The Service in PDF format is at: April 6, 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 6, 2025
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Rob Schulze
Flowers Anne Schroeder
AS WE GATHER………………… Barabbas was a heartless, brutal criminal with anger in his heart and blood on his hands. Custom dictated that Pontius Pilate should release one prisoner at the feast of Passover. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent and tries to get the crowd to ask for Jesus’ release, but the crowd calls instead for Barabbas. The crowd condemns the innocent Jesus and demands that the guilty Barabbas receive a pardon. We are Barabbas. We are guilty and sinful and deserving of death. But we are also Barabbas in that Jesus takes our place, takes our punishment, and sets us free.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
A WORD ABOUT OUR WORSHIP TODAY
Leader: As we continue our Lenten journey, we watch as Jesus stands trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
People: Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent.
Leader: Pilate tries to set Jesus free,
People: but the people call for a thief and murderer named Barabbas.
Leader: Though Barabbas is guilty, he is set free.
People: Though Jesus is innocent, He is condemned is die.
CONFESSING TO GOD
Leader: We are like Barabbas. We are guilty. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death. Still, our heavenly Father invites us to return to Him and seek His forgiveness.
~~~~~ Silent reflection ~~~~~
Leader: We confess.
People: Heavenly Father, we have sinned against You and against our neighbors in our thoughts, words, and actions. We have rebelled against Your rule and reign. We know our guilt. We know we deserve the punishment of death. But we seek Your abundant mercy on account of Jesus.
Leader: Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son to die for you. Jesus stands in your place and takes the punishment for your sin. He endures death for you. As a called and ordained servant of the Jesus, I announce the grace of God to all of you. In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Words & Music by: Carol Owens, adapted from: Matt. 10:7,8; © 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publication
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received:
Freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe,
Others will know that I live.”
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All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name,
In earth and heav’n in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His pow’r as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received:
Freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe,
Others will know that I live.”
Leader: Let us pray. Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
Hearing from God’s Word
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Zechariah 9:11-12
11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
Leader: Edward Perronet was not an easy person to get along with. After being a minister in the Anglican Church for some time, he became fed up with what he felt was the church’s “nonsense” and became a Methodist. Perronet then broke with the Methodists over the issue of who could administer the sacraments. He then joined a group called the Connexion but later broke with them as well. It was as a minister of an independent church that Perronet wrote this hymn. We sing this hymn as it points to the time all believers in Christ—regardless of disagreements—will join together in song.
SERMON SONG “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
By: Oliver Holden; Arr. Roger Nachtway; Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain
All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all.
.
Hail him, you heirs of David’s line,
Whom David Lord did call—
The God incarnate, man divine—
And crown him Lord of all.
The God incarnate, man divine—
And crown him Lord of all.
.
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song
And crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
And crown him Lord of all.
“Innocent, Guilty and Free”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: I believe in God, who has created all things and continues to create new life within us.
I believe in Jesus, son of God, son of man, the Savior of the world. By His life, His death and resurrection, I can know the true depth of human possibility, and experience the true joy of an abundant life.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is present, now and always, calling us to faith, giving us gifts and empowering us for service.
I believe that the community of believers called the church can experience the fulness of life through the word, the sacraments, and all that we do.
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives given God.
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE (Using the Lord’s Prayer)
Leader: Friends in Christ, I urge you all to joyfully lift up your hearts to God and pray with me as Christ our Lord has taught us and freely promised to hear us.
Leader: God, our Father in heaven, look with mercy on us, Your needy children on earth, and grant us grace that Your holy name be hallowed by us and all the world through the pure and true teaching of Your Word and the fervent love shown forth in our lives. Graciously turn from us all false doctrine and evil living whereby Your precious name is blasphemed and profaned. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: Grant that Your kingdom come to us and expand. Bring all transgressors and those who are blinded and bound in the devil’s kingdom to come to know You by faith and find their righteousness in Jesus Christ, Your Son, that the number of Christians be increased. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: Strengthen us by Your Spirit according to Your will, both in life and in death, in the midst of both good and evil things, that our own wills be crucified daily and sacrificed to Your good and gracious will. Into Your merciful hands we commend [names . . . and] all who are in need, praying for them at all times: Thy will be done. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: Grant us our daily bread, preserve us from greed and selfish cares, and help us trust in You to provide for all our needs, rejoicing always in Your fatherly care. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: Forgive us our sins as we also forgive those who sin against us so that our hearts be at peace and rejoice in a good conscience before You, and that no sin may ever frighten or alarm us. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: Lead us not into temptation, O Lord, but help us by Your Spirit to subdue our flesh, to turn from the world and its ways, and to overcome the devil as he seeks to rob us of our joy and confidence in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: And lastly, O heavenly Father, deliver us from all evil of both body and soul, now and forever. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us Your joy.
