Christ Lutheran Church – LCMS | Cairo, Nebraska

Third Sunday of Easter Worship Sunday April 26, 2020

Posted on April 25, 2020 by admin

To view the sermon message from Pastor Wright please click the link below.

https://youtu.be/VQgOG_cYXcM

Third Sunday of Easter – April 26, 2020

LSB Divine Service Setting One LSB pg. 151-166

*Announcements

Hymn of Invocation – Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds…… LSB 465

Please rise for verse 4 in Honor of the Triune God

1      Now all the vault of heav’n resounds
In praise of love that still abounds:
    “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear!
Repeat their song of glory here:
    “Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!”
    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2      Eternal is the gift He brings,
Therefore our heart with rapture sings:
    “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Now still He comes to give us life
And by His presence stills all strife.
    Christ has triumphed! He is living!
    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3      O fill us, Lord, with dauntless love;
Set heart and will on things above
    That we conquer through Your triumph;
Grant grace sufficient for life’s day
That by our lives we truly say:
    “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4      Adoring praises now we bring
And with the heav’nly blessèd sing:
    “Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!”
Be to the Father and our Lord,
To Spirit blest, most holy God,
    All the glory, never ending!
    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Confession and Absolution

Stand – The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

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.

Service of the Word

Kyrie………………………………………. LSB 152

P In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

P For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

P 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.

C Lord, have mercy.

P For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

P Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

C Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis……………………. LSB 154

P Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

C 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.

Salutation and Collect of the Day – Easter 3

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

Sit

First Reading……………. Acts 2:14a, 36–41

¹⁴Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, . . .³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” ³⁷Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

P This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Epistle………………………. 1 Peter 1:17–25

¹⁷If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ²⁰He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, ²¹who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. ²²Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ²³since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, ²⁵but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

P This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Stand

Alleluia and Verse…………… LSB 156

C Alleluia.

Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Holy Gospel…………… Luke 24:13–35

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

¹³That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²²Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ²⁸So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³²They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ³³And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

Children’s Message

Hymn of the Day – Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word……………………………………………….. LSB 655

1 Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.

2 Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known,
For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we
May sing Your praise eternally.

3 O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

Text: Public domain

Sermon Message……………………………………………………………………………………. “Exile Fear” 1 Peter 1:17

The text for our message this morning is the Epistle Reading from 1^st Peter chapter 1, starting with verse 17. I encourage you to open your Bibles to that reading, or to follow along where the readings are printed in your worship folder. St Peter writes: (1 Peter 1:17–25) ¹⁷And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,This is our text.

Grace, mercy and peace to you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

1. What are you afraid of? It’s a heavy question, especially in these peculiarly heavy times.

And while it can be difficult to talk about our fears, it is precisely the heaviness of our times that make this a perfect opportunity to talk about them, the time when those fears are right in front of us and we have no choice but to face them. So… What are you afraid of?

2. I suppose the answer to that question depends a lot on the timing. If you asked me that

question 40 years ago, when as a child I lived a very protected and comfortable life, my answer may have been pretty mundane. I might have feared whether or not the new kid in the neighborhood liked me, whether or not I might pass my math test, or whether Mom was going through with her annual attempt at making acorn squash palatable for dinner that night. Pretty mundane fears compared to the challenges of adulthood, where careers, families, and even our own health might hang in the balance of a single decision. And yet, the intensity of fear is not just a matter of age. Even though my childhood was a safe, comfortable one, a child the same age as I, in a different environment, may encounter fears of the same kind of intensity that we sense all around us today. Fear of an unstable family, fear of losing a parent to illness or other circumstances, fear of bullying from that new kid in the neighborhood, or fear over where their next meal might come from, where the thought of even acorn squash might be for them, an answer to prayer. Even in the life of a child, these can be real, palpable, crippling fears. It seems then, that fear, is not limited by age, era, gender, economic status, or anything else in this world. Fear just IS. Fear exists. Fear is REAL. We all know, and experience fear in our own ways and in our own circumstances in life. It is part of the human condition. In a world effected by sin, we all know FEAR.

3. In our Epistle reading for today in 1^st Peter, and in fact throughout the Bible, both the

Old and the New Testaments, our God had a lot to say about fear. There are countless examples of people suffering from fear in the midst of their circumstances in the Scriptures. Isaac, the promised child of Abraham bound at the hands of his own father on a stone being prepared for sacrifice. Isaac knew fear. Young David being hunted throughout the land by King Saul who was possessed by the singular thought of taking David’s life. David knew fear. Or just last week, as the disciples were huddled together in that locked room following Jesus’ crucifixion, sensing their whole world had just fallen apart, even Jesus’ own disciples knew fear. Biblically, it seems, we are in good company, as we too encounter our own fears. We too, know fear, especially now in the midst of our exile of isolation, in the wake of this viral pandemic, facing the common threat to our very survival, we are not immune to fear. But like Jesus in that locked room with His frightened disciples announcing, “Peace be to you,” our God speaks to us in the midst of our exile with a word of peace from the pen of St. Peter.

