ORDER OF WORSHIP
Third Sunday of Easter
April 14, 2024
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Amen (Because He Lives)
Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram,
Matt Maher, Daniel Carson, William J.Gaither,
& Chris Tomlin
GATHERING HYMN
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
ELW 393
A hymn of glory let us sing!
New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod,
ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The holy apostolic band
upon the Mount of Olives stand,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
and with his faithful foll'wers see
their Lord ascend in majesty.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
To whom the shining angels cry,
"Why stand and gaze upon the sky?"
Alleluia! Alleluia!
"This is the Savior!" thus they say,
"this is his glorious triumph day!"
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
"You see him now, ascending high
up to the portals of the sky."
Alleluia! Alleluia!
"Hereafter Jesus you shall see
returning in great majesty."
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
all praise to you let earth accord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
You are, while endless ages run,
with Father and wth Spirit one.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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 (page 165)
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE (page 169)
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
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.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
First Reading: Acts 3:12-19
After healing a man unable to walk, Peter preaches to the people, describing how God’s promises to Israel have been fulfilled in Jesus. Through the proclamation of Christ’s death and resurrection, God is offering them forgiveness and restoration in Jesus’ name.
12[Peter] addressed the people, "You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
Psalm 4 (sung responsively by full verse)
Refrain:
In the night I can take my rest,
you alone keep my life secure.
1Answer me when I call, O God, defender | of my cause;
you set me free when I was in distress; have mercy on me and | hear my prayer.
2“You mortals, how long will you dishon- | or my glory;
how long will you love illusions and seek | after lies?”
3Know that the Lord does wonders | for the faithful;
the Lord will hear me | when I call.
4Tremble, then, and | do not sin;
speak to your heart in silence up- | on your bed. R
5Offer the appointed | sacrifices,
and put your trust | in the Lord.
6Many are saying, “Who will show us | any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon | us, O Lord.
7You have put gladness | in my heart,
more than when grain and | wine abound.
8In peace, I will lie | down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me | rest secure. R
SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-7
God has loved us in order to make us children of God. Though we do not yet know the full details of our future existence, we trust that God will reveal it just as God revealed Jesus to take away our sins.
1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 171) (sing twice)
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eteral life.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 24:36b-48
In this account of an appearance after his resurrection, Jesus opens the minds of the disciples to understand him as Messiah. Jesus convinces them that he has been raised and sends them on a mission to proclaim the message of repentance and forgiveness.
The holy gospel according to Luke..
Glory to you, O Lord.
36 Jesus himself stood among them and said to [the disciples], "Peace be with you." 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
We Walk by Faith
ELW 635
We walk by faith and not by sight;
with gracious words draw near,
O Christ, who spoke as none e'er spoke:
"My peace be with you here."
We may not touch your hands and side,
nor follow where you trod;
but in your promise we rejoice,
and cry, "My Lord and God!"
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
and may our faith abound
to call on you when you are near
and seek where you are found:
For you, O resurrected Lord,
are found in means divine:
beneath the water and the word,
beneath the bread and wine.
And when our life of faith is done,
in realms of clearer light
we may behold you as you are,
with full and endless sight.
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news.
Hear Our Prayer
ELW 178
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
When I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
Come and listen to me.
Here other petitionss may be offered.
O God our resting place, your Son Jesus promised that we are held in your love forever. We remember our beloved who have died. As we remember and share their love, comfort those who mourn. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord.
Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
Let Your Peace Rain upon Us
ACS 989
Let your peace rain upon us,
O living God of peace.
Let your peace rain upon us,
Lord, fill our hearts with your peace.
Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Glorious Day
John Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, & Michael Bleeker
OFFERING SONG
As the Grains of Wheat
ELW 465
Refrain
As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
so may all your people from all the ends of earth
be gathered into one in you.
As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain
Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you. Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true vine.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life.
And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS (page 173)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Blessed are you, O God of the universe.
Your mercy is everlasting
and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the
sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.
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.
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.
Come, Holy Spirit.
