THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Easter Imperatives: Tell! April 26, 2020
AS WE GATHER
The seven Sundays of Easter celebrate the greatest of all victories—the defeat of sin, death, and the devil by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The theme of victory fills each of the Sundays of Easter and radiates out the joy of the first Easter morning week by week. One Easter hymnwriter exhorts: “Let hymns of praise His triumph tell” (LSB 464:3). There is so much to be sung and to be told about the victory of Jesus, our Lord—and we are the ones gifted with the opportunity to do the singing and the telling in our generation.
PREPARATION
HYMN He Lives
I serve a risen Savior He’s in the world today
I know that He is living Whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near
Chorus
He lives He lives Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me Along life’s narrow way
He lives He lives Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives He lives within my heart
Verse 2
In all the world around me I see His loving care
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair
I know that He is leading Through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing Will come at last Chorus
Verse 3
Rejoice rejoice O Christian Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs To Jesus Christ the King
The Hope of all who seek Him The Help of all who find
None other is so loving So good and kind Chorus
CCLI Song # 17597
INVOCATION
P: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Romans 6:9; Matthew 28:7; Hebrews 2:7; Psalm 8:6, adapted
P: Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
C: death no longer has dominion over Him.
P: Christ has risen from the dead. Alleluia!
C: God the Father has crowned Him with glory and honor,
P: He has given Him dominion over the works of His hands;
C: He has put all things under His feet. Alleluia! Alleluia!
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
P: Let us confess our sin to God, our merciful Father.
C: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our creator and preserver, we admit and confess our sinfulness. We are stained by sin from our very beginnings. We have sinned again and again in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves and have turned away from one another in our thinking, speaking, and doing. We have done the evil You forbid and have not done the good You demand. We do repent and are truly sorry for all of our many sins. Have mercy on us, gracious Father; forgive us all that is past, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, direct our lives so that we serve You in true faithfulness. Grant us victory over all that oppresses us, and build Your kingdom among us here through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
P: In His boundless mercy, God has promised forgiveness of sins to those who repent and turn to Him for restoration and renewal. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, and grant you a life on earth in which you tell of His greatness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
WORD
SALUTATION
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray. O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
FIRST LESSON Acts 2:14a, 36–41 (Peter preaches in the heart of Jerusalem.)
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 116:1–14
P: I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, He saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted”;
I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.”
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
EPISTLE 1 Peter 1:17–25 (Peter reminds us that we redeemed by the blood of Christ.)
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 24:13–35 (The disciples are witnesses of the risen Lord.)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter.
C: Glory to You, O Lord.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN “Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord” [LSB 935]
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
Tender to me the promise of His Word;
In God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;
His mercy sure, from age to age the same;
His holy Name, the Lord, the mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by;
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight;
The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of His Word!
Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure.
Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord
To children’s children and forevermore!
SERMON
CREED 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 Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
We pray for the whole Church, that the message of salvation joyfully be told throughout all the world and the Easter victory of Jesus Christ be celebrated around the globe. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: We pray for the nations of the world, that the governments of all nations be a source of blessing to those who are governed and that oppression in all forms be hindered. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: We pray for ourselves in this season of our Lord’s great victory, that we truly be Easter people all year long, radiating the light of Christ in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Lord, in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: We pray for all who serve us through their callings, especially for those who deal with special challenges or dangers on a regular basis, including police, fire, and emergency personnel. Also, we remember at this time the military forces of our nation, those stationed both at home and abroad, whose efforts serve to defend our nation in challenging times. Lord in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: We pray for those with special concerns and needs this day: those who are hospitalized, [including . . .], those who grieve, the unemployed and underemployed, the chronically ill and shut-in, and all others whose needs are not known to us at this time. Bless them with Your presence, gracious Father, that they have a sense of victory in their lives and find strength and hope for each day. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: Merciful God, we bless You for having placed into our lives faithful Christian people to guide us. On this day we remember those no longer among us on earth who have completed their earthly races and have won the final victory in Christ. Lead us to follow in their way, that we rejoice together eternally at Your Table and in Your mansions. Lord in Your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6:9–13
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.
BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24–26
P: 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 X give you peace.
C: Amen.
HYMN What a Friend We Have in Jesus LSB 770
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you;
You will find a solace there.
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Quarter 2. Copyright © 2019 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Leave a Reply