MOBILE-FRIENDLY BULLETIN
Prelude "Ascension" Alex Guebert
Alex Guebert, organ
This organ prelude is meant to be a musical picture of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. It begins with shimmering, angelic sounds and continues to rise in pitch and volume until it reaches a heavenly crescendo.
Weekly Church News
Welcome Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Ringing of the Bell
Invocation
Liturgist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.
Ascension Responses based on Psalm 47:1-2, 7, 8; Ephesians 1:21-22
Liturgist: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy.
People: For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.
Liturgist: He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named.
People: And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Liturgist: God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
People: God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Processional Hymn Medley
“Crown Him with Many Crowns”
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity.
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.
“Beautiful Savior”
Beautiful Savior,
King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee,
Truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”
A hymn of glory let us sing!
New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod,
Ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Confession
Liturgist: Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave and crowned Him Lord of all.
People: We confess that we have not bowed before Him or acknowledged His rule in our lives. We have gone along with the way of the world and failed to give Him glory. Forgive us and raise us from sin, that we may be Your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, His body. Amen.
Absolution based on Ephesians 2:4-9
Liturgist: Hear the good news of the gospel: God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. In Christ, by God’s grace, we are saved. It is my joy, then, as a fellow servant of Christ, to announce to you the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Processional Hymn (part 2) “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”
verse 2
The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand.
Alleluia, alleluia!
And with His faithful foll’wers see
Their Lord ascend in majesty.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ascension Reading (Read from the midst of the people.) Acts 1:1–11 NIV
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Liturgist: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
“This Is the Feast”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 171.
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 and 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 hymn 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.
Sacrament of Baptism
Epistle Reading Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Holy Gospel Luke 24:44-53 NIV
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of the Day "O Christ, Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire"
(to the tune of "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing")
O Christ, our hope, our hearts’ desire,
Creation’s mighty Lord,
Redeemer of the fallen world,
By holy love outpoured:
How vast Your mercy to accept
The burden of our sin
And bow Your head in cruel death
To make us clean within.
But now the bonds of death are burst,
The ransom has been paid;
You now ascend the Father’s throne
In robes of light arrayed.
O let Your mighty love prevail
To purge us of our pride
That we may stand before Your throne
By mercy purified.
Christ Jesus, be our present joy,
Our future great reward;
Our only glory, may it be
To glory in the Lord!
▲ All praise to You, ascended Lord;
All glory ever be
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Through all eternity!
Message Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the Church
Each petition concludes with:
Liturgist: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings
Music at the Offering "Holy Is He" arr. David Clydesdale
Jubilate Choir
Near the end of this anthem, the congregation will be invited to sing along with the first stanza of "Holy, Holy, Holy":
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessèd Trinity!
Communion Prayer
Pastor: Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and out of perfect love sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. We thank You for all the work of Your hands and for all the words You have spoken and kept, as You come to us still now with Your healing grace through Christ’s body and blood given and shed for us.
People: Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People: 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
Words of Institution
Pax Domini
Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: Amen.
Agnus Dei
“Lamb of God”
verse 1
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 550.
Your only Son, no sin to hide,
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod,
And to become the Lamb of God.
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God!
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Music During Communion
“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”
verses 1, 2, 3 and 4
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 821.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of ev’ry nation
Has redeemed us by His blood.”
Alleluia! Not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us;
Faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget His promise:
“I am with you evermore”?
Alleluia! Bread of heaven,
Here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! Here the sinful
Flee to You from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, hear our plea
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.
Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! Born of Mary,
Earth Your footstool, heav’n Your throne.
As within the veil You entered,
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest,
Here on earth both priest and victim
In the eucharistic feast.
"Blest Are They" David Haas
Jubilate Choir
Blest are they, the poor in spirit;
Theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, full of sorrow;
They shall be consoled.
Refrain:
Rejoice and be glad!
Blessèd are you, holy are you.
Rejoice and be glad!
Yours is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, the lowly ones;
They shall inherit the earth.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst;
They shall have their fill. refrain
Blest are they who show mercy;
Mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are they, the pure of heart;
They shall see God! refrain
Blest are they who seek peace;
They are the children of God.
Blest are they who suffer in faith;
The glory of God is theirs. refrain
Blest are you who suffer hate,
All because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, yours is the kingdom;
Shine for all to see. refrain
"The Lord Bless You and Keep You" (Choral Benediction) Peter Lutkin
Jubilate Choir
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
Amen.
Dismissal
Benediction
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)
People: Amen.
