Jesus’ Resurrection Is a Reality…….
It Is the Foundation of our Faith,
and the Assurance of our Eternal Future
On the evening of June 18, 1815 a man stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing anxiously out to sea. At last he found what he was looking for – a ship sending a signal by use of lights. He strained to see the message. All of England held its breath with him, wanting to know the outcome of the battle taking place at Waterloo between their army, under the leadership of the Duke of Wellington, and the French army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte, who had once ruled nearly all of Europe except England remained a very real threat to everyone, and so the European allies had confronted him and his army at Waterloo.
As he stood in the tower of Winchester Cathedral that solitary watchman waited to relay the news that would determine England’s future. The signal began to arrive just as a heavy fog was rolling in. It only just got through, but how he wished it hadn’t, for the signal read: “Wellington defeated.”
The man signaled to other stations and the news spread across the countryside, bringing great gloom and sadness. But then there was a great reversal. The fog lifted, and the message was sent again, this time in full: “Wellington defeated….the enemy.” England was filled with happiness, joy, delirium. Wellington had won after all!
On Good Friday to all His followers, the message of Calvary’s cross and His damp, dark grave seemed to say, “Christ defeated.” But three days later they would discover that the message had not been received in full. Jesus’ resurrection reversed what they initially believed. The dreaded enemies of death, sin and Satan had been overcome after all by Christ. His resurrection from the grave declared to His followers then, and for all time, “Christ defeated the enemy!” And because He is our Savior and Lord, we – who believe in Him – are also victors over sin, the Devil and the grave. It is that greatest of all victories that we celebrate today, and that we live every day of our lives.
Today as you listen to God’s Word, as you sing some familiar Easter hymns, and as you join us in praise and prayer…..be sure to thank your Lord Jesus Christ that He not only predicted His resurrection …..He also accomplished it. And because you and I DO have a risen, living Lord, through faith in Him each of us can be absolutely certain that He has earned the forgiveness of all our sins….absolutely sure of our own glorified bodily resurrections on Judgment Day…..and absolutely confident of our souls’ eternal salvation and that everlasting life awaits us in heaven.
This morning we have yet another opportunity to participate in the grandest, most glorious celebration on the entire Christian church calendar: the “Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord.” In so doing, we are joining a procession of believers that spans nearly 2000 years which have made the journey to Jesus’ empty tomb – there to listen to the firsthand, eyewitness, Spirit-inspired accounts of the Apostles Matthew, Peter, and John, and also to receive invaluable instruction about the truths of the resurrection through the inspired pen of the Apostle Paul.
In this morning’s Children’s Lesson we will be talking about what the main message of Easter….that Jesus, our God and Savior, defeated death when He came out of the grave…..and that, because of His victory, we know we are forgiven all our sins, and sure that we will live one day in heaven.
Our Gospel Lesson is the Resurrection account taken from Matthew 28, which establishes for us the “facts” of Jesus’ resurrection and which serves as the foundation for today’s additional Scripture lessons. Through them we intend to consider the significance of the Resurrection Gospel for our Faith, for our Daily Lives, and for our Eternal Future.
The Second Scripture Reading is a portion of Peter’s Pentecost sermon from Acts 2. In it he tells us why we rightly put our faith in Christ…..because our Savior’s resurrection with power proves that He truly is our God and our Lord.
Our Third Reading from God’s Word, drawn from I Corinthians 15, reminds us that by raising Jesus from the dead, God the Father proved that He had accepted Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross as the sufficient, complete payment for all our sins.
In Our Fourth Bible Reading for today, Peter encourages Christians to see that in Jesus’ empty tomb and His promise to us that we will one day rise to eternal life, we have the strength and support we need to successfully endure whatever sufferings and challenges might confront us in our lives.
The Fifth Reading from the Word of our Lord upon which we will reflect is recorded for us in I Corinthians 15. Through it we are reassured that just as Jesus Christ kept His promise to rise from the grave (Mt 12:39-41), so He will also keep His promise to us that He will also, because of His victory over death, one day raise our bodies – glorified and perfectly prepared for heaven – from our graves.
And in today’s Sixth Scripture Lesson, from Romans 8, the Apostle Paul gives us this encouragement: that because Jesus, the Almighty God, lives on high, never to die again, we can be certain that no matter what comes our way in life He will always be with us and will ever be working for us ….both for our earthly good and for our eternal salvation.
