The Second Sunday of Easter
Organ Prelude
“Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won”
Johann Gottfried Walther
The Gathering
Easter Acclamation
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Confession and Forgiveness
Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Please kneel or stand as you are able. Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
P: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.
C: Amen.
P: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
C: His mercy endures forever.
Please stand as you are able.
Entrance Hymn #129 (green hymnal)
“Awake, My Heart, with Gladness” v. 1-3
1 Awake, my heart, with gladness,
see what today is done;
now, after gloom and sadness,
comes forth the glorious sun.
My Savior there was laid
where our bed must be made
when to the realms of light
our spirit wings its flight.
2 The foe in triumph shouted
when Christ lay in the tomb;
but, lo, he now is routed,
his boast is turned to gloom.
For Christ again is free;
in glorious victory
he who is strong to save
has triumphed o’er the grave.
3 This is a sight that gladdens–
what peace it does impart!
Now nothing ever saddens
the joy within my heart.
No gloom shall ever shake,
no foe shall ever take,
the hope which God’s own Son
in love for me has won.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 57)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 58)
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.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord, your servant Sarah as she reads to us the holy word. May our hearts burn within us as you open to us the scriptures; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
First Lesson: Acts 5:27-32
27 When they had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Hymn #15 (maroon hymnal)
“The Lord is my Strength” (Ps. 118:1-2, 14-29)
Refrain (Leader)
The LORD is my strength, my strength and my song.
The LORD is my strength, my strength and my song.
Refrain (All)
The LORD is my strength, my strength and my song.
The LORD is my strength, my strength and my song.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for | he is good;*
his mercy en- | dures forever.
2 Let Israel | now proclaim,*
“His mercy en- | dures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength | and my song,*
and he has become | my salvation.
15 There is a sound of exulta- | tion and victory*
in the tents | of the righteous:
Refrain (All)
16 “The right hand of the | Lord has triumphed!*
The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the | Lord has triumphed!”
17 I shall not | die, but live,*
and declare the works | of the Lord.
18 The Lord has pun- | ished me sorely,*
but he did not hand me o- | ver to death.
19 Open for me the | gates of righteousness;*
I will enter them; I will offer thanks | to the Lord.
Refrain (All)
20 “This is the gate | of the Lord;*
he who is right- | eous may enter.”
21 I will give thanks to you, for you | answered me*
and have become | my salvation.
22 The same stone which the build- | ers rejected*
has become the chief | cornerstone.
23 This is | the Lord’s doing,*
and it is marvelous | in our eyes.
Refrain (All)
24 On this day the | Lord has acted;*
we will rejoice and be | glad in it.
25 Hosanna, | Lord, hosanna!*
Lord, send us | now success.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name | of the Lord;*
we bless you from the house | of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord; he has | shined upon us;*
form a procession with branches up to the horns | of the altar.
Refrain (All)
28 “You are my God, and | I will thank you;*
you are my God, and I | will exalt you.”
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for | he is good;*
his mercy en- | dures forever.
Refrain (All)
Second Lesson: Revelation 1:4-8
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation: Hymn #671 (blue hymnal)
“Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks” v. 1-3
Refrain
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
1 Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation. Refrain
2 Spread the good news o’er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen. Refrain
3 We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live for ever. Refrain
The Holy Gospel: John 20:19-31
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 20th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation.
Hymn of the Day
“The Risen Christ”
1 The risen Christ, who walks on wounded feet
from garden tomb through darkened city street,
unlocks the door of grief, despair, and fear,
and speaks a word of peace to all who hear.
2 The risen Christ, who stands with wounded side,
breathes out his Spirit on them to abide
whose faith still wavers, who dare not believe;
new grace, new strength, new purpose they receive.
3 The risen Christ, who breaks with wounded hand
the bread for those who fail to understand,
reveals himself, despite their ling’ring tears,
enflames their hearts, then quickly disappears.
4 May we, Christ’s body, walk and serve and stand
with those oppressed in this and every land,
till all are blessed and can a blessing be,
restored in Christ to true humanity.
Please stand as you are able.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The ministers and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Please be seated.
Invitation to Offering
Offertory
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 66)
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.
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: 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.
Please stand as you are able.
The Meal
The Great Thanksgiving
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 68)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everliving God. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of our Lord; for he is the true Passover Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin, who by his death has destroyed death, and by his rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 68)
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.
P: Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.
C: Come, Holy Spirit.
P: Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.
C: Come, Holy Spirit.
P: With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
Invitation to Communion
P: The risen Christ invites us to this table. Drink, eat, and be raised from the dead.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 72)
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
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn #203 (green hymnal)
“Now We Join in Celebration”
1 Now we join in celebration
at our Savior’s invitation,
dressed no more in spirit somber,
clothed instead in joy and wonder;
for the Lord of all existence,
putting off divine transcendence,
stoops again in love to meet us,
with his very life to feed us.
2 Lord, as round this feast we gather,
fill our hearts with holy rapture!
For this bread and cup of blessing
are for us the sure possessing
of your loving deed on Calv’ry,
of your living self, our vict’ry,
pledge of your unfailing presence,
foretaste here of heav’nly gladness.
3 Lord, we share in this communion
as one fam’ly of God’s children,
reconciled through you, our brother,
one in you with God our Father.
Give us grace to live for others,
serving all, both friends and strangers,
seeking justice, love, and mercy
till you come in final glory.
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
C: Amen.
The Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn
“Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing” v. 1-2, 5
1 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
2 Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching ev’ry place and time.
5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Easter Dismissal
A: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
A: Go in the peace of the risen Christ. Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude
“Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia!”
Healey Willan
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Terry McDowell, Assisting Minister
Sarah Papin, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, April 24: The Second Sunday of Easter
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Quarterly Congregational Meeting
Monday, April 25
**Epistle articles deadline**
Wednesday, April 27
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, April 28
10:30 am Bible study
5:45 pm Rehearsal for Reading Baccalaureate Service
6 pm BSA Troop Meeting
Saturday, April 30
1 pm Gather Cincinnati Young Adults Group
6 pm Youth Group
Sunday, May 1: The Third Sunday of Easter
9 am Sunday School / Committee Fair Setup (No Adult Forum)
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Committee Fair
After Worship: Evangelism Committee
4 pm Cub Scouts (fellowship hall)
Monday, May 2
11:15 am Organ Evaluation
Tuesday, May 3
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Wednesday, May 4
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, May 5
10:30 am Bible study
Copyright Notices
The Lord Is My Strength: Refrain by Leon C. Roberts © 1999 Augsburg Fortress; tone © 1996 Augsburg Fortress.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks: Text and music by Donald Fishel © 1973 International Liturgy Publications; arr. by Betty Pulkingham © 1979, Celebration.
The Risen Christ: Text © 1993 by Nigel Weaver; Music by Walter Greatorex © Oxford University Press.
Now We Join in Celebration: Text © Joel W. Lundeen, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing: Text by Brian A. Wren © 1975, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.