May 24, 2020 — May 30, 2020

Sunday Morning Worship

The Seventh Sunday of Easter May 24, 2020

9:30 a.m. Online Service

Preservice song O Worship the King

Welcome Opening Song I Lift My Hands Invocation, Confession and Absolution Song All The Way My Savior Leads Me Scripture Readings Acts 1:12-26 1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-11 Children’s Message Family Five John 17:1-11 Song of the Day 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) Message Rev. Mark Halvorson Apostles’ Creed Special Music Solo by Becky Matson - How Deep the Father’s Love For Us Offerings, Prayers of the Church The Lord’s Prayer LSB 179 Blessing Closing Song O Church, Arise (Arise, Shine)

The Big Question

Why Does God Allow Suffering? Introduction: How can God be good if He, being all powerful and loving, allow suffering? The question of the ages!

Time to go deeper. St. Augustine of Hippo, N. Africa (354-430) “Soul Deciding Theodicy”

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Gen 1:31 Summary: Evil is simply diminished goodness or the absence of goodness like a shadow is the absence of light. Evil is

where the goodness of God has been rejected and sin (our will pushing aside God’s-Eve in the garden)

Why are we still surprised by evil and suffering when the Bible clearly warns us and prepares us? God’s Word tells us the following:

Dear friends, do not be _____________________at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 5 Peter 4:52

While suffering is part of the fall and sin that we are not a direct cause of, there are times when we bring trouble upon

________________________.

How God prepares and equips us to deal with suffering: St. Peter

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (In the meantime you get to) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 10 And the God of all grace, who

called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. 5:2-11

Dear friends, you already know these things. So be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of people who have no principles.

Then you won't fall from your firm position.18 But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory

belongs to him now and for that eternal day! Amen. 2 Peter 3:57-14

Public Worship will resume on Sunday, May 31st at 8:00am and 9:30am. Full details in the weekly e-news and on our website. ________________________________________________ King of Kings: YouTube & Facebook Our Sunday 9:30 a.m. worship service is streamed live on YouTube and Facebook Live. To view the YouTube feed on your smart phone, computer or smart TV, go to YouTube.com and search King of Kings Cedar Rapids. The YouTube version may also be viewed later through replay. Our page includes this photo: ________________________________________________ Celebrating our Grads Thank You for supporting our 2020 high school grads by dropping off encouraging notes and cards that will be delivered to them! This coming week, congregation members will have one more opportunity to celebrate our grads. A book for each of the HS grads will be available in the entryway at King of Kings for congregation members to stop by and sign. You could simply write your name or share an encourage note reminding the grads that they are loved and supported by their Church family. Keep an eye on social media and email to find out when you can stop by! _______________________________________________ VBS Update With uncertainty due to global events beyond our control VBS is not canceled, but will look different this year to allow us fluidity

in an uncertain time. VBS will not meet in

June as planned, but postponed until later this summer. Please watch for details!

Forward with Christ Update GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY will be held on Sunday, May 31st immediately following the 9:30am worship service. You are welcome to join us – those in the 9:30am service can either follow the procession outside or watch on the screens in the worship center. For those who have attended 8:00am worship and others, simply come to the parking lot and join us at approximately 10:30am. We will also livestream the groundbreaking ceremony and you can watch it live or recorded on our YouTube or Facebook channels. For those gathered for the ceremony, please use proper social distancing.

We look forward to the continuation of our exciting Forward with Christ campaign & building project!

Additional information regarding the Forward with Christ campaign can be found on the church website (www.kingofkingscr.org) under the CONNECT section and then go to “My King of Kings.” __________________________________________________Marion Ministry Meeting Recording A recording of Monday night’s meeting regarding King of Kings’ establishment of a Marion Ministry and Outreach Center is available on our YouTube page. If you were unable to take part, many questions are answered in this recording. Much more information and an invitation for your personal involvement in this gospel and service outreach will be coming soon.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers this week for… For all believers in Christ: Confidence in the preservation of our faith through the Holy Spirit. As our ascended Lord intercedes for us in heaven, the Spirit strengthens and encourages us here on earth as we live out each day. For blessing of the groundbreaking for our building addition: That construction of the children’s ministry addition may proceed smoothly under God’s blessing and, when complete, serve to enhance and strengthen our ability to teach all ages about the salvation that comes to us by grace through Jesus Christ. For the Ministry of the Gospel: That God guide, direct and bless establishment of the Marion Ministry and Outreach Center. May we as individuals be moved to support this ministry with our time and resources so that children and families may see faith in Christ through word and deed and be moved to receive Jesus as Lord. King of Kings members & friends: For those who are suffering from Covid-19 and other illnesses: Cindy Deahl and others unknown, grant healing and recovery, trust in God’s care and presence. For preservation and confidence: Grant safety to all who choose to worship together at King of Kings next week. As we begin returning to regular daily life, we ask that God’s promise of unending care for his people sustains our mental and emotional health through faith. Protect those who care for the sick and remind them that they serve you by serving those you love. Provide jobs for those needing employment, support for the unemployed and a willingness to help one another by those blessed with abundance of health and resources. King of Kings’ ministries: Attentiveness to worship: That we encourage one another through various means toward faithful worship, even when unable to gather in person, so that God’s gifts and blessings are received and our faith strengthened.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study Wednesday evening Bible study continues May 27 at 7 p.m. on YouTube and Facebook Live! You may follow along with the study and interact directly by typing on the page. Check your email for the download of the evening’s study guide. ________________________________________________ Christian Basics Class Today! Members, visitors and friends of King of Kings are invited to an online class focused on the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. We will gather through a Zoom meeting this afternoon at 2 p.m. An internet connection via computer, tablet or smartphone is required in order to employ the Zoom face-to-face meeting program. Materials will be delivered for download. If you are interested in taking part please contact Pastor Balvanz before 11:30 today rbalvanz@kingofkingscr.org or call 319-350-3276. ________________________________________________

Children’s Ministry Family Five is a short video lesson for all people, it includes a lesson for NOW and a question to discuss with your family LATER. Today's lesson is "What Goes Up Must Come Down.” Questions for LATER: What do you think the disciples said to one another when the ascension happened? Have you had any surprises like the disciples had when Jesus ascended?

Prayers for Our People:

Claudette Walker & family—death of her father Jason Silcox & family—death of his grandfather Cindy Deahl—battling Covid 19 Bob Meyer (father of Sandy Thurm) recovery from surgery Lois Muench—recovery from surgery David Marousek & Jerry Green—cancer treatment For continued healing — Doug Goodson Guy Patten For encouragement— Rev. Dave Renfro