The Service in PDF format is at: April 27, 2025 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 27, 2025
Musician Debbie Graeber
Reader Wilson Schroeder
Flowers Oscar & Carole Gutbrod
AS WE GATHER…………. Easter changes everything. Without the resurrection of Jesus, we have no hope; we have no true peace; we have no forgiven life now nor the eternal life assured. Easter changes everything! Though many in this world deny that fact or fail to admit the need for the resurrected Savior, Jesus comes to us still and speaks to us as He did to Thomas long ago, “Stop doubting, and believe!” Because Jesus lives, we live. As Easter has changed everything, let us live as His changed people—because Jesus is alive forevermore, so in Him we will live also! Today we begin a new sermon series on the Book of Acts. We discover how Easter changed the early church and are encouraged that Spirit will move us in the same direction!
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.
Opening Hymn “People Need the Lord”
By: Greg Nelson & Phill McHugh Arr. by Henry Wiens; © 1983 River Oaks Music Co. (Tree Group)/Shepherd’s Fold Music.
Every day they pass me by,
I can see it in their eye;
Empty people filled with care,
headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain,
living fear to fear.
Laughter hides the silent cries
only Jesus hears.
.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
When will we realize
people need the Lord.
.
We are called to take His light to a world
where wrong seems right;
What could be too great a cost for sharing life
with one who’s lost.
Through His love our hearts can feel
all the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life
only we can share.
.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
When will we realize
people need the Lord.
OPENING BLESSING
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 “Revive Us Again”
By: William P. Mackay & John J. Husband
We praise Thee, O God,
for the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus who died
and is now gone above.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Revive us again.
.
We praise Thee, O God,
for Thy Spirit of light,
Who has shown us our Savior
and banished our night.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Revive us again.
.
All glory and praise to the
Lamb that was slain,
Who has taken our sins and
has cleansed every stain.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Revive us again.
Revive us again—
.
fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
with fire from above.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Revive us again.
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
First Church
40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Reader: 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 “All Creatures of Our God and King”
(vs. 1,2 and 7 only)
St. Francis of Assisi; William Henry Draper; Words: Public Domain ; Music: Public Domain
All Creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice with us and Sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam
And silver moon with softer gleam;
.
Refrain: Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
O rushing wind and breezes soft,
O clouds that ride the winds aloft:
Oh, praise him! Alleluia!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice,
O lights of evening find a voice.
Refrain
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship God in humbleness.
Oh, praise him! Alleluia!
Oh, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One,
Refrain
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas,1603 by Caravaggio
A SENDING CREED (based on the Apostles’ Creed)
People: God, the sending Father, the Almighty creator of the cosmos,
Sent His only Son Jesus Christ, to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was sent to proclaim freedom. He then suffered at the hands of many, including Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died, and buried. Within three days, He descended into hell to proclaim victory and rose to life granting God’s righteousness by grace through faith. Forty days later, He ascended to heaven. He now eternally reigns at the right hand of His Father. He is judge of all the living and the dead, and He gives life to all who believe in Him.
After the ascension, the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit to boldly make and call all followers of Christ to His holy apostolic church. He calls us, a community of believers, who are sent to all people with power and strength, courage and gifts to proclaim the Good News. As the apostles were sent, people believed. As those people believed, they, too were sent. As they were sent, now we believe. And as we believe, we are sent. Amen.
OFFERING
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives offered to God.
DEDICATION OF THE ALTER CANDELS
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: Grant us grace, O Lord, that we may not give in to temptation and doubt but with confidence confess the death of our Lord Jesus and His resurrection and bless those who hear us as we share. Lord, in Your mercy:
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Grant us peace, O Lord, that having full confidence in Your loving care, we may neither be distracted by cares or struggles of this life nor succumb to a suspicious heart, but daily grow closer to You through Your Word and live according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy:
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Grant us healing, O Lord, that those who suffer may rest all things into Your almighty arms, and, as You have promised, be kept to the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Hear us particularly for…………and those who grieve……), that they may abide in Jesus by faith until we all behold You face to face. Lord, in Your mercy:
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Grant us hope, O Lord, that we may not be lost to the power of despair but delight in Your presence to give us strength and guidance. Bless our fellowship, our unity in doctrine, and our willingness to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the desire of Christ.
People: Amen
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 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 SONG “Because He Lives”
By: W.J. and Gloria Gaither; Copyright 1971 by William J. Gaither. All rights reserved.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon;
An empty grave is there to
prove my Savior lives
.
Chorus: Because He lives I can face tomorrow;
Because He lives all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living
just because He lives.
.
How sweet to hold a new born baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives;
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days
because He lives.
Chorus
And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory
and I’ll know He lives.
Chorus
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
Easter Thank You…… Thank you to all our volunteers who helped to make our Easter season such a blessing to each of us, our families, and friends. From the many volunteers who worked inside and outside to spruce up the church, those who helped with fellowship and the Easter egg hunt, those who helped with flowers and music, plus those who helped with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services and other numerous activities, we are so appreciative. Words are not enough to express how grateful we are for the help we received to make Easter the wonderful season it is, and your kindness and generosity are well noted. God’s blessings.
BRYSON SKAAR CONCERT SERIES…………… Bryson Skaar has one more offering in a spring concert series at Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis. The last concert is at Grace and runs from 12:15 pm to 12:45 They are free and open to the public. Bryson is performing on piano and organ.
Last Concert: April 30th – Guest feature: Steven Evans-Renteria
BLOOD DRIVE………….. Peace is partnering with the Red Cross for a Blood Drive at Peace this Friday, April 25. The event goes from noon to 5 pm. Every so often a Peace member receives a blood transfusion in a time of crises. Where does the blood come from? It comes from a drive like the one we hold. How can you help? Donate blood. Go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. How can you help? Volunteer and/or bring a treat. See Cheryl N. for more information.
PRAYER……………. Prayer is a vital activity in the life we share at Peace Lutheran Church. It was most certainly a vital component of Jesus’ earthly life. How can you enhance your prayer life at Peace? Consider joining Eat, Chat and Pray (for women) on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 am in the fellowship hall. Contact Elaine S. Be a part of our email Prayer group. Each week prayers are shared via email to this group of prayer warriors. Contact Peggy K. if you’d like to be included. Consider attending Peace’s Healing Service. We’ll be gathering on Sunday, May 4 at 8:30 am in the sanctuary to uplift concerns in prayer and offer the anointing of oil.
BIBLE STUDY…………….. Elder Dave is leading an Adult Sunday School class on the Book of James. It begins Sunday, April 27 and will continue into the month of May. James brings the Christian faith down to earth. We’ll discover what it means to be a true community and honor each other in our life together. We’ll discover how important encouraging words are to someone going through a hard time. We’ll also discover how our words can set things on fire. Bring your Bibles and an open mind to this study. All are welcome! We meet in the sanctuary at 9 am each Sunday.
PEACE’S 75th Anniversary…………… Did you hear the news? Peace is celebrating its 75th year in 2026. To build up the excitement for this, we need your help! Do you have any pictures to share of Peace’s past? Do you have stories or memories? We want them! We’ll take anything that you have! We are also thinking about Peace’s future as we pass 75 years. Do you have any dreams or desires for the future? We want to hear those too! See Pastor, Ellen, Molly, Holly or Janet if you have something to share!
