Easter Sunday 4/9/23
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
EASTER DAY
APRIL 9, 2023
PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
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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
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- 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!
- Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
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- 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!
- Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
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- 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!
- But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
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- 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!
- Sing we to our God above, 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.
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THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Psalm 146
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
Blessèd is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Choir Good Christian Men, Rejoice and Sing Setting: Austin Lovelace
Good Christian men, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Lord of life is risen for aye:
Bring flowers of song to strew his way;
Let all mankind rejoice and say:
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise we in songs of victory
That Love, that Life, which cannot die,
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thy name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid, the life restored:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
SECOND LESSON Acts 10:34-43
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (ESV)
Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL VERSE #525 (Stand) Crown Him with Many Crowns
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.
2 Crown Him the virgin’s Son,
The God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won
Which now His brow adorn:
Fruit of the mystic rose,
Yet of that rose the stem,
The root whence mercy ever flows,
The babe of Bethlehem.
THE EASTER GOSPEL Matthew 28:1-10
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 28th chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord!
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!
GOSPEL VERSE #525 Crown Him with Many Crowns
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.
SERMON
Dear friends in Christ: Today we shout the Easter acclamation with great joy in our hearts. And the reason for our joy is this: Christ Jesus has risen from the dead, and this means life for us as well.
I’ll say more about this life we’ve been given a little later in the sermon. But first let’s do some thinking about another acclamation that crowds of people sometimes shout. This one can be found way back in the Old Testament – in First Samuel chapter ten. There we read: “And Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.’ And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” (1 Sam 10:24 ESV).
This acclamation – “Long live the king!” – has been made at the accession of new kings to the throne at least since the days of Saul, Israel’s first king, and perhaps even earlier.
The verb “live,” we should notice, is in the subjunctive mood, which means that it expresses a wish. Nations wish their kings to live long.
And why do they wish this? Because normally, long-serving kings give the nation a better chance to prosper. The history of kings in this world shows that there’s little worse for a nation than the uncertainty which follows a king’s reign. As the king goes, so goes the nation, right? And when the king dies, the nation is often left in turmoil. We’ve seen this reality play out clearly in this year’s Lenten series on the kings of Judah.
Speaking of those Judean kings, we should note that they get mentioned in the New Testament as well – right at the very beginning. Matthew starts his Gospel with a genealogy of Jesus, which includes Judah’s kings – the good and the bad.
The genealogy is meant to show Jesus’ royal lineage. But it also serves as a reminder that the generations rise and fall and that one king follows another as life and death take their turns. With this reminder Matthew wants us to look beyond our present and see the bigger picture of history.
And this genealogy can then remind us of a related acclamation: “The king is dead. Long live the king!” Nations have been repeating this phrase for many years too. One king might be dead, but another will hopefully, and also most certainly, take his place soon. The phrase reinforces the belief that more important than the life of any particular king is the office of king itself.
The Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament makes this idea very clear. Whenever a king dies, there is a burial story and then an immediate introduction of the next king’s reign. These transition statements all include the same basic elements, including how old the king was when he took the throne and how many years he lived. The idea was that whether the reign was long
or short you could be sure that one king would die and another take his place. “The king is dead. Long live the king!”
Also written at the beginning of each king’s reign was an assessment of that kings’ faithfulness. He either followed or abandoned the ways of his father David. Good kings like Hezekiah or Josiah led the nation in righteousness. But bad kings like Manasseh led the nation into evil. And the blessings or punishments visited on the king inevitably fell on the people too.
With all this emphasis on the importance of the king we might get the idea that kings were part of God’s original plan for his people. But the Bible shows us otherwise. Right before Samuel anointed Israel’s first king, God had quite a conversation with him about the merits of kings. And in that conversation, God definitely came out against a monarchy – explaining its risks and troubles. However, he also relented to the people’s wishes and declared that he would work through the kings instead. Obviously, God didn’t feel a need to control the form of governance men chose for themselves. He would let them decide.
Still, God left plenty of warnings about kings. One of these is written in Psalm 146, which was today’s Old Testament reading. There we hear the words: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish” (vv 3–4).
People continually look to political rulers – king and others – for deliverance. But there is no real salvation in them. Kings and rulers live and die as ordinary people do. And their plans often perish with them. Even the best kings might have their work completely overturned by a successor. That’s certainly what the Biblical record shows.
