Second Sunday of Easter
St. John American Lutheran Church + ELCA + April 6 & 7, 2024
PPRELUDE Amber Holtberg
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
L Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the wellspring of grace,
our Easter and our joy.
C Amen.
L Look, here is water!
C Here is our water of life! Alleluia!
L Immersed in the promises of baptism, let us give thanks for what
God has done for us…We give you thanks, O God, for in the
beginning your voice thundered over the deep and water
became the essence of life. Adam and Eve beheld Eden’s
verdant rivers. The ark carried your creation through the flood
into a new day. Miriam led the dancing as your people passed
through the sea into freedom’s land. In a desert pool the
Ethiopian official entered your boundless baptismal life. Look,
here is water!
C Here is our water of life! Alleluia!
L At the river your beloved Son was baptized by John and
anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of Jesus’ death and
resurrection you opened the floodgates of your reconciling love,
freeing us to live as Easter people. We rejoice with glad hearts,
giving all honor and praise to you, through the risen Christ, our
source of living water, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and
forever.
C Amen.
L Look, here is water!
C Here is our water of life! Alleluia!
GATHERING HYMN No. 384 (Red Hymnal)
“That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright”
APOSTOLIC GREETING
L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.
C And also with you.
KYRIE (Setting Eight) p. 184 (Red Hymnal)
HYMN OF PRAISE (Setting Eight) p. 187 (Red Hymnal)
“This is the Feast”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
L Almighty God,
C with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. By
the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power
of the resurrection in all that we say and do, through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
SCRIPTURES Acts 4:32-35 (Holy Bible p. 888)
Psalm 133 (Holy Bible p.501)
1 John 1:1-2.2 (Holy Bible p 989)
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Setting Eight) p. 188 (Red Hymnal)
GOSPEL John 20:19-31 (Holy Bible p.883)
SERMON Pastor Jeff Backer (St. Dysmas)
HYMN OF DAY No. 363 (Red Hymnal)
“Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain”
APOSTLES CREED p. 105 (Red Hymnal)
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
After each petition the Leader will say, “God of Grace”. Please join in the prayer by responding, “Hear our prayer.”
MEAL
OFFERING & OFFERTORY – Special Music by the Bell Choir
OFFERTORY PRAYER
L Risen One,
C You call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we
offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be
your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true
vine.Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING (Spoken)
L The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give him thanks and praise.
L It is indeed right, our duty and our joy…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C (Sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna,
hosanna in the highest. (p. 190)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER p. 191(Red Hymnal)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The risen Christ is made known to us in the breaking of the bread. Come and eat at God’s table.
At St. John, we practice an open table for Holy Communion. That means all are welcome and worthy to receive the sacrament, regardless of age, membership or anything else. For everyone that comes forward, regardless of age, if you'd like communion simply extend your hands out to receive it. If you'd like to abstain but receive a blessing, please come with your arms crossed. All are welcome to the table.
DISTRIBUTION (Wine is red, grape juice is white)
HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION #481, #381(tune 380), #376
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
L Shepherding God,
C you have prepared a table before us and nourished us with
your love. Send us forth from this banquet to proclaim your
goodness and share the abundant mercy of Jesus, our
redeemer and friend. Amen.
SENDING
BENEDICTION
L Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
L The God of resurrection power, the Christ of unending joy,
and the Spirit of Easter hope ☩ bless you now and always.
C Amen.
SENDING HYMN No. 548 (Red Hymnal)
“Rise, O Church, Like Christ Arisen”
DISMISSAL
L Alleluia! Go in peace. Rejoice and be glad.
C Thanks be to God. Alleluia!