Christ Ev. Lutheran Church 2235 West Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Pastor Joel W. Jaeger – 645-5138 (office); 672-2471 (home)
EASTER SUNDAY
APRIL 5, 2015
WELCOME: CHRIST IS RISEN -- HE IS RISEN INDEED! As we come together this morning to celebrate the resurrection triumph of our Savior, welcome in the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ. May the marvel and power of His glorious resurrection fill your heart with peace and joy. May the assurances, which flow from the resurrection Scriptures, increase your determination to trust & serve Him, Who graciously shares His victory with you.
PRE-SERVICE PRAYER: Almighty and everlasting God, through the glorious resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened for me the gates of eternal life. Although my sinful mind cannot comprehend how it is possible, Your Word has convinced me that it is true: the Lord is risen, He is risen indeed! I beg you, therefore, to pour out your blessing on all who worship you today. Cause our hearts to be so filled with joy over Jesus' resurrection that this joy flows out into our lives and we grow and mature into faithful and fruitful Christians. Make us eager and able to worship you every day as diligently as we do today on this Easter festival. In the name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.
I. WE COME BEFORE GOD THE RINGING OF THE BELLS THE OPENING HYMN: CWS #722 – “Scatter the Darkness, Break the Gloom” Please stand as the hymn is introduced. The cross will be carried in as the congregation sings this anthem. Please turn to the back of church and face the cross as it is carried forward.
THE GREETING Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
PEOPLE: HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA! Pastor: We celebrate this festival day in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit. PEOPLE: (spoken) AMEN. Pastor: Upon the hill the cross stands empty. Morning light breaks upon the tomb.
PEOPLE: CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA! Pastor: Within us, new life is awakened. God has given new hope to a dying world.
PEOPLE: CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA! AMEN!
THE CONFESSION OF SINS Pastor: "The soul who sins is the one who will die."
PEOPLE: LORD, I HAVE SINNED. I WILL DIE. "The wages of sin is death."
LORD, I DESERVE DEATH AS MY WAGES. I HAVE SINNED OFTEN AND GRIEVOUSLY. "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all have sinned."
I DESERVE TO DIE PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND ETERNALLY. I HAVE INHERITED ADAM'S SINFUL NATURE. I HAVE SINNED BY MY THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND ACTIONS. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
DEAR LORD, FORGIVE MY SINS OF THOUGHT, WORD, AND ACTION. FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS, YOUR SON FORGIVE ME FOR THE WRONG I HAVE DONE AND THE RIGHT I HAVE FAILED TO DO. “WASH AWAY ALL MY INIQUITY AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN.”
THE ABSOLUTION:
(Pastor) The risen Lord Jesus appeared to ten disciples on the first Easter and said, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I am sending you." He then breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." So in obedience to this wonderful command and trusting this beautiful promise, I, a minister of our risen Lord & Savior, say to you, 'Peace be with you. Your sins are forgiven!'
WE SING BECAUSE OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN: "Jesus Lives! The Victories Won" CW #145
II. WE LISTEN AS GOD SPEAKS THE EASTER PRAYER THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 25:6-9 (NIV p. 500) THE PSALM: Psalm 118 (CWS)
THE EPISTLE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 (NIV p. 815) THE SENIOR CHOIR: “Christ Is Risen” by L.O. Emerson Hallelujah! hallelujah! Hallelujah! hallelujah! Christ, the Lord, is ris’n today, Sons of men and angels say; Raise your joys and triumphs high, sing, ye heav‘ns, and earth reply. Vain the stone, the watch, the cell, Christ hath burst the gates of hell; Christ hath opened Paradise; Death in vain forbids him rise, Christ hath opened Paradise, See, he lives, victorious King! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Once he died, our souls to save, Where’s thy victory, O grave? Hallelujah! halleluiah!, Hallelujah!, hallelujah!
THE GOSPEL LESSON: Mark 16:1-8 (NIV p. 722) HYMN: CW #160 – “This Joyful Eastertide” THE SERMON: John 16:16-22 (p. 765 I TELL YOU THE TRUTH . . . YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY
III. WE RESPOND TO THE EASTER PROCLAMATIONS THE NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with
the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgivness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE OFFERING THE PRAYERS Pastor: O Lord, our God, in the resurrection of Your Son heaven and earth rejoice. We praise you for this glorious day.
Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD! YOU GIVE US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. By His sacrifice on the cross you have freed us forever from sin, death, and Satan. You tell us today, “Do not be afraid.”
HELP US TO PUT ASIDE EVERYTHING THAT MAKES US UNCERTAIN AND AFRAID. REMOVE ALL DOUBTS THAT MAKE US TIMID AND SKEPTICAL. Heavenly Father, Your reigning Son promised, “Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” Make us instruments of your peace as we bring the goodness of hope and new life to those around us.
RISEN LORD, LIVE IN US THAT WE MAY LIVE FOR YOU. BLESS US AS WE SHARE YOUR VICTORY WITH OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, THE PEOPLE WE WORK AND PLAY WITH. In this world death is so ugly and terrible. Today we think about loved ones who have died. But those who rest in your arms are conquerors. We thank you for their victory.
COMFORT OUR HEARTS, LORD, WITH YOUR PROMISES. GIVE US JOY AS WE ANTICIPATE REUNION WITH THOSE WHO ALREADY ENJOY YOUR PERFECT GLORY. Merciful Lord, grant healing to the sick, strengthen those who are suffering, give confidence to the dying. Comfort them with the hope of eternal life. Listen now to our silent prayers for others and ourselves.
(silent prayer) Finally, O Lord,
GO WITH US IN OUR DAILY LIVES, AND KEEP YOUR EASTER VICTORY EVER BEFORE US. ALLELUIA! THANKS BE TO GOD! OUR FATHER, WHO ART . . .
IV. THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR THE COMMUNICANTS PRAYER THE CONSECREATION THE KYRIE: CW #144 – “Christ Is Risen” THE DISTRIBUTION HYMN: CW #152 – “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” THE THANKSGIVING
V. WITH JOY-FILLED HEARTS WE TAKE OUR LEAVE OUR FINAL EASTER RESPONSES Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Raise your praises high!
PEOPLE: WITH HEARTFELT THANKS WE FOLLOW CHRIST, HIS WONDROUS LOVE TO SEE. Alleluia! Christ is risen, nevermore to die!
FROM DEATH TO LIFE WE FOLLOW CHRIST, FROM CROSS TO VICTORY. Alleluia! Christ is risen! Death's dark reign is done!
GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE OUR STEPS TILL LIFE ON EARTH IS PAST. Alleluia! Christ is risen! Victory is won!
SO BY GOD'S GRACE WE TAKE OUR PLACE IN PARADISE AT LAST.
THE 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 you peace.
(sing:) "AMEN. AMEN. AMEN."
HYMN: CW #154 – “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks”