Easter Sunday 4/17/22
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
EASTER DAY
APRIL 17, 2022
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE 1. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia Setting: Alfred V. Fedak
2. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Setting: Walter L Pelz
INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)
The stone that the builders rejected
Has become the cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22)
I shall not die, but I shall live;
And recount the deeds of the Lord. (Psalm 118:17)
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Let us pray. Almighty God, merciful Father, in Holy Baptism you declared us to be your children and gathered us into your one, holy church, in which you daily and richly forgive us our sins and grant us new life through your Spirit. Be in our midst, enliven our faith, and graciously receive our prayer and praise; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
EASTER PROCLAMATION
The angel said: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
“He is not here. He has risen.”
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
ENTRANCE HYMN #457 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 ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
KYRIE p. 152
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
THIS IS THE FEAST p. 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Almighty God the Father,
through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 65:17-25
“Behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy,
and her people to be a gladness.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping
and the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the young man shall die a hundred years old,
and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain
or bear children for calamity,
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord,
and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Choir Make Songs of Joy Setting: Carl Schalk
(Choir sts. 1-5; Congregation st. 6)
1 Make songs of joy to Christ, our head;
Alleluia!
He lives again who once was dead!
Alleluia!
2 Our life was purchased by His loss;
Alleluia!
He died our death upon the cross.
Alleluia!
3 O death, where is your deadly sting?
Alleluia!
Assumed by our triumphant King!
Alleluia!
4 And where your victory, O grave,
Alleluia!
When one like Christ has come to save?
Alleluia!
5 Behold, the tyrants, one and all,
Alleluia!
Before our mighty Savior fall!
Alleluia!
6 For this be praised the Son who rose,
Alleluia!
The Father, and the Holy Ghost!
Alleluia!
SECOND LESSON 1 Corinthians 15:19–26
If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
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 Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
ALLELUIA VERSE p. 156
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
THE EASTER GOSPEL Luke 24:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 24th chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord!
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
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 clothing 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.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ!
SERMON
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
The disciples didn’t believe it. They had heard the report from the women, but it seemed like an idle tale –just foolish talk and nonsense. Perhaps the women had gone to the wrong tomb. Perhaps they heard a couple of guys in the cemetery babbling strange things. Or perhaps someone came and robbed Jesus’ grave – hiding his body in the corner or taking it away to sow a little confusion. People robbed graves all the time. And a couple of soldiers could easily be tricked. Or bribed.
The disciples didn’t believe it. Was it because the message came from women? Probably not. The women were a trusted part of their community. The women had represented them at the cross when it wasn’t safe for the men to be there. The women knew about the burial. If anyone had inside information, it was them.
The disciples didn’t believe the report because people don’t rise from the dead. They die, and that’s that.
Then again, Jesus had raised people from the dead. Three of them. There was Jairus’ daughter. And the widow’s son. And Lazarus, just a short time ago.
But who would raise Jesus from the dead? He couldn’t raise himself, could he? And those people he had raised – were they really dead? Or had their families just thought so?
Jesus had, of course, spoken about the resurrection during his ministry. The Sadducees, who don’t believe in it, had once questioned him on it. And Jesus had affirmed it.
Jesus had spoken of his own resurrection too. He told his disciples he would die and then three days later rise from the dead. That could have just been symbolic talk – his message living on, etc. But maybe it was quite literal.
Looking back, it does seem that Jesus had given plenty of clues. And because of this, you would think the disciples would be much more open to the message of Jesus’ resurrection.
But in the moment, hearing the women’s message, it’s as if they froze and could only think about the usual and the normal. Perhaps it was because of their shock over his inglorious death. Perhaps it was because of their grief. People can get overwhelmed by grief. Death has a power that is frightening – it can seem like a dark abyss from which there is no escape.
Whatever the case, the disciples did not believe. At least at first.
But Peter then ran to the tomb – perhaps just having to verify it for himself.
