ORDER OF WORSHIP
Easter Festival Service
April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death,” Paul writes. Today Christ is risen, and we gather together with astonishment and joy. Christ is risen, and we have been set free from the bonds of death. Christ is risen, and we are forgiven. Christ is risen, and with the women at the tomb and Peter, we are amazed. Let us rejoice: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Easter Celebration
arr. Sharon Elery Rogers
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
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.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
ANNOUNCES FORGIVENESS
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
ELW 365
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!
KYRIE (page 147)
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 (page 148)
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.
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43
Peter’s sermon, delivered at the home of Cornelius, a Roman army officer, is a summary of the essential message of Christianity: Everyone who believes in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets, receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
34 Peter began to speak to [the people]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24 (Read Responsively)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s mercy endures forever.
2 Let Israel now declare,
“God’s mercy endures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted!
The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord indeed punished me sorely,
but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord;
here the righteous may enter.”
21 I give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and you have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 By the Lord has this been done;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Paul describes the consequences of the resurrection, including the promise of new life in Christ to a world that has been in bondage to death. He celebrates the destruction of evil and the establishment of God’s victorious rule over all.
19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22 for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 24:1-12
Evidently expecting to find Jesus’ corpse, some of the women among his followers go to the tomb with embalming spices. After a perplexing encounter with the empty tomb and angelic visitors, the women become the first to proclaim the amazing news of resurrection.
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 On the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went homeamazed at what had happened.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia!
ELW 369
Christ the Lord is ris'n today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!
at the paschal victim's feet. Alleluia!
For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
sinless in the sinner's stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
when contending death and life, Alleluia!
met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!
all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
APOSTLE'S 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 INTERCESSION
God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Kindle new life in your church. Encourage all who seek creative ways to share the good news of Christ’s resurrection. Bless mission developers and new ministries, that their work plant seeds that flourish. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Nourish new life in all of creation. Shower forests and grasslands, deserts, and mountains with life-giving rains. Grant us delight in your glory that shows forth in all that grows this season. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bless our congregation as we move in the path called by the spirit. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Empower new life among the nations. As you raised Jesus from the dead, bring new hope for peace and reconciliation in places of war and strife. Raise up leaders who are steadfast in their commitment to justice and transformation. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bring new hope among all who are in need, especially neighbors without homes or food, and those whose housing or food supply is at risk. Bring healing to all who are fearful, ill, or grieving especially Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Barbara, Ann, Julie, Brooklyn, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Barbara, Scott, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Tom & Leona, Avery, Doris, Natalie, John, Tim, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Mary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Awaken new life in this place. Open our hearts to ways you are calling us to be at work in the world and our community. Give us courage to boldly share your love for all people beyond our walls. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We bless Pastor Cruz in her spiritual walk as she takes up the mantal of Pastor for Grace Lutheran Church. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Trusting in the promises of the resurrection, we remember with thanksgiving our beloved dead. Sustain us with a living hope until we are reunited with them and all the saints at the heavenly banquet. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.
GREETINGS OF PEACE
Peace of Christ be with you always.
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
Alleluia, Christ is Risen
Beethover/Wren
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 181
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to com.
OFFERING PRAYER
Risen One,
you have gathered us around your table of grace
along with these gifts we bring.
Come among us again,
breathe your life into us,
and enliven us with this meal,
that we may live as your risen body in the world.
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:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (page 144)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow'r and might,
Heav'n 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
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.
LORD'S PRAYER
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
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.
LAMB OF GOD
O Christ, Lamb of God
ELW 196
O Christ, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace. Amen.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Now the Green Blade Rises
ELW 379
Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,
thinking that he would never wake again;
laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
he that for three days in the grave had lain;
raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
your touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!
ELW 385
Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our king!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord of life is ris'n this day;
death's mighty stone is rolled away;
let all the world rejoice and say:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise we in songs of victory
that love, that life, which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
and sing today with one accord,
the life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise
ELW 207
Thankful hearts and voices raise;
tell ev'ryone what God has done.
Let ev'ryone who seeks the Lord rejoice
and bear the name of Christ.
Send us with your promises
and lead your people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Living One,
in this feast you have made yourself known to us.
Send us now to tell of your wonders,
sing of your glory,
and proclaim your risen life
to a wounded and weary world.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Thine Is the Glory
ELW 376
Thine is the glory,
risen, conqu'ring Son;
endless is the vict'ry
thou o'er death hast won!
Angels in bright raiment
rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes
where thy body lay.
Refrain
Thine is the glory,
risen, conqu'ring Son;
endless is the vict'ry
thou o'er death hast won!
Lo, Jesus meets thee,
risen from the tomb!
Lovingly he greets thee,
scatters fear and gloom;
let his church with gladness
hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth;
death hath lost its sting! Refrain
No more we doubt thee,
glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee;
aid us in our strife;
make us more than conqu'rors,
through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan
to thy home above. Refrain
BENEDICTION
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Hallelujah!
G. F. Handel
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.
Easter Celebration, arr. Sharon Elery Rogers, 1929-2022, © 1995 Lorenz Publishing Co. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Jesus Christ is Risrn Today, Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4. Music: J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica 1708. Public domain.
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today: Alleluia!, Text: attr. Wipo of Bugundy, d.c.1050; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882, alt. Music: Robert Williams, 1781-1821. Public domain.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Words: Brian Wren, b. 1936, Tune: Hal Hopson, b. 1933, Words © 1986 and Tune © 2002 Hope Publishing Company. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress, Music © 2004 Augsburg Fortress, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528. Public domain.
Now the Green Blade Rises, Text: John MacLeod Campbell Crum, 1872-1958. Text © Oxford University Press, Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: French carol, Public domain.
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!,Text: Cyril A.Alington,1872–1955, alt., Text © 1952, ren.1980 Hymns Ancient & Modern, admin. Hope Publishing Company, Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Melchior Vulpius, 1570–1615. Public domain.
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise, Music: Ronald A. Nelson, b. 1927. Text and music © 1978, 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Thine Is the Glory, Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939. Music: George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759. Public domain.
Hallelujah, Music: George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759, Public domain. arr © 1940 Theodore Presser Co.
