P=Pastor; C=Congregation; a=Everyone in unison; LSB = Lutheran Service Book

+

In Nomine Jesu

AS WE GATHER

Today’s Worship Focus: Today is a day of celebration! Jesus is alive! He is risen indeed. This fact informs all of our lives---if God can raise Jesus from the dead, He can bring life to my situation; He can take away my fear of death. So this day, we rejoice. We celebrate Jesus, no longer dead, but alive.

Thoughts for Meditation: Easter is not about the Easter Bunny! Though many would see Easter as a time for hunting eggs, hiding baskets, eating candy, and celebrating family, Easter is truly about the resurrection of our Lord. On this day Jesus, crucified and entombed, rose from death and validated the sacrifice He made for sin on the cross. Though there may be no harm in pursuing some of the secular Easter activities, there is great benefit in immersing ourselves in the community of faith as it celebrates that Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! We pray that the celebration of this day is transformed from an Easter memorial to a participation in the resurrection of our Lord.

Notice all of the “departures” in the Gospel for this day. Jesus has departed from the tomb. The women are commanded to depart from there as well. And they are to tell the disciples to depart and go to Galilee (Mt 28:7), soon after which, we know, Jesus will also depart. It seems that everyone is leaving. The Epistle, in such a context, may suggest that departing is the only thing left to do. Since Christ has risen, we shouldn’t even be thinking about this world anymore. Our minds should be set on the things above, where Christ is—and where our life is now hidden (Col 3:2-3)! It’s only natural that we should long to be with him.

Color of the Day: Gold - for divinity. This is the color for Easter Sunday, the “Queen of Feasts” and White - the festival color of the Church. It is reserved for celebrations that reflect themes of purity, light, innocence, holiness, and redemption, including special events in Jesus’ life as His Birth, Baptism, Transfiguration, and Resurrection.

THE PASCHAL CANDLE The Paschal Candle symbolizes the presence of the risen Christ among us. Throughout the Easter season, it will remain in the chancel and lighted for worship as a reminder that Christ is our Resurrection Light that shatters the darkness of sin and death. The paschal candle is placed at the right side of the altar (denoting Christ's presence at the right hand of the throne of God) as the pastor faces the people. At Ascension (or the Sunday after), the candle will be extinguished and moved to the baptismal font for use at baptisms and at funerals. The Paschal candle is decorated with the following symbols: Alpha and Omega (Christ is unchangeable, the beginning and end of all things); and Five nails (the wounds of Christ bring us healing).

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PRAYER TO AID YOUR WORSHIP PREPARATION

Lord God, revealed to Moses in a burning bush, to Israel in a cloudy pillar, to Isaiah on a lofty throne: help us in our worship to stand before You as on holy ground, seek the company of Your grace, hear and obey the voice of Your Word. Remove from us all hindrances to proper confession and forgiveness, to attentive hearing and obedience, to sincere praise and thanksgiving, that we may go forth with Your benediction; through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PRESERVICE MUSIC

+ SERVICE OF LIGHT +

LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE

The church has only minimal lighting. At the entrance of the nave, the presiding minister holds the

paschal candle. As it is lit from a taper, the pastor says:

P May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, pour out on us Your abundant blessing that all who in

true faith share this day in joyful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

from the dead may be filled with Your heavenly benediction. Once we were in darkness,

but now we are in the Light, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Still at the entrance of the nave, the presiding minister, bearing the paschal candle, chants:

P

C

When the presiding minister reaches the middle of the nave, he chants for the second time:

P

C

When the presiding minister arrives at the candle stand, he turns to face the congregation, lifts the

candle high and chantsthe third time:

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P

C

After the presiding minister places the paschal candle in its stand, he turns to face the people and

speaks the:

EASTER PROCLAMATION ~ Exsultet

P [D] Rejoice now, all you heav’nly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God’s faithful people.

Lights are turned up as the hymn is introduced. The pastor moves to the back of the church to join

the procession.