4. It may not sound at first like a message of peace, with talk of God’s judgement, and a

call to conduct ourselves in reverent fear of the Lord throughout our time of exile, but in actuality, what St. Peter is giving us is a roadmap to peace, available to everyone, in all circumstances, but only understandable to those covered in the sacrificial blood of Jesus. Peter recognizes the reality of suffering, trauma and pain in this world, from the miniscule inconveniences of everyday life, to the monumental threats to even our very lives. Peter knew fear, and Peter knew the reality of fear in everyone’s life in this world. But what God is telling us through Peter is the only answer to the fears of this world, comes from the only one who has overcome the world, the Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke about the common exile we all face in this world until the day of His return, in John’s gospel, chapter 16, declaring, “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in ME you may have PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

5. You see, in all the examples of fear in the scriptures, from Isaac, to David, from the

disciples and apostles, and even to you and me today, fear was and is indeed real, but the only answer that brings true peace in all of that is not our overcoming the threats in our lives, or even believing that just because we call ourselves believers, that God will magically remove those obstacles and threats from our lives. The only answer that brings sure, lasting, even eternal peace in the face of this world’s fears, is to turn our eyes to the Father, trusting in His love for us, demonstrated in Jesus, and knowing that for His sake, even if the threats of this world were to take our very lives, Jesus has overcome the death sentence of this world, and promises eternal life for ALL who turn from their fear of the world, and trust reverently in the eternal grace of God in Jesus Christ. The world can be a very scary place, but fear not, for Jesus Christ has overcome the world. Alleluia!

AMEN!

May the PEACE of God, which passes all worldly understanding guard and protect your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen!

Stand

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.

Prayer of the Church

P You have heard our pleas for mercy, O Lord, and given up Your Son to be our Savior. Hear us now as we come to You on behalf of ourselves and all people according to their needs.

Brief silence

Our hearts have burned in us, O Lord, as Your Word has been read and preached. Keep our faith from growing cold and grant us grace, that we may not waver in faith or succumb to temptation. Give to us and to our children receptive hearts, that we may hear and, hearing, believe and, believing, be steadfast in this faith and hope all our days. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P You have cleansed us, O Lord, with water and the Word in Baptism, and You have marked us as Your own people. Give to us grace, that we may live out this faith in holy lives, lifting up Your name in word and works for as long as we live. Guide us, that we may purify our souls by living in obedience to Your Word and in brotherly love for one another. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Bless Your Church, O Lord, that she may welcome the stranger in Christ’s name and manifest the unity of the faith in the bonds of love. Bless Matthew, presiding in our Synod; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and _____________, our pastor(s). Bless those training for church-work vocations. Bless each of us as we live out our baptismal vocation of worship, witness, prayer and service. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Guard our nation, O Lord, that we may enjoy peace and security in the face of threat and danger. Bless Donald, our president; the Congress of the United States; _____________, our governor; and all state and local officials, that they may fulfill their offices faithfully. Bless the members of the armed forces who protect us, and teach the nations the ways of peace. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Deliver us from all our afflictions, and grant us strength to bear all our burdens, O Lord. Hear us in particular for _____________ and those whom we name in our hearts. According to Your gracious will, heal the sick, relieve those who suffer, comfort the grieving and give peace to the dying. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Stay with us, O Lord, and be our strength in weakness and our hope in time of despair. Your gracious will once kept the saints in faith even unto death. Keep us, we pray, with them in Your faith and fear, that we may be found faithful when Christ comes again in His glory to bring to fulfillment all things, once and forevermore. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P And with our song of praise, accept our tithes and offerings, that Your Church may have the resources to proclaim Your Gospel and care for the poor and those in need. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P These and whatever other things we need, O Lord, we pray You to grant us in the name of and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose death has made full atonement for our sin and whose resurrection has granted to us the promise of our own joyful resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray.

C Amen.

Sit

Offering – Church donations may be given through Pathway Bank Drive-up window, thank you to everyone who has donated during these trying times.

Stand

Offertory

C What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?

I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.

I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people,

in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

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.

Benediction

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.

C Amen.

Hymn to Depart – Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer….LSB 918

1      Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
    Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
    Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
    Feed me till I want no more;
    Feed me till I want no more.

2      Open now the crystal fountain
    Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
    Lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,
    Be Thou still my strength and shield;
    Be Thou still my strength and shield.

3      When I tread the verge of Jordan,
    Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s destruction,
    Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
    I will ever give to Thee;
    I will ever give to Thee.

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.

Christ Lutheran Church
Cairo, NE

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

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2nd Sunday of Easter Worship April 19, 2020 and Announcements

Posted on April 18, 2020 by admin

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

Stand

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.

