Easter Sunday Worship April 12, 2020
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
EASTER DAY
April 12, 2020
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
DIVINE SERVICE ONE
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WELCOME
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
PRELUDE Christ ist erstanden (Christ Is Arisen) Setting: Hermann Schroeder
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!
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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
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.
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 + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE
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 Acts 10:34-43
So 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.” (ESV)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 16
Preserve me, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
As for the saints in the land,
they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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.
SECOND LESSON Colossians 3:1-4
If then 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 your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (ESV)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL VERSE The Strife is O’er, The Battle Done
Refrain
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!
2 The pow’rs of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!
3 The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!
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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.” (ESV)
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
GOSPEL VERSE The Strife is O’er, The Battle Done
Refrain
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell.
Alleluia!
5 Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee.
Alleluia!
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:
When Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea took his body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw this, for they were there, sitting opposite the tomb (Mt. 27:59-61).
On the third day after this, the morning after the Sabbath, the women went back to the tomb. They had bought spices to anoint the body, as we are told by St. Mark. Mark also records their conversation. They said to one another: “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
Here’s what I want to know: why did they go there without a plan for what to do about the stone? Had they forgotten about it? Maybe they just decided they would figure it out somehow, or that God would provide. Maybe they had faith. Or, maybe they were prepared to turn back and go home but just had to go through the motions of going to the tomb… because they believed it might help them with their grief… and if nothing else it would get them out of the house.
Which leads me to ask… What about us? Do we have a plan? What about you?
A lot of the talk in our country right now is about planning. Specifically, people are concerned about our plans for dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic. We wonder if our leaders have the right plan for our nation. We wonder if our government should be doing more or doing less. We wonder if the plans set before us will save lives or save the economy. We wonder if the plans will help all of us or just some of us. And we hear lots of criticizing of just about any plan put out there.
And then there’s our own personal plans. Are we being sufficiently safe? Are we being too safe? Are we adequately adapting our work? Are we adequately educating our children? Are we keeping up our social contacts? Are we sufficiently caring for our families?
Sometimes we look at our plans and they don’t seem very good. Sometimes we wonder if we should even bother with a plan.
The women who had stood by Jesus’ side, and mourned his death, had what we might call a partial plan. Their plan was to go to the tomb and bring spices. Beyond that, they would just have to figure it out.
Sound familiar?
Things worked out very well for the women. Of all things, an angel came from heaven and rolled away the stone, causing an earthquake. A “great earthquake,” we’re told. By the way, this was the second earthquake in three days, for on the day Jesus died the earth shook as well.
Have you ever wondered what kind of damage those earthquakes did?
Matthew tells us at least one effect of that first quake. Do you remember it? We read about it on Friday.
“And behold… 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 resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Mt. 27:51-53).
Now that’s quite an effect! It’s the kind of effect that doesn’t just come from an earthquake… it comes from God. God raised those saints from the grave—to show the effect that Jesus’ death has for saints.
God used those earthquakes.
What kind of blessings can God bring amidst other world-shaking events?
At the church, we encourage people to think about this in very personal terms. What kind of blessing might God be giving me at this time? What kind of insight might God want me to have? What kind of tomb-opening might God be willing to do in my life?
Some people have noted that in this year known to us as the year 2020, God might be calling us to have better vision. And not just a little better vision, but clear and effective vision – like 20/20.
This vision would enable us to see what God is doing among and within us and celebrate, support and encourage this work.
This vision would give us insight into new ways we could carry out our mission as God’s people.
This vision would allow us to see God’s care in difficult times and permit us to understand our difficult times in light of His promises.
And, this vision would enable us to see those things that are truly threatening to our soul and differentiate them from those that only threaten our body.
As we all shelter in place during this time of a dangerous pandemic (which we need to be doing by the way), there are other dangers we are experiencing beyond just the virus. You may have heard that during this time there has been an increase in cases of domestic violence. People get angry with one another, especially as pressure rises. And greater isolation can also lead to boredom and loneliness and depression – all of which can lead to greater use of alcohol and drugs… and sometimes even suicide.
It occurred to me that in the situation we now find ourselves, our homes might sometimes seem like a tomb. Or a prison.
This reality, of feeling the way we do, should remind us that the real tomb and prison we face is not simply the limitations on our freedom we need to endure, but rather the captivity we all face daily because of our sin. This is the captivity which cannot tolerate the frustrations of shared space and sheltering demands and added pressure. This is the captivity which causes us to “lose it” and lash out in anger. This is the captivity which pushes us to focus on our own personal survival and ignore the needs of others.
This captivity is known to us as our sinful nature – the one which causes acts of sin in word and deed. This is the prison into which all of us are born. It is the tomb from which we cannot free ourselves.
But today, on Easter Sunday, we remember that Christ has power over tombs and prisons. Power over sin too. Because he rose from the dead.
Last night at the Easter Vigil we sang the ancient hymn: “Christ is arisen, from the grave’s dark prison.” No prison could hold Jesus. Not even the grave. He rose from it in victory.
And this victory of his he shares with us. We rejoiced in this sharing as we sang the words – right before this sermon – “He broke the age-bound chains of hell.” When we are in Christ, the prison of the grave cannot hold us either.
St. Paul in our second reading explained it this way: “if you have been raised with Christ” – meaning become joined to him in faith – then “you have died” – meaning the consequences of your sin have ended. And because of this, “your life is [now safely] hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).
Jesus explained all this in terms of freedom. He said: “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
And St. Luke tells us that Jesus is the one sent to “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Is. 61:1, Luke 4:18).
Christ Jesus has freed us from the strong bands of sin and death.
Now he tells us not to be afraid.
