Second Sunday of Easter – Sunday, April 19, 2020
Opening Hymn – I Know That My Redeemer Lives……. LSB 461
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
3 He lives to bless me with His love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with His eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Text: Public domain
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Invocation & Exhortation…….. LSB 151
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession of Sins…………. LSB 151
P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. 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. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. 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.
Absolution….. LSB 151
P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
Opening Versicles
Common…LSB 260
P This is the day which the Lord has made;
C let us rejoice and be glad in it.
P From the rising of the sun to its setting,
C the name of the Lord is to be praised.
P Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
C I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
P Make me to know Your ways, O Lord.
C Teach me Your paths.
P Sanctify us in Your truth.
C Your Word is truth.
P From the rising of the sun to its setting,
C the name of the Lord is to be praised.
C Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
♫ Old Testament Canticle is sung 3x (1st time is Piano and Steve vocal only; 2 & 3 add Congregation & Guitar)
Old Testament Canticle
Lead me, guide me, along the way; For if You lead me, I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Text: © 1953 Doris M. Akers, admin. Chappell & Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003661
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Readings from Holy Scripture – Old Testament… Acts 5:29–42
29But Peter and the apostles answered, “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 Jesus as the Christ.Epistle: 1 Peter 1:3–9
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.Stand
Holy Gospel: John 20:19–31
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 anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, 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.Common….. LSB 263
P Forever, O Lord, Your Word is firmly set in the heavens.
C Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.
P Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.
C Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.
P Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
C Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.
Apostles’ Creed
C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer……………… LSB 162
P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
C 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.
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Sermon Message “…So I Send You” John 20:21
Grace, mercy and peace to you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The text for our message this morning is the Gospel Reading from John chapter 20, verses 19-22. I encourage you to open up your Bibles to that reading, or to follow along where the readings are printed in your worship folder. 19 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.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel reading for this 2nd Sunday of Easter should be a very familiar one to you all, as it is one of the few readings included in all of the Lectionary readings, including the Historical, One Year Lectionary as well as all three of the Three Year Lectionary readings for the Sunday following Easter. It’s a beautiful reading that serves as a kind of Paul Harvey, “The Rest of the Story” conclusion to where the Easter Story leaves off. The women had gone to the tomb where they had buried Jesus on that Good Friday before. Now Sunday, as the sun rose early that morning, the women discover the grave was open, Jesus was no longer there, and an angel of the Lord proclaimed, “He is not here, for He has RISEN!” And the angel instructs the women to go tell Jesus’ disciples the good news, and for them to go ahead to Galilee, where they would see their risen Lord, face to face. The disciples do exactly that, and that is where today’s reading picks up.
The disciples indeed went ahead to Galilee but rather than a joyous gathering, they are huddled behind locked doors in FEAR. Now John says it was for fear of the Jews that they were sequestered there, and rightly they had reason to fear the Jews who had crucified their Master, but St. Luke goes into much more detail about their fear. Luke describes that as Jesus appeared to them in that locked room, but even as Jesus stood in front of them, they were still afraid, to where Jesus addresses the source of their fear, asking, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” And St. Mark even describes Jesus as rebuking the disciples for, “their unbelief and hardness of heart.” While is it easy to understand their fear of the Jews for their own wellbeing, we cannot overlook the real source of their fear, their DOUBT and UNBELIEF. After all, if Jesus was not raised, then all they had done as His disciples for the last 3 years was worthless at best, but at worst, a potentially deadly life path. But even if the resurrection were true, and Jesus, their teacher and Lord, was alive, even if they dared to let themselves believe it, what would that mean for them? His resurrection would mean Jesus truly is the Son of God in the flesh… What would the resurrected Jesus think of His so called disciples who