Thomas’ Easter Confession, “My Lord and My God,”
is Our Confession of Faith Too
For most people today (probably including a few of us here) the memories of last week’s celebration of Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the grave are already fading fast ….if they’re not entirely gone. So that we don’t so quickly lose sight of the precious and comforting truths of Easter — that our Lord is a living Lord, and that we will live forever with Him — the Christian Church traditionally has made it a point to continue celebrating Christ’s resurrection through the six Sundays after Easter. Consequently, our Scripture lessons today revolve around Jesus’ power over the grave as evidenced through three of His post-resurrection appearances, and in Paul’s preaching — years later — about the confidence we Christians possess in our justification and our future resurrection from the grave – all because Jesus has risen for us.
This Second Sunday of the Easter Season is traditionally identified as “Quasi modo geniti” Sunday. It’s a Latin term meaning “as newborn babies.” It comes from the opening line of a centuries’ old dialogue between pastor and people, based on a portion of I Peter 2 and Psalm 81, that is customarily used on this Sunday. Along with select verses from Psalm 16 they will serve as today’s Psalm Reading. In the earliest days of the church this date was also known as “Dominica in albis” Sunday (“the Lord’s Day in White”) because believers who had been baptized on Easter would receive communion for the first time. Then they would lay aside the white robes (symbolizing their [and our] righteousness in Christ) which they had worn throughout the week following Easter Sunday.
Recently this day on the church calendar has come to be known as “Low Sunday” both because of this Second Sunday of Easter’s “reduced” celebration, compared to that of the great festival of 7 days earlier, and (sadly) because worship services on this day tend to experience attendances noticeably lower than what had occurred in congregations on Easter Sunday.
Our Sequence Hymn this morning (separating the New Testament and Gospel Lessons) is # 144, “Christ is Arisen.” Over some 9 centuries this Hymn has been used in Christian churches during the post-Easter season as a means of reinforcing the truths of Christ’s resurrection. It dates back to A.D. 1100 and is of German origin. In fact, it is one of the earliest German hymns of any kind. Martin Luther held this hymn in high esteem. He wrote: “After a time one tires of singing all other hymns, but the ‘Christ is erstanden’ (“Christ is arisen”) one can always sing again and again.” The tune we will use today is as old as the words of this traditional Easter hymn, and is based on a Gregorian Chant whose Latin name is “Victimae paschali” (“to the Paschal Victim”)……Please read more about this hymn, “Christ is Arisen,” on the two pages that follow this one.
This Morning’s Scripture Lessons
Today’s First Lesson is a portion of a sermon Paul preached to Jews in city of Antioch in Pisidea during his first missionary journey. Here he talks about Christ’s crucifixion and death, which fulfilled prophecies made in Scripture. Paul then continues with the fact that God the Father raised up His Son, Jesus Christ, also in fulfillment of prophecy, and that all who believe in Him are justified by faith, can be certain their sins are all forgiven, and that they are heirs of eternal life through faith in Him Who died and rose to save us all.
In this morning’s Children’s Lesson we are going to consider the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus after he had been in the grave for three days. As Christ forced death to give up its hold on Lazarus, so because of Jesus’ resurrection victory for us….death, in the final analysis, no longer has any power over us; we don’t ever have to be afraid of it.
Today’s Gospel Lesson is John’s account of Jesus’ third post-resurrection appearance, when He met His disciples along the Sea of Galilee and caused a miraculous catch of fish.
Finally, our Sermon Text deals with Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearance to Ten of His disciples in the now-locked up upper room on Easter evening. But Thomas was missing. So Jesus returned a week later for his benefit. Thomas’ confession of faith in the risen : “My Lord and My God!” can be our confession too, regardless of the fears, frustrations and other issues we face in life. Jesus provides a sense of purpose for ministry to His disciples, which would be the foundation of their ministry and the source of strength for their own spiritual lives. That foundation of faith in the risen Christ sustains and motivates us too….all the way to eternal life in heaven through faith in Him.
Christ Is Arisen
Author Unknown, c. 1100
The beautiful hymn ‘Christ Is Arisen’ is the oldest Easter hymn in German and one of the oldest known German hymns of any kind. Traditionally it has found a prominent place in the worship life of the Christian Church as one of the chief hymns of the Easter season. It captures the history, theology and benefits of Christ’s resurrection.
Already an old hymn at the time of the Reformation, it was one of Martin Luther’s favorites. Said Luther, “After a time one tires of singing all other hymns, but the ‘Christ ist erstanden’ one can always sing again.” Luther often mentioned this hymn in his Easter sermons.
The tune is as old as the hymn itself and based on a Gregorian Chant, “Victimae paschali” (“to the Paschal
Victim”).
The lyrics of this hymn follow the three-fold pattern of the “Kyrie,” ending each part with the prayer, “Lord, have mercy.” The hymn begins with the wonderful news of the resurrection, “Christ is arisen.” This reflects the traditional Christian Easter greeting, “Christ is risen. He’s risen indeed! Alleluia!”