Closing Hymn Medley
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
verse 8
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”
verse 6
▲O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to You let earth accord:
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are, while endless ages run,
With Father and with Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Worship Service Participants
Preacher: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Liturgist: Caleb Martin
Organ: Alex Guebert
Piano: Dr. Rachel Ehring
Violin: Carrie Bark
Choir: Jubilate Choir
Choir Director: Alex Guebert
Audio/Visual: Cody Thomas, Blaine Currer, and Mark Todd
10:30am Worship Service Participants
Preacher: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Liturgist: Caleb Martin
Organ and Percussion: Alex Guebert
Piano: Dr. Rachel Ehring
Violin: Carrie Bark
School Choir: St. John’s Fourth Grade
Choir Director: Audrey Mink
Audio/Visual: Cody Thomas, Blaine Currer, and Mark Todd
Thanks for joining us today!
May 17, 2026
Prayers of the Church
May 9th, 2026
O God, You are the giver of all that is good.
By Your holy inspiration, grant that we may think those things that are right
and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord of heaven and earth, You have given us the Spirit of truth
to dwell in us through Holy Baptism.
We thank You for the Baptisms today of Daniel Marcel Garland, son of Keith and Danielle,
and Leilah Rae and Ryan Quinn Camacho, children of Taryn.
Grant Your Spirit’s steadfast guidance,
that the feet of Your Church and Your baptized children may not slip into sin and unbelief,
but live always in the praise of You before the world. Lord, in Your mercy,
Merciful Lord, You listen and You wait upon the prayers of Your people,
and You attend to their cries.
Hear our cries for healing, for wholeness, for renewed faith –
especially for Jeni Hayes, Renee Klein, Marshall Lopez, Maggie Lowery, Sean O’Donoghue, the Pipgras family, Tony Uriarte, Edgar and Sara Villalobos, Nola Vroom, those on our printed prayer lists, and those named in our hearts and minds…
We are mindful of those who have strained relationships with their mothers,
and we pray for healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Inspire us to pray in all seasons of life and through all trials,
and keep us firm in faith to believe Your promises. Lord, in Your mercy,
Heavenly Father, Your house has many rooms,
and we thank You that Your Son has prepared a place for us.
We pray that You would comfort the grieving,
especially the family and friends of Michael Dexter, son of Eunice Dexter,
and the family and friends of Hal Prange, wife of Barbara Prange.
those who remember children who have died and pregnancies that miscarried,
those who remember their mothers,
and those who remember women who have cared, mentored, and loved them like mothers.
Because Jesus lives, we too shall live.
Abide with those who mourn, and give us confidence in the sweet joy of this sentence:
I know my Redeemer lives. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord Jesus Christ, son of Mary,
remember in compassion those who pray and desire to be mothers.
For women who want children but are experiencing infertility, we pray for miracles.
For moms who decided other parents were the best choice for their babies,
and for mothers and grandmothers who adopt, foster, and caregive,
guide them with Your gracious hand.
Bring all comfort, encouragement, and support through Your Word and Church.
Lord, in Your mercy,
If you are with your mother or grandmother today,
or a godly woman who has made an eternal impact in your life today,
we encourage you to put your hand on her shoulder or hold her hand.
If your mom is not here with you today,
we encourage you to put your hands over your heart.
Father in heaven, You have given us a mirror of Your love in the vocation of mothers, those who nurture, guide, and raise their children in all things good.
We praise You, O Lord, for placing these godly women into our lives,
for the sacrificial love we have received from our mothers and grandmothers,
and for those who love us as if we were their own children.
Thank You for the support that they have provided and continue to provide to us.
Thank You for their Christ-like love, joy, wisdom, and delight.
Give mothers energy and endurance, rest and renewal as they raise their children.
Give mothers supportive husbands, families, and friends
as they care for the growth of their children.
Thank you for the eternal impact they have had on our lives.
Bless them in their calling. Sustain them through weary and difficult times.
Thank You, Jesus, for those You call to be mom. Amen.
Every Sunday, 9:45 AM
An in-depth teaching Bible Study between services on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:25 - held in Walker Hall Dining Room. Bring your Bible and grab a donut. Together we learn, reflect, and grow...
Sunday, May 31, 2026, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
All volunteers welcome // Free Live Scan Event // For everyone's safety, all volunteers who are working with children in any capacity must have valid Live Scan fingerprints on file.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
a great breakfast, a devotion, and fellowship with other men
Daily, from 06/22/2026 to 06/26/2026, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Five days of fun for kids age 3 to grade 6 -- incredible worship, engaging Bible lessons, games, crafts, snacks, mission project, and more... June 22-26, 2026.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
One donation can save 3 lives. Please register online before the event.
Every Sunday, from 09/20/2026 to 11/01/2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Our seven-session Membership Class is intended for those that are new to St. John's, either as a new member, transfer member, or anyone who is interested!
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Christmas Caroling in December!
December 14, 2026
Join us Christmas Caroling to share spread some Christmas cheer! We carpool to 9 group homes in South Orange County to sing a...
