrence Jordan, Leonard and Alma Cunningham, Cheryl Myles & family, Althea Robinson & family, Vonda Campbell & family, Carmen Alvarez Holmes & family, Cumberland family, Val Thomas & family, Eliano and Evans family, Bill Stoll, Tim Hayes, Ted & Laura Fackelman, Antoinette Allen, the Conforti family, John Kelly, George & Fran Doerrbecker, Ysabel Frias, The Albanese family, the family of Mortimer Wortman, Janet Gabler, Colleen, Antoinette Sherrington & family, God of grace, hear our prayer.
Loving God, we give thanks for those who have died and claimed their baptismal promises. Strengthen us to live as they did in communion with you. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Trusting you trusting you receive all our prayers, we commend our spoken and unspoken prayers to you, O God, through Jesus our Savior. Amen.
*Lord’s Prayer *Sharing of the Peace Offering
*Offering Prayer
Blessed are you, Holy One, for all good things come from you. In bread and cup you open heaven to us. Meet us at this table, that we receive what we seek and follow your Son, Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.
*Eucharistic Prayer
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into a path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire. In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bo***ge to prejudice and sin.
* Thanksgiving
* Holy Communion For remote listeners-please bring your own elements.
(In this time we gather around the eternal table wherever that may be in this time we are apart. We bring our own gifts so they can be lifted up and bring honor and glory to God. We lift up our prayers so that the Spirit is sent to us and the meal that we share, so that it and all of God’s acts and promises may come to fulfillment for us and the world. The prayer is that the life giving Spirit will make the meal effective in us. We join our prayers with those servants of every time and every place and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great High Priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.)
SENDING
*Blessing
God who names you, Christ who claims you, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, + bless you and remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn: #841 – Lift Every Voice and Sing
*Dismissal: Go in peace, you are God’s beloved. Thanks be to God.
Please remain at your seat as Pastor distributes communion.
*Offering- Please remember your church home during this time. Your donations are important in helping the church to fulfill its missions as well as pay bills. Please return your donation at the back of the sanctuary as you leave or go on our website and use the blue Donate button at the top of the page.
The Eternal Light is lit today in memory of loved ones. The Flowers on the altar are in the memory of loved ones.
If you know of anyone who is ill, in the hospital, or in need of a home visit, please contact Pastor Smith or a Council member. Pastor can be reached by text or phone: 718-619-1333.
Calendar-Announcements
- We will be have a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 7, 2026. It will be held during our Coffee Hour. A Zoom link will also be available. We are looking to do a “Holy Audit“ and a “One Thing“ Survey. You will receive the survey questions prior to the meeting either by email or in the mail to give you time to think about your answers. We need everyone to attend! This is the beginning of our work to move forward and grow! Your input is essential for Bethlehem’s success!
- We will be having a monthly Worship Service of Peace every second Sunday of the month. Our first Service for Peace will be held on June 14, 2026 at 5 pm. This is open to the entire community! Please invite your friends and family to join us!
- If you are interested in being a Lector, please see Dan D‘Antonio to sign up.
- There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church for Greeters! Isn’t it nice to have a greeter at the door each week to welcome visitors and members?
We only ask that you arrive 15 minutes early (10:15).
- We are collecting food for the pantry in the back of the church. Your donations greatly help people in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Mission of the Month: Pinecrest Scholarships
As a community of faith and a whole life ministry focused on Living God’s Word, we embrace and learn from the diversity in our midst. We seek to meet all people with God’s grace and eternal love shown to all God’s people through the life, death and resurrection of God’s only Son regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, culture, marital status, addictions, sexual orientation, economic status, ability or label. You are welcome here!
We serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, standing with the poor and powerless, and committing ourselves to their needs. Thank you to all who have ...
