Sunday, April 19, 2020, Second Sunday after Easter
Welcome and Announcements
Gathering Song “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” – ELW # 424, vs 1 & 4 (red hymnal) or LBW # 175, vs 1 & 4 (green hymnal)
Confession & Forgiveness
Greeting & Kyrie
Canticle of Praise “Glory to God…”
Prayer of the Day
First Reading, Acts 5:29-42
Psalm # 148
Second Reading, 1 Peter 1:3-9
Holy Gospel, John 20:19-31
Sermon
Nicene Creed
Prayers of the Church
The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing & Response
Dismissal
Sending Song “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” - ELW # 392, vs 1 & 5 (red hymnal) or LBW # 158, vs 1 & 5
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Service Supplement
(Congregational responses are in bold print)
Welcome and Announcements Pastor John
Gathering Song ELW # 424, vs. 1 & 4
Confession & Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.
God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Kyrie
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
Canticle of Praise “Glory to God…”
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray…Help us, almighty God, that our joyful celebration of the resurrection feast may be reflected in our daily work and conversation. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: Acts 5:29-42
Peter and the other apostles got themselves into trouble by preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in the temple. Peter appealed to the authority of God over any human authority as he continued to proclaim the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin.
29Peter and the apostles answered the high priest and the council, “We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm # 148
The psalmist sang God’s praises as he recounted all the wonders of the world that the Lord has spoken into being. Israel has a cherished place in the heart of the Creator; his people are close to him and exalt his name above all else.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you angels of his; praise him, all his host.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord; for he commanded, and they were created.
He made them stand fast forever and ever; he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing his will;
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;
Wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds;
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world;
Young men and maidens, old and young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven.
He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants, the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!
Second Reading: (Worship Assistant) 1 Peter 1:3-9
Peter explained to both Jewish and Gentile Christians that it is Christ’s resurrection that is the source of our hope. Because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, believers have been promised an inheritance that is kept in heaven for them. Even though they faced pressure from society, they held the promise of eternity with God above.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.
Holy Gospel: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 20th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. John 20:19-31: On that first Easter evening, Jesus appeared to the disciples and brought them a word of peace. He breathed on them, just as God had first breathed life into man in the garden of Eden. The power of the Holy Spirit was poured upon them. This Spirit enabled the disciples to bind and loose sin within the faith community as they continued the ministry that Jesus began when he was physically among them.
19On 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.” 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So 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.” 26Eight 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.” 27Then 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.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but 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. This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon Pastor John
Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
(W): Holy Father, you have invited us to the banquet of your Son. We thank you for this gift of grace and for your promise of forgiveness. Lead us to your table with humble and repentant hearts, so that we may hear your Word for us. Make us mindful of your presence with us as we share in communion with you and one another. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): God of all creation, in many parts of your world the creation has begun its annual process of rebirth. As shoots sprout forth from the earth and trees put forth their buds, help us to see in these everyday miracles a hint of the promised glory of our own resurrection through your Son, Jesus. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): God of healing, you are the source of all goodness and mercy in the world. Grant your healing power to those who continue to struggle with their health, family conflict, or grief. Bring them hope through your never-failing promises in Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): Healer of our every ill, in every corner of the world your children suffer in mind, body, and spirit. Many lack the basic necessities for life – clean water, nutritious food, and adequate shelter. Others find themselves overcome with grief and despair, while still others face the challenges of medical concerns. Empower your church to be sources of healing and wholeness and voices of hope. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(P): Passing from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom, from death to life, we commend you, gracious and ever-living God, all for whom we pray. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray…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.
Blessing:
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
Dismissal:
Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.
Sending Song ELW # 392, vs. 1 & 5