Absolution….. LSB 151

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.

Sit

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.

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:

Sit

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.

Stand

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.

Sit

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.

https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2F7LPggRRZecAvx1w29&data=02%7C01%7C%7C7ff2ff69554647c686fb08d7e241c43d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637226644396439116&sdata=LJ%2B39CEapX6Z2YnAXjRh3W7HmLDLJQkNjG0W9gW1JDw%3D&reserved=0

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

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Easter Worship and Announcements for April 12, 2020

Posted on April 11, 2020 by admin

Prayer for Easter
Resurrected Jesus, you underwent the greatest torture and passion so that we may have a path to return to you, our cornerstone. Strengthen us, we pray, that we may spread your Good News, building communities that are based on what is above rather than the ways of the world. You have conquered sin and death! Alleluia! Let us rejoice and be glad as we celebrate your great victory with all our heart! Amen.

Easter Blessings to You All,
Please click the link below to view the Easter Message. https://youtu.be/ztou80ZF2UA

Easter Sunday: You Will See Him

He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Matthew 28:7

Opening Hymn – Jesus Christ Is Risen Today – LSB #457
Please rise for verse 4 in Honor of the Triune God

1. 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!

2. 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!

3. 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!

4. Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Invocation and Litany

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
P I shall not die, but I shall live,
C And recount the deeds of the Lord.
P The Lord has disciplined me severely,
C But he has not given me over to death …
P The stone that the builders rejected
C Has become the cornerstone.
P This is the Lord’s doing;
C It is marvelous in our eyes.
P This is the day that the Lord has made;
C Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
P Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Confession and Absolution

P Let us confess our sins to God and ask his forgiveness for the sake of Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord.
C Almighty God, we have been buried and raised with Christ, but we do not always walk in the new life that is ours by faith. We sin against you daily in our thoughts, words and actions. We do not love others as we should. Our words and our lives do not always bear witness to our risen and reigning Savior. Have mercy on us and forgive us.
P God has had mercy on us. He sent his Son to be our Savior. Jesus was crucified for our sins and God raised him from the dead. His victory is our victory. Through faith in Jesus’ name we have forgiveness and life. I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Prayer of the Day

P Crucified and risen Lord, you laid down your life for us to pay the debt of sin that we owed, to suffer the penalty of death that we earned for ourselves. On the third day you took up your life again and, as you have promised, because you live, we will live in your presence forever. Until your return in glory on the great day of resurrection, empower us by your Spirit to live as citizens of your kingdom, as servants who share your love and compassion with others and share the good news of forgiveness and life granted through faith in your name. On this day of victory, hear our prayer and accept our praise. Amen.

Hymn – Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain – #LSB #487 (v.1&2)

1. Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness,
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.

2. ’Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ has burst his prison
And from three days’ sleep in death
As a sun has risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From his light, to whom is giv’n
Laud and praise undying.

Children’s Message

Hymn – Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain – #LSB #487 (v.4&5)

4. For today among his own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb’s dark portal
Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold him as a mortal.

5. Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness!

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all fac-es, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spo-ken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Epistle Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 54-58

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Fa-ther after destroying every rule and every au-thority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death … When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swal-lowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 28:1-10

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And 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. His appearance was like lightning, and his cloth-ing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then 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.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Sermon Hymn – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today – LSB #469

1. “Christ the Lord is ris’n today!”
Saints on earth and angels say;
Raise your joys and triumphs high;
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply.

3. Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ hath burst the gates of hell.
Death in vain forbids his rise;
Christ has opened paradise.