The theme of this morning’s Sermon is simply “He Is Risen.” As we meditate on Luke’s resurrection account, we’ll talk about cemeteries, the realities (and the losses and fears) associated with death, and – especially – about how Christ’s victory over death and the grave forever changes that way Christians view our sins, and well physical death and Spiritual death, and especially eternal life in heaven. For we know, because of Jesus’ victory over death for us, that death is no longer our “master”…. something to be dreaded. Rather, death now is the means by which God graciously delivers us – in His good time – from this world of sin and suffering, so that we can live in His presence, perfectly and eternally in heaven.
Finally, in our Closing Scripture reading, Job expresses his confidence in the bodily resurrection. As we close with Job’s beautiful profession of faith, may we also be moved to sing loudly, faithfully and confidently our closing hymn for today (which is based on this text),”I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” Because He does, for ever and ever!
Serving Us Today
Elders: Steve Stone, Terry Burns Altar Guild: Linda Winnat, Debbie Jones, Sarah Bruns
Organist: Debbie Huebner Video: Dale Johannes
Ushers: John Luedtke, Pat Quinlan, Ben Quinlan Secretary: Marilyn Outlaw Custodian: Lesa Roe
Pre-Service Prayer – Dear Savior, the cross shall always be precious to me as the altar of sacrifice on which You died for my sins. The tomb that sheltered You is also precious to me. It stands empty to remind me that death could not hold You. You have risen, and in this truth lies my hope for here and for heaven. By Your resurrection I know that the Father in heaven has accepted Your payment for my sins, and declared You His Son, my Savior. And I know that death cannot keep its hold me, for as You live, I shall live also. At Your cross I have found refuge from God’s wrath, and in Your vacant tomb, I have comfort in death and confidence for the life eternal that is to come. Now bless my worship of You today, for the benefit of my faith, and for Your glory as my God and my risen Lord and Savior. Amen.
+ THE FESTIVAL OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD +
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation to Worship – Pastor
The Invocation
We begin this festival service
In the name of the Father,
Who gave His Son into death for us
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
And of the Son,
Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day;
And of the Holy Spirit
Through Whom Christ was made alive,
Who has worked saving faith in our hearts,
Who lives in us now through the Word,
and Who will one day give life to our mortal bodies.
Amen.
The Reading of the Easter Gospel Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, he rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. 6 He is not here. He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead! And look, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you!”
8 They hurried away from the tomb, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”
They approached, took hold of His feet, and worshipped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go, tell My brothers that they should go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
After which, the Congregation will be seated for
The Festival Hymn Hallelujah! King of Kings
by Dianne Gutzman
to the melody of “St. George” (Come Ye Thankful People Come)
Hallelujah! King of Kings, Oh, what joy Your vict’ry brings!
Journey back in history To a tomb near Calvary.
Come relive that Easter Day By a grave site far away.
It is morning, we are there, Scents of spices fill the air.
See the women drawing nigh, See their sorrow, hear them cry.
Feel the ground beneath them shake As the earth begins to quake.
Hear them as they loudly say: “Look, the stone is rolled away!”
Feel the sorrow, feel the gloom At the Savior’s empty tomb.
What a wond’rous, glorious sight! See the angel dressed in white!
See His grave-clothes lying ‘round, But our Lord cannot be found.
He has risen as He said, Rise, Victor o’er the dead!
Hallelujah! King of Kings, Oh, what joy Your vict’ry brings!
All Rise for the Final Verse
Glory! Glory unto You, Precious Lamb, our Victor too!
You Who died that we might live All our praise to You we give,
May we spread Your Word so dear To each nation, far and near,
All the earth Your glory sings, Hallelujah! King of Kings! Amen
After this, the Congregation will rise for
The Easter Proclamation
of Faith in our Risen Lord! selected Scripture verses from Ps 118,
Is 25; Eze 12; Rom 4; I Cor 1; I Cor 15)
P: God is faithful.
C: He fulfills whatever He says.
P: The Stone the builders rejected has become the Capstone;
C: The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.
P: The Lord Almighty will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever.
C: Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.
P: Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins,
C: And raised to life for our justification
P: Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous.
C: The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things.
P: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
C: Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory + through our Lord Jesus Christ.
P: I will not die, but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
C: I will give You thanks for You answered me; + You have become my salvation.
P: Christ the Lord is risen today!
C: He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!
P: This is the day the Lord has made;
C: Let us rejoice, and be glad in it. Hallelujah!
The Opening Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, + through the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, + You have overcome death + and opened the gate of eternal life to us. + Although our human minds cannot comprehend how it is possible, + Your Word has convinced us that it is true: + our Lord is risen, He is risen indeed! + We beg You, therefore, to sow in our hearts the joy and peace of sins forgiven, + and the confidence of everlasting life in heaven + through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior and God, + so that we might produce in our lives + the fruits of the faith that we are proclaiming with our lips today. + Amen.