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+ SERVICE OF PREPARATION +

Stand

P Alleluia, Christ is risen!

C He is risen indeed, alleluia!

PROCESSIONAL HYMN: JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY LSB 457 (G)

Please remain standing, facing the Processional Cross, turning as it passes by.1 Also, tradition

suggests bowing and making the sign of the cross as the cross passes by as an outward act of

reverence and respect for the cross and the sacrifice our Lord made on the cross.

Public domain

1Symbolically the procession, “with the cross of Jesus going on before” (from the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers,” LSB 662) is a

powerful suggestion of the Christian life, following Christ wherever He leads.

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INVOCATION, CONFESSION and DECLARATION OF GRACE

The presiding minister will face the congregation and mark them with the sign of the cross.

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

The head is bowed at the mention of the Holy Name of Jesus and at those places marked with a

diamond .

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and

cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Kneel/Stand

If he remains standing, the presiding minister faces the altar.

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have

sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we

have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our

neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. 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.

The presiding minister stands and faces the congregation:

P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God

forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become

the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. The Lord, who has begun this

good work in us, will bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C Amen.

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+ SERVICE OF THE WORD +

The presiding minister and his assistants may enter the chancel.

INTROIT1

and GLORIA PATRI Ex. 15:2a, 6, 13, 17–18; antiphon: Ex. 15:1b

I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed | gloriously;*

the horse and his rider he has thrown in- | to the sea.

The LORD is my strength | and my song,*

and he has become my sal- | vation.

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 ho- | ly 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 es- | tablished.*

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 be- | ginning,*

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 in- | to the sea.

1“Introit” is pronounced “in-troh-it” & Latin for “he enters.” Here the Pastor enters the Chancel with the reading/chanting of these

Psalm/Scripture verses. “Gloria Patri” is Latin for “Glory be to the Father” which is acclamation of praise before the final antiphon

(a refrain that begins and concludes the Introit).

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KYRIE1

LSB 152

As the KYRIE is sung, the presiding minister stands, facing the altar, and may extend his hands in the

ancient gesture of prayer.

1“Kyrie” is pronounced ‘keer-ee-ay’ – shortened from the Greek phrase Kyrie Eleison (“Lord, have mercy”) and reminds us of pleas

for mercy like the one recorded in Matthew 15:22

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HYMN OF PRAISE - THIS IS THE FEAST LSB 155

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SALUTATION and COLLECT1

OF THE DAY

Facing the people, the presiding minister stands at the altar. He will extend his hands when chanting

and then, holding his hands together, bow acknowledging the congregation’s response.

The presiding minister faces the altar. A brief silence may be observed. The presiding minister may

raise his outstretched hands in the gesture of prayer while chanting the COLLECT OF THE DAY.

P [D] Let us pray. Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised 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.

Sit

OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:1–6

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

my people.”

2Thus says the LORD:

“The people who survived the sword

found grace in the wilderness;

when Israel sought for rest, 3the LORD appeared to him from far away.

1The “Collect” is a short prayer which ‘collects’ or summarizes the thoughts of the day. The Collects for every Sunday come to us

from the rich treasury of the church’s heritage.

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I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. 4Again 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. 5Again you shall plant vineyards

on the mountains of Samaria;

the planters shall plant

and shall enjoy the fruit. 6For 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.’”

P This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL1

and VERSE adapt. from St. Matt. 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6; 2 Tim. 1:10b

During the GRADUAL the presiding minister faces the altar.

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.

[Christ Jesus] abolished death

and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

EPISTLE Colossians 3:1–4

[Beloved]: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where

Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on

things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When

Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

P This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

1“Gradual” comes from the Latin “gradus” meaning ‘step’. In the ancient church these Psalm & Scripture verses were chanted from

the steps of the Altar. It is a response to the First Lesson and a bridge to the Second Lesson.

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SEQUENCE HYMN: NOW ALL THE VAULT OF HEAVEN RESOUNDS LSB 465

2 Eternal is the gift He brings,

Therefore our heart with rapture sings:

“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”

Now still He comes to give us life

And by His presence stills all strife.

