The Service in PDF format is at: March 31, 2024 Easter Sunday 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 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, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Sarah Grassel, Caleb Santora
Today, March 31, 2024 -Easter
Musician Colleen Schulze
Ushers Anne Schroeder & Son, Jan Lane, Sharon Starr
Reader Carole Gutbrod
THEME: Those who followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem had hopes and fears, but their experience was within what they expected. The news from the angel at the tomb was a big surprise! Life after death challenged every understanding so directly that the women were startled into fear-driven silence–at least for a time. That very day others would hear the news and soon many would see Jesus Himself, as Paul tells us in the Epistle. Today is a day to embark on a life based on the startling new reality that death is not the final word for anyone with faith in Christ. How then shall we live before we see Him ourselves?
OPENING 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
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
OPENING WORDS
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 AND 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 LESSONS
The First Lesson I Corinthians 15:1-11
“Paul is one of the many people who saw Jesus alive after death”
Reader: The Epistle is from First Corinthians, the fifteenth chapter.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
Left Side: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
Right Side: that He was buried,
Left Side: that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Right Side: and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Left Side: Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
Right Side: Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Reader: Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they,
People: so we preach and so you believed.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
“The women were so shocked by the news of the resurrection that they initially tell no one.”
16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.
6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
CHOIR ANTHEM “Resurrection Victory”
Music and words by Lloyd Larson. Copyright 2010 Lorenz Publishing Company.
He is risen! Christ is risen!
Sing it out with joyful voice!
He has burst the three days’ prison,
let the whole wide earth rejoice!
Death is conquered, we are free,
Christ has won the victory.
.
He is risen! Christ is risen!
He shall reign for all eternity.
He is risen! Christ is risen!
Risen to a holy state!
We are free from sin’s dark prison,
He has opened heaven’s gate.
Death is conquered, we are free,
Christ has won the victory.
.
He is risen! Christ is risen!
He shall reign for all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of life,
Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
.
His glories we sing of Him
who died and rose on high,
He died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death my die!
.
He is risen! Christ is risen!
Sing it out with joyful voice!
He has burst the three days’ prison,
Let the whole wide earth rejoice!
Death is conquered, we are free,
Christ has won the victory.
.
He is risen! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen, alleluia.
SERMON
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary.
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
And sits at the right hand of the God,
the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come 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.
OFFERING
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives offered to God.
OFFERTORY
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.
Leader: 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.
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
DISTRIBUTION
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.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS
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.
.
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.
.
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, 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.
.
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.
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
By: Anna B. Warner, alt. & Wm. B. Bradbury; © 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publications Edina, MN 55435
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
.
Chorus: Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so
..
Jesus loves me, Loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill.
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree.
Chorus
Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heavens gates to open wide
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in.
Chorus
Jesus loves me he will stay,
Close beside me all the way.
That I might from sin be free,
I will henceforth live for thee.
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.
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.
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt will take place immediately following the worship service today. All children in grades 6 and below are welcome to come. After the Easter Egg hunt, please put the plastic eggs back together when feasible.
