The Service in PDF format is at: April 18, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 18, 2021
AS WE GATHER………… Often, a person knows he or she is loved by what is done by another. From the words said, actions shown, and even at times gifts given from parents to children, spouses to each other, friends among one another, and more, we can often sense the motivation of love behind many forms of kindness and care. How can we know God’s love for us? It’s in some ways similar to our earthly relationships, but is from One who always loves perfectly. Unlike love shown in temporal earthly ways, His love is eternal and everlasting and one we are blessed to see with eyes of faith and know in our hearts as we continue in this Easter season, rejoicing in the fact that Christ is risen!
RINGING OF THE BELL…………. Following 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: Praise the Lord!
People: Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens!
Leader: Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
People: Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!
Leader: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
People: Praise the Lord!
OPENING UP TO GOD………..
Leader: God who is gracious and merciful:
People: We confess our sins to you, the sins in our thoughts, words and actions. You command us to love one another as You have loved us. Our love for others often misses the mark. Instead of warmly welcoming others, too often we have approached people with cold hearts. Instead of extending Your mercy and grace, too often we have kept it just for ourselves. Forgive us today on account of Your Son—Jesus. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
SONG OF CONFESSION “Change my heart, oh God”
Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true.
Change my heart, oh God. May I be like You.
You are the potter. I am the clay.
Mold me and make me. This is what I pray.
Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true.
Change my heart, oh God. May I be like You.
………AND RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS
Leader: Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my Father’s name, it will be given to you.” Having asked for forgiveness by confessing to the Father, now receive the forgiveness you desire. Jesus died for your sins and took on your punishment. You are forgiven. I announce God’s grace and forgiveness in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen!
HYMN OF PRAISE “This is the Feast”
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessings and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God
And join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen
This is the feast of victory for our God,
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Leader: Let us pray. O Almighty and Eternal God, You have assured us of the completion of our forgiveness and new life in You through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. You call us Your children through the waters of Baptism and give us eyes to see Your love for us in Your only begotten Son. Give us the will to show forth in our lives the faith we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON Acts 3:11-21
Peter preaches salvation through Christ. 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name–by faith in his name–has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
GOSPEL Luke 24:36-49
Amid disciples’ doubts, the resurrected Christ affirms the fulfillment of God’s Word.
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
SERMON “UP-IN-OUT”
SERMON HYMN Green Book 543 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear Now to his temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen All that is needful has been
Sent by his gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew What the Almighty can do
If with his love he befriend you.
Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen Sound from his people again.
Gladly forever adore him!
ALL: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And 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 sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
From thence 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.
Leader: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are.
Leader: Lord, in Your love You have called us as Your own, gathered us together, and enlightened us by Your Spirit through Your Word. We bring to You our prayer and praise. Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
People: Hear our prayer and grant our supplication.
Leader: We pray for all people of the world, that the Easter joy that sines by the radiance of Your Son, our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, would arise in the hearts and minds of all people. Grant all Your people the needs of body and life by the daily bread You provide, and keep all from harm.
People: Hear our prayer and grant our supplication.
Leader: Lord of all care, give comfort to those who face troubles in this life in their spiritual, emotional, and mental need. Give healing according to Your will for those who face physical trials, (including………..). Grant peace to all who mourn, that Christ’s Easter victory would point beyond earthly death and the grave to the promises assured forevermore.
People: Hear our prayer and grant our supplication.
Leader: Lord of all provision, look with favor upon our land and all in authority that they lead with wisdom and compassion for all. Be with those who serve and defend from harm, and those who work to keep communities safe and in order. Bless all vocations that all would see their work for others as joyful service to You and Your creation.
Leader: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord.
People: Amen.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LORD’S PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray. Merciful Lord, as Your children, keep us amid all the temptation to doubt and fear that we not lose sight of the goal before us. Grant us every aid and blessing that we may hold fast to the hope that is ours in Christ and be prepared when He comes again to bring to completion all things. To You be all glory and honor, both now and forevermore.
People: Amen.
Leader: Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. The almighty God–Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit—bless you.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN Green Book 554 “This Is My Father’s Word”
This is my Father’s world, And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world; the birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white, Declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world; He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass; He speaks to me ev’ry where.
This is my Father’s world; Oh, let me not forget
That, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world, why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring; God reigns, let the earth be glad!