Theme for Worship: Witness
marches victorious over restraint. The good news of
the risen Christ is bigger than a single day. The Easter gospel will continue
to march across centuries and continents. Many may try and restrain the good
news of Christ, but the march of the Church’s witness will never slow down.
Hymn: 444 Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won
1 Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s
won!
Death no longer can appall me.
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
this shall be my confidence.
2 Jesus lives! To him the throne
high o’er heav’n
and earth is given.
I shall go where he is gone,
live and reign with him in heaven.
God is faithful; doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.
3 Jesus lives! For me he died;
hence will I, to Jesus
living,
pure in heart and act abide,
praise to him and glory giving.
All I need God will dispense;
this shall be my confidence.
4 Jesus lives! I know full well
nothing me from him shall sever.
Life nor death nor pow’rs of hell
part me now from Christ forever.
God will be a sure defense;
this shall be my confidence.
5 Jesus lives! And now is death
but the gate to life immortal;
this shall calm my trembling breath
when I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense:
Jesus is my confidence!
Text: tr. Frances E. Cox, 1812–1897, alt.; Christian F. Gellert, 1715–1769, abr.
Text: Public domain
Invocation
In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Confession
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins,
God is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
Holy God, gracious Father,
I am sinful by nature
and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions.
I have not loved you with my whole heart;
I have not loved others as I should.
I deserve your punishment both now and forever.
But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins
with his innocent suffering and death.
Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Absolution
Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, Have Mercy
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
Glory to God in the Highest
Refrain: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Refrain
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. Refrain
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Amen. Refrain
Salutation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray.
O risen Lord, you came to your disciples and took away their fears with your word of peace. Come to us also by Word and sacrament, and banish our fears with the comforting assurance of your abiding presence; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
First Reading: Acts 5:12,17–32
12Many signs and wonders were done among the people
through the hands of the apostles. With one mind, they all continued meeting in
Solomon’s Colonnade.
17The high priest rose up,
along with his associates (that is, the party of the Sadducees), because they were
filled with envy. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the
public prison. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened
the doors of the prison, brought them out, and said, 20“Go, stand in
the temple and keep on telling the people the whole message about this life.” 21After
they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began to teach.
When the high priest
and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin (that is, the
whole council of elders of the people of Israel). Then they sent orders to the
jail to have the apostles brought in. 22But when the officers
arrived, they did not find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 23“We
found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when
we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24When the captain of the
temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were puzzled about
them, wondering what could have happened.
25Then someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men
you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people.”
26Then the captain went with the officers and brought
the apostles in without force, because they were afraid that the people might
stone them. 27After they brought them in, they had them stand before
the Sanhedrin. The high priest asked them, 28“Did we not give you
strict orders not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with
your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood down on us!”
29But Peter and the apostles replied, “We
must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised
Jesus, whom you arrested and killed by hanging him on a cross. 31God
exalted him to his right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to
Israel and the forgiveness of sins. 32We are witnesses of these
things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Psalm of the Day: 150A Sing Praise to the Lord, You People of Grace
1 Sing praise to the LORD, you people of grace;
fill heav’n with the songs that sound from this
place;
since you are God’s servants and meet in his name,
his wonders declare and his glory proclaim. (Refrain)
Ref Halle! Hallelujah! Halle! Halle! Hallelujah!
Halle! Hallelujah! Halle! Halle! Hallelujah!
2 His greatness exceeds what words can explain,
and his is the pow’r no force can restrain;
with fanfares of horns and crescendos of strings,
raise anthems to honor the King of all kings. (Refrain)
3 Where music is made, let rhythms abound:
let cymbals and drums add weight to the sound;
with dance that is graceful and words that are clear,
bring joy to the God you adore and revere. (Refrain)
4 Yield all that you are to worship the LORD—
see life as a psalm, each moment a chord;
let harmonies flourish and melodies soar—
let all that has breath praise the LORD evermore. (Refrain)
Second Reading: Revelation 1:4–18
4John,
To the seven churches
in the province of Asia:
Grace to you and peace
from him who is, who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits that
are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us
and has freed us from our sins by his own blood 6and made us a kingdom
and priests to God his Father—to him be the glory and the power forever. Amen.
7Look, he is coming with
clouds,
and
every eye will see him,
including
those who pierced him.
And
all the nations of the earth will mourn because of him.
Yes.
Amen.
8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, the
one who is, and who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.
9I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering
and kingship and patient endurance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos
because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.
10I was in spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard a loud
voice behind me, like a trumpet, 11saying, “Write what you see on a
scroll and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,
Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
12I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me.
When I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands, 13and
among the lampstands was one like a son of man. He was clothed with a robe that
reached to his feet, and around his chest he wore a gold sash. 14His
head and his hair were white, like white wool or like snow. His eyes were like
blazing flames. 15His feet were like polished bronze being refined
in a furnace. His voice was like the roar of many waters. 16He held
seven stars in his right hand. A sharp two-edged sword was coming out of his
mouth. His face was shining as the sun shines in all its brightness.
17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a
dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the
First and the Last— 18the Living One. I was dead and, see, I am
alive forever and ever! I also hold the keys of death and hell.”
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Praise God for a living hope:
Christ is risen from the dead!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 20:19–31
19On the
evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind
locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them,
and said to them, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he
showed them his hands and side. So the disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as
the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” 22After saying this,
he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23Whenever
you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them,
they are not forgiven.”
24But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the
Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples
kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them,
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my
finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never
believe.”
26After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and
Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among
them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put
your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side.
Do not continue to doubt, but believe.”
28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have
believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed.”
30Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did
many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. 31But
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Hymn of the Day: 456 O Sons and Daughters of the King
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 O sons and daughters of the King,
whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing,
today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 That night th’‿apostles
met in fear;
among them came their Lord most dear
and said, “My peace be with you here.”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5 When Thomas afterwards had heard
that Jesus had fulfilled his word,
he doubted that it was the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
6 “Thomas behold my side” said he,
“my hands, my feet, my body see;
and doubt not but believe in me.”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
7 No longer Thomas then denied;
he saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“You are my Lord and God,” he cried.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
8 Blessed are they that have not seen
and yet whose faith has constant been;
in life eternal they shall reign.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Text: tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–1866, alt.; attr. Jean Tisserand, d. 1494, abr.
Text: Public domain
Sermon
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the
Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of the Church
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Hymn: 442 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia
1 Christ the Lord is ris’n
today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
see the place where he was laid; Alleluia!
praise him for the ransom paid. Alleluia!
2 For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
sinless in the sinners’ stead. Alleluia!
“Christ is ris’n,” today we cry; Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
3 Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
while, in strange and awe-full strife, Alleluia!
met together death and life. Alleluia!
4 Christ, who once for sinners bled,
Alleluia!
now the firstborn from the dead, Alleluia!
throned in endless might and pow’r, Alleluia!
lives and reigns forevermore. Alleluia!
Text: tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807–1882, alt.; Latin, 11th cent., attr. Wipo of Burgundy, d. c. 1050, abr.
Text: Public domain
Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and T give you peace.
Amen.
Hymn: 524 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
1 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
2 The Lord, our Savior, reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
3 His kingdom cannot fail,
he rules o’er earth and heav’n;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
4 Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord and judge shall come
and take his servants up
to their eternal home:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–1788, alt.
Text: Public domain
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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