Sunday, April 12, 2020

Order of Worship for Easter Day

Opening music begins approx. 10:20 - service begins 10:30.


Easter blessings!

 SERVICE OF THE WORD – St. Stephen Lutheran Church
April 12, 2020 – The Resurrection of Our Lord – Easter Day

OPENING MUSIC                       
                                                Two Settings of The Strife is O’er
1.        Alec Wyton                2. Alfred E. Fedak
Two Settings of Jesus Christ is Risen Today
1.        Gerhard Knapf  2. Paul Manz

HYMN                Jesus Christ is Risen Today                    
Lutheran Book of Worship 151
                                                                                                                                                                                             
1      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!

2      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!

3      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!

4     Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
        praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
        praise him, all you heav'nly host, Alleluia!
        Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4

DIALOG

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Holy is the Lord, the Almighty,
                He was, he is, and he is to come.
He is worthy of glory and honor and power.
                He created all things.  By his will they came to be.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain;
                worthy to take the scroll and break its seals.
By his blood he purchased for God
                people of every race and tongue, of every folk and nation.
Christ made of them a kingdom
                and priests to serve our God.
And they shall reign on earth forever.
                Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

APOSTLES’ CREED
God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

                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

PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen

FIRST LESSON               Acts 10:34-43

34Then Peter began to speak to [the people]: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how 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. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not 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. 42He 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. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

The Word of the Lord.                  
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 118:1-2; 15-24

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."
15 There is a sound of exulta- | tion and victory*
                in the tents | of the righteous:
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.
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.
24 On this day the | Lord has acted;*
                we will rejoice and be | glad in it.

SECOND LESSON                        Colossians 3:1-4

1If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL                             Matthew 28:1-10

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then 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.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

SERMON                                                          

HYMN                                The Strife is O’er, The Battle Done                                 
Lutheran Book of Worship 135

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 has 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!

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 you,
                from death’s sting free your servants too,
                that we may live and sing to you.  Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Text: Symphonia Sirenum, Köln, 1695; tr. Francis Pott, 1832-1909
               
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord, let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Silence is kept.

God our Father, your Son rose triumphant from death and made this the day of new creation, of victory over sin, death, and the devil. We thank you for the new life given to us in Christ. Continually renew in us the joy of resurrection. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Your Son rose triumphant from death, and the women ran to bear the tidings to his chosen apostles. Grant that your Church may proclaim the good news in word and deed to all the people of the world, and empower us as witnesses to the resurrection. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Your Son rose triumphant from death, and all rulers, authorities, and powers are now made subject to him. Bless our elected leaders and all who work for the public good, and help them to seek your will and serve faithfully in their offices. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Your Son rose triumphant from death and made sure the promise of the new world, free from war, pestilence, and want. Give us signs of that new world in our troubled times. Fill us with your Spirit, and make us living signs of the peace of Jesus. Come to the aid of the poor and the ill in body, mind, and spirit. Restrain the violent, lift up the lowly, give peace in our world, in our homes, and in our hearts. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Your Son rose triumphant from death and commanded us to pray in his name for our needs and the needs of others. We pray in faithful confidence for the forgiveness of our sins, for strength in suffering, and in thanksgiving for all your mercies. We bring before you the godly desires of our hearts and the needs of those who have asked for our prayers.

The congregation may offer spoken or silent petitions.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Your Son rose triumphant from death, and in him we put our hope, not only for this life but also for the life to come. We give thanks for all the faithful ones who have trusted in him; for Mary his Mother; for Mary Magdalene, the first to bear witness to the resurrection; for the apostles and all the saints, together with all those most dear to us who now rest in you. Draw our hearts upward, and bring us to the day when we will celebrate the resurrection with them in glory. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen


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

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

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 us peace.
Amen

HYMN                                A Mighty Fortress is Our God                                           
Lutheran Book of Worship 229

1              A mighty fortress is our God,
                a sword and shield victorious;
                he breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
        and wins salvation glorious.             
                The old satanic foe
                has sworn to work us woe!
                With craft and dreadful might
                he arms himself to fight.
                On earth he has no equal.

2              No strength of ours can match his might!
                We would be lost, rejected.
                But now a champion comes to fight,
                whom God himself elected.
                You ask who this may be?
                The Lord of hosts is he!
                Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
                God's only Son, adored.
                He holds the field victorious.

3              Though hordes of devils fill the land
                all threat'ning to devour us,
                we tremble not, unmoved we stand;
                they cannot overpow'r us.
                Let this world's tyrant rage;
                in battle we'll engage!
                His might is doomed to fail;
                God's judgment must prevail!
                One little word subdues him.

4             God's Word forever shall abide,
                no thanks to foes, who fear it;
                for God himself fights by our side
                with weapons of the Spirit.
                Were they to take our house,
                goods, honor, child, or spouse,
                though life be wrenched away,
                they cannot win the day.
                The kingdom's ours forever!

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE      Risen Is The Holy Christ                                                                               J.S. Bach