And when he got to the tomb, not only was the body of Jesus not there, but the grave clothes still were. That was strange. Robbers would have taken them. The linen cloth had been given by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Council and probably a man of means. It no doubt had value.
At this point Peter returns home. But now he was marveling at what had happened. Was his marveling an expression of belief? Or just confusion?
Perhaps Peter hadn’t thought about life after death before. He was still fairly young, and he had plenty of other things in life to worry about.
Or, if he had thought about it, perhaps he had just decided to wait and see. After all, questions about life after death had always existed. And there were multiple proposals for what comes next.
Besides, Peter was following Jesus for what he was doing in the present – here and now. Jesus healed people. He brought them together and taught them. Jesus did things amazing things that others couldn’t.
It seems that Peter was following Jesus without much thought about the resurrection. Such seems to be the case even today for some people.
But if that was the case with Peter, it soon changed. It changed after Peter saw Jesus himself, risen from the dead. And it changed after Jesus left the disciples by ascending into heaven and giving his promise to return. Jesus had risen from the dead, and that changed everything.
We see this new focus of Peter’s when he wrote his first epistle, for he began by saying: “Blessed 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” (1:3). Peter now understood the centrality of the resurrection and the hope it gives.
Paul was another who caught the importance of the resurrection. In fact, he devoted a whole chapter to it in his first letter to the Corinthians. Today we read a section of it, and that section began with these words: “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (15:19-20). Paul knew that the resurrection changed everything.
And about these words of Paul, he is not saying that we shouldn’t be concerned about this life. He’s not saying that heaven is the only thing that matters. He knows the importance of this life too.
But he is saying that we shouldn’t be so concerned about this life that we forget the life to come. We are to be concerned about both. And to give thanks for both.
One way to think about this is to remember that Jesus has come to make this life better and to take us to a better life next. He makes this life better through his teaching, his motivation and his guiding presence with us. And he makes our entry into the next life possible through his death on the cross – on which he paid the price for our sin.
About that better life here, however, there’s something we should know… something that Easter helps us understand.
Think about it this way…
A few months ago I got an email from my bank. The subject line on the email said: “Easter is just around the corner.” I was kind of excited when I read that. Yes, I appreciated the reminder – although of course Easter was already on my radar. But even more, I was excited that my bank had it on its radar. Wow! Good for them. Even if they weren’t taking any particular stand and were just highlighting rabbits and eggs, at least they mentioned it. Very cool. And they’re doing it so early!
I then opened the email to get further information. The headline said: “Excited for Easter?” I thought, yes. And how cool that they think so too. This is really something.
I read on and quickly saw that they were promoting their new App. Hmm. Was there something on their App that will promote Easter, I wondered? Was it just on their calendar, or were they arranging for some kind of Easter offering? That would be nice. Surprising, but nice.
Finally, after reading a little more, I circled back to that original headline and realized: oh, it says “Excited for Easier” not Easter. I had misread it. The “i” looked like a “t”. And my pastor brain filled in the detail that it obviously wanted to see.
The subject line in my browser actually said: “Easier is just around the corner.” Easier was the hook, not Easter. So much for my excitement.
But then I thought. Well, at least I’ve gotten a sermon illustration out of this. Because beyond being a funny story, it really highlights two contrasting ways that hope is offered.
People tend to offer hope to others by helping to make their life easier. They’ll give us an App that will make our banking easier. They’ll sell us a car that will make our parallel parking or our child transporting easier. They’ll offer a service or a product that will make our life easier by eliminating some kind of work.
And that’s fine. A little help and some better efficiency can make a difference.
But only God can offer the best kinds of hope. God offers the hope of both a better life here and in the age to come. His hope is not just a little help. His hope makes all the difference.
That being said, we must understand: God’s hope is not necessarily about making life easier.
Oh, in some ways it is. Jesus said: “Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Jesus certainly lightens our load in life through the wisdom he imparts and through the way he brings people together. God’s people shoulder each other’s burdens – offering love, encouragement and more – and life is easier because of this.