With your holy ones of all times and places,
with the earth and all its creatures,
with sun and moon and stars,
we praise you, O God,
blessed and holy Trinity,
now and forever.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER (sung)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us;
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the pow'r,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
This holy meal is for all the baptized children of God. We commune at the altar rail. The ushers will direct you down the center aisle. Please go to an open spot at the altar rail. After you have received the host, the first chalice is for intinction and the second chalice is for drinking. A third chalice of grape juice is also offered. Please let the Pastor know if you wish to receive gluten-free wafers. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
SANCTUS (page 174)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
HYMN DURING COMMUNION
Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup
ELW 492
Refrain
Eat this bread, drink this cup.
Taste and see the goodness of God.
Bread of life, cup of love,
we rejoice in your presence.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
praise with heart and voice;
in my God I glory forever:
listen and rejoice! Refrain
Look upon the Lord, be radiant,
never turn away.
God will save in ev'ry affliction,
hear us when we pray. Refrain
Angels fold their wings around us,
guard through good and ill.
Those who seek the Lord will lack nothing;
taste, and have your fill. Refrain
Saints of God, bow down and worship,
bless the holy name.
Rise to tell God's greatness forever,
wondrous deeds proclaim! Refrain
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.
Amen.
HYMN AFTER COMMUNION
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise
ELW 206
Thankful hearts and voices raise:
tell ev'ryone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice
and bear Christ's holy name.
Send us with your promises, O God,
and lead us forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Shepherding God, you have prepared a table before us and nourished us with your love. Send us forth from this banquet to proclaim your goodness and share the abundant mercy of Jesus, our redeemer and friend.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!
ELW 382
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Gratefully our hearts adore him
as his light once more appears;
bowing down in joy before him,
rising up from griefs and tears.
Refrain
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Christ is risen! All the sadness
of our Lenten fast is o'er;
through the open gates of gladness
he returns to life once more;
death and hell before him bending
see him rise, the victor now,
angels on his steps attending,
glory round his wounded brow. Refrain
Christ is risen! All the sorrow
that last evening round him lay
now has found a glorious morrow
in the rising of today.
See the grave its firstfruits giving,
springing up from holy ground;
Christ was dead, but now is living;
he was lost, but he is found. Refrain
Christ is risen! Henceforth never
death or hell shall us enthrall.
We are Christ's, in him forever
we have triumphed over all.
All the doubting and dejection
of our trembling hearts have ceased;
hail the day of resurrection!
Let us rise and keep the feast. Refrain
BENEDICTION
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Rejoice and be glad!
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
All The People Said Amen
Matt Maher, Paul Moak, & Trevor Morgan
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
Amen (Because He Lives), Words & Music: Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram,Matt Maher, Daniel Carson, William J.Gaither,
& Chris Tomlin. Words & music © 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon | Rising Springs Music | S. D. G. Publishing | Twelve Lions Music | Worship Together Music | worshiptogether.com songs | Be Essential Songs | I Am A Pilgrim Songs | Open Hands Music | So Essential Tunes | Hanna Street Music. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! Text: Bede, 673-735; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. .Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Köln, 1623.. Public domain.
Psalm 4 | A Responsorial Setting, Refrain Words and Music: Anthony Teague, © 1986 Westminster John Knox Press. Psalm Text: from Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Psalm Tone: © 2011 Faith Alive Christian Resources. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
We Walk by Faith, Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1871, alt. Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Music © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Hear Our Prayer, Text and Music: Paul Andress, b. 1956. Text and music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let Your Peace Rain upon Us, Palestinian traditional; tr. Mark Swanson, b. 1955, and Mark Sedio, b. 1954. English text © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Palestinian traditional. Public Domain.
Glorious Day, Words: John Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, Music: Mark Hall, Michael Bleeker. Words & Music © 2009 Curb Songs | Be Essential Songs | My Refuge Music. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
As The Grains of Wheat, Text: Didache, 2nd cent.; Marty Haugen, b. 1950, Music: Marty Haugen, Text and Music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Lord's Prayer, Music: Jack S. Upton, Jr. Used by permission.
Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup, Text:and Music Jeremy Young, b. 1948, refrain; With One Voice, stanzas, based on Ps. 34, Text and Music © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Text and Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt., Music:Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927. Public domain.
All the People Said Amen, Words and Music by Matt Maher, Paul Moak, and Trevor Morgan. © 2013 Universal Music | Brentwood Benson Publishing | Thankyou Music | Valley Of Songs Music | Trevor Morgan Music, admin. Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. | Capitol CMG Publishing | Trevor Morgan Music. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