Understandably, this is also how most of our Easter hymns begin. Consider the following hymns from our hymnal (their titles are so similar, it’s often difficult to tell them apart):
He is Arisen! Glorious Word!
Christ the Lord is Risen Again
Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
He’s Risen, He’s Risen, Christ Jesus the Lord
Of course, that’s not a surprise to us. On Easter morning is there anything better to say than this, “Christ is arisen. He is risen indeed”?
But this particular hymn, “Christ is Arisen,” doesn’t just state the basic historical facts of Jesus’ resurrection. It goes beyond that to extol the benefits for us of our Savior conquering the grave’s dark prison for us.
“We now rejoice with gladness; Christ will end all sadness.”
Jesus’ resurrection was not just for His own benefit and glory, it was (like everything that Jesus did and does) intended to be a blessing for us. Jesus’ rising from the dead and conquering the grave means that He has brought an end to all the things that bring us sadness, namely sin, death and the devil. These three great enemies of humanity have been destroyed by Jesus through His death. His victory over them has been made manifest through His resurrection.
The hymn continues with a mention of what things would be like if Jesus had not ascended from the grave, “All our hopes were ended had Jesus not ascended.”
Here the hymn reflects the thoughts of the Apostle Paul in verses 14-15 of “the great resurrection chapter” (chapter 15) recorded in his first letter to the Corinthians: “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.
Our hymn captures this note of praise, “For this Lord Christ we worship Thee!”
The disciples, also, worshiped the risen Lord. “17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him,” (Matthew 28:17). It’s our privilege and blessing to join Jesus’ disciples and the Christian Church across the ages in worshiping Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, Who is risen from the dead…..risen for us, and for all who believe in Him…..to end all our sadness and give us eternal comfort and peace, and everlasting life in heaven.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.
Pre-Service Prayer
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank You my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, for keeping me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. Into Your hands I commit my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the Devil may have no power over me. Amen.
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
Prayer upon entering the worship area Pre-service Music
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Welcoming and Invitation to Worship
At the Pastor’s Invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Responsive Reading for Today selected verses I Peter 2,
and Psalms 81, 143, and 31
P: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
C: Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.
P: Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
C: Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God;
P: may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;
C: in Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
P: Do not bring Your servant into judgement,
C: for no one living is righteous before You.
P: But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
C: Let Your face shine upon Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.
P: How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You.
C: Praise be to the LORD, for He showed His wonderful love for me.
P: Love the Lord, all His saints!
C: Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob. Hallelujah!
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 148 “The Strife Is O’er, The Battle Done”
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 Death’s mightiest pow’rs have done their worst, And Jesus has his foes dispersed;
Let shouts of praise and joy outburst. Alleluia!
3 On the third morn he rose again Glorious in majesty to reign;
Oh, let us swell the joyful strain! Alleluia!
4 He closed the yawning gates of hell; The bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let songs 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!
The Salutation
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
C: And also with you.
The Confession of Sins
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask Him to forgive us.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, + I confess that I am by nature sinful + and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; + I have done what is evil + and failed to do what is good. + For this I deserve Your punishment, + both now and in eternity. + But I am truly sorry for my sins, + and trusting in my Savior, Jesus Christ, + I pray: + God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pastor God our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given His only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of God and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation Amen.
Lord Have Mercy
P: For all that we need in life, and for the wisdom to use all Your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: (sung) Lord have mercy.
P: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ:
C: (sung) Christ have mercy.
P: For the well-being of Your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord
C: (sung) Lord have mercy.
P: Merciful God, Maker and Preserver of life, uphold us by Your power, and keep us in Your tender care:
C: (sung) Amen.
P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; His name is worthy of praise.
(Sung) O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
Almighty God, merciful Father, Your crown our life with Your love.
You take away our sin; You comfort our spirit;
You make us pure and holy in Your sight.
You did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him up for us all.
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
O Son of God, eternal Word of the Father,
You came to live with us; You made Your Father known;
You washed us from our sins in Your own blood.
You are the King of glory; You are the Lord!
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
The Prayer For This Morning
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, + through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, + You have overcome death + and opened the gates of everlasting life to us and all who believe. + Calm our troubled, fearful consciences + with the peace and assurance that comes + from knowing that in Christ our sins are all forgiven, + and that we cannot be condemned for them – because He suffered that condemnation for us. + Also, through Your grace, + fill us with a greater measure of Your Holy Spirit, + that we might produce the kind of fruits of faith in our daily lives + that clearly prove to others + the validity and blessings of the Christian faith which we profess today. + And when our days on earth finally come to an end + grant us the privilege and blessing + of entering into everlasting life in heaven + in all its completeness and joy, + through the merits and for the sake + of Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord and Savior + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one, true God, now and forever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The First Lesson Acts 13:26-39
27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Him, and by condemning Him they fulfilled the statements of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. 29 When they carried out everything that was written about Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead, 31 and for many days He was seen by those who had come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These same individuals are now His witnesses to the people. 32 “We are preaching to you the good news about the promise that was made to our fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this promise for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: You are My Son. Today I have begotten You.
