15 Apr BULLETIN – EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022
WELCOME TO MESSIAH & ST. PETER
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday April 17, 2022
Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (adapted from words spoken by Peter in the Book of Acts 10: 34-43)
God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears [has reverent awe and respect for God] and does what is right is acceptable. Acknowledging our humble and appropriate state in relation to God the Almighty One, we confess:
CONFESSION
God Almighty and Merciful, we are sinners, not always doing what is right nor claiming to always keep you in mind. Sometimes, we do not prepare adequately nor seek to find you in the right way or place. We become discouraged when perplexed or thwarted, want to hold onto people and belongings that make us feel good. Beneath our fears is a desire and hope to be accepted. To you, we admit disappointment and sorrow. We ask for the benefits of what Jesus accomplished. Draw us nearer day by day, until we see you face to face.
FORGIVENESS
Peace comes by Jesus Christ, the Lord of all. Anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with him. They put him to death, but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear to witnesses chosen by God given the opportunity to eat and drink with him. [That includes you.] Testify to this: Jesus is the one ordained as judge of the living and dead. Prophets testified that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Do you believe this? We do. Then by his name, your sins are totally forgiven. Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! #131
1Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Gratefully our hearts adore him
as his light once more appears;
bowing down in joy before him,
rising up from griefs and tears.
Refrain
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
2Christ is risen! All the sadness
of our Lenten fast is o’er;
through the open gates of gladness
he returns to life once more;
death and hell before him bending
see him rise, the victor now,
angels on his steps attending,
glory round his wounded brow. Refrain
3Christ is risen! All the sorrow
that last evening round him lay
now has found a glorious morrow
in the rising of today.
See the grave its first fruits giving,
springing up from holy ground;
he was dead, but now is living;
he was lost, but he is found. Refrain
4Christ is risen! Henceforth never
death or hell shall us enthrall;
be we Christ’s, in him forever
we have triumphed over all.
All the doubting and dejection
of our trembling hearts have ceased;
hail the day of resurrection!
Let us rise and keep the feast. Refrain
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57 – 60
THIS IS THE FEAST… Page 60
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
FIRST READING ACTS 10:34-43
Peter began to speak to [the people]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24
Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now declare, “God’s mercy endures forever.”
The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.
Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
“This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.”
I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
SECOND READING 1 CORINTHIANS 15:19-26
If for 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 first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler 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.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (based on John 6:68) Page 62
GOSPEL LUKE 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for 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 handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
HYMN of the DAY “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia!” #128
1Christ 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!
2For 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!
3Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
when contending death and life, Alleluia!
met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
4Christians, 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!
PROFESSION of FAITH/NICENE CREED Page 64
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
On this day of resurrection joy, let us offer prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and our world. A brief silence.
- Renewing God, the good news of your resurrection changed the world. Help us find you, prepare in advance and know where to search. When we are perplexed send messengers and remind us of your Word. Give all the baptized the same excitement as the women at the tomb. Inspire us to share abundant life with others. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
- Sustaining God, what you created abounds with signs of new life. Budding trees and newborn creatures come forth through fertile soil, ample sunlight, and nourishing rain you provide for their growth. Provide good weather and other conditions so farmers can harvest plentifully. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
- Sheltering God, sustain vulnerable people across the world along with those striving to assist them. Strengthen the credibility of those commonly doubted, questioned due to age, race, gender, or place of origin. Extend compassion to those seen as idle or conditioned to tell tales. Improve means by which authorities test veracity so that whoever is forced to leave home may be rightly considered. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
- Encouraging God, you do a new thing in the world and among us. We pray for those gripped by fear and anxiety or who suffer in any way (especially those on our prayer list). Send us as your healing presence to places of hunger, pain, illness, or overwhelming sorrow. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
- Surprising God, you offer endless ways for people to delight in your grace. Give this community faith, a sense of joy and wonder in exploring new avenues of discipleship, formation, and worship. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
- Resurrecting God, make us alive in Christ. Thank you for blessing us with faithful witnesses who now rest in you. Grant eternal rest to all your saints, especially John Uber. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We offer you these petitions and those we carry in our hearts, trusting in your abundant and ever-present grace. Amaze us again with your mercy and love. Amen.
PEACE
Exchange In Person, Online or via Text
OFFERING
OFFERTORY Let the vineyards… Page 66
PRAYER Merciful Father Page 67
LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION Pages 68-70
THE LORD’S PRAYER Page 71
POST COMMUNION CANTICLE Pages 72-73
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
BLESSING
You are children of God, anointed with gladness and strengthened for the journey. May Almighty God, [☩] bless you this day and always. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done #135
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1The strife is o’er, the battle done;
now is the victor’s triumph won!
