The Service in PDF format is at: April 23, 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 23, 2023
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Debbi Weiler
Flowers Oscar & Carole Gutbrod
Children’s Message Pastor J.
AS WE GATHER………… Ever had the feeling of being disheartened? It happens when we lose confidence in the future. You may feel this way today? The disciples on the road to Emmaus probably felt this way. They were anxious about Jesus’ crucifixion and what it might mean for their future. Prison. Loneliness. Sadness. The risen Lord met them and restored their confidence in the future. Our text reveals that the disciples’ disheartened feeling turned into “hearts that were burning” with hope. We let the risen Lord speak to us today in our worship. Have your confidence restored in the future!
Tim Hughes; 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness,
Opened my eyes let me see.
Beauty that made
This heart adore You,
Hope of a life spent with You.
Chorus: So here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God.
And You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted.
Glorious in heaven above.
Humbly You came
To the earth You created,
All for love’s sake became poor.
Chorus
And I’ll never know how much it cost,
To see my sin upon that cross.
And I’ll never know how much it cost,
To see my sin upon that cross
Chorus
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: God raised Jesus from the dead
People: and gave Him honor and glory.
Leader: We place our faith in Him,
People: and we place our hope in His resurrection.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
~~~~~ Silence for reflection. ~~~~~
Leader: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
People: Most merciful God, we confess that we have not been pure of heart and mind and soul. We have not obeyed Your truth. We have not loved one another as we should. Forgive us for our futility, renew us by Your resurrection, and lead us back to the lives You want for us, on account of Jesus. Amen.
Leader: “The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” That Word of God tells us clearly that almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son to die and rise for you, and for His sake forgives you all your sins. 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 X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM “There is Power in Jesus’ Name”
Words and Music by Pepper Choplin; Copyright Hope Publishing.
There is power, power, pow’r in Jesus’ name.
There is power, power, pow’r in Jesus’ name.
There is power, power, pow’r in Jesus’ name.
Let all heav’n and earth proclaim,
“There is pow’r in Jesus’ name, Jesus’ name.”
.
There is power, power, pow’r in Jesus’ name.
There is power, power, pow’r in Jesus’ name.
There is power, power, pow’r in Jesus’ name.
Let all heav’n and earth proclaim,
“There is pow’r in Jesus’ name, Jesus’ name.”
.
All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name,
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem
and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem
and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all.
.
There is power, there’s power in the name of Jesus.
Now crown him, crown him Lord of all,
Crown him Lord of all, crown him Lord of all.
Let all heav’n and earth proclaim,
“There is pow’r in Jesus’,
There’s power in Jesus’,
Pow’r in Jesus’ name,
There is power, crown him, for there is power!”
Pastor: Let us pray.
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Epistle Lesson: I Peter 1:17-25
The Word of the Lord endures forever.
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus.
Reader: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter.
Reader:
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “There is a Redeemer”
Text and Music: Melody Green; arranged by Keith Phillips; Copyright 1982 Birdwing Music/Cherry Lane Music Pub. Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
There is a Redeemer,
Jesus God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God,
Messiah, Holy One.
Thank you, O my Father
for giving us Your Son;
And leaving Your Spirit
‘til the work on earth is done.
.
Jesus, my redeemer,
Name above all names.
Precious Lamb of God,
Messiah, Hope for sinners slain.
Thank you, O my Father
for giving us Your Son;
And leaving Your Spirit
‘til the work on earth is done.
.
When I stand in glory,
I will see His face,
And there I’ll serve My King forever,
In that holy place.
Thank you, O my Father
for giving us Your Son;
And leaving Your Spirit
‘til the work on earth is done.
MESSAGE
“God is Closer & Clearer”
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 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: Dear heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to reconcile the world to Yourself and to make peace by the blood of the cross. Give us courage to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with one another, that Your peace that surpasses all understanding rule our hearts and minds. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, there are many divisions in Your Church. Too often we have identified ourselves as those who follow earthly leaders, rather than as those who follow Christ. Bring unity where there is division, peace where there is discord, and reconciliation where there is conflict. Today we pray the other Lutheran Churches in our Circuit. Unite them together as they worship and reach out to share Jesus in their community. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, strengthen all marriages, encourage those who are single, and help us to recognize the value of each person. Be especially with those who are struggling while living under our current circumstances. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, look with favor upon all who are sick, injured, and recovering, (especially…). Have mercy upon them and heal them according to Your good and gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, we commend all of these things to Your infinite mercies, which are new every morning. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer. Amen.
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
Leader: The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us.
The Lord look upon us with favor and give + us peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”
Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898, alt.; Tune: Rowland H. Prichard, 1811-1887
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone;
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus out of every nation
Hath redeemed us by his blood.
.
Alleluia! Not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us,
Faith believes, nor questions how:
Though the cloud from sight received him,
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
“I am with you evermore”?
.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
His the scepter his the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone;
Hark! The songs of holy Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus out of every nation
Hath redeemed us by his blood.
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
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.
Thank you from Ruth D. To all my dear friends at Peace:
I want to thank you all so much for honoring me today [Last Sunday] after church service. I celebrated my 98th birthday on Friday and all the hugs and love shown to me today were just so special. Thanks for the beautiful cake, the flowers that I’m enjoying here at home and thanks to all for the many cards, which I just finished reading. My Peace family has been such a blessing to me and I thank God every day for all His blessings in my life.
In His Love, Ruth
