THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD—EASTER DAY
Everyone Who Believes April 12, 2020
AS WE GATHER
“Break down the wall that would divide Thy children, Lord, on ev’ry side” (LSB 844:2). The resurrection of Jesus on that first Easter morning was the greatest breaking down of walls ever experienced on this earth. In his Gospel account, Matthew tells that there was a great earthquake on that Easter Day. He also records that on the day that Jesus died, the earth shook and rocks were split. God was at work in shaking up the earth at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of His Son, our Savior. And God is still breaking down walls—walls that divide and separate people. Today we celebrate the forgiveness won for us and all people by Jesus, our all-powerful and victorious Lord.
PREPARATION
HYMN “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” [LSB 457]
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ our heavnly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
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!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heav’nly host , Alleluia! Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
INVOCATION
P: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 118:24; Matthew 28:7; Hebrews 2:7; Psalm 8:6, adapted
P: This is the day that the Lord has made;
C: let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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 come before God in true repentance, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.
O God our Father, we admit and confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You in thought and in word and in deed.
C: Have mercy on us and forgive us, O Lord.
P: We confess that we have not lived as Your followers but have sought to go our own ways in directions that have not brought glory to You or blessing to others.
C: Have mercy on us and forgive us, O Lord.
P: We confess that Your love has not reached others through us in every situation, that there have been times in which we have been loveless, thoughtless, and judgmental toward others, unwilling to help our neighbors as we ought.
C: Have mercy on us and forgive us, Lord.
P: We confess that Your will has not been our priority at all times and that we have not always been defenders of the weak and helpless in our circle of family, neighbors, and friends and beyond.
C: Have mercy on us and forgive us, Lord.
P: We confess that we have not used every opportunity given to us to witness to the resurrection faith that is ours and have at times been slow to speak of the hope that is ours in Christ.
C: Have mercy on us and forgive us, Lord.
P: Upon this your confession and by the command of our Lord, I, a called servant of Christ, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. Go in X peace.
C: Amen.
WORD
We now turn to a combination of two hymns that have been sung by the faithful at Easter for hundreds of years. The text for “Christians, to the Paschal Victim” dates back to France in the eleventh century, and the text for “Christ Is Arisen” is from Germany not many centuries later. It became a special custom for the choir or soloists to sing the stanzas of “Christians, to the Paschal Victim” in Latin and for the people of the congregation to respond to those stanzas with the stanzas of “Christ Is Arisen” in their native language. Today, both parts will be in English.
P:
HYMN “Christians, to the Paschal Victim” [LSB 460]
Christ is arisen from the grave’s dark prison.
So let our joy rise ful and free; Christ our comfort true will be. Alleluia!
Were Christ no arisen, then death were still our prison.
Now, with Him to life restored, we praise the Father of our Lord. Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Now let our joy rise full and free;
Crist our comfort true will be, Alleluia!
SALUTATION
P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray. Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, You destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. Grant that we who have been raised with Him may abide in His presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
FIRST READING Acts 10:34–43 (The disciples are witnesses to the risen Lord.)
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE 2 Timothy 1:10b
C: Alleluia. Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Alleluia.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 31:1–6 (The Lord has an everlasting love for His people.)
1 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” 2 This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.” 3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. 4 I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful. 5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit. 6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’”
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 16
P: Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
P: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
P: For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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 Colossians 3:1–4 (Our lives are hidden with Christ in God.)
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
P: In today’s Gospel, we hear the command of the angel to the women as they visited the empty tomb: “Go quickly and tell.” The powerful message of the resurrection is of first importance. The women responded, leaving the garden tomb with fear and great joy. They ran to tell the disciples! Today we share the experience of those first witnesses of the resurrection and by God’s grace we meet our Lord here in Word and Sacrament.
HYMN “The Lord Alive” [St. 1: See Music Index]
The Lord alive says, “Go,”
To meet Him as He said;
As Jesus, past all doubts, does show
He’s risen from the dead.
Text: Gregory J. Wismar. Copyright © 2019 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 28:1–10 (Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-eighth chapter.
C: Glory to You, O Lord.
1 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 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” [LSB 487]
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain Of triumphant gladness;
God hath brought forth Israel Into joy from sadness;
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot Through the Red Sea waters.
’Tis the spring of souls today; Christ has burst His prison,
And from three days’ sleep in death As a sun hath risen;
All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom we give Laud and praise undying.
Now the queen of seasons, bright With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts, Comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem, Who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus’ resurrection.
Neither might the gates of death, Nor the tomb’s dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal Hold Thee as a mortal;
But today amidst the twelve Thou didst stand, bestowing
That Thy peace which evermore Passeth human knowing.
Alleluia! now we cry To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars Of the tomb’s dark portal;
Alleluia! with the Son, God the Father praising,
Alleluia! yet again To the Spirit raising.
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:
That the Church would live out its calling and that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ be joyfully celebrated in all places, let us pray to the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: hat the nations of the world find peace with justice in our time, let us pray to the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: That the abiding blessing of God rest upon our families, our neighborhoods, our places of business, and our schools, let us pray to the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: That those whose confession of the true faith leads to bodily peril or other sufferings know relief and deliverance from every danger, let us pray of the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: That all whose labor adds meaning and beauty to the life of the Church—the musicians, artists, craft workers, flower arrangers, and others—find joy and blessing in all that they do to the glory of God, let us pray to the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: That all those whose lives know specific challenges, including those who are ill and those who mourn, [including . . .], know heavenly benediction and strength for each day, let us pray to the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: That the memory of the faithful departed be held in reverence and honor by all of us as we await a time of resurrection and reunion at the close of the age, let us pray to the Lord:
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: These things and all else that we should have asked on this day of holy rejoicing, grant to us, Lord, for the sake of our risen Savior Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
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.
PAX DOMINI
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen.
BENEDICAMUS
P: Let us bless the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION
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. Numbers 6:24–26
C: Amen.
HYMN “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia” [LSB 463]
Christ the Lord is risen today; Alleluia Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia
Offer praises with love replete, Alleluia At the Paschal Victim’s feet. Alleluia
For the sheep the Lamb hath bled, Alleluia Sinless in the sinner’s stead; Alleluia
Christ the Lord is risen on high; Alleluia Now He lives no more to die. Alleluia
Hail the victim undefiled, Alleluia God and sinners reconciled; Alleluia
When contending death and life; Alleluia Met in strange and awesome strife:
Christians on this holy day, Alleluia All you grateful homage pay; Alleluia
Christ the Lord is risen on high; Alleluia Now He lives no more to die. Alleluia
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Quarter 2. Copyright © 2019 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Roger says
Your leadership helps me keep my faith in Christ and God our King. Thank you and Lisa so much for this Easter Message of Faith and Hope for the present and future. God Bless you and your’s.
Thomas Mulhern says
What a joy to be able to celebrate Easter even though it was not in our usual manner. We have never missed an Easter celebration and this year it is no different thanks to technology.
Praise God for all His blessings.