After which, the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I Corinthians 15:1-8
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.
Jesus “Came Out” on the Third Day….Just As He As Promised!
Today’s Choral Anthem “We Welcome Glad Easter”
by Robert J. Hughes (Lorenz Publishing)
We welcome glad Easter, when Jesus arose,
And won a great victory over His foes.
Then raise your glad voices, all people, and sing;
Bring loud Easter praises to Jesus, our King.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia to Jesus our King.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia to Jesus our King.
And tell of three Marys who early that day,
Came there to the tomb, found the stone rolled away;
And sing of the angel who said, “Do not fear!
Your Savior is risen, the Lord is not here.
So think of the promise which Jesus did give;
“That all who believe in Me also shall live!”
Then raise your glad voices, all people to sing,
Bring glad Easter praises to Jesus, our King.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia to Jesus our King.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Bring loud Easter praises.
Bring loud Easter praises. Bring loud Easter praises.
Bring loud Easter praises. Bring loud Easter praises.
Bring loud Easter praises To Jesus our King. To Jesus our King.
The Significance of Jesus’ Resurrection
for our Faith, Lives, and our Eternal Future
The Resurrection Proves
that Jesus Truly is our God and Lord
Acts 2:22-36
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a Man recommended to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did through Him among you, as you yourselves know. 23 This Man, Who was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you killed by having lawless men nail Him to a cross. 24 He is the One God raised up by freeing Him from the agony of death, because death was not able to hold Him in its grip. 25 Indeed, David says concerning Him: ‘ saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. My flesh also will rest in hope, 27 because You will not abandon my life to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life. You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’”
29 “Gentlemen, brothers, I can speak confidently to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that He would seat One of his descendants on his throne, 31 he saw what was coming and spoke about the resurrection of Christ, saying that He was neither abandoned to the grave nor did His flesh see decay. 32 This Jesus is the One God has raised up. We are all witnesses of that. 33 So, after He was exalted to the right hand of God and after He received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, He poured out what you are now seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven, and yet he says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand, 35 until I make Your enemies a footstool under Your feet.’ 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
By Raising Jesus from the Grave, the Father Proved He Had Accepted the Son’s Sacrifice for our Sins as Sufficient
I Corinthians 15:12-20
12 Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too. 15 Then we are even guilty of giving false testimony about God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise, if it were true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then it also follows that those who fell asleep in Christ perished. 19 If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Second Hymn Hymn 157 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, Alleluia”
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 has 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!
The Reality of the Resurrection Gives Us Confidence
as We Live Godly Lives in this Sinful World
I Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He gave us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 into an inheritance that is undying, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 Through faith you are being protected by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time.
6 Because of this you rejoice very much, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various kinds of trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—which is more valuable than gold, which passes away even though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not see Him now, yet by believing in Him, you are filled with a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Because Jesus Christ, our Savior, Has Risen
We – too – Shall Rise….Just as He Has Promised
I Corinthians 15:50-58
50 Now I say this, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what is perishable is not going to inherit what is imperishable. 51 Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The Third Hymn “Because He Lives”
by William and Gloria Gaither
(used, with permission, under CCLI 136669)
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died To buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, All fear is gone;
Because I know —- He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory – and I’ll know He lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, All fear is gone;
Because I know —- He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
Finally, because Jesus lives…Never to die…We may be Sure that He will always be with us, and for us
Romans 8:28-39
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose, 29 because those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the Firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called. Those He called, He also justified. And those He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Indeed, He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also graciously give us all things along with Him?
33 Who will bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One Who justifies! 34 Who is the One Who condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the One Who is at God’s right hand and Who is also interceding for us! 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 Just as it is written: “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long.
We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Public Confession
of our Faith in Christ The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed
along with Martin Luther’s Explanation
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; + Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; + born of the Virgin Mary; + suffered under Pontius Pilate; + was crucified, dead, and buried; + He descended into hell; + the third day He rose again from the dead; + He ascended into heaven; + and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty; + From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, + begotten of the Father from eternity, + and also true Man, + born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. + He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, + purchased and won me from all sins, + from death, + and from the power of the devil, + not with gold or silver, + but with His holy, precious blood, + and with His innocent suffering and death. + All this He did that I should be His own, + and live under Him in His kingdom, + and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, + just as He has risen from death + and lives and rules eternally. + This is most certainly true. + Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 143 “He’s Risen, He’s Risen, Christ Jesus the Lord”
- He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord; He opened Death’s prison, The incarnate, Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song While earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong.
