09 Apr BULLETIN – EASTER SUNDAY; APRIL 9, 2023

Posted at 04:30h in Bulletins by Messiah Lutheran Church

WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES

Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor

Greta Wright, Music Director

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

Like Peter said, “We have been chosen as witnesses to eat and drink with Jesus after he rose from the dead. We are acceptable not only because we fear or do what is right, but because everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sin through his name.

THANKSGIVING for BAPTISM

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, by whose hand we are given new birth, by whose speaking we are given new life.

Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are welcomed, restored, and supported as citizens of the new creation. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty, you are the river of life, you are the everlasting wellspring. In mercy and might you have freed us from death and raised us with Jesus, the first-born of the dead. In baptismal waters our old life is washed away, and in them we are born anew. Glory to you for oceans and lakes, for rivers and streams. Honor to you for waters that wash us clean, quench our thirst, and nurture both crops and creatures. Praise to you for the life-giving water of baptism, the outpouring of the Spirit of the new creation.

Wash away our sin and all that separates us from you. Empower our witness to your resurrection. Strengthen our resolve in seeking justice for all.

Satisfy the world’s need through this living water. Where drought dries the earth, bring refreshment. Where despair prevails, grant hope. Where chaos reigns, bring peace. We ask this through Christ, who with you and the Spirit reigns forever.

Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today #151

APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57

KYRIE & 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.

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.

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.

SPECIAL MUSIC Tanner Wright

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

SECOND READING COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

If 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 is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (based on John 6:68) Page 62

GOSPEL MATTHEW 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So, they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, 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; there they will see me.”

SERMON

HYMN of the DAY

The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done #135

During our profession of faith, we testify along with Peter that Christ is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and dead.

PROFESSION of FAITH/NICENE CREED Page 64

PRAYERS of INTERCESSION

United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.

Creator above us and savior among us, we have witnessed your salvation and give thanks for all who proclaim your gospel. Equip anxious, grieving, confused disciples to share the joy of the resurrection in all we say and do. Risen Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sovereign majestic Lord, bring abundant life throughout creation: brighten colors that signal life: green plants, blue skies, yellow sun rays, pink, red, orange, white and purple blossoms, brown soils, clear water. Help plants that provide food establish root and thrive. Preserve crops, vineyards, orchards and those who tend them. Balance living things in competition for resources. Risen Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Resurrected Christ, continue to manifest your steadfast love without partiality to borders, barriers, or human-made divisions. Infuse justice in every nation of the world so all experience the saving grace and peace only you can give. Risen Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Mystery of Mercy, may your Holy Spirit encourage us to ministries of healing, care, and outreach. We pray for all who are sick or hospitalized (especially those on our prayer list) and for those who care for them: family members, health care workers, neighbors, friends, support staff and volunteers. Risen Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Only God who conquers death, you experience our sorrows and put gladness in our hearts. Show us your resurrection promise and give us songs to sing along with your saints who have sung your praises (especially). Free us from fear and empower us to go to the grave and then return to tell of good news. Risen Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Death, too shall die and we shall be raised. Help us rejoice in the victory of Christ’s resurrection with every dawn, assist our efforts to lift prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

EXCHANGE of PEACE

OFFERING & OFFERTORY

Let the vineyards… Page 66

PRAYER

Merciful Father…. Page 67

LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION Pages 68-70

LORD’S PRAYER

POST COMMUNION CANTICLE Pages 72-73

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

BENEDICTION

CLOSING HYMN

Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds #143

DISMISSAL

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.

BULLETIN – EASTER SUNDAY; APRIL 9, 2023