But Jesus’ yoke is still that… a yoke, which is an instrument of work. God calls us to work in his kingdom, not just live a life of ease. We shoulder burdens, we don’t run from them.
God is all about a better life, not an easier one. And God’s version of better takes account of everyone, not just our own individual needs and desires.
The better life Jesus gives is still hard in many ways… so hard that we sometimes wonder if there’s been improvement at all. As we can plainly see… people still hurt each other, life is still filled with pain, and justice is still far from perfect.
But Easter gives us hope. Easter tells us that death does not win, that pain and suffering will end someday, and that there are better days ahead.
Easter highlights the hope of God’s healing. And Easter punctuates the presence of God’s power.
Easter tells us of the resurrection – Christ’s resurrection and ours. Our spirits are raised as we know of this promise here and now; and our bodies will be raised after death when Christ returns.
Let us then not be frozen in doubt by the usual and the normal. And let us not be distracted by the quest for easier. Let us remember, instead, God’s power to raise us from the dead. Let us see this in Jesus. Let us run to him daily in faith. Let us follow him through good days and through bad.
Christ Jesus is risen from the dead, and that makes all the difference. Today, and every day.
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia.
Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY # 475 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing
1 Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 The Lord of life is ris’n this day;
Bring flow’rs of song to strew His way;
Let all the world rejoice and say:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 Praise we in songs of victory
That love, that life which cannot die,
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life ✠ of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING (Be seated)
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
The response to each petition will be:
Let us pray to the Lord
Lord have mercy
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary …evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
THE COMMUNION (Be seated)
The Communion Assistant will come forward to receive first, then those from the pulpit side – by order of pew, front to back. Communicants will come up the center aisle and return via the side aisle. When all from the pulpit side have communed, the baptismal font side will commune in the same manner. We ask that the wine be consumed away from the tray table. Empty cups should be dropped into the receptacles.
DISTRIBUTION MUSIC
1. Christ Is Arisen Setting: Timothy Shaw 2. Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands Setting: Paul Soulek
PRAYER (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #465 Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
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!
DISMISSAL
P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds Setting: Mark Seido
Those serving:
Sunday, April 17, 8:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Steve Janssen
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Norm Williams
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Marian Robinson
Comm. assist: Jill Hecht
Reader: Lynn Jacquez
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
7426 IDYLWOOD ROAD
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22043
A member congregation of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
CHURCH STAFF
The Rev. Mark Shaltanis, Pastor
The Rev. Xinhong “Chris” Yang, Associate and Chinese Pastor
The. Rev. Wayne Lehrer, Pastor Emeritus
Kantor Aaron Jansen, Director of Music Jill Cha, Preschool Director
Tawni Harrell, Director of Youth John Bean, Business Manager
Linda Fekete, Parish Secretaries Richard Irwin, Custodian
CONTACT US
Web site: www.stpaulsfallschurch.org
Office email: Secretary@stpaulsfallschurch.org
Business Manager email: stpaulstaff@yahoo.com
Pastor’s email: pastormark@stpaulsfallschurch.org
Safety Ministry: stpaulsafety@gmail.com
Office phone: 703-573-0295
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 © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.
Jesus Christ Is Risen TodayText: tr. Lyra Davidica, 1708, London, alt.; (sts. 1–3): Latin, 14th cent.; (st. 4): Charles Wesley, 1707–88 Tune: Lyra Davidica, 1708, London Text & Tune: Public domain
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing Text: Cyril A. Alington, 1872–1955, alt. Text: © 1958, renewed 1986 Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd., admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Melchior Vulpius, c. 1570–1615 Tune: Public domain
Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds Text: Paul Z. Strodach, 1876–1947, alt.
Tune: Geistliche Kirchengesäng, 1623, Köln Text: © 1958 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
Make Songs of Joy Text: Juraj Tranovský, 1591–1637; tr. Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008 Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326