Witnesses to Christ: Mary Magdalene

We have followed Jesus to the cross, the tomb, and now we follow Jesus out of the tomb as He rises from the dead and appears to another witness: Mary Magdalene. Jesus’ Easter morning resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene might be unexpected. After all, Mary had endured a terrible past. Jesus had cast seven demons out of her in the early part of His ministry. But Mary is chosen to be this eyewitness, and she exclaims to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Mary is the first to see Jesus’ resurrected glory and proclaim this good news, which we speak again and again today, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!”

Service for Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of Our Lord

Rev. Gregory Mech, pastor | April 17, 2022 | Immanuel Lutheran Church – Joplin, Missouri | 8:00 and 10:30 am

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Special thanks to all who helped to make this broadcast possible today:
Rev. Gregory Mech, DCE Jason Glaskey, organist Betty Lingenfelter, Altar Guild, Board of Elders, and all of our volunteers!

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The Resurrection of Our Lord

April 17, 2022  — Easter Festival Service with Holy Communion

HYMN “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” 457

Jesus Christ is risen today. Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day. Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffered to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly 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 heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

INVOCATION

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

OPENING SENTENCES

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Though Mary announces this good news to Jesus’ disciples, they struggle to believe her. Perhaps because of her past, they do not find her trustworthy. Perhaps their fear is too great and prevents their belief. Whatever the case, though, the greatest event in history had occurred, everyone was still in confusion. We, too, struggle with disbelief in our sin. Our heavenly Father invites us to bring all our struggles and sins to Him and receive His forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, we have sinned against You in the things we have done and the things we have failed to do. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Our sin is a daily reminder of our need for Jesus and His forgiveness. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Our heavenly Father hears you and has sent Jesus to take your sin upon Himself on the cross. Your sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus. Your sins were buried in the tomb with Jesus. And as Jesus rises from the grave, your sin does not rise with Him. Your sins are forgiven because of Jesus and His love. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen. We are forgiven by the grace and glory of Jesus.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

INTROIT Exodus 15:2a, 6, 13, 17-18; antiphon: v. 15:1b

I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song,
and He has become my salvation;
Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. 
You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them by Your strength to Your holy abode.
You will bring them in and plant them on Your own mountain,
the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your abode,
the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established.
The Lord will reign forever and ever.
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.
I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.

KYRIE

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

HYMN OF PRAISE “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” 793

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet your tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor
To His people in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore Him;
You behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
All who dwell in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

SALUTATION

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, You came from the heavens down to this world and endured the suffering and shame of the cross and grave, but You are arisen to new life, guaranteeing our own resurrection from the dead. Encourage us as we wait for Your return to delight in Your resurrection and faithfully proclaim this good news, just as Mary Magdalene did, so that more people may come to believe in You as Lord; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:1-6

The Old Testament Reading is from Jeremiah, the thirty-first chapter.

“At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be My people.”

Thus says the LORD:
“The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
the LORD appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.
Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines
and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
and shall enjoy the fruit.
For there shall be a day when watchmen will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the LORD our God.’ ”

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

HYMN “For All the Saints” 677: 1, 7-8

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

▵ From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, 
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

EPISTLE Colossians 3:1-4

The Epistle is from Colossians, the third chapter.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

VERSE 2 Timothy 1:10b

Alleluia. [Christ Jesus] abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL John 20:1-18

The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that He had said these things to her.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” 466 

Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

For three long days the grave did its worst
Until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo;
And in its conquest His might did show.

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

The angel said to them, “Do not fear!
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare;
Only the grave cloths are lying there.”

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

“Go spread the news: He’s not in the grave;
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done;
Even the battle with sin is won.” 

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

Christ has arisen; He sets us free;
Alleluia, to Him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing;
He reigns triumphant, heavenly King. 

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

SERMON

NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

OFFERING

OFFERTORY HYMN “Voices Raised to You We Offer” 795: 1,3

Voices raised to You we offer;
Tune them, God, for songs of praise.
Hearts and hands we bring in tribute
For Your gifts through all our days.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Triune God, to You we sing!

