First Lutheran Community Contemporary Service April 22 nd, 2017-6:30pm 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 Welcome Gathering Song Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) Kari Jobe Mell: The moon and stars they wept, the morning sun was dead. The Savior of the world was fallen. His body on the cross, His blood poured out for us; The weight of every curse upon Him. One final breath He gave as heaven looked away. The Son of God was laid in darkness. A battle in the grave, the war on death was waged, The power of hell forever broken. The ground began to shake, the stone was rolled away. His perfect love could not be overcome. Now death where is your sting? Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated. Forever He is glorified. Forever He is lifted high! Forever He is risen; He is alive, He is alive! The ground began to shake, the stone was rolled away. His perfect love could not be overcome. Now death where is your sting? Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated. Forever He is glorified. Forever He is lifted high! Forever He is risen; He is alive, He is alive!
We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! The Lamb has overcome! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! The Lamb has overcome! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! The Lamb has overcome! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! We sing hallelujah! The Lamb has overcome! Forever He is glorified. Forever He is lifted high! Forever He is risen; He is alive, He is alive! Forever He is glorified. Forever He is lifted high! Forever He is risen; He is alive, He is alive! CCLI Song # 7001228 Brian Johnson Christa Black Gifford Gabriel Wilson Jenn Johnson Joel Taylor Kari Jobe 2013 Kari Jobe Carnes Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Bethel Music Publishing For use solely with the SongSelect. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Sarge: Song 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. He Arose - Rick Muchow I believe in the resurrection of God's Son. In the resurrection of God's Son. I can feel the earth still shaking, every morning I awaken To the resurrection of God's Son. Jesus is our Savior, He arose! Wonderful Creator, He arose! There is no one greater, He arose, He arose! I believe in the resurrection of God's Son. In the resurrection of God's Son. I can feel the earth still shaking, every morning I awaken To the resurrection of God's Son. Some of them denied Him, He arose! And then they crucified Him, He arose! At the tomb they couldn't find Him, He arose, He arose! I believe in the resurrection of God's Son. In the resurrection of God's Son. I can feel the earth still shaking, every morning I awaken To the resurrection of God's Son. CCLI Song #1136783 1992 Rick Muchow (Encouraging Music) Rick Muchow For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License #1009078 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Invocation In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit Amen. 2
Confession and Absolution 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. Silence for reflection on the Word of God and for self-examination Gracious Lord, we give thanks that You have given us faith by which we are able to witness to Your Easter victory. We confess that too often we have remained silent when confronted with the possibility of physical harm, social shunning, and even unkind remarks from our neighbors. Forgive us and strengthen us for witness. Likewise we give thanks for the joy and hope Your resurrection provides. We confess that too often in our daily living we have let the conflict, turmoil, and immorality of the world cloud that joy with sorrow and gloom. Forgive us and strengthen us for witness. And we give thanks for the fellowship of believers we enjoy here in this place and wherever we gather around Your Word. We confess that we have not always demonstrated the peace and forgiveness You brought to the disciples on Easter evening. Forgive us and strengthen us for witness. Almighty God has given His Son to die for You and by raising Him to life again has declared that the payment for your sins has been accepted. He has given you His Holy Spirit that You may trust Him for all things and serve Him in joy. Your sins are forgiven Amen. Song Sj&L: He Rolled My Stone Away Phil Rigdon I wasn t there that day, they heard the angels say, Do not fear, He is not here. He rolled my stone away. All that the Father willed, the Scriptures stand fulfilled. My debt is paid, Look, where He laid. He rolled my stone away. Victory! We are free! My Sin that was my stone, He bore and bore alone. His hands, His feet bring life complete. He rolled my stone away. Victory! We are free! Where shining angels sing, where glorious anthems ring, The Lord prepares my mansion there. He rolled my stone away. 3
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 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. Reader: God s Word for us. Thank You, Lord. 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. Reader: God s Word for us. Thank You, Lord. 4
Song Mell: Lynn: Glorious Day Mark Hall One day when heaven was filled with His praises, One day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, dwelt among men. My example is He. The Word became flesh and the light shined among us, His glory revealed. Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He's coming; Oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day. One day they led Him up Calv'ry's mountain. One day they nailed Him to die on a tree. Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He. The hand that healed nations stretched out on a tree and took the nails for me. Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He's coming; Oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day. One day the grave could conceal Him no longer. One day the stone rolled away from the door. Then He arose; over death He had conquered. Now He s ascended, my Lord evermore. Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him from rising again. Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He's coming; Oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day, glorious day. One day the trumpet will sound for His coming. One day the skies with His glories will shine. Wonderful day my Beloved One bringing. My Savior, Jesus is mine. Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He's coming; Oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day, glorious day, oh, glorious day. CCLI Song No. 5638022 2009 Word Music, LLC My Refuge Music Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC) J. Wilbur Chapman Mark Hall Michael Bleecker For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License No. 1009078 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God s wrath through him! For if, when we were God s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:6-10 5
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. 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. Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Sermon An Inheritance That Is Imperishable, Undefiled, and Unfading (I Peter 1:3-9) 6
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, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. Prayer Requests At the conclusion of the prayers: 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 I Believe in Jesus - Marc Nelson I believe in Jesus, I believe He is the Son of God, I believe He died and rose again, I believe He paid for us all. And I believe that He s here now, standing in our midst. Here with the power to heal now, and the grace to forgive. And I believe in You, Lord, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died and rose again, I believe You paid for us all. And I believe that You re here now, standing in our midst. Here with the power to heal now, and the grace to forgive. And I believe that You re here now, standing in our midst. Here with the power to heal now, and the grace to forgive. CCLI Song #61282 1987 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing Marc Nelson For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License #1009078 7
Ministry Minute Lord s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, Benediction 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. Amen. Closing Song Celebrate Jesus - Gary Oliver Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! He is risen, He is risen, and He lives forevermore. He is risen, He is risen! Come on and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! Celebrate Jesus, celebrate! He is risen, He is risen, and He lives forevermore. He is risen, He is risen! Come on and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. CCLI Song #16859 1988 Integrity's Hosanna! Music Gary Oliver For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License #1009078 8