Christ has triumphed! He is living!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3 Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love;

Set heart and will on things above

That we conquer through Your triumph;

Grant grace sufficient for life’s day

That by our lives we truly say:

“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

D 4 Adoring praises now we bring

And with the heav’nly blessed sing:

“Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!”

Be to the Father and our Lord,

To Spirit blest, most holy God,

All the glory, never ending!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

© 1958 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100012570.

Public domain

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THE GOSPEL PROCESSION During the final stanza the processional cross moves to the center of the congregation. Please remain

standing, facing the Cross as it leads the Gospel Processional into the Nave.

The Gospel is read from among the people to symbolize the Living Message among us.

HOLY + GOSPEL St. Matthew 28:1–10

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-eighth chapter.

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. 2And 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. 3His

appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4And for fear of him the guards

trembled and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I

know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come,

see the place where he lay. 7Then 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.” 8So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his

disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold

of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my

brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Once the cross is returned to its place you may be seated.

HYMN OF THE DAY: CHRIST JESUS LAY IN DEATH'S STRONG BANDS LSB 458

Martin Luther (1483–1546) published this in 1524 in his Erfurt Enchiridia, and it has been called one

of the greatest of his hymns, second only to “A Mighty Fortress.” Luther referred to this hymn often,

and it was also a favorite of J.S. Bach, whose first Easter cantata was based upon all seven stanzas

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5 Here our true Paschal Lamb we see,

Whom God so freely gave us;

He died on the accursèd tree—

So strong His love—to save us.

See, His blood now marks our door;

Faith points to it; death passes o’er,

And Satan cannot harm us.

Alleluia!

6 So let us keep the festival

To which the Lord invites us;

Christ is Himself the joy of all,

The sun that warms and lights us.

Now His grace to us imparts

Eternal sunshine to our hearts;

The night of sin is ended.

Alleluia!

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7 Then let us feast this Easter Day

On Christ, the bread of heaven;

The Word of grace has purged away

The old and evil leaven.

Christ alone our souls will feed;

He is our meat and drink indeed;

Faith lives upon no other!

Alleluia!

Public domain

SERMON “Risen For You!” St. Matthew 28:1-10

1. No ______________________________

2. No ______________________________

3. No ______________________________

4. No ______________________________

Stand

NICENE CREED1

During the CREED, the presiding minister and any assistants faces the altar.

C 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.

1 Creedal statements where bowing is appropriate are underlined. Single underlines indicate the bowing of the head, double underlines

indicate bowing at the waist.

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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 Christian1 and apostolic Church,

I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

and I look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life T of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

The presiding minister may raise his outstretched hands in the gesture of prayer.

P Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

OFFERTORY2

LSB 159

1 Christian: the ancient text reads “catholic,” meaning the whole Church as it confesses the wholeness of Christian doctrine.

2The “Offertory” is a Scripture based hymn which is sung as we prepare to bring our tithes and offerings to God. In doing so we are

reminded that the offering of monetary offerings is a public testimony that we have first “given [ourselves] to the Lord” (2 Corinthians

8:5)

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LORD'S PRAYER LSB 162

The presiding minister may raise his outstretched hands in the gesture of prayer.

P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

CLOSING COLLECT

The presiding minister may raise his outstretched hands in the gesture of prayer as the collect is

spoken.

P Let us pray.

Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down

from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the

joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, so that in steadfast faith we may serve You and, in

the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

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BENEDICTION LSB 166

Facing the congregation, the presiding minister raises his hand(s) and says:

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 T give you peace.

C Amen.

HYMN: I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES LSB 461

5 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.

6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly 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.

7 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.

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8 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!

Public domain

SILENT PRAYER

DISMISSAL:

P Alleluia! Christ is risen! C He is risen indeed, alleluia!

P Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God!

Soli Deo Gloria

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Unless otherwise indicated, all 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.