St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Resurrection of Our Lord/Easter Sunday

Welcome and Announcements                         Pastor John

 

Gathering Song                                                   ELW # 365, vs. 1 & 4

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

 

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as his love: Alleluia! Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

 

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         “This is the Feast…”  

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

 

Prayer of the Day                     

Let us pray…Almighty God, you have overcome death through your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and have opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly beseech you that as you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

First Reading:                                                       Acts 10:34-43

Peter recounts the story of Jesus from baptism through his death and resurrection. Those who were with him are called as witnesses to the truth of who Jesus is: the One Lord of all. Now, non-Jews are gathered into the fold so that those who have faith in the One who conquered death are granted forgiveness of sins.

 

³⁴Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm # 16                     (Worship Assistant)

This psalm is unusual in that it is a personal cry from the psalmist for help against his enemies rather than a communal lament. God is involved in all aspects of human life, both communally and individually. David affirms the sovereignty of God.

 

Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”

All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people.

But those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied.

Their libations of blood I will not offer, nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.

O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who uphold my lot.

My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.

My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope.

For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit.

You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Second Reading: (Worship Assistant)             Colossians 3:1-4

Paul begins this chapter with an “if/then” statement. Acknowledging that Christ is our life means that we are faced with many choices in life. IF you have been raised with Christ (which you have been), THEN seek the things and ways of Christ. Namely, devote yourself to worship, prayer, service, and life in his name.

 

¹If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

 

Holy Gospel: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 28^th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.  Matthew 28:1-10: The two Marys go to the tomb at dawn and are surprised by an earthquake, the presence of two angels, and a stone rolled away from an empty tomb. The guards who stood by trembled with fear, but the women were told, “Do not be afraid.” The angels charged them with the mission of taking the Easter message back to the disciples along with instructions for them to meet Jesus in Galilee.

 

¹Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ²And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. ⁵But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” ⁸So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 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.

 

Prayers of the Church:            

With a new heart and new life, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those who are in need. A brief silence.

 

Holy God, we give you thanks for sending Jesus to save humanity from the power of sin and death. You have made him Lord of all. Grant that we may follow him in humility and thanksgiving all our days. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Lord of life, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you have given us a new life. Empower us with your gifts of the Spirit, that we would go into the world and share the Good News of your Son’s victory through his atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

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.

 

Eternal Lord, you know those who risk their lives every time they gather for worship in your holy name. Remind them of your powerful presence among them, protect them from all harm, and give them the courage to speak your Truth to those who hate and persecute them. Give us the same courage and remind us of the freedoms we enjoy in our own church. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

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 # 376, vs. 1 & 3

Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou over death hast won! Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave clothes Where thy body lay. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou over death hast won!

 

No more we doubt thee, Glorious Prince of Life; Life is naught without thee; Aid us in our strife; Make us more than conquerors, Through thy deathless love; Bring us safe through Jordan To thy home above. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou over death hast won!