Sermon Message – You Will See Him

We live in a culture that some scholars today call “post-Christian.” That means that fewer and fewer people accept the Christian faith and attend church. Many people openly—and even angri-ly—reject Christianity, while others simply can’t be bothered with it. Some people embrace atheism. Others create a “religion” of their own choosing by collecting bits here and there from a variety of world religions. Still others claim that they are spiritual but not religious. Yet even in our current cul-ture of unbelief, most people are willing to admit that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person, an actual historical figure. They may even admit to admiring him as a great teacher, a wise Jewish rabbi of first-century Palestine. They may recognize him as caring and compassionate person and a good example to follow in life or they may see him as a rebel who opposed power and authority of the Roman Empire. But they refuse to accept or believe that he is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Many people who deny the Christian faith, although not all, will acknowledge that Jesus was, in the end, crucified by the Romans. But that is where the story ends for those still lost in unbelief. As far as they are concerned, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. He died and was buried, sealed in a tomb or maybe thrown into a mass grave for the unclaimed bodies of criminals. As far as they are concerned, that is the end of the story of Jesus.
What if that was the end of the story? We could perhaps still follow Jesus as a wise teacher and a good example—but no more than that. To believe that the story of Jesus simply ends with his death and burial would mean that there is no resurrection, no hope of eternal life, no resurrection for us on the Last Day and no Last Day. If Jesus’ life ended in death and burial, that is where our lives would end too—in death and burial. If that was the end of the story, what are we doing here this morning? The apostle Paul summed up what he thought of following Jesus merely as a wise teacher and good example, but with no hope of resurrection and life. Paul said, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” What a sorry bunch of losers …
But we are not the losers here, and the apostle Paul has more to say on the subject, a lot more! If Jesus did not rise from the dead, Paul argues, everything he and the other apostles preached was “in vain”—all for nothing. If Jesus did not rise, Paul’s preaching was all for nothing and our faith is all for nothing. If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, your faith is useless and you are still lost in sin. If Jesus did not rise, all of the saints, the loved ones you miss so much, the ones who died be-lieving, are gone, dead and buried, and that’s the end of it.
But that is not the end. That is why we are here this morning! That is why we are here every Sunday morning. As Paul goes on to say: “In fact Christ has been raised from the dead!” What kinds of facts do you know? You know how old you are. You know that it is spring and the weather is getting warmer. You know that today is Sunday; in fact, it is Easter morning. You know you are in church. Here is another fact: Jesus Christ has risen from the dead! That is an absolute fact! The life of Jesus of Nazareth did not end when his body was wrapped for burial and sealed in a borrowed tomb. Je-sus was crucified and buried on the day we call Good Friday, the day before the Jewish Sabbath. On that Sabbath, that Saturday of rest, his body lay in the sealed tomb. But on the third day, the tomb was opened and he was gone! Death could not hold the innocent Son of God. Jesus was raised to life and glorified, never to die again. We are dealing in facts here. There were eyewitnesses who saw Jesus alive. This was no ghost or wishful thinking or hallucination. They not only saw the risen Lord, they talked to him, they touched him; they saw the scars of the nails in his hands and feet. They saw the scar where the spear had been thrust through his side. They ate with him and he ate in front of them. They could hardly believe it themselves! Scripture says that at one point, “they still disbelieved for joy.” They were so happy they could not believe what they were seeing and hearing! But there was no doubt about it. Jesus of Nazareth, who had been crucified, who was dead and who had been buried, had left the grave behind. He was now alive and in the flesh, just as he had prom-ised.
Jesus is called the firstfruits of the resurrection. The firstfruits were the first part of the harvest, usu-ally given as an offering to God. The firstfruits were the beginning, the first crops taken from a great harvest to follow. Jesus is the firstfruits, and all who die, who fall asleep in death believing in him, will be raised up from death as a part of the great harvest to follow. It will be a harvest of life gathered up on the Last Day when our crucified and living Lord returns. On that great day he will destroy the last enemy—death itself. We will be called to rise from our graves as Jesus was raised from the grave, and we will be dressed in immortality, our bodies transformed and glorified, yet in the flesh, as Jesus rose in the flesh.
The apostle Paul mocks and ridicules death as a defeated enemy: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Are we the losers here? No, death it-self is the loser because our Lord Jesus Christ conquered death and his victory is our victory. Jesus, the apostle Paul writes, is the one “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
When the women arrived at the tomb on the first Easter morning, they found the tomb open and empty. The angel who had rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb invited them to come and see the place where the body of Jesus had been placed. But Jesus was not there—he had risen from the dead. The angel said, “He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.” The disci-ples went to Galilee and there they saw Jesus, their risen Lord who had gone there before them. Jesus is the firstfruits, the first of the great resurrection harvest of life on the Last Day. He has gone before us, he has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house (John 14:2). One day we follow him and we will see him. We will see the scars in his hands and feet and side, the scars that are the marks of our salvation. Like the disciples and the women on that first Easter day, we will see him and we will live in his presence forever. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

Hymn of Response – I Know That My Redeemer Lives – LSB #461 (v.1,2&6-8)

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.

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!

Offering (Thank You to everyone who has donated, please remember you may donate at Pathway Bank Drive-Thru window.)

Prayers – Each petition ends with the following response:

P Living Lord and Savior,
C In you alone we have life and hope.

P Crucified and risen Lord, in you alone we have victory over sin, death and the devil. As you have promised, because you live, we will live also. We look forward to the day of your return, when we will be raised bodily from our graves to live in your presence forever. Living Lord and Savior,
C In you alone we have life and hope.

P Crucified and risen Lord, you have overcome death and we too will rise. Until that great day, lead us to love and serve others in your name. Give us opportunities to bring comfort and hope to those who need to hear the good news of life and who need to know the joy that you alone can bring. Living Lord and Savior,
C In you alone we have life and hope.

P Crucified and risen Lord, empower us to share the good news of your life, death and resur-rection with those who have no hope. There are so many still lost in the darkness of sin and despair. Work through our witness to bring hope to them in your name. Living Lord and Savior,
C In you alone we have life and hope.

P Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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.

Benediction

P Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
P Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable,
C Always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
P Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Je-sus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
C Amen.
P Christ is risen!
C He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Hymn – Crown Him with Many Crowns – LSB #525 (v.1,3-5)

1. Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity.

3. Crown him the Lord of love, behold his hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bend their wond’ring eyes at mysteries so bright.

4. Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring and lives that death may die.

5. Crown him the Lord of heav’n, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown him the king to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love.
Crown him with many crowns as thrones before him fall;
Crown him, ye kings, with many crowns, for he is king of all.

By Carol Geisler. © 2020 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with Permission.

ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK
Heath & Sara Hadenfeldt April – 12, 2003 (17)

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
Jennifer Hansen – April 12
Lindsey Harders – April 13
Robert Serr – April 13
Brayden Dibbern – April 16
Evan Meyer – April 16
Benjamin Dibbern – April 18

PRAYERS THIS WEEK
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.

THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to the church during this time of difficulty. Please if you would like to donated to the church you may drop off your donation at the Pathway Bank Drive-up Window or by mailing your check to the church.
Our Offerings
3/16/2020 – 4/7/2020 – $11, 910.00

Weekly CalendarSunday, April 12 – Easter Sunday
Ex. 14:10—15:1, Psalm 118:15–29
1 Cor. 15:1–11, John 20:1–18

No worship or Activities at Church – Watch your email for more information regarding Worship and the COVID-19 Virus updates.
Monday April 13
Tuesday April 14
Wednesday April 15
Thursday April 16
Friday April 17
Saturday April 18

Sunday, April 19 – 2nd Sun of Easter
Acts 5:29–42, Psalm 148
1 Peter 1:3–9, John 20:19–31

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 RESCHEDULED June 6
Progressive Ag Day – Cairo NE – June 9
Cairo Cornstalk Festival – June 12
GO BIG GIVE – POSTPONED – July 7
Our 100th Anniversary Celebration – July 10 & 11, 2021

Christ Lutheran Church
Cairo, NE
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

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Good Friday April 10, 2020 Worship

Posted on April 10, 2020 by admin

Dear heavenly Father, tonight the cross is draped in black. As candles are extinguished, the church grows so dark I cannot see the words of the hymn we are to sing. But who needs light to sing, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord”? I know the song by heart even as my heart bows low to whisper it. Last evening you gave me your body and blood. Tonight I give thanks to you for giving me your life. Amen.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4

Attached you will find the worship folder for Good Friday and if you click the link you will be able to view the service with Pastor Wright. https://youtu.be/4QxtJDk5iw8

Good Friday: My God, Why?

Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying … “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

Invocation and Litany

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
C Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
P O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest …
C A company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—
P I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me;
C They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
P But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
C O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

Hymn – Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted LSB #451 (v.1,3,4)

1. Stricken, smitten and afflicted, see him dying on the tree!
’Tis the Christ, by man rejected; yes, my soul, ‘tis he, ‘tis he!
’Tis the long-expected Prophet, David’s Son, yet David’s Lord;
Proofs I see sufficient of it: ’Tis the true and faithful Word.

3. Ye who think of sin but lightly nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed, see who bears the awful load:
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s anointed, Son of Man and Son of God.

4. Here we have a firm foundation, here the refuge of the lost:
Christ, the Rock of our salvation, is the name of which we boast;
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded who on him their hope have built.

Confession and Absolution

P Let us confess our sins to God and ask his forgiveness for the sake of Jesus our Savior.
C Almighty God, we daily sin against you in our thoughts, words and actions. We turn away from your Word to listen to the temptations of the world around us. We seek to do our own will instead of your will. We do not love others as our Lord commanded us and we do not follow him as we should. Have mercy on us and forgive us.
P God has had mercy on us. He sent his Son to be our Savior. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of sac-rifice, carried our sins in his own body to the tree of the cross. There he suffered the penalty of death that we deserved. He rose from death to grant us forgiveness and life in his name. I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
C In Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, we have forgiveness and life!

Prayer of the Day

P Almighty God, you sent your Son to be our Savior. Jesus, who was innocent of all sin, car-ried our sins to the cross, where they were washed away in his blood. When soldiers and onlookers mocked and reviled him, he did not answer in kind. He entrusted himself into your hands. Help us to be faithful at all times to your Word and your will for us. If we suffer for the sake of Jesus’ name, if we are mocked because we believe in him, keep our faith strong and help us to respond in love and share with others the good news of salvation. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord. Amen.

