Invocation. In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

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1 First Lutheran Community April 23-9:30 a.m. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. John 20:29 Those who trusted in Jesus were thrilled to hear of His resurrection. He was again among them, and His resurrection demonstrated His victory over sin, death and the power of the devil. After He returned to heaven, many likely wondered, what now? Life seemed to go on just as it did before. In many cases it was much worse. Christians were harassed, imprisoned, even murdered! Peter comforts us with the reality of our salvation-that it is real and more precious than gold. We are forgiven and alive forever in Jesus! Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God. Amen. Rev. Philip J. Rigdon, Pastor Vicar Andrew Apple, Youth and Family Ministries Mrs. Ann Hinz, Minister of Music Mrs. Elaine Popp, Principal 1 Mrs. Anna Weigel, Admin. Assistant Mrs. Susan Heller and Miss Toni Sawyer, Parish Nurses Rev. Pat F. A. O Brien, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Arnold E Piering, Circuit Visitor Pre-Service Music Awake, My Heart, with Gladness arr. Flor Peters Welcome and Greeting Prelude Awake, My Heart, with Gladness arr. Opening Hymn Awake, My Heart, with Gladness TLH # &6 Invocation Awake, my heart, with gladness, see what today is done, Now after gloom and sadness comes forth the glorious Sun! My Savior there was laid where our bed must be made When to the realms of light our spirit wings its flight. The Foe in triumph shouted when Christ lay in the tomb, But, lo, he now is routed, His boast is turned to gloom. For Christ again is free; in glorious victory He who is strong to save has triumphed o'er the grave. Now I will cling forever to Christ, my Savior true; My Lord will leave me never, whate'er He passes through. He rends Death's iron chain, He breaks through sin and pain, He shatters hell's dark thrall,- I follow through it all. In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Alleluia! Christ Jesus is alive. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Confession and Absolution

2 Hymn of Praise Brothers and sisters in Christ: On this day we celebrate the new life we have in our risen Lord. We also remember that we have not lived as we ought as God s children. Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the tomb, You destroyed the power of sin and death. Hear us as we confess our failure to live the good news of the resurrection. We have not loved You as we ought, and we have not loved others as You have loved us. We have allowed the things of this world to get in the way of serving You and others as we ought. For the sake of Jesus Christ, we ask You to forgive our sins and to renew us for faithful obedience to You. Grant us the radiant power of Your grace. Help us to proclaim the good news of forgiveness and new life in Jesus to those who continue to live in darkness. In great mercy God has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The light of the risen Christ puts to flight all evil deeds, washes away sin, restores innocence to the fallen, casts out hate, brings peace, and humbles earthly pride. Jesus Christ loves you. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The Lord is our strength and our song; He has become our salvation. Worthy Is Christ This is the feast of victory for our God, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, Whose blood set us free to be people of God. This is the feast of victory for our God, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His. This is the feast of victory for our God, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. This is the feast of victory for our God, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia. This is the feast of victory for our God, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 1978 Concordia Publishing House John W. Arthur. Used by permission One License.net License # A All rights Reserved. 2

3 Prayer of the Day Response Choir: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray: Almighty God, on Easter evening Your Son sent His disciples out with the resurrection news of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that we may be witnesses to His resurrection within our society and among our family and friends. Amen. Jesus is risen! Alleluia! New life is born on Easter Day. Jesus was crucified and buried the day He died, But God would not let Him stay that way. Easter Day. 3 Jesus Is Risen! Alleluia! Russell Nagy Jesus is risen! Alleluia! Risen to life on Easter Day. See how the tomb is bare and see now there s no one there, For Jesus is risen from the grave. Easter Day. Joyful celebration! For Jesus, the King of all creation. He will live forever, and with Him we ll be, Delighted, reunited; you re invited. Jesus is risen! Alleluia! Go tell the world along the way: He died to pay the price to offer us paradise; Believe and your sins are rolled away. Easter Day. Joyful celebration! For Jesus, the King of all creation. He will live forever, and with Him we ll be, Delighted, reunited; you re invited. Jesus is risen! Alleluia! New life is born on Easter Day. Jesus was crucified and buried the day He died, But God would not let Him stay that way. Easter Day. Children s Message First Lesson Acts 5:29-42 (Peter and the apostles are questioned by the Council.) But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, Men of Israel, take care what you

