PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
“Jesus You Are My Life” video with lyrics
Take a moment to listen to the Maranatha Singers perform this inspiring song.
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVOCATION
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES
Romans 6:9; John 20:29b
P: Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
C: death no longer has dominion over Him. Alleluia.
P: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
C: Alleluia, alleluia.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Psalm 85:1–2, 7
P: LORD, You were favorable to Your land;
C: You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
P: You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
C: You covered all their sin.
P: Show us Your steadfast love, O LORD,
C: and grant us Your salvation.
P: Having been shown His divine favor through Jesus Christ, let us then confess our sins unto our gracious Lord.
P: Almighty God,
C: in humility and with repentant hearts we come before You. With shame and regret we admit and confess our sinfulness. We have not lived up to our calling as Your peaceable people. We have not done the good You demand and have not been the people You would have us be. We are truly sorry for our sins and seek by the help of Your Holy Spirit to amend our sinful ways. Have mercy on us, merciful Father, for the sake of Your beloved Son, Jesus. Forgive us all that needs Your forgiving grace, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, direct us to serve You faithfully all our days through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
P: Nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Out of His great mercy, God has promised to forgive us when we repent and seek His merciful forgiveness. As Christ rose from the grave and appeared to His disciples, reviving them and speaking words of peace, so now I declare to you His abiding peace: In His stead and by His command of my Lord Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Peace be with you; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
SHARING THE PEACE
P: In our Gospel for today, we hear the account of that special moment when Jesus was reunited with His disciples for the first time after His resurrection. John records that His first words to them were “Peace be with you!”
As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to share that most special peace that our Lord first shared in the room behind closed doors as we greet one another today. Though our doors may be locked for fear of the Corona virus, Jesus cannot be locked out of our homes! Let us take a moment to share His words of Peace with those who are with us. Peace be with you!
SONG OF PRAISE
“Jesus, Strong and Kind”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
FIRST LESSON
Acts 5:29–42 (The first Christians proclaim the Good News.)
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But 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. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For 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. After 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. So 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; but 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, and 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. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE
1 Peter 1:3–9 (We have new hope through the resurrection of Christ.)
Blessed 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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so 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. Though 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, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
HOLY GOSPEL
John 20:19–31 (Jesus appears to His disciples who are behind locked doors.)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter.
C: Glory to You, O Lord.
On 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.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So 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.”
Eight 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.” Then 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but 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.
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN No. 482
“This Joyful Eastertide”
This joyful Eastertide
Away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified,
Has sprung to life this morrow:
Refrain:
Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst His three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now has Christ arisen, Arisen, arisen;
But now has Christ arisen!
Death’s flood has lost its chill
Since Jesus crossed the river;
Lover of souls, from ill
My passing soul deliver: Refrain
My flesh in hope shall rest
And for a season slumber
Till trump from east to west
Shall wake the dead in number: Refrain
SERMON
“Jesus, the Strongest Man in the World“
John 20:19-31
Pastor Vern
CONFESSION OF FAITH
THE NICENE CREED
Please stand
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made,
being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made;
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was
incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man;
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
We pray for the whole Christian Church, that the peace of God dwell upon it and that the Spirit of God work through it. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer and grant us Your peace.
P: We pray for the nations of the world and for the men and women entrusted with their leadership, that as one people under our Creator, we may be united in our efforts to overcome the deadly virus that has spread to the ends if the earth. By sharing resources and knowledge help us to build friendships across the globe so that doors may be opened to the expansion of the ministry of Jesus and through His resurrection power, bring the healing of souls granting true and lasting tranquility over the earth. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer and grant us Your peace.
P: We pray for our congregation and for every congregation that preaches Christ crucified and resurrected, that all of its members dwell together in unity and draw all people to the Savior of the world. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer and grant us Your peace.
P: We pray for those in the armed forces who have joined efforts to fight against the Corona virus but who have also been called to help the areas of our country that have been devastated by tornadoes. Grant them strength and protection along with our local police, firefighters, and first responders as they daily put their own lives and their families at risk. Be with those in the southern part of our country who are homeless because of the tornadoes and fighting to recover and avoid infection. Graciously watch over all nurses and doctors, health professionals in all their life saving work. Be with our grocery workers (esp. Darla Kesting and Kim Kruse) as they provide life-sustaining food and supplies, protect them from all danger. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer and grant us Your peace.
P: We pray for those whose lives are in need of a special measure of peace and comfort today: the sick and the hospitalized, including 5 day old Daniel Kusch, awaiting a needed heart surgery, and Pastor Brian Downs as he recovers from a serious heart attack and Tom Kaeb, Wendi Gorney’s cousin’s husband who is in critical care for pneumonia and underlying heart issues…
Lord Jesus, Bring Your words of peace and comfort to all those who are experiencing changes and challenges, including the millions of people who are unemployed because of the quarantine. Protect all who are suffering from severe depression and help them to avoid the temptation of turning to self-medication leading to drug abuse or self-harm to escape the frustration of hopelessness. Guard the elderly we so dearly love, and open new doors of interaction so that they may know they are loved and cared for as they face each new day. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer and grant us Your peace.
P: We pray for those whose birthdays arrived this past week and for those celebrating this coming week asking for Your divine favor and blessing upon Daniel Kusch, Brianna Berens, Leah Geis, Ali Strom, Callie Gorney, Matthew Vohlken, Timothy Anders, Kathy Markle, Lyndsey Sherman, Pat Dalton, Ashley Vosholler, Kristen Lintvedt, Zachary Kinsella, Harlan Feary, and Diana Brandmeyer.
And we pray also for Emily & Gogo Sanchez (last Friday), Rich & Linda Williams (today), and for Dennis & Donna Brockmeyer (this coming Tuesday) who celebrate another year of grace and marital blessing. Thank You Father, for the gift of love that has been given these couples and the deepening love that has blossomed over their years together. Hold them steady Lord, during the difficult times and be with them through the inevitable trials they will have to face – and finally, continue to draw them closer to each other and to You.
C: hear our prayer and grant us Your peace. Amen.
P: These and any other concerns You would have us bring before You, O God, grant to us for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who also taught us to pray saying.
LORD’S PRAYER
(Matthew 6:9-13)
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.
BLESSING OF THE LORD
(Benediction) Numbers 6:24–26
P: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord smile upon you and give you peace.
C: Amen.
SENDING
Pastor: Go in peace to love and serve our risen Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
CLOSING SONG
“Hallelujah Chorus” From Handel’s “Messiah” Royal Choral Society