Hymn – Glory Be to Jesus LSB #433 (v.1,2,4)

1. Glory be to Jesus, who in bitter pains
Poured for me the lifeblood from his sacred veins!

2. Grace and life eternal in that blood I find;
Blest be his compassion, infinitely kind!

4. Abel’s blood for vengeance pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus for our pardon cries.

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all … Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Meditation

In one of the ceremonies commanded in the Old Testament for the Day of Atonement, the high priest was to lay his hands on the head of a goat and confess over it the sins of the people. Then the goat was led out to a desolate area far from the Israelite camp, carrying the sins of the people out into the wilderness. The prophet Isaiah said that the Lord’s Suffering Servant, the promised Messiah, would be that “scapegoat.” The Messiah would be the perfect lamb of sacrifice and on his head the Lord himself would lay “the iniquity of us all.” Then that silent, suffering lamb would be led outside of the city and slaughtered on a cross-shaped altar, not for any sin of his own, but for our sin. But in his anguish, because he poured out his soul to death, the innocent lamb would “see and be satisfied.” He would finish the work that he had come to do, and he would be satisfied with the result of his saving work. Because of his suffering and death, we are righteous—without guilt, without shame, without fault—in the sight of God. All of this was accomplished in Jesus Christ our Savior, who “was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Amen.

Hymn – Upon the Cross Extended LSB #453 (v.1)

1. Upon the cross extended
See, world, your Lord suspended.
Your Savior yields his breath.
The Prince of Life from heaven
Himself has freely given
To shame and blows and bitter death.

Epistle Reading – 1 Peter 2:21-25

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Meditation

You are probably all too familiar with the angry arguments on social media; maybe you even join in now and then in a few of those heated exchanges. People challenge and mock and ridicule those whose opinions and beliefs are different than their own. They will often say in print what they would not dare to say to someone face to face. Yet as Jesus hung helpless on the cross, the soldiers, the priests and other religious leaders, and even the criminals crucified beside him, taunted and ridi-culed him to his face. They challenged him to prove he was the Messiah by coming down from the cross. If he had saved so many others, why didn’t he save himself? They mocked his trust in his heavenly Father, saying, “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him” (Matthew 27:43). Yet Jesus did not join in; he did not return their insults and ridicule. He did not revile those who reviled him or threaten those who had nailed him to that awful tree. What did he do instead? He prayed that they would be forgiven. He bore their sins—and yours and mine—in his own body on that cross. Jesus was mocked for trusting God, but he continued to do so, even during those dread-ful hours. He entrusted himself to his heavenly Father. His Father had sent him on a mission to achieve our salvation, and Jesus completed that mission. He finished the work he came to do, and by his wounds we are healed. Amen.

Hymn – Upon the Cross Extended LSB #453 (v.3&5)

3. Who is it, Lord, that bruised you?
Who has so sore abused you
And caused you all your woe?
We all must make confession
Of sin and dire transgression
While you no ways of evil know.

5. Your soul in griefs unbounded,
Your head with thorns surrounded,
You died to ransom me.
The cross for me enduring,
The crown for me securing,
You healed my wounds and set me free.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 27:32-54

As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered [Jesus] wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had cruci-fied him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the tem-ple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrec-tion they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Meditation

One of Jesus’ own disciples betrayed him and handed him over to the priests and other religious rulers who had plotted his death. When the Savior was arrested, the rest of the disciples deserted him and fled the scene. The leader of the disciples, Peter, swore that he never even knew Jesus. The Jewish ruling council, in an unjust trial, condemned their own Messiah to death. As the disciple John would later write, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). And now, hanging as a beaten, suffering victim on the cross, Jesus cries out in the words of a psalm, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” His heavenly Father abandoned his Son to the pain and suffering of the cross. He left him hanging there, he let him die, because that is the purpose for which Jesus had come. For our sake, God made Jesus “to be sin, who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). On Jesus were laid all the sins of world, from the sins of Adam and Eve to the sins that will be committed on the last day of this world’s history, all of your sins and my sins, all of the guilt and shame. For those sins Jesus was judged and condemned and suffered the penalty of death that we earned. The Father turned his face away from his sin-burdened Son. We know our heavenly Father will never turn his face away from us because on the third day after Jesus’ death, the Father’s face was turned once more to his Son as he raised him up from death. When Jesus died, the heavy curtain that hid the holiest place of the temple—the place of God’s presence—was torn in two. A new, eternal curtain now hangs in its place, a curtain that is the flesh of the crucified and risen Son of God (Hebrews 10:20). Whatever your fear or guilt or grief, through Jesus Christ you have immediate access to the throne room of heaven. You have the blessing of God the Father, whose face is turned to you in love and mercy, now and for all eternity: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Amen.

Hymn – Upon the Cross Extended LSB #453 (v.6)

6. Your cords of love, my Savior,
Bind me to you forever,
I am no longer mine.
To you I gladly tender
All that my life can render
And all I have to you resign.

Offering (Thank You to everyone who has donated to the church during this time, please remember you may donate at Pathway Bank Drive-Thru window or mailing your donations to the church.)