betrayed him, abandoned him, and denied even knowing him, just like Jesus said they would, but they proclaimed would never happen. What must the resurrected Jesus think of His disciples, friends, and brothers now? I would say that their fear was much more complex than just what the Jews might have in store for them. But in the midst of all that, even behind locked doors, Jesus stands in their presence and proclaims, “Shalom!” (Peace be with you!) There in the middle of the fear, doubt and shame of the chaos they were living, Jesus speaks PEACE into their lives! He even invites them to touch the holes in his hands and the wound in his side to dispel their disbelief and know it really was him, in the flesh, and that all that he had told them would happen, had indeed taken place. And all this not to elicit fear and shame, but to provide forgiveness for their very unbelief, and to establish a new foundation of faith for them in the TRUTH of Jesus’ resurrection. Not blind hope in what Jesus might do, or miracles that He might perform, but conviction in what He had already done as the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. A new start for the disciples but also for all people, of all time, to know the forgiveness from God available by faith, not in their own frail attempts at obedience and self-righteousness, but faith in Jesus, who had won the victory over temptation and sin and chaos that they could not… that WE cannot achieve ourselves. There in that room, touching the resurrected body of their Lord, the disciple’s fear of death and judgement is turned to JOY, even “disbelieving in joy” at how God could be so incredibly gracious towards them in spite of their failings, and proclaim a message of forgiveness in the words of JESUS! Finally, they could proclaim with confidence, Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed! Truly a message of unbelievable JOY…
But my friends, there’s one more key point to the story. A sobering, even sometimes overwhelming final point to this story. We talked last Sunday, Easter Sunday, about how much of the world believes that even if Jesus was a real historical person, that His story ended on Good Friday with His crucifixion. But the disciples discovered 3 days later, that that wasn’t the end of the story. Jesus had risen, just as he said he would. And seeing Jesus standing amongst them turned their fear and doubt to pure JOY. But that also was not the end of the story. In verse 21, Jesus declares the next chapter. “Καθως απεσταλκεν με ο πατηρ, καγω πεμπω υμας!” “Kathos apestalken me o Pater, kago pempo umas.” Kathos… Just as/in the same way as, the Father has sent me into this world, to suffer all the things I have in order to proclaim this Gospel good news to you, Kago… so also/in the same way also, I am sending you! That is the NEXT chapter of the story. It did not end in that room behind locked doors, but continued on in the sending of the disciples out into the world, just as Jesus was sent to proclaim the very same Gospel good news. A chapter that is still unfolding, even today, in the hearts and lives of the invisible church of all believers. The story does not end with our hearing the good news and believing, like the disciples in the safety of that room, the story continues as believers share that Gospel with the world outside the walls of the church, and outside even the walls of their own lives. By baptism into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we too have been sent to continue the story, proclaiming the good news to the world that may even hate us for doing it, just as (Kathos) the world hated Jesus for doing it. We are the living next chapter, preaching, teaching and living lives of Gospel forgiveness to a world lost in sin, until the day our Lord returns to close the book on this world, once and for all. Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, alleluia. Hear that good news! Be at peace, knowing your sins are forgiven, and now share that good news with EVERYONE you know!
AMEN!
May the PEACE of God, which passes all worldly understanding guard and protect your hearts and minds as you, with me proclaim the truth of Christ Jesus our risen Lord.
Amen!
Offering
(Thank you to everyone who has generously donated during these hard times of social distancing. Just a Reminder you may give your church donation at the Pathway Bank Drive-Up window, be sure to tell them which fund you want your donation towards. You may also drop/or mail your donations to the church (P O Box 9).)
Offering Hymn – He’s Risen, He’s Risen……. LSB 480
D Please rise for verse 5 in Honor of the Triune God
1 He’s risen, He’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;He opened death’s prison, the_incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
And earth, sea, and mountain their praises prolong.
2 The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
3 But short was their triumph; the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes.
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high;
He lives, yes, He lives, and will nevermore die.
4 O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
D 5 Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain:
With Father and Spirit He ever shall reign.
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003661
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Prayer of the Church
P Hear us, merciful Father, as we pray for ourselves, for the Church, for our nation and for all conditions and manner of people.
