The Service in PDF format is at: April 20, 2025 Easter 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.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Anne Schroeder & 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, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek, Seamus Harrington, Archer Schroeder
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl
Today, April 20, 2025 -Easter
Musician Colleen Schulze
Trumpet Player Ken Saul
Violin Player Lisa Zweben
Reader Seamus Harrington
AS WE GATHER
We have followed Jesus to the cross, the tomb, and now we follow Jesus out of the tomb as He rises from the dead and appears to another witness: Mary Magdalene. Jesus’ Easter morning resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene might be unexpected. After all, Mary had endured a terrible past. Jesus had cast seven demons out of her in the early part of His ministry. But Mary is chosen to be this eyewitness, and she exclaims to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Mary is the first to see Jesus’ resurrected glory and proclaim this good news, which we speak again and again today, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!”
~~~~~ STAND ~~~~~
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4; tr. Lyra Daidica, London, 1708, sts. 1-3 Tune: Lyra Davidica, London 1708; ©1978 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia
1. Congregation Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia
& Choir Our Triumphant holy day, Alleluia
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia
2. Congregation Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia
& Choir Unto Christ our heav’nly king, Alleluia
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia
3. Choir ONLY But the pains which he endured, Alleluia
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia
Now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia
4. Congregation Sing we to our God above, Alleluia
& Choir Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia
Praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia
~~~~~ Sit ~~~~~
CHORAL ANTHEM “Awake! Arise! Go Forth!”
Words by Nancy Price & Don Besig; Music by Don Besig. Copyright 1993, Harold Flammer Music, a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc.
Awake, awake and hear the joyful news.
For lo, the tomb is empty, the Savior has arisen.
Awake, awake, and hear the wonderous truth.
He lives again in glory; the promise is fulfilled.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Let your voices ring.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Come now and sing.
.
Arise, arise and greet the happy morn.
The darkness now is over, a brand new day is dawning.
Arise, arise and see the earth reborn.
God’s majesty surrounds us with beauty and with love.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Let your voices ring.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Come now and sing.
.
Three days of sorrow and deep despair;
All of the world in darkness lay.
Now comes the sun and the fresh morning air
Bringing the dawn of new and glorious day.
Go forth, go forth and tell the joyful news.
Proclaim to every nation:
The son of God is risen!
.
Go forth, go forth and tell the wonderous truth.
For Christ has been victorious.
He reigns forever more.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Let your voices ring.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Come now and sing.
Sing alleluia, alleluia!
Come now with joy and sing!
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: We have followed Christ to the cross.
People: We have followed Him as He was buried in the tomb.
Leader: This morning we see that the tomb is empty, for Christ is risen.
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene.
People: At first, Mary doesn’t recognize Him,
Leader: but the, Jesus speaks her name, and she sees Jesus clearly.
People: Mary announces the good news, “I have seen the Lord.”
OPENING UP TO GOD
Leader: Though Mary announces this good news to Jesus’ disciples, they struggle to believe her. Perhaps because of her past, they do not find her trustworthy. Perhaps their fear is too great and prevents their belief. Whatever the case, though, the greatest event in history had occurred, everyone was still in confusion. We, too, struggle with disbelief. Our heavenly Father invites us to bring all our struggles and sins to Him and receive His forgiveness.
~~~~~~ Silence for reflection ~~~~~~
Leader: Heavenly Father,
People: we confess that we have sinned against You in the things we have done and the things we have failed to do. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Our sin is a daily reminder of our need for Jesus and His forgiveness. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus, have mercy on us. 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.
Leader: Our heavenly Father hears you and has sent Jesus to take your sin upon Himself on the cross. Your sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus. Your sins were buried in the tomb with Jesus. And as Jesus rises from the grace, your sin does not rise with Him. Your sins are forgiven because of Jesus and His love. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
~~~~~ STAND ~~~~~
Words: 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver. Renewed 1961 Curb Word Music; Music: 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver. Renewed 1961 Curb Word Music
I serve a risen Savior,
he’s in the world to day;
I know that he is living,
whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy,
I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need
him he’s always near.