Litany

P You who fear the Lord, praise him!
C All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Is-rael!
P For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,
C And he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him …
P All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the na-tion shall worship before you.
C For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations …
P Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
C They shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

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.

Closing Hymn – O Perfect Life of Love LSB #452 (v.1&2,4&5)

1. O perfect life of love!
All, all, is finished now,
All that he left his throne above
To do for us below.

2. No work is left undone
Of all the Father willed;
His toil, his sorrows, one by one,
The Scriptures have fulfilled.

4. And on his thorn-crowned head
And on his sinless soul
Our sins in all their guilt were laid
That he might make us whole.

5. In perfect love he dies;
For me he dies, for me.
O all-atoning Sacrifice,
I cling by faith to thee.

Benediction
P He was pierced for our transgressions;
C He was crushed for our iniquities;
P Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
C And with his wounds we are healed.
P Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
C Amen.

Strepitus – (The Bible is closed loudly, reminding us of the sealing of the tomb.)

Congregation leaves in Silence.

By Carol Geisler. © 2020 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with Permission.

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Maundy Thursday 4-9-2020 Worship

Posted on April 9, 2020 by admin

Please click the link to view Maundy Thursday worship with Pastor Wright. https://youtu.be/XOPd3CAa7ME

Maundy Thursday: Poured Out

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

Opening Hymn Go to Dark Gethsemane LSB #436

Go to dark Gethsemane, all who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see, watch with him one bitter hour;
Turn not from his griefs away; learn from Jesus Christ to pray.
Follow to the judgment hall, view the Lord of life arraigned;
Oh, the wormwood and the gall! Oh, the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suff’ring, shame or loss, learn from him to bear the cross.
Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb; there, adoring at his feet,
Mark that miracle of time, God’s own sacrifice complete.
“It is finished!” hear him cry; learn from Jesus Christ to die.
Early hasten to the tomb where they laid his breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom. Who has taken him away?
Christ is ris’n! He meets our eyes. Savior, teach us so to rise.

Invocation and Litany

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
C I suffered distress and anguish.
P Then I called on the name of the Lord:
C “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”
P Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
C Our God is merciful.
P The Lord preserves the simple;
C When I was brought low, he saved me …
P What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?
C I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Confession and Absolution

P Let us confess our sins to God and ask his forgiveness for the sake of Jesus our Lord.
C Almighty God, we have sinned against you in our thoughts, words and actions. We do not always walk in your ways and we do not love others as we should. We turn away from listening to your Word to listen the tempting voices of the world around us. We follow our own selfish desires instead of following your will. Have mercy on us and forgive us for Jesus’ sake.
P God has had mercy on us. He sent his Son to be our Savior. Jesus suffered and died for us, pouring out his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He rose from death on the third day to give us eternal life. I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
C What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Prayer of the Day

P Lord Jesus, on the night you were betrayed, you prayed that the cup of suffering might pass from you. But you said in prayer to your Father, “Your will be done.” You obeyed your Fa-ther’s will for the sake of our salvation. On that same night, you offered to your disciples and to us your body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. Then you allowed yourself to be betrayed into the hands of your enemies. You were unfairly tried and con-demned to death for the sake of our salvation. As we share your holy gift or your body and blood, in communion with you, with one another and with all the saints, we proclaim your redeeming death until you return in glory. King of kings and Lord of lords, hear our prayer and receive our praise. Amen.

Hymn Lamb of God, Pure and Holy LSB #434 (v.1&2)

Lamb of God, pure and holy, who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly, thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins thou borest for us, else had despair reigned o’er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
Lamb of God, pure and holy, who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly, thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins thou borest for us, else had despair reigned o’er us:
Thy peace be with us, O Jesus! O Jesus!

Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fa-thers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Is-rael after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, de-clares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Epistle Reading1 Corinthians 11:23-26

For I received from the Lord what I also deliv-ered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as of-ten as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Gospel Reading Matthew 26:26-30, 36-39

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the for-giveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives … Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Pe-ter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Sermon Hymn Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray LSB #623 (v. 1-3)

Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly pray
That we may feast on you today;
Beneath these forms of bread and wine
Enrich us with your grace divine.
Give us, who share this wondrous good,
Your body broken and your blood,
The grateful peace of sins forgiv’n,
The certain joys of heirs of heav’n.
By faith your Word has made us bold
To seize the gift of love retold;
All that you are we here receive,
And all we are to you we give.

