The Service in PDF format is at: April 4, 2021 Service
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Peace Lutheran Church
The Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Day
April 4, 2021
THEME: Though Christmas may be our favorite, Paul reminds us that Easter is of “first importance.” If Christ had not arisen, our hope would be still locked in the tomb. Because He is risen, just as He said, we have hope of our own resurrection from the dead and look forward to the life everlasting, which death cannot touch. We come here today not simply to remember an event but to rejoice in the future made possible for us because of what happened. Before the world we confess that Jesus’ resurrection is not a hope but a fact witnessed by more than five hundred and on that fact God has built a future for us—one we anticipate now even as we wait to see fulfilled.
OPENING SONG “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” LBW151
Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4; tr. Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, sts. 1-3. Tune: Lyra Davidica, London, 1708 © 1978 by Augsburg Publishing Company & Board of Publications, Lutheran Church in America
Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia
Our Triumphant holy day, Alleluia
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia
Unto Christ our heav’nly king, Alleluia
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia
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
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia
Praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
Leader: He died for our sins,
People: according to the Scriptures.
Leader: He was buried in the tomb,
People: according to the definite plan of God.
Leader: He rose from the dead
People: and appeared to many.
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
Leader: If Christ had not been raised from the dead, we would still be dead in our trespasses and sins. Let us consider our sinfulness and God’s great mercy in Christ.
Silence for reflection
Leader: Heavenly Father,
People: we have sinned against You in our thoughts, words, and actions. We confess our shameful thoughts about our leaders, enemies, and strangers. We confess our inappropriate words spoken to our families, friends, and colleagues. We confess our inappropriate actions toward our neighbors. For the sake of the risen Christ, forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we follow in His footsteps both now and when He returns in glory. Amen.
Leader: If Christ had not been raised from the dead, we would still be dead in our trespasses and sins, but Christ rose from the grace, and death no longer has dominion over Him! God did this in accordance with the Scriptures to forgive our sins. As a called and ordained servant of the risen Christ and by His authority, I forgive your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen!
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Holy Gospel: John 20:1-18
The first witnesses of the empty tomb
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. 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.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 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.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 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.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
SERMON HYMN: “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” LBW 352 (vs. 1-4)
Text Samuel Medley, 1738-1799, alt. Tune: attr. John Hatton, d. 1793 © 1977 by Augsburg Publishing, Minneapolis and The Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia
I Know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living 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.
SERMON “He Came to Save”
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: O God of Life, fill our hearts with resurrection joy.
People: Let the radiant beams of Easter’s light shine into the depths of our souls.
Leader: Send the news of Christ’s victory over death into all the world.
People: Grant that many more nations may join the hosts of heaven in songs of triumph.
Leader: In the promise of Easter take away from us the fear of death.
People: Renew us in the Spirit of Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life.
Leader: O Lord, now use us and all we are to bring glory to Your name.
People: Use us through our daily lives, our resources, and our prayers, to be a blessing in our families, in our communities, and in our world.
Leader: O Lord, we pray for all who suffer affliction of body, soul, or mind: those recovering from surgery and those who may be close to death. Particularly, we pray for (….) and others we now name before You (moment of silence). O Lord,
People: Heal people in need of your special care and use us to express Your love to them.
Leader: O Lord, as we eat and drink together and share the very body and blood of our Lord.
People: We ask that we may be united with Christ and with each other, that we may share His glory, and that we may go our way and be His body in the world. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Leader: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. We give thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared for us through Jesus. Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.
People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Pastor: In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD’S PRAYER
ALL: 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.
Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor: Let us go forth rejoicing, in the name of the Lord.
People: Amen.
Pastor: 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: “He Lives” TOSB 61
Words & Music by A.H. Ackley © 1933 by Homer A Rodeheaver © Renewed 1961 The Rodeheaver Co.
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world to day;
I know that he is linging, 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.
REFRAIN
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.
REFRAIN
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.
REFRAIN