Now be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2The pow’rs of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3The three sad days have quickly sped,
he rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen head! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
the bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5Lord, by the stripes which wounded you,
from death’s sting free your servants too,
that we may live and sing to you. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
DISMISSAL
The Lord is with you. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Altar flowers at St. Peter have been presented by Ray and Audrey Rummel in celebration of their 50th Anniversary!
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Judy and Dana Michael in memory of loved ones.
MAY “SOUP AND SUCH”
In May, “Soup and Such” has a menu that includes Chicken Corn Soup – $7/quart, Buttermilk Biscuits 4 for $1.50, and chocolate cake with peanut butter icing – $1.50/slice. Orders are due by Sunday, April 24th and pick-up is from 4 PM to 6 PM on Thursday, May 5th at Messiah.
For more information, please contact Dianna Reed at 717-692-5317. This will be the last soup making until November.
Fellowship Walk at Ned Smith Center,
Monday, April 25th @6:30 PM
Our churches’ team has registered using the same name as last year: Inspired by God and Others: Messiah and St. Peter Lutheran Churches, Halifax. Thank you to all who donated “seed money” to get us started. We have a long way to go to approach what we collected last year. Anything contributed will be greatly appreciated and considered sufficient. If you’re willing to walk and/or donate please see the pastor. $30 donations qualify for this year’s Christian Churches United scarlet custom designed, 2022 T-shirt.
FUTURE OF THE GRANGE
On Wednesday, April 27th at 6:30 PM, an open forum-type meeting will be held in the sanctuary of Messiah to discuss the future of the Grange. Past contributors who helped make purchase of the property possible are highly encouraged to attend. Other interested church and community members are also heartily invited so the best possible outcome can be envisioned, planned and realized for either the building or piece of land.
Whether you’re familiar with this ongoing tale or not, your input and support is kindly requested now. Help the story have a happy ending. Where there are visions, there are dreams. Where there are dreams, there is hope. Where people share both, the future looks bright. -PNB
SUB & SANDWICH DELIVERY
Subs and sandwiches may be picked up at St. Peter’s after 3 PM on April 28 at the St. Peter’s pavilion. For more information or to place an order, please call Diane Keister at 717-896-3842.
APRIL DRIVE FOR NEW/GENTLY USED CLOTHING
During the month of April, Messiah’s Health Ministry Team is asking for help collecting new/gently used clothing for children pre-school through middle school age. The need was identified by the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville. A box will be placed inside the side door at Messiah for donations. Thank you for your support!
BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN
St Peter is again asking for all church members to help fill Baby Bottles April 3 to May 15 with cash for the Lifeline Pregnancy Care and Family Support Center in Millersburg. Empty bottles will be available at both churches soon. Please plan to return any filled bottles ASAP because we empty and re-use them. Thanks in advance.
SUNDAY BRUNCH @ 11:15 AM, MAY 15th CONFIRMATION
Messiah’s Council thought it would be nice to host a Sunday Brunch after the 10:00 AM confirmation service on May 15th For now, we’d like to know if anyone is willing to show up, bring a dish and stay after.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FOR APRIL
17 Easter Day: Resurrection of Our Lord
6:15-6:30 AM Sunrise Service at Camp Hebron led by Pastor Brendan Hock, HUMC
8:30 AM Holy Communion @ St Peter
10:00 AM Holy Communion @ Messiah
Last day to order subs
DEADLINE FOR MAY NEWSLETTER
20 6:30 PM Ladies Aid Meeting at Messiah
6:30 PM -7:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 156
21 630pm-730pm Cub Scout Pack 156
24 Second Sunday of Easter
8:30 AM Worship @ St. Peter
10:00 AM Worship @ Messiah
LET US PRAY
Prayer knits the waiting, expectant community together. It isn’t just for those being prayed for. It’s an act of faith where others are lifted up and entrusted to God.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
Please fill out prayer request cards from now on and provide your name, the person for whom you are requesting prayer, their contact information and a few details.
Continuing to add names verbally will lead to persons being left off the prayer list. And without written notes, the pastor cannot remember/connect names with specific needs for prayer.
Filling out a card will allow the pastor to make contact, initiate pastoral care, and request permission to place a person’s name on the prayer list. Alternatively, you may email or text as long as you provide the same details. Following this plan will assure consistency, improve communication and help those for whom we pray. Please email concerns and/or requests including your name and theirs, contact information, and a few specifics to: elsiebbrody@gmail.com Or text (443)-974-5558. Thank you.