.
Chorus: He lives, he lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks
with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.
.
In all the world around me
I see his loving care,
And though my heart grows
weary I never will despair;
I know that he is leading,
through all the stormy blast,
The day of his appearing
will come at last.
Chorus
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to
Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek him,
the help of all who find;
None other is so loving,
so good and kind.
Chorus
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, You came from the heavens down to this world and endured the suffering and shame of the cross and grave, but You are arisen to new life, guaranteeing our own resurrection from the dead. Encourage us as we wait for Your return to delight in Your resurrection and faithfully proclaim this good news, just as Mary Magdalene did, so that more people may come to believe in You as Lord; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
~~~~~ SIT ~~~~~
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
~~~~~ STAND ~~~~~
Leader: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away 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 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.
4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,
7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had 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 went back to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one 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 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” 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 Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for 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 disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
~~~~~ SIT ~~~~~
CHORAL ANTHEM “Run, Mary, Run”
Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin. Copyright 1995, Malcom Music, A Division of Shawnee Press, Inc.
Run Mary, run, take an alleluia.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
Run, Mary, run, take an alleluia.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
.
See the tomb is open wide.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
There is no one left inside.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
.
Run Mary, run, take an alleluia.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
Run Mary, run, take an alleluia.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
.
Wipe the tear-drops from your eyes.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
Shout salvation to the skies.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
.
Christ the Lord is risen today.
Alleluia, alleluia
Run Mary, run, take an alleluia.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
.
Christ the Lord is ris’n today.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
Mary, run, take an alleluia.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
Go sing the praises of the risen Lord.
Risen Lord.
“Mary is in God’s Orchestra and So are You”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
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 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 Christian church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives offered to God.
~~~~~ Stand ~~~~~
Leader: Let us pray to our God and Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
Leader: Lord, strengthen all those who proclaim the Good News of Your death and resurrection to the world. Grant that we all be faithful witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, as was Mary Magdalene. We know that our Redeemer lives!
People: What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
Leader: Lord, uplift all those in times of crisis. Give them courage to admit their struggles and bring them to You, for Your love extends to all people regardless of our sins. We know that our Redeemer lives!
People: What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
Leader: Lord, encourage all those who are gathered for worship today that they continue to gather to worship You and sing Your praises with all the faithful. We know that our Redeemer lives!
People: What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
Leader: Lord, place Your healing hand upon all those who are sick, injured, and recovering, (especially……). Raise them up from their suffering and give them patience in their afflictions. We know that our Redeemer lives!
People: What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
Leader: Lord, comfort all those who mourn with the power of Jesus’ resurrection to eternal life. Though we grieve, we grieve in hope, knowing that those who have died in the Lord are with Jesus and will be raised on the Last Day. We know that our Redeemer lives!
People: What comfort this sweet sentence gives! Amen.
† SACRAMENT †
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 OUR LORD
Leader: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My † body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My † blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Matthew 6:9-13
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
~~~~~ SIT ~~~~~
Commune Together
Communion will be served in a continuous line. Wait for the ushers to guide you forward. Please place your empty individual cup in the bowl as you return to your seat. If you do not desire communion, but are desiring a blessing, you are welcomed forward to prayer.
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: Let us go forth rejoicing, in the name of the Lord.
People: Amen.
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.
~~~~~ STAND ~~~~~
CLOSING HYMN: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
Text: Samuel Medley, 1783-1799, alt; Tune: attr. John Hatton, d.1793; Public Domain.
I Know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everliving head!
.
He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, Throned above;
He lives to rule his Church in love.
.
He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
.
He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
Dismissal
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
BLOOD DRIVE…………… Peace is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, April 25. Consider sharing a treat or donating blood! You can sign up to donate at redcrossblood.org.