The Service in PDF format is at: April 16, 2023 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors. Offerings may be placed in the plates by the doors as we exit the sanctuary.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Nora Stanley, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek
Today, April 16, 2023
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Lindy Young
Flowers Lindy Young
Fellowship Ladies Guild
AS WE GATHER…Thomas is seldom remembered for anything other than his doubt. In our quest to find relatable biblical characters, we often leave Thomas as a man who needed evidence—proof. We may miss his bold confession: “My Lord and my God!” While the other ten disciples had seen Jesus eight days earlier, none of them confessed as Thomas did. And none of them believed until Jesus appeared to them and spoke His Word to them. Focus today not on Thomas’ doubt but rather on his confession of faith.
RINGING OF THE BELL…After the ringing of the bell, we take a few moments in silence to prepare our hearts and minds for today’s worship.
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: He brings us light
People: that shines in our darkness.
Leader: He brings us life
People: that death cannot overcome
Leader: God is light.
People: In Him there is no darkness at all.
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
WE CONFESS OUR SINS
Leader: Psalm 28 says, “Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.” This passage reminds us that we are to revere God and His place of worship above all other things. A rightly prioritized life has God in the center. Let us now take some time to reflect upon the priorities we have chosen.
~~~~~ Silence for Reflection ~~~~~
Leader: We confess.
People: We have to face it Lord, we are sinners in need of your grace. We have not made You the number one priority in our lives. Instead, we have valued those things that have little to do with you: comfort, fear of the unknown, work. For this reason, we come to you now, confessing our sin, asking for your forgiveness, and grace to reprioritize our lives.
RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS
Leader: Jesus’ number one priority is us. There were no distractions that slowed Jesus down as he made his way to the cross. Jesus set aside earthly concern to make us his priority. Because of this, grace is ours. I announce this grace to you today in the forgiveness of sins. By the command of Jesus, your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia”
Text: Latin Sequence, c. 1100; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882 (alt.); Tune: Robert Williams, c. 1781-1821
Christ the Lord is ris’n today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
Offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!
At the paschal victim’s feet. Alleluia!
For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
Sinless in the sinner’s stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia!
Now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
Hail, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
When contending death and life, Alleluia!
Met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!
All your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia!
Now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
Leader: The Lord be with You!
People: And also with you!
Leader: We pray.
People: O Lord, we thank you for being the One who delivers people. Give us a heart that cherishes Your deliverance of us. Let us cling to your rescuing arms so tightly that You may define our whole being. Now that you have brought us back to you, may we never want to be anywhere else, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Peter shares the story of Jesus’ death and its purpose.
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
34 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.
35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men.
36 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.
37 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.
38 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;
39 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,
40 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.
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Thomas needed to see Jesus to believe.
19 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.”
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 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.”
26 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.”
27 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.”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 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.
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN: “O Sons and Daughters of the King”
Text: Jean Tisserand, d. 1494; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, Tune: Melchior Vulpius, c. 1570-1615; setting: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941
O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave hath lost its sting!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
.
When Thomas first the tidings heard,
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
.
“My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon my hands, my feet;
Not faithless, but believing be.”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
.
No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“You are my Lord and God!” he cried.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
.
How blest are they that have not seen,
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
.
On this most holy day of days,
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voices raise.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
SERMON
Pastor Dudley Nolting
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And was born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate.
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.
Leader: Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: O God, our Father, You have raised Your Son, and He has bestowed the Holy Spirit on His apostles. Believing Christ’s resurrection, help us also to trust the forgiving words of His servants. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, our Father, build up the households of Your people, that Your holy children, begotten in Baptism, may grow in Your grace and share together in Your forgiveness and life. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, our Father, You appoint rulers and officials for the sake of order and peace. Bless those You have placed in authority in federal, state and local governments. Give to them the desire to serve with integrity and honor and to work for the benefit of all. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, our Father, we praise Your Son’s resurrection from the dead and draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. [Show Your kindness to _____________.] Graciously receive our prayers of intercession for Christ’s sake. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, our Father, Your Son greets His disciples with peace despite their sins against Him. Make us confident in His mercy toward us and gladden our hearts as He comes to us in His body and blood with forgiveness and renewal. We pray all these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
People: Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN “How Firm a Foundation”
Text: J. Rippon, A selection of Hymns, 1787, alt. Tune: early American; © Public Domain
How firm a foundation,
O saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in
His excellent word!
What more can He say
than to you He has said,
who unto the Savior
for refuge have fled?
.
“Fear not, I am with you,
Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am your God,
and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you,
and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My righteous,
omnipotent hand.”
.
“When through fiery trials
your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient,
shall be your supply;
The flames shall not hurt you;
I only design
your dross to consume,
and your gold to refine.
.
Throughout all their lifetime
my people shall prove
My sov’reign, eternal,
unchangeable love;
And then, when gray hairs
shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still
in my bosom be borne.
Leader: 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.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “To God Be the Glory”
By: Fanny J. Crosby & William H. Doane; 1971 By William J. Gaither, The Fellowship Publications
To God be the glory,
great things He has done,
So loved He the world
that He gave us His Son.
Who yielded His life
an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate
that all may go in.
Chorus: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father,
Thro’ Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory,
great things He has done.
.
O perfect redemption,
the purchase of blood,
To ev’ry believer
the promise of God;
The vilest offender
who truly believes,
That moment from
Jesus a pardon receives.
Chorus
Great things He hath taught us,
great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing
thro’ Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher,
and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport,
when Jesus we see.
Chorus
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
FELLOWSHIP. Fellowship is a wonderful time to connect with our church family. We are returning to our pre-pandemic model and the first Sunday of every month will be the “potluck” Sunday. The rest of the Sundays are for snacks and coffee. If anyone wants to bring a more involved dish to share on those “other” Sundays, they are certainly welcome to, but there is no obligation and/or expectation to do so.
CHILDREN’S EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP SNACKS. Several weeks ago, the head of CEF spoke to our congregation about the of belonging to CEF. This afterschool Christian program teaches the children about Jesus and his works. Because this is afterschool program, she asked if our congregation could help provide l snacks for the children. The snacks need to be individually wrapped, no nuts or peanut butter. The snacks can be placed in the basket marked CEF located in the Narthex. Your gifts of love would be greatly appreciated.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY. The Ladies Guild is looking for someone to reinstate the Prayer Shawl Ministry. If you like to knit or crochet this might be the very ministry for you. Shawls are made and blessed and given to members who are facing challenges to remind them that God loves them and prayers are heard. See Peggy Krueger for more information.
