Easter Sunday Worship Service
Rev. Gregory Mech | April 4, 2021 | The Resurrection of Our Lord | Immanuel Lutheran Church – Joplin, Missouri | 6:30, 8:00 and 10:30 am
Holy Week 2021. Join us for Easter Morning at 6:30, 8:00 and 10:30. Return To The Lord!
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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, the COVID Committee and Board of Elders.
Easter Sunday — April 4, 2021
RETURN AND SEE
The Day of Easter appeals to all of the senses—especially the sense of sight. With joy-filled eyes, we view our place of worship, which has a singular beauty at Easter. We return and see and rejoice. But the greatest visioning of Easter on this holy day is that we are called to come and see the risen Christ. By faith, we see the salvation won for us. This is the feast of victory for our God—and by His grace, once again, we get to view it “up close and personal”!
HYMN “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” 466: 1, 3-5
Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.
Refrain
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.”
Refrain
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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
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!
INVOCATION
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 118:24; Romans 6:9; Matthew 28:7; Hebrews 2:7
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again;
death no longer has dominion over Him.
Christ has risen from the dead.
God the Father has crowned Him with glory and honor.
He has given Him dominion over the works of His hands;
He has put all things under His feet.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Let us confess our sin to God, our merciful Father.
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things and judge of all people, we admit and confess that we are sinful and unclean by nature. Though we know that You are our Lord in all matters of life, we have not lived as if obedience to Your will is our priority. Rather than exhibiting charity in all things and toward all people, we 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 repent, and are truly sorry for these, our sins. Have mercy on us, gracious Father; forgive us all that is past, and with the power of the Holy Spirit direct our lives so that we serve You in true faithfulness. Grant us to see our Lord more clearly and graciously build Your kingdom among us here in every way.
God has promised forgiveness of sins to those who repent and turn to Him. 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 Son and of the Holy Spirit. God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, and grant you a blessed life on earth and finally a glorious eternal Easter vision of the Savior and life full and complete with Him in heaven forever.
Amen.
INTROIT Exodus 15:2a, 6, 13, 17–18; antiphon: v. 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
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
SALUTATION and PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe. In love You have given Your Son, Jesus Christ, into death for us and raised Him to life again; so raise us from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
KIDS TALK
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 25:6–9
A reading from Isaiah, the twenty-fifth chapter.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
And He will swallow up on this mountain
the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for Him;
let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 16
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.
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.
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.
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
A reading from First Corinthians, the fifteenth chapter.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN “Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven” 477: 1,2
Alleluia, alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise:
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim
For the world’s salvation bled—
Jesus Christ, the King of Glory,
Now is risen from the dead.
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Death at last has met defeat:
See the ancient powers of evil
In confusion and retreat;
Once He died, and once was buried;
Now He lives forevermore,
Jesus Christ, the world’s Redeemer,
Whom we worship and adore.
HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 28:1–10
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-eighth chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON 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!
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.
PRESENTATION of the OFFERING
OFFERTORY “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” 851: 1,2
Lord of glory, You have bought us
With Your lifeblood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones
That tremendous sacrifice;
And with that have freely given
Blessings countless as the sand
To the unthankful and the evil
With Your own unsparing hand.
Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to give You
Gladly, freely of Your own.
With the sunshine of Your goodness
Melt our thankless hearts of stone
‘Til our cold and selfish natures,
Warmed by You, at length believe
That more happy and more blessed
‘Tis to give than to receive.
PRAYERS
LORD’S PRAYER
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
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 “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” 465: 1,2
Now all the vault of heaven resounds
In praise of love that still abounds:
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear!
Repeat their song of glory here:
“Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Eternal is the gift He brings;
Therefore our heart with rapture sing:
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Now still He comes to give us life
And by His presence still all strife.
“Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
(6:30 service concludes here.)
+ SACRAMENT +
PREFACE
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, Lord, our God, for in Christ You have given us the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. Pour out upon us the gift of Your Spirit, that we receive Your blessings with true thanksgiving. Grant that we receive the body and blood of our Lord as a guarantee of our salvation and as a foretaste of the feast to come in Your eternal kingdom. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and praise, together with the Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.Amen.
SANCTUS “Holy, Holy, Holy” 507: 1,4
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
With joyful praise, Lord God, we bless You this day for having sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, to be the perfect sacrifice so that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. Grant that our lives know the peace that surpasses all understanding. Invited by Your grace, grant that we come to Your Table with grateful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, that we live with confidence, securely awaiting the eternal feast with all the saints in glory.
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.”
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
Distribution of the Sacrament will be by family groups, at the direction of the usher. Children may come forward for a contactless blessing. Once you have received the body and the blood of our Lord Christ, depart in peace. Christ is risen!
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 “The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done” 464
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The strife is over, the battle done;
Now is the victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!
The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!
He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from heaven’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell. Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
DISTRIBUTION HYMN “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness” 467
Awake, my heart, with gladness,
See what today is done;
Now, after gloom and sadness,
Comes forth the glorious sun.
My Savior there was laid
Where our bed must be made
When to the realms of light
Our spirit wings its flight.
The foe in triumph shouted
When Christ lay in the tomb;
But lo, he now is routed,
His boast is turned to gloom.
For Christ again is free;
In glorious victory
He who is strong to save
Has triumphed over the grave.
This is a sight that gladdens—
What peace it doth impart!
Now nothing ever saddens
The joy within my heart.
No gloom shall ever shake,
No foe shall ever take
The hope which God’s own Son
In love for me has won.
Now hell, its prince, the devil,
Of all their power are shorn;
Now I am safe from evil,
And sin I laugh to scorn.
Grim death, with all its might,
Cannot my soul affright;
It is a powerless form,
However it rave and storm.
The world against me rages,
Its fury I disdain;
Though bitter war it wages,
Its work is all in vain.
My heart from care is free,
No trouble troubles me.
Misfortune now is play,
And night is bright as day.
Now I will cling forever
To Christ, my Savior true.
My Lord will leave me never,
Whatever He passes through.
He rends death’s iron chains;
He breaks through sin and pain;
He shatters hell’s grim thrall;
I follow Him through all.
He brings me to the portal
That leads to bliss untold,
Whereon this rhyme immortal
Is found in script of gold:
“Who there my cross has shared
Finds here a crown prepared;
Who there with Me has died
Shall here be glorified.”
Acknowledgments
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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