“The King is dead. Long live the King!” is a cry of hope. But as we see, it’s mostly an empty one.
There is one king in history, however, who breaks this mold. Someone who came from a line of kings but was not born in a palace. In fact, he never lived in a palace or in any great house.
This king was lowly and humble. But he was great, nonetheless. His birth was announced by an angel, who said to his mother: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David” (Lk 1:32). Sure enough, soon thereafter he was hailed as King by Magi who visited from the east.
This king would bring real salvation. As the angel explained to his father: “he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). His name even means salvation. His name is Jesus.
As Jesus began his visible reign, this king was christened as such with the Holy Spirit at his Baptism. We heard Peter explain in our second reading today that “after the baptism that John proclaimed . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:37–38).
Nathanael recognized Jesus as King of Israel early on, saying: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49). And as Jesus went through the land conquering the
kingdom of darkness, preaching the coming kingdom of God and restoring creation, the crowds became excited about the prospect that he would rule their land. Indeed, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (Jn 12:13).
But their desire was based mostly on the power of his miracles, and not his full message. They thought anyone who could feed them and heal them for free would be a great king. His teachings about love, forgiveness and the need for repentance may have touched their hearts for a time, but they couldn’t wrap their heads around a king who was always focused on these things – and especially one who would be arrested, condemned, and sentenced to die.
So instead of a crown of gold, Jesus wore one of thorns. The only purple robe he wore was placed upon him to mock him, and soon stripped off as he was taken away by the soldiers.
At his crucifixion, the inscription of his kingdom was posted on his cross: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Judeans.” Here we see that the day of his coronation was also the day of his death. This seemed to be the shortest reign of any king in Judah’s history.
The king may have been dead. And yet… “Long live the King!” And in this case, not just the office… but the very king himself. This king, Jesus, overcame his death by rising from the grave, and thus became the only King to ever succeed himself.
Interestingly, the Son of Man who had lived without so much as a pillow to call his own had been buried in a rich man’s tomb. Some at least thought he deserved a room with a nice garden view – for what they all assumed would be a long-term stay.
But Jesus left that tomb on the third day. And in this he proved to be the greatest of all kings – one whose reign could not be ended, even by death.
Jesus proved to be different than all the kings before him. And that is because he is the king that God sent us, not that we chose ourselves.
We can see just how different this king is. To begin with, he kept his word more than any of the others before him, and those after him too. He said he would suffer and die and rise on the third day – and that’s exactly what he did. This is the kind of king one can trust.
Further, his plans were accomplished. He left nothing undone. On the cross he said: “it is finished” because his greatest work would soon be completed. That work was paying for the sins of the world, which his death – as a perfect sacrifice – accomplished. Unlike other kings whose plans perished upon their death, Jesus’ plans were accomplished by it.
Also, as his own successor, Jesus didn’t pass along his kingdom to one of his sons. Rather, he himself continues to rule and reign from his heavenly throne as Lord of all. As it is written, “The [Father of glory] seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age
but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:20–23).
This rule and reign is carried out through simple witnesses and servants – those who make up his church and proclaim his kingdom from age to age.
The Son of David, Jesus Christ, is surely an unusual king. He didn’t wage war against neighboring kingdoms. He didn’t build a temple, palace, or city wall. He didn’t effect a booming economy. Instead, his mission was about healing and justice. His mission is summarized in words from today’s psalm: “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”
His victory was greater than that won by any of the kings of Judah because it defeated the last and greatest enemy—death. This victory was won as sins were paid for, thus robbing death of its sting. Jesus’ life of love changed the way his people live; and his sacrificial death changed the way his people die.
In his kingdom is freedom and life. In it there is fullness of joy. And at his right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
This is the life we mentioned at the beginning of the sermon. It is the life we celebrate by virtue of Christ’s joyful resurrection.
And unlike the days of Judah’s kings, Christ’s people are not located in just one place. His are the “saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (1 Cor 1:2).
Peter said it this way: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). The sheep of Jesus’ flock listen to his voice and follow him. And he then leads them into righteousness.
St. John wrote in the book of Revelation: “he is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (Rev 1:5). Because of his rule, the old cycle of anointing a new king and hoping he will be better than the previous is over. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is here, and he will endure.