- The foe was triumphant when on Calvary The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer, For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
- But short was their triumph, the Savior arose, And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes;
The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high. He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die.
- Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more; Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone; Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
- Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice; Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain; Who siteth in glory, and ever shall reign.
At the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Greeting
Grace and peace to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Hallelujah!
The Sermon Text Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 3 When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. 5 The women were terrified and bowed down with their faces to the ground.
The men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?” 8 Then they remembered His words.
9 When they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 11 Yet these words seemed to them like nonsense, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over to look in, he saw only the strips of linen cloth. He went home, amazed at what had happened.
He Is Risen
The Post-Sermon Blessing Jude 24-25
Now to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
As we gather the offering for this morning,
we will pass offering plates throughout the chapel.
For those watching this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); OR
2) You can go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com)
and use the giving option there.
-
The Offering Hymn “How Great Thou Art”
by Stuart Heine (vv 1-2); C. Huebner (v.3)….
(adapted;; CCLI 1336669)
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to Thee,
“How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to Thee,
“How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to Thee,
“How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to Thee,
“How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
On the third day, our Lord His body raises,
Defeating sin, death, Satan, and the grave.
Today I bow and offer Him my praises,
For Jesus Christ alone my soul did save!
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to Thee,
“How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to Thee,
“How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
after the offering has been gathered, the Congregation will rise to join as
Today’s Special Prayers
Included in our prayers this morning is:
A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of Diane Pfortmiller
who is currently hospitalized at Mercy Hospital in Roger
The Responsive Prayer for the Festival of the Resurrection
P: Almighty and everlasting God, Lord of life and death, Source, Guide, and Goal of all that exists, we praise You this day for what You have done through Jesus Christ for us.
C: This is the day when You showed Your great power and raised Your Son, our Savior, from death.
P: Gracious God, we thank You for the many faithful witnesses who speak to us in Your Word and testify for the benefit of our faith that the Lord Jesus is risen indeed!
C: If Jesus had not been raised from death, their witness would be false, and our faith would be worthless. But against reason they believed. Against deadly threats, they answered: We cannot help speaking what we have seen and heard. They saw the risen Lord and spoke with Him; They ate with Him and touched Him. They were faithful witnesses to the world, as their Lord was a faithful Witness to them.
P: Merciful God, by the glorious victory of Your Son over the grave, You made us new people. We, who belong to Jesus, can put away our fears in life and our terrors of death and sing with the saints of old….
C: We shall not die but live, and proclaim Your wonderful works from one generation to another. You will receive us before the throne of Your Son to serve Him day and night with our song: ‘Worthy is the Lam Who was slain to receive wisdom and power and honor and glory and praise.’
P: Holy and righteous God, send Your Holy Spirit to keep us strong in the faith, so that we may war against sin and live a holy life in love to You and our fellowman.
C: Help us now, we pray, Heavenly Father, to celebrate the resurrection of Your Son with a life of honesty and goodness; gentleness and self-control. Lord, help us to love You with all our heart and soul and soul and mind and strength, and move us to love our fellowman as ourselves.
P: All this we ask in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, and in His name we also pray:
C: 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.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
Our Final Lesson: Job’s Confidence in His
Resurrection and our Confidence in our Resurrection
Job 19:23-27
23 Oh how I wish that my words were written down.
Oh how I wish that they were inscribed in bronze,
24 that they would be engraved in rock forever
with an iron tool and letters filled with lead.
25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that at the end of time He will stand over the dust.
26 Then, even after my skin has been destroyed,
nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God.
27 I myself will see Him.
My own eyes will see Him, and not as a stranger.
My emotions are in turmoil within me.
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 152 “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
V.1 Congregation
I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, Who once was dead; He lives my ever-living Head.
V.2 Choir
V.3 Congregation
He lives to bless me with His love. He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to help in time of need.
V.4 Choir
V.5 Congregation
He lives to silence all my fears, He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart, He lives all blessings to impart.
V.7 Choir
V.8 Congregation and Choir
He lives all glory to His name! He lives my Jesus still the same.
Oh the sweet joy this sentence gives. “I know that my Redeemer lives!”
“Amen.” (by the Choir)
+ + + Thank You + + +
Thank you for being a part of our worshiping assembly this morning. We invite to join those around you for some good conversation and fellowship at the conclusion of today’s announcements. We also invite you to join us for our Easter Fellowship Brunch in our fellowship hall, following today’s worship service. Finally, it is our prayer that you will join us again at Grace Lutheran Church for worship and study of the Word on future Sundays. May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ be with you throughout this day and this week.