Brief silence
God of mercy, keep us from the doubts and fears that cripple us and prevent us from knowing the fullness of Your saving peace and gracious presence. Teach us to trust in Your Word and to believe with all our hearts, minds, bodies and strength in Jesus Christ, crucified for our sins and raised for our justification. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of grace, bestow upon Your Church Your Holy Spirit and all the gifts that come down from on high. Grant to us faithful pastors who will preach faithfully and ears to hear Your Word proclaimed. Give us boldness in our witness before the world and courage to speak Your name without fear. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of power, give courage and strength to those persecuted for the faith, and comfort the families of the martyrs. Keep Your Church from following the winds of change, and make her steadfast in the doctrine of the apostles and the faith once delivered to the saints. Help us to admonish those who have fallen away with Your Word and to restore with gentleness those who have wandered from the truth. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of might, counsel the nations and their leaders in the paths of peace and justice. Bless us with wise, faithful and just leaders who will protect the sanctity of life and defend us against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Make us wise and discerning citizens who use the gift of liberty for noble purpose. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of love, teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Guide us so that in our neighborhoods and communities we may manifest the love of Christ as well as His strength. Deliver us from all that would threaten our homes and families. Protect the police, firefighters, disaster-relief workers and medical personnel who attend to us, as well as the places where we live and work. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of comfort, give Your aid and relief to all who suffer want or need, to the sick in their afflictions, to those troubled in mind, and to those to whom death draws near [especially _]. Heal and sustain them according to Your gracious will, and preserve them in faith to eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of hope, be with those who grieve the loss of those whom they love. Point them to the promise of the resurrection and the gift of everlasting life to all who die in Christ. Deliver us from the distractions of things that do not matter, that we may focus on the needful things of Your Word and Sacraments and so be found faithful when our Lord returns in His glory. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P God of compassion, bless us with the good gifts of the earth, with the fruits of our honest labors, and with a kind and generous heart. Accept the worship of our hearts and voices along with the tithes and offerings we bring as part of our gratitude and thanksgiving. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of the poor, that we may serve them in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P O blessed God and Lord, hear the prayers of Your people and teach us to trust in Your will to answer our prayers with all that is needful and beneficial, both for us and for all for whom we have prayed; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Collect of the Day – Easter 2
P 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.
Benediction…… LSB 267
P The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us.
C Amen.
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Closing Hymn – In the Cross of Christ I Glory…. LSB 427
1 In the cross of Christ I glory,
Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.
2 When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me;
Lo, it glows with peace and joy.
3 When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.
4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.
Text: Public domain
Acknowledgments – Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.
Reminder to Complete the Congregational Survey
Pastor Brian would like everyone to please take a moment and respond to the CLC Survey, just click the link below. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Pastor Wright.
ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK
Lee & Shirley Echtenkamp – 4/21/1979 (41)
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
Eldyn DeFreece – April 19
Grant Ocana – April 24
PRAYERS THIS WEEK
Prayers for the family and friends of Jim Leth (Rick Leth’s brother), Funeral service for Jimmy Leth with family only was help this past week in Aurora NE.
Suffering from Cancer
Flora Meester, friend of Catherine Garrett
Cheryl Klock, Julie Whitefoot’s Sister
Barb Meyer
Jeff Bexten, Former member of CLC
Pat Hughes, Barb Teichmeier’s Sister
Judy Kemptar, Kristin Schultz mother
Deb Homolka, Rick Gilbert’s Sister
Lorie Stahl, Ravenna NE.
This Weeks Calendar
Sunday, April 19 – 2nd Sun of Easter
Acts 5:29–42, Psalm 148
1 Peter 1:3–9, John 20:19–31
No worship or Activities at Church
Watch your email for more information regarding Worship
and the COVID-19 Virus updates.
Monday April 20
Tuesday April 21
Wednesday April 22
Thursday April 23 – HLHS Blood Drive 8:30 am – 2:30 pm (more info below)
Friday April 24
Saturday April 25
Sunday, April 26 – 3rd Sun of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36–41, Psalm 116:1–14
1 Peter 1:17–25, Luke 24:13–35
SAVE the DATE
Moses Basket Auction POSTPONED
Church Clean Up Day (Outside & Inside) POSTPONED
Habitat For Humanity Build for April POSTPONED
Megan will contact in May with new dates
Vacation Bible School May 26-29
Project Hunger Easter Basket Extravaganza June 6
Progressive Ag Day – Cairo NE June 9
Cairo Cornstalk Festival – June 12
GO BIG GIVE – POSTPONED until July 7
Our 100th Anniversary Celebration July 10 & 11, 2021
HLHS Red Cross Blood Drive
On Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm the Heartland Lutheran National Honor Society Students will be hosting a Blood Drive for the Red Cross. Please consider coming in to donate and helping them reach their goal of over 30 usable units –reaching 30 usable units will make HLHS students eligible for a $1000 Scholarship through the Red Cross. So your donation will not only help the Community but HLHS students as well.
As the HLHS office is currently closed, we are encouraging you to sign up online at redcrossblood.org or using the Blood Donor App on your smartphone. Students age 16 are eligible to donate with parental consent. Please see attached form. Blessings, The HLHS National Honor Society
Beth Leech – Office Administrator – Heartland Lutheran High School, 3900 W. Husker Hwy. Grand Island, NE 68803, 308-385-3900, office@heartlandlutheran.org