No longer do we need to live in the subjunctive. In fact, we can change the acclamation from “Long live the king” to “Long lives the King!” No more wishing, desiring, hoping. Put it in the indicative mood. Declare it; say that it’s true! “Long lives the King!” Or as the psalm says: “The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Hallelujah.”
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,” says the Book of Revelation. “And he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15).
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY # 463 Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia
1 Christ the Lord is ris’n today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
Offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!
At the paschal victim’s feet. Alleluia!
2 For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
Sinless in the sinner’s stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia!
Now He lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
3 Hail, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
When contending death and life, Alleluia!
Met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
4 Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!
All your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia!
Now He lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
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
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, our strength and song, You have become our salvation through Christ’s glorious resurrection from the dead! Receive our thanks for this gracious deliverance and help us always to live in its joy. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, in Holy Baptism You have joined us to Christ’s death and resurrection and made us citizens of Your kingdom. Continue to move our hearts to repentance even amidst our joy, that we would set our minds on things above and be directed by Your holy will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, when doubt and fear weigh us down console us with the certainty that Christ is risen from the dead and that He rules over all things for our good – greeting us with life and salvation in His Means of Grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, lead Your people in steadfast love, and guide them in strength to Your holy abode. Sanctify our homes, be our companion throughout our days, and make our households places where Your wisdom and grace are found. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Grant that all in positions of authority among us would govern according to Your will, maintaining order and curbing evil, that we may live in peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Righteous Lord, You have seated Christ at Your right hand for our deliverance. Remember those afflicted with illness and injury, including all on our prayer list and those whom we name in our hearts before you at this time... Give them health and strength according to Your will. And sustain them in the faith that knows that for Jesus’ sake You will raise them in glory on the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, our strength and salvation, You delivered Your people from bondage in Egypt by means of the Passover lamb. As we celebrate Christ, our Passover Lamb, who has been sacrificed and raised from the dead, bless all who partake of His Sacrament. Cleanse them from boasting, malice and evil, and give them repentant hearts to receive Him in sincerity and truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal God, thanks be to You for victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember all who mourn. Comfort them with the promise that You love them with an everlasting love and will raise them and all Your people from the dead; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY #955 Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
1 Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
Unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with Your presence, and give us
A foretaste of the feast to come.
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THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE LSB 160ff
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 HYMN #633 At the Lamb’s High Feast
1 At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
Praise to our victorious King,
Who has washed us in the tide
Flowing from His piercèd side.
Alleluia!
2 Praise we Him, whose love divine
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast—
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.
Alleluia!
3 Where the paschal blood is poured,
Death’s dread angel sheathes the sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Alleluia!
4 Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, paschal bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.
Alleluia!
5 Mighty Victim from the sky,
Hell’s fierce pow’rs beneath You lie;
You have conquered in the fight,
You have brought us life and light.
Alleluia!
6 Now no more can death appall,
Now no more the grave enthrall;
You have opened paradise,
And Your saints in You shall rise.
Alleluia!
7 Easter triumph, Easter joy!
This alone can sin destroy;
From sin’s pow’r, Lord, set us free,
Newborn souls in You to be.
Alleluia!
8 Father, who the crown shall give,
Savior, by whose death we live,
Spirit, guide through all our days:
Three in One, Your name we praise.
Alleluia!
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 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing Setting: Paul Manz
Those serving:
Sunday, April 9, 8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Steve Berg
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Dede Dixon
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Aaron Siebrass
Comm. assist: Jill Hecht
Reader: Aaron Siebrass
Acolyte: Noah Starck
8:00 & 10:30 Trumpet: Amelia Jansen
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 © 2023 Concordia Publishing House.
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Text: 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
Crown Him with Many Crowns Text (sts. 1-3, 5): Matthew Bridges, 1800–94, alt.; (st. 4): Godfrey Thring, 1823–1903 Tune: George J. Elvey, 1816–93 Tune: Public domain
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia Text: attr. Wipo of Burgundy, d. c. 1050; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1809–81, alt. Tune: Robert Williams, c. 1781–1821 Text & Tune: Public domain
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful Text: John W. Arthur, 1922–80 Tune: Richard W. Hillert, 1923–2010 Text & Tune: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing Text: Latin, c. 5th–10th cent.; tr. Robert Campbell, 1814–68, alt. Tune: Kirchengeseng, 1566, Ivancice Text and 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