Leader: We joyfully trust, O Lord, in Your great mercy to hear and answer us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS
Edwin Othello Excell; John Newton; John P. Rees; William W. Walker; Words: Public Domain ; Music: Public Domain
Amazing grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found;
Was blind but now I see.
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‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
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When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
By: Fanny J. Crosby & Mrs. J.F. Knapp; ©1971 by William J. Glaither. The Other Song Book.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
.
Chorus: This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Chorus
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Chorus
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 “Great is the Lord”
Words & Music by Michael W. Smith & Deborah D. Smith, Arr. by Henry Wiens, © 1971 by William J. Gaither, The Fellowship Publications Edina, MN 55435
Chorus: Great is the Lord, He is holy and just,
By His power we trust In His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true,
By His mercy He proves He is love.
.
Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory,
Great is the Lord, and worthy of praise.
Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice,
Now lift up your voice: Great is the Lord,
Great is the Lord!
Chorus
Great are you Lord, And worthy of glory
Great are you Lord, and worthy of praise.
Great are you Lord, I lift up my voice,
I lift up my voice: Great are you Lord!
Great are you Lord!
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LENT SOUP SUPPER AND WORSHIP………… Wednesday, April 9th is our last Soup Supper and Lent Worship opportunity. Soup Supper begins at 5:00 pm with Holden Evening Prayer at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary. Thank you to everyone who has provided food this year. See the insert in today’s bulletin for Peace’s Holy Week worship opportunities.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY FOR LENT…………….. Pastor Lucke is sharing a series “Walking with Jesus in 2025” for the adult Sunday School hour. This week’s discussion was about the rhythms of life. We call ourselves human beings not human doings. A part of being a human being is recognizing that we are at our best when we work from our rest–not simply rest from our work. Are you in need of rest? What is the purpose of work? All are welcome for sharing and discussion. We meet at 9:00 am in the sanctuary each Sunday. Our discussion on Sunday, April 13 will be about the value of being a mentor to someone else and bringing them along in their faith development.
PORTALS OF PRAYER…………… The April to June Portals of Prayer are available in the entryway at church. What are Portals of Prayer? These are short devotions for each day based on a Scripture verse. We all need a bit of encouragement that grounds us in what God has to say. Portals of Prayer are available in large and small print. Grab one for yourself and another for a friend.
APRIL NEWSLETTER…………… The April Newsletter is available. If you did not receive the newsletter via email and would like to receive it that way, please let Dan know. The newsletter is available on our website too. Hard copies of the newsletter are also available in the entryway at church.
FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY…………….. The Philomath Rotary is hosting a presentation by Friends of the Family (FOFM) on Tuesday, April 15th at noon. The speaker is Dave Jackson, MS, LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist), Executive Director of Friends of the Family. FOFM is a faith-based counseling support services for marriages, couples, and
individuals across the communities of Philomath, Albany, Lebanon, and Corvallis since 1994. Dave’s presentation is on promoting healthy relationships and healthy homes through relationship educational programs and professional counseling services. FOFM is a partner ministry of Peace Lutheran Church and Pastor Lucke serves on their board.
We hope you can come and please remember lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Lindy if you will be attending so we can plan the number of meals.
BRYSON SKAAR CONCERT SERIES…………… Bryson Skaar is offering a spring concert series at Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis. The concerts are at Grace and go from 12:15 pm to 12:45 They are free and open to the public. Bryson is performing on piano, organ.
- April 9th – Bryson Skaar on the Organ: Bach + Hymn/Non-Secular Arrangements
- April 16th – Bryson Skaar on the Piano: A variety of Jazz Stylings
- April 23rd – Bryson Skaar on the Organ: “Alleluia!” Easter Hymn Arrangements
- April 30th – Guest feature: Steven Evans-Renteria