Did you notice all the references to fear in the resurrection text? First, the angel tells the women not to be afraid. We can understand this. It’s not every day you see an angel… especially one who can cause the earth to quake and soldiers to tremble. We get why the message was needed here.
Then, after hearing that Jesus had risen from the dead, the women “departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy.” Interesting. They still had fear, but this time also with joy. This combination always strikes me. And comforts me. The women went forward with two seemingly conflicting emotions – just as we often do. And God understands.
Finally, the women get to see Jesus himself. He is alive! He says to them “Greetings” – which in the original language is more like “rejoice!” They take hold of his feet and worship him. Yet still Jesus feels the need to tell them: “Do not be afraid.” Because he knows that they will be.
And we will be too. Even with all that God has done for us.
We fear things like new viruses. And new situations.
We fear things that are not new… ones that nag on us throughout the years… like being rejected by ones we love, or not being able to care for them as we’d like.
We fear failure. We fear insignificance. We fear pain.
We fear death.
But Jesus says to us, “do not be afraid.”
And he can say this – because he has dealt with the things that cause our fear.
He has forgiven our sin. He has defeated death. He has risen from the dead—living among and within us.
And he gives us directions too.
To the women he said: “go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
To us he says things like: “take and eat; take and drink; do this in remembrance of me.” And “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them” (Mt. 18:20).
The risen Lord, Jesus Christ, is with you as you gather with the saints. Whether this is done in a house of prayer built with brick and stone, or a house of prayer built with wires and routers, the gathering of God’s people is a way for us to be with Jesus, our Lord. It is a way in which he comes to bless us.
Do not be afraid. The Lord has plans for you, and his plans are good (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
Even more, the Lord’s plans for your salvation have already been accomplished. They are finished. Your sin has been paid for. As a believer in Christ, you rest secure in his love.
Happy Easter to each of you.
Let us go forward, together, in peace and joy. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY # 469 Christ the Lord is Risen Today
- “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.
- Love’s redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won;
Lo! Our Sun’s eclipse is o’er;
Lo! He sets in blood no more.
- Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ hath burst the gates of hell.
Death in vain forbids His rise;
Christ has opened paradise.
- Lives again our glorious King!
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once He died our souls to save;
Where thy victory, O grave?
- Soar we now where Christ has led;
Foll’wing our exalted Head.
Made like Him, like Him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.
- Hail the Lord of earth and heav’n!
Praise to Thee by both be giv’n!
Thee we greet triumphant now:
Hail, the resurrection, Thou!
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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 the Holy 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
OFFERING Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Setting: Frank Ferko
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord and sharing in His peace, let us pray to the Lord for our neighbors in need and for God’s people in all the world:
Brief silence
O risen Savior, as we rejoice in Your resurrection from the dead, give us courage to speak in every language and in every place the good news of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Living Savior, help us to burn with the fire of Your love, that we may love You above all things and love our neighbors as ourselves. Deliver us from fear and relieve our anxiety that we may live in the hope planted within us by Holy Baptism. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of the Church, anoint those who preach Your Gospel, and open our ears to hear the glad news that death is swallowed up in Your victory. Raise up many to serve You in the various servant vocations of Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Savior of the nations, bless Donald, our president; Ralph, our governor; our Congress and all state and local officials. Guide them and bless their labors for the health and welfare of the nations. Protect and keep those who serve in our armed forces, and in the police, fire, emergency and medical vocations. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Great Physician, hear us for all who cry to You in any need, especially the sick, the suffering, the disabled, the wounded in spirit and the dying [especially _____________]. Give them grace according to all their need. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Giver of All things, accept the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving from our lips and the tithes and offerings we bring to You. Increase our delight in Your mercy, gratitude for all Your benefits, and eagerness to support all missions of mercy, both in and beside Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O risen Savior, we hunger and thirst for Your Bread of life. Give comfort and hope to those who long for Your Supper. Strengthen us in faith and equip us to love one another as You love us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give You thanks, O Lord, for all those who have gone before us in the faith, especially those, who like Mother Theresa, have given their lives caring for the sick. Keep us in faith, and embolden us by Your resurrection to be fearless in the face of disease, chaos, loneliness and every sorrow of this world.
Give us, with Job, the hope that because our Redeemer lives, we, too, shall be resurrected and glorified to live with Him in His eternal Kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our risen Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
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THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
At this time, we will continue with the communion liturgy. You are no doubt aware that we have currently suspended the public sharing of communion during the time of the Covid 19 pandemic. We’ve done this as a measure of safety for ourselves and our community, and to be an example of safe practice. We are giving up something we love for the sake of Christ’s command to love our neighbor. And we are doing this together, waiting until that joyful day we can gather once again. But on this Easter Sunday, as we rejoice with great joy that our Lord lives, we also want you to hear and see the liturgy of communion as a remembrance of his living presence among and within us.
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 that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God. And most especially are we bound to praise You on this day for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us and bore the sins of the world. By His dying He has destroyed death, and by His rising again He has restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, and with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, 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
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
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.
COMMUNION HYMN #633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
Praise to our victorious King,
Who has washed us in the tide
Flowing from his pierced side. Alleluia!
- 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!
- 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!
- Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, paschal bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.
Alleluia!
- 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!
- Now no more can death appall,
Now no more the grave enthrall;
You have opened paradise,
And Your saints in You shall rise.
Alleluia!
- 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!
- 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!
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
Let us pray.
Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
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 + give you peace.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN #465 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! Christ has triumphed!”
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!
- 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!
- Adoring praises now we bring
And with the heavn’ly 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!
Public Domain
POSTLUDE “Toccata on “The Strife is O’er” by Michael Helman.
Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100012246.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