34 “That God would raise Him from the dead never again to be subject to decay, God said in this way: I will give You the holy and sure blessings promised to David. 35 Therefore He also says in another place: You will not let Your Holy One see decay. 36 For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was laid to rest with his fathers, and saw decay. 37 But the One God raised did not see decay.
38 “So, gentlemen, brothers, let it be known to you that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, also forgiveness from everything from which you could not be justified through the law of Moses. 39 In this Jesus, everyone who believes is justified.
The Sequence Hymn Hymn 144 “Christ is Arisen”
Christ is arisen From the grave’s dark prison.
We now rejoice with gladness; Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
All our hopes were ended Had Jesus not ascended
From the grave triumphantly. For this, Lord Christ, our thanks shall be.
Lord, have mercy.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We now rejoice with gladness; Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
The Gospel Lesson for the
Second Sunday of Easter John 21:1-14
After this, Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”
They replied, “We’ll go with you.”
They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus.
5 Jesus called to them, “Boys, don’t you have any fish?”
“No!” they answered.
6 He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast the net out. Then they were not able to haul it in because of the large number of fish.
7 The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard, “It is the Lord!” he tied his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about one hundred yards. 9 When they stepped out on land, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter climbed aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153 of them. Yet even with so many, the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come, eat breakfast.”
None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and also the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And 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 on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.
The Children’s Lesson John 11:17-27
17 When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, while Mary was sitting in the house.
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even if he dies. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me will never perish. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, Who was to come into the world.”
Is It Wrong To Be Sad When Someone We Love Dies?
The Hymn of the Day “These Things Did Thomas Count”
used with permission, OneLicense.net #A712831
lyrics by Thomas H. Troeger, to the public domain tune St. Crispin
These things did Thomas count as real: The warmth of blood, the chill of steel,
The grain of wood, the heft of stone, The last frail twitch of flesh and bone.
The vision of his skeptic mind Was keen enough to make him blind
To any unexpected act Too large for his small world of fact.
His reasoned certainties denied That one could live when one had died,
Until his fingers read like braille The markings of the spear and nail.
May we, O God, by grace believe And thus the risen Christ receive,
Whose raw, imprinted palms reached out And beckoned Thomas from his doubt.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ! And grace and peace to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come. Amen.
The Sermon Text John 20:19-31
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” 20 After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent Me, I am also sending you.” 22 After saying this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
24 But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
26 After eight days, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Take your hand and put it into My side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.”
28 Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Jesus, in the presence of His disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Thomas’ Easter Confession, “My Lord and My God”
is Our Confession of Faith Too
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, now encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Because we aren’t able to pass an offering plate today, as we would during a regular worship service, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
We Bring Our Prayers Before the Lord
Included in our prayers this morning are:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Ann King, who had a very successful
operation on her shoulder this past week; and
A Prayer of Intercession for Mary Tribay, a friend of Steve Stone’s. Mary lives on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, where a volcano erupted Friday.
The Prayer for This Morning
The Lord’s Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
Prayer 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
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 330 “Now the Hour of Worship Oe’r”
1 Now, the hour of worship o’er, Teaching, hearing, praying, singing,
Let us gladly God adore, For his Word our praises bringing;
For the rich repast he gave us Praise the Lord, who deigned to save us.
2 Now the blessing cheers our heart, By his grace to us extended.
Let us joyfully depart; Be our souls to God commended.
May his Spirit ever guide us And with all good gifts provide us.
Bless our going out, we pray, Bless our entrance in like measure;
Bless our bread, O Lord, each day, Bless our toil, our rest, our pleasure;
Bless us when we reach death’s portal, Bless us then with life immortal.
Announcements
This Past Week at Grace Lutheran Church Easter Sunday Worship Attendance: 104
Budgetary Offerings: $3677 Online Offerings: $402.26 Tuesday Bible Class: 17
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Time, 10:40-11:00 a.m.
Bible Class / Sunday School – 11:05 a.m. Confirmation, noon to 1:15 pm
Tuesday Morning Bible Study, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Church Council Meeting, 6 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 6 -7 p.m.
Saturday Outreach Calling, leaving from church at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship, with the Lord’s Supper 9:30 am Fellowship Time 10:40 am Bible Class/Sunday School, 11 Confirmation Class, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Bible Classes Resume this Wednesday (April 14) …. from 6 to 7 p.m. Please join us! Our men’s class is studying Psalms. Our women are studying Philippians.
If you’re unable to attend in person, you can still participate over the phone by calling 1-701-802-5405, then dialing 7519304#.
Church Council Meeting Reminder …..we will meet this Tuesday (April 13) at 6 p.m.
Serving Us NEXT SUNDAY (April 18) Elders: Tim Pfortmiller, John Johnson
Ushers – Tom Otto, Kent Mayer Altar Guild – Harriet Johnson, Tina Wambold
This Week’s Birthdays April 11 – Dawn Watkins; April 12 – Rachel Strackbein;
April 13 – Jimmy Clark; April 15 – Kyla Huebner