Christ, the song of Love incarnate,
Touching earth with heaven’s grace,
For Your living, suff’ring, dying,
For Your rising, hear our praise!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ, Redeemer, Lord of life!

+ SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + 

PREFACE 160

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

PROPER PREFACE

It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God. And most especially are we bound to praise You on this day for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us and bore the sins of the world. By His dying He has destroyed death, and by His rising again He has restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, and with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

SANCTUS “Holy, Holy, Holy” 161

Holy, holy, holy Lord 
God of power and might: 
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. 
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 161

Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You have created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.

Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us by Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament.

Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST

As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

LORD’S PRAYER 162

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 “The Peace of the Lord” 163

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.

AGNUS DEI “Lamb of God” 163

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Distribution of the Sacrament will be by family groups, at the direction of the usher. Children may come forward for a contactless blessing. Gluten-free and alcohol-free portions are available near the center aisle.

DISTRIBUTION HYMN “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” 633

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing 
Praise to our victorious King,
Who has washed us in the tide 
Flowing from His pierced side. Alleluia!

Praise we Him, whose love divine 
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast—
Christ the victim, Christ the priest. Alleluia!

Where the pascal blood is poured, 
Death’s dread angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s host triumphant go 
Through the wave that drowns the foe. Alleluia!

Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, 
Pascal victim, pascal bread;
With sincerity and love 
Eat we manna from above. Alleluia!

Mighty victim from the sky, 
Hell’s fierce powers beneath You lie;
You have conquered in the fight, 
You have brought us life and light. Alleluia!

Now no more can death appall, 
Now no more the grave enthrall;
You have opened paradise, 
And Your saints in You shall rise. Alleluia!

Easter triumph, Easter joy! 
This alone can sin destroy:
From sin’s power, Lord, set us free, 
Newborn souls in You to be. Alleluia!

▵ Father, who the crown shall give, 
Savior, by whose death we live,
Spirit, guide through all our days: 
Three-in-One, Your name we praise. Alleluia! Amen.

DISTRIBUTION HYMN “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” 461

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.

He triumphant from the grave; 
He eternally to save;
He lives all glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

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.

He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with His eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

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.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

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!”

DISTRIBUTION HYMN “What Is This Bread” 629

What is this bread?
Christ’s body risen from the dead:
This bread we break,
This life we take,
Was crushed to pay for our release.
O taste and see—the Lord is peace.

What is this wine?
The blood of Jesus shed for mine;
The cup of grace
Brings His embrace
Of life and love until I sing!
O taste and see—the Lord is King.

So who am I,
That I should live and He should die
Under the rod?
My God, my God,
Why have You not forsaken me?
O taste and see—the Lord is free.

Yet is God here?
Oh, yes! By Word and promise clear,
In mouth and soul
He makes us whole—
Christ, truly present in this meal.
O taste and see—the Lord is real.

Is this for me?
I am forgiven and set free!
I do believe
That I receive
His very body and His blood.
O taste and see—the Lord is good.

POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE 164

Thank the Lord and sing His praise;
Tell everyone what He has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice 
and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises 
and leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving. 
Alleluia, alleluia.

POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING

Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

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.
Amen.

HYMN “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” 469

“Christ the Lord is ris’n today!”
Saints on earth and angels say;
Raise your joys and triumphs high;
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply.

Love’s redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won;
Lo! Our Sun’s eclipse is o’er;
Lo! He sets in blood no more.

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ hath burst the gates of hell.
Death in vain forbids His rise;
Christ has opened paradise.

Lives again our glorious King!
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once He died our souls to save;
Where thy victory, O grave?

Soar we now where Christ has led;
Foll’wing our exalted Head.
Made like Him, like Him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.

Hail the Lord of earth and heav’n!
Praise to Thee by both be giv’n!
Thee we greet triumphant now:
Hail, the resurrection, Thou!

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

IMMANUEL’S MISSION PRAYER

Heavenly Father, We pray to see the future as You see it, so we may live the present as You will it. We pray we may be grounded in Christ as a Lutheran congregation, and guided by Your grace as we walk in forgiveness. We pray we are growing continually in faith as servants in Christ’s Kingdom proclaiming the Gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

COMMON DOXOLOGY 805

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

From Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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