Weekly Church News
Welcome Vicar Micah Raebel
Invocation
Worship Set
“I Thank God”
“Gracefully Broken”
Confession and Absolution
“Hallelujah For The Cross”
Scripture Readings
Message Vicar Micah Raebel
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of the Church
Holy Communion
Communion Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Words of Institution
“Run To The Father”
Dismissal
Benediction
Preacher: Vicar Micah Raebel
Director of Contemporary Worship: Stephan Nosrat
Thanks for joining us today!
May 17, 2026
Prayers of the Church
May 9th, 2026
O God, You are the giver of all that is good.
By Your holy inspiration, grant that we may think those things that are right
and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord of heaven and earth, You have given us the Spirit of truth
to dwell in us through Holy Baptism.
We thank You for the Baptisms today of Daniel Marcel Garland, son of Keith and Danielle,
and Leilah Rae and Ryan Quinn Camacho, children of Taryn.
Grant Your Spirit’s steadfast guidance,
that the feet of Your Church and Your baptized children may not slip into sin and unbelief,
but live always in the praise of You before the world. Lord, in Your mercy,
Merciful Lord, You listen and You wait upon the prayers of Your people,
and You attend to their cries.
Hear our cries for healing, for wholeness, for renewed faith –
especially for Jeni Hayes, Renee Klein, Marshall Lopez, Maggie Lowery, Sean O’Donoghue, the Pipgras family, Tony Uriarte, Edgar and Sara Villalobos, Nola Vroom, those on our printed prayer lists, and those named in our hearts and minds…
We are mindful of those who have strained relationships with their mothers,
and we pray for healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Inspire us to pray in all seasons of life and through all trials,
and keep us firm in faith to believe Your promises. Lord, in Your mercy,
Heavenly Father, Your house has many rooms,
and we thank You that Your Son has prepared a place for us.
We pray that You would comfort the grieving,
especially the family and friends of Michael Dexter, son of Eunice Dexter,
and the family and friends of Hal Prange, wife of Barbara Prange.
those who remember children who have died and pregnancies that miscarried,
those who remember their mothers,
and those who remember women who have cared, mentored, and loved them like mothers.
Because Jesus lives, we too shall live.
Abide with those who mourn, and give us confidence in the sweet joy of this sentence:
I know my Redeemer lives. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord Jesus Christ, son of Mary,
remember in compassion those who pray and desire to be mothers.
For women who want children but are experiencing infertility, we pray for miracles.
For moms who decided other parents were the best choice for their babies,
and for mothers and grandmothers who adopt, foster, and caregive,
guide them with Your gracious hand.
Bring all comfort, encouragement, and support through Your Word and Church.
Lord, in Your mercy,
If you are with your mother or grandmother today,
or a godly woman who has made an eternal impact in your life today,
we encourage you to put your hand on her shoulder or hold her hand.
If your mom is not here with you today,
we encourage you to put your hands over your heart.
Father in heaven, You have given us a mirror of Your love in the vocation of mothers, those who nurture, guide, and raise their children in all things good.
We praise You, O Lord, for placing these godly women into our lives,
for the sacrificial love we have received from our mothers and grandmothers,
and for those who love us as if we were their own children.
Thank You for the support that they have provided and continue to provide to us.
Thank You for their Christ-like love, joy, wisdom, and delight.
Give mothers energy and endurance, rest and renewal as they raise their children.
Give mothers supportive husbands, families, and friends
as they care for the growth of their children.
Thank you for the eternal impact they have had on our lives.
Bless them in their calling. Sustain them through weary and difficult times.
Thank You, Jesus, for those You call to be mom. Amen.
Every Sunday, 9:45 AM
An in-depth teaching Bible Study between services on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:25 - held in Walker Hall Dining Room. Bring your Bible and grab a donut. Together we learn, reflect, and grow...
Sunday, May 31, 2026, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
All volunteers welcome // Free Live Scan Event // For everyone's safety, all volunteers who are working with children in any capacity must have valid Live Scan fingerprints on file.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
a great breakfast, a devotion, and fellowship with other men
Daily, from 06/22/2026 to 06/26/2026, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Five days of fun for kids age 3 to grade 6 -- incredible worship, engaging Bible lessons, games, crafts, snacks, mission project, and more... June 22-26, 2026.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
One donation can save 3 lives. Please register online before the event.
Every Sunday, from 09/20/2026 to 11/01/2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Our seven-session Membership Class is intended for those that are new to St. John's, either as a new member, transfer member, or anyone who is interested!
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Christmas Caroling in December!
December 14, 2026
Join us Christmas Caroling to share spread some Christmas cheer! We carpool to 9 group homes in South Orange County to sing a...