Sermon Poured Out

P “Why is this night different from all other nights?” According to Jewish tradition, that is the question asked by the youngest child during the celebration of the Passover meal. It was a different night, a night that celebrated the way God saved the people of Israel and set them free from slavery in Egypt. God sent terrible plagues against the land of Egypt, but Pharaoh stubbornly refused to free his Israelite slaves. But the time had finally come. On that night, God would pass judgment on Egypt and set his people free. On that night God would strike the firstborn of Egypt dead, from the firstborn in Pharaoh’s palace to the firstborn of the cattle in the fields. On that night, God said, he would set his people free from slavery. Each Israelite family was to kill a lamb for their meal. They were to eat unleavened bread, because they would be leaving in a hurry and would not have time to let leav-ened bread rise. Each Israelite household was to take the lamb’s blood and paint it on the doorposts and lintel of their home. When God passed through Egypt to strike the Egyptian firstborn, he would see the blood on the Israelite homes and “pass over” those homes, sparing the firstborn of Israel.
Over and over again, from that night onward, God would identify himself as the God who saved his people and set them free: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” It is the way he identified himself when he established a covenant, an agreement, with the people he saved. He reminded them that he had delivered them from the Egyp-tians and he called them now to be his holy people: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:4-6). God’s people were to observe the Passover every year, to remember and celebrate the God who had set them free. And so Jesus and his disciples, on Thursday of Holy Week, gath-ered in an upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the ancient Passover festival.
Why was that night different from all other nights? On that night, and during the remaining days of that Holy Week, the meaning and promise of the Passover would be fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, had also been called out of Egypt, where he had fled with his mother Mary and with Joseph to escape death at the hands of King Herod. But now his hour had come. It was time for the Son to die. This was the purpose for which he had come, and every Passover celebration had pointed ahead to this night in Jerusalem and to this single Lamb of sacrifice. Jesus gave bread to his disciples and said, “This is my body, which is for you.” He gave them the cup of wine and said, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the for-giveness of sins.” On the next day, the day we call Good Friday, the final and true Passover lamb, the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God, would die on the cross, his body given and his blood shed “to take away the sin of the world.”
In Jesus, God established a new covenant, not like the covenant he made with Israel, the covenant broken through rebellion and idolatry. This new covenant will never be broken because God himself has fulfilled it. It is a covenant of grace and forgiveness signed and sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ. It is the covenant in which God declares to us: “I will be their God, and they shall be my peo-ple. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Why is this night different from all other nights? On this Thursday of Holy Week we will receive Je-sus’ body and blood in the bread and wine of his holy Supper, we remember and celebrate the new covenant in our Savior’s blood. We eat the bread that is the body of Jesus, the Lamb slain for our sins. We drink from the cup that is his blood, the blood of the covenant, the blood shed on the cross, the blood that washes away our sin. It is a sacrament of remembering and proclaiming and forget-ting. As we eat this bread and drink this cup, we remember and proclaim our Lord’s death until he comes again. And God, for the sake of Jesus our Savior, remembers our sin no more. Amen.

Hymn of Response Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray LSB #623 (v.4&5)

4. One bread, one cup, one body, we
Rejoicing in our unity,
Proclaim your love until you come
To bring your scattered loved ones home.

5. Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly pray:
O keep us steadfast till that day
When each will be your welcomed guest
In heaven’s high and holy feast.

Offering (Thank You to everyone who has donated please remember you may donate at Pathway Bank Drive-Thru window.)

Prayers Each petition ends with the following response:

P Jesus, Lamb of God,
C Have mercy on us.
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P Lord Jesus, in this holy Supper, in the gift of your body and blood, we have forgiveness and life. Through your death and resurrection you have set us free from our slavery to sin and death. Keep us strong in faith and shield us from temptation as we follow you. Jesus, our Passover Lamb,
C Have mercy on us.
P Lord Jesus, during this Holy Week we follow in your footsteps as you take up your cross for the sake of our salvation. Lead us in true repentance and fill our hearts with the peace that only you can give, the peace that comes in knowing that our sins are forgiven, washed away in your blood. Jesus, our Passover Lamb,
C Have mercy on us.
P Lord Jesus, on this day you gave us a new command, to love one another as you loved us. Lead us to opportunities for service so that we might share with others the love, hope and comfort we have through faith in your name. Jesus, our Passover Lamb,
C Have mercy on us.
P Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Benediction

P As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
C You proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
P The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C Amen.

**Lights Dimmed

Stripping of the Alter

Closing Hymn O Jesus, Blessed Lord, to Thee LSB #632

O Jesus, blessed Lord, to thee
My heartfelt thanks forever be,
Who hast so lovingly bestowed
On me thy body and thy blood.

2 Break forth, my soul, for joy and say:
What wealth is come to me this day!
My Savior dwells within my heart:
How blessed am I! How good thou art!

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Palm Sunday – April 5, 2020 Worship & Announcements

Posted on April 4, 2020 by admin

Please click the link below to view the sermon message from Pastor Wright. https://youtu.be/BGh0DN6XatY

Palm Sunday: The King Who Comes – April 5, 2020
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Luke 19:38

Processional Hymn – All Glory, Laud, and Honor – LSB #442