Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. - Mark 24:5 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day April 5, 2015 P.O. Box 411 Mars, PA 16046-0411 www.stjohnchurchmars.org Phone: 724-625-1830 email: office@stjohnchurchmars.org Rev. Robert Newpher, Interim Pastor Jacob Gordon, Director of Music

We welcome you to St. John Lutheran Church. We are delighted to have you worship with us this morning. Should you have no permanent church-home in this community, why not consider making this one your own? Please sign the guest book as you leave worship today or the attendance pad in the pew. You are most welcome here at St. John! Most elements of our service can be found in the bulletin, everything else is in the hymnal. Page refers to the numbered pages towards the front of the hymnal, hymns are bold and towards the back. Please rise when there is an *, congregational responses are in bold, and underlined elements of the service are found in the hymnal. HOLY COMMUNION The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day April 5, 2015 "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." God has indeed raised from the dead the one who was put to death "by hanging him on a tree." Alleluia! God allows Jesus to appear "to us who were chosen by God as witnesses" in holy baptism and invites us to eat and drink at the table of the risen Christ. Alleluia! PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS *CALL TO WORSHIP Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, Radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes forever! Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Rejoice, O holy church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God s people! Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Alleluia! 2

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN #365: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today *GREETING Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. 3

*THIS IS THE FEAST *PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 4

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34 43 Peter crosses the immense religious and social boundary that separates Jews from Gentiles in order to proclaim the good news of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, so that God's forgiveness in Jesus' name would reach out to the Gentiles just as it had to Jews. 34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM 118:14-24 SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:1 11 The core of the Christian faith and Paul's preaching is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the crucified and risen Christ appeared to the earliest of his followers, so we experience the presence of the risen Lord in the preaching of this faith. 1 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you unless you have come to believe in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the 5

scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. *GOSPEL ACCLAMATION *GOSPEL READING: John 20:1 18 This morning began with confusion: the stone was moved and the tomb was empty. Disciples arrive, then angels, and finally Jesus himself. Out of the confusion, hope emerges, and a weeping woman becomes the first to confess her faith in the risen Lord. The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. 1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the 6

disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. CHILDREN S SERMON SERMON *HYMN OF THE DAY #380: Hallelujah! Jesus Lives 7

*PRESENTATION (10:30 AM service only) Pastor: Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for Jane and Bruce, one with us in the body of Christ, who are making public affirmation of their baptism. Sponsors: I present Jane and Bruce, who desire to make public affirmation of their baptism. Pastor: Dear friends, we rejoice to receive you, members of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, into our fellowship in the Gospel. Let us pray. Merciful God, we thank you for Jane and Bruce, whom you have made your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called them to yourself, enlightened them with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished them in the community of faith. Uphold your servants in the gifts and promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ. *PROFESSION OF FAITH (8:00 AM & 10:30 AM services) I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? I renounce them. Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? I renounce them. Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? I renounce them. Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. 8

*AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM (8:00 AM & 10:30 AM services) You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism: to live among God's faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth? I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ? We do, and we ask God to help and guide us. Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. *WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS (10:30 AM service only) Let us rejoice with Dorothy, Jane, and Bruce in Christ. We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world. *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Confident that the resurrection of Christ has defeated sin and death, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need. Holy God, you raise up leaders in your church who preach salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ. Inspire us to go and tell this good news throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy God, you make yourself known in your creation: in mountains and valleys, in plants and animals, and in those who care for what you have made. Lead us and all your creatures to proclaim that this is the day that the Lord has made. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy God, you desire that all people live in peace. Guide all in authority at the local, state, national, and international levels, that they show no partiality in their care and concern. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy God, you wipe away the tears of all who cry to you in distress. Console those who are afraid, protect those who are persecuted, bring healing to all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit, and comfort those who mourn, especially Nan, Jim, John, Robert, Frieda, Joe, Bill & Kathy, Jim, Raymond, Wanda Jean, Helen, Francis & Grace, Kathryn, Fred & Jane, and David & Ellen. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy God, you choose us to be witnesses to your love. Bless visitors among us today, those celebrating Easter with family and friends, and those who travel during this holiday time. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy God, you have swallowed up death forever through the resurrection of your Son. Make us confident that we will feast at your heavenly banquet with those who have died and are now at rest. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy God, by the death and resurrection of your Son, you have granted new life, abundant renewal, and salvation. Hear our prayers for the sake of the one who has set us free, Jesus Christ our Lord. 9

*PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING OFFERTORY: The Chief Cornerstone Bradley Ellingboe, text by Gracia Grindal Refrain: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. The guards outside the tomb could not contain His might. Christ broke the seal of death and rose into the light. Refrain The devil and his lies, the world, the flesh and sin, cannot defeat Christ now nor hedge His victory in. Refrain As He was raised from stone we also will be raised to join the heavenly hosts before the throne of grace. Refrain So sing, angelic choirs, O hosts of heaven sing! Break forth, O earth, in song and praise your Lord and King! Refrain *OFFERING HYMN: Thine Is the Glory (stanza 3) *OFFERING PRAYER Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. *DIALOGUE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. 10

*PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: *HOLY, HOLY, HOLY *THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. 11

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Remembering, therefore, his salutary command, his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and the promise of his coming again, we give thanks to you, O Lord God Almighty, not as we ought but as we are able; we ask you mercifully to accept our praise and thanksgiving and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us, your servants, and these your own gifts of bread and wine, so that we and all who share in the body and blood of Christ may be filled with heavenly blessing and grace, and, receiving the forgiveness of sin, may be formed to live as your holy people and be given our inheritance with all your saints. To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever. *LORD'S PRAYER 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 *INVITATION TO COMMUNION This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia. COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. 12

COMMUNION SONG : Lamb of God HYMNS DURING COMMUNION Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! 13

In the Garden *POST-COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in grace. 14

*POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE: Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise *POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Let us pray. Mighty and compassionate God, you have brought us over from death to life through your Son, our risen Savior, and you have fed us with the food of life in the sacrament of his body and blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. *BLESSING May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. May God, who through the waters of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ forever. May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. 15

*SENDING SONG #367: Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds *DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia. POSTLUDE: Festival Alleluia Dan Miller From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #39383. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 16

8:00 am 10:30 am Assisting Minister: Clarence Strabel Assisting Minister: Martha Ward Communion Assistant: Marlene Strabel Communion Assistant: Acolyte: Acolyte: Lector: Lector: Usher: Chuck Olescyski Usher: Attendance Last Week: 90 Attendance last year: 74 Weekly Budgeted Need: $ 2,755.44 Last Week s Giving: $ 3,364.00 (includes $1,537 from spaghetti dinner) YTD Budgeted Expenses: $ 33,065.31 Year to Date Receipts: $ 33,609.84 YTD Actual Expense: $ 35,397.84 17