April 12, 2020
Live-streamed from Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, NE
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As you prepare to worship, we encourage you to prepare a worship space in your home: make it as Easter-y as you can with flowers, candles, joyful images, whatever you can think of to express resurrection joy, even in the midst of our time of exile.
PRELUDE
RESURRECTION GREETING
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
HYMN: ELW 365, Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
PRAYER
Let us pray. God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
GREETING
The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead to bring everlasting hope, be with you all.
And also with you.
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24
Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now declare, “God’s mercy endures forever.”
The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.
Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
“This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.”
I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
SUNG PSALMODY: W&P 141, This Is the Day
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made;
I will rejoice, I will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made!
I will rejoice and be glad in it!
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made.
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is yourlife is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: ELW 388, Be Not Afraid
Be not afraid, sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid, sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
The gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, 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; there they will see me.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
EASTER MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY: ELW 367, Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
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! He is living!”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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!
Oh, 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!
Adoring praises now we bring
and with the heav’nly blessed 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!
THE NICENE CREED
Let us join in professing our faith together using the words of the Nicene Creed.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God, from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of theHoly Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Please share the peace of Christ with those around you.
GATHERING AND SHARING OF GIFTS
GIFT OF MUSIC: ELW 392, Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph, his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by his blood.”
Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us; faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o’er,
shall our hearts forget his promise: “I am with you evermore”?
Alleluia! Bread of heaven, here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! Here the sinful flee to you from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners, earth’s redeemer hear our plea
where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.
Alleluia! King eternal, Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary, earth your footstool, heav’n your throne.
As within the veil you entered, robed in flesh, our great high priest,
here on earth both priest and victim in the eucharistic feast.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph, his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by his blood.”
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD
Let us pray. Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things: you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being. For your Word of life, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.
By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts: freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you. For your Word of life, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.
Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love. For your Word of life, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.
Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as our Lord has taught us.
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.
HYMN: ELW 364, Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia
Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.
For our redeemer burst from the tomb,
even from death, dispelling its gloom.
Refrain
Let us sing praise to him, with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
For three long days, the grave did its worst
until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo,
and in its conquest his might did show. Refrain
The angel said to them, “Do not fear.
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare.
Only the graveclothes are lying there.” Refrain
“Go spread the news: he’s not in the grave.
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done.
Even the battle with sin is won.” Refrain
Christ has arisen to set us free.
Alleluia, to him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing;
he reigns triumphant, heavenly king. Refrain
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: ELW 376, Thine Is the Glory
Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded graveclothes where thy body lay.
Refrain
Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!
Lo, Jesus meets thee, risen from the tomb!
Lovingly he greets thee, scatters fear and gloom;
let his church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting! Refrain
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conqu’rors, through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. Refrain
DISMISSAL
Go in the joy of Risen Christ!
Thanks Be to God, Alleluia!!
POSTLUDE
Worship Leaders:
Deacon Timothy Siburg (Nebraska Synod staff; Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle)
Pastor Allison Siburg (Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle)
Pastor Shari Schwedhelm (Salem Lutheran & St. Timothy Lutheran, Fremont)
Pastor Heidi Wallace (Bethany Lutheran & First Presbyterian, Lyons)
Pastor Day Hefner (St. John’s Lutheran, Schuyler)
St. John's Lutheran Church 