4 are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Psalm Psalm 148 sung to the tune FRED TIL BOD TLH #188 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from heaven! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let His praise be heard on high. Praise Him, all you hosts of heaven! Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, shining stars and all the firmament Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let His praises fill the sky. Let them all praise the name of the Lord! He commanded and they were created; by His command they were fixed in their places; they cannot disobey. Hallelujah! Glory be to the Lord eternally! Hallelujah! Let the earth join His praise: the seas and all that dwell therein, the forces of nature that obey His command; hills and mountains, trees and forests, birds and animals of every kind. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let His praise be heard on high. Let the people praise the Lord-rulers and subjects, men and women, the old and the young alike. Let them all praise the name of the Lord! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let His praises fill the sky. His name is greater than all others; His glory is above earth and heaven. He blesses all who are His own, so that all may praise Him. Hallelujah! Glory be to the Lord eternally! 4

5 Second Lesson 1 Peter 1:3-9 (Jesus is our living hope even in the midst of trials.) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Alleluia Verse 5 Alleluia! Lord to Whom Shall We Go? Alleluia! Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia! Alleluia! Gospel Lesson John 20:19-31 (Jesus appears to the disciples and bids them Peace be with you. ) On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe. Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

6 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Hymn of the Day Jesus Lives! The Victory s Won - LSB #490 Jesus lives! The vict'ry's won! Death no longer can appall me; Jesus lives! Death's reign is done! From the grave will Christ recall me. Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! To Him the throne High above all things 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. 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. Jesus lives! I know full well Nothing me from Him shall sever. Neither death nor pow'rs of hell Part me now from Christ forever. God will be my sure defense; This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! And now is death But the gate of 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! Sermon An Inheritance That Is Imperishable, Undefiled, and Unfading (I Peter 1:3-9) Confession of Faith Explanation of the 2 nd Article of the Apostles Creed I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death. That I may be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, 6

7 Prayers even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. Christ has risen from the dead; death has no dominion over Him. Let us pray for ourselves, the Church, and the world, that the resurrection have an impact on the lives of people everywhere. For ourselves and our community, especially our neighbors, that our heavenly Father would provide us with the peace and security we need so that our leaders may govern, the arts may flourish, our children may grow in knowledge and wisdom, our congregation may increase in faith and numbers, and we all may work together for the common good; and that He would raise up calm and courageous people to keep order in our society and defend our nation from enemies of all kinds, let us pray to the Lord. Hear our prayer, risen Lord, and strengthen us to witness our Easter faith. For the Church around the world, especially wherever it is enduring opposition and persecution as experienced in apostolic times, that the Lord of the Church would protect and guide it so that the Gospel may be proclaimed; and that He would sustain all who are unjustly imprisoned, denied human dignity, or exiled from their homes, let us pray to the Lord. Hear our prayer, risen Lord, and strengthen us to witness our Easter faith. For people in positions of power and influence in the nations of the world, that like Gamaliel the Lord would use them to open the eyes of both leaders and citizens to the reality of God s rule over all earthly powers and kingdoms; and that He would lead them to work for justice within their lands and peace across their borders, let us pray to the Lord. Hear our prayer, risen Lord, and strengthen us to witness our Easter faith. For all who, like the disciples on Easter evening, are dealing with fear, all who face this day in any emotional distress, any in mourning, all enduring chronic ills or sudden health crises including Ann, Bill, Melinda, Gayla, Tom, Scott, Shirl, Steven, Marie, Beverly, Isla, Julie, Holly, Lynn, Marlene, Esther, Bob, Sally Ann, John, Keri, Nathan, Barbara, Robert, Donna, Steve, Bob, Dennis, Brian, Greg, Dorothy, Roger, Roy, Jake, Nancy, and Patti, and those whom we name before You in our hearts. [Silent prayer] That the Holy Spirit would visit, relieve, strengthen, and console them in their various needs; and that our heavenly Father would work through health care professionals, counselors, 7

8 and emergency workers to restore them to peace and joy, let us pray to the Lord. Hear our prayer, risen Lord, and strengthen us to witness our Easter faith. These and any other things You would have us ask, grant to us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Your Son, our risen Lord Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen. Gathering of Offerings Voluntary Ministry Minute Lord s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, Dismissal Benediction May our hearts burn within us, that we may proclaim Your mighty acts and joyfully live as Your chosen people. Go in peace. Serve the risen Christ. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord bless you... Amen. Closing Hymn Ye Sons and Daughters of the King TLH # 208.1, 4-8 Postlude Ye sons and daughters of the King, whom heavenly hosts in glory sing, Today the grave hath lost its sting: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! That night the Apostles met in fear, amidst them came their Lord most dear And said: "Peace be unto you here": Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! When Thomas afterwards had heard that Jesus had fulfilled His word, He doubted if it were the Lord: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! "Thomas, behold My side," saith He, "My hands, My feet, My body, see; "And doubt not, but believe in Me": Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! No longer Thomas then denied; He saw the feet, the hands, the side; "Thou art my Lord and God," he cried: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Blessed are they that have not seen and yet whose faith hath constant been, In Iife eternal they shall reign: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Ye Sons and Daughters of the King arr. Healy Willan 8