Easter Sunday & The Resurrection of Our Lord - Online Worship - April 17, 2022

 

Join us in-person or on facebook for Lord of Life LIVE this Sunday at 9:30am!

 

Prelude & Words of Greeting

 

The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The peace of The Risen Christ be with you always
And also with you.

 

Song of Promise & New Life

Awake My Soul

Tomlin

refrain:
Awake awake awake my soul
God resurrect these bones
From death to life for You alone
Awake my soul

vs 1
Breathe on me breath of God
Breathe on me
Breathe on me breath of God
Breathe on me
I come alive
I’m alive when You breathe on me
I come alive
I’m alive when You breathe on me

(refrain)

vs 2
Speak to me Word of God
Speak to me
Speak to me Word of God
Speak to me
I come alive
I’m alive when You speak to me
I come alive
I’m alive when You speak to me

(refrain twice)

 

Litany Trusting We Are Alive, Anew, In The Risen Christ, Psalm 40

Today we celebrate the grace of God is alive, anew and awakening our souls; living peace is here in The Risen Christ, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. I waited patiently for The Lord. He turned to me and he heard my cry. The Lord lifted me out of destruction. He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.

Today, celebrate The Lord will not hold back his mercy. Let us pray, silently confessing our sins; those things we have done, and those things we have left undone, which keep our hearts from seeing and believing the peace alive in The Risen Christ.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: The Lord forever remembers us. Today, believe you are given an Easter heart, you are raised to live anew in God’s living grace in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Trust The Lord springs forth for you a new hope, a new peace. Celebrate, arise! You are alive and anew; lift up your voice and sing: “Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!”

 

Song of New Hope

Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!

Brokering/Johnson

vs 1
Alleluia
Jesus is risen
Trumpets resounding in glorious light
Splendor the Lamb
Heaven forever
Oh what a miracle
God has in sight

refrain:
Jesus is risen and we shall arise
Give God the glory Alleluia

Happy are all who trust The Lord. Happy are we whose peace is not found in false gods, for we announce the great deeds of The Lord whose living power and living grace are in our hearts.

In the power and grace of the resurrection, Jesus is with us and puts a new song in our mouth. Believe and see anew, hope and peace are truly alive; Jesus is risen and we shall arise!

vs. 2
Walking the way
Christ in the center
Telling the story to open our eyes
Breaking our bread
Giving us glory
Jesus our blessing
Our constant surprise

 

Loving God, we celebrate with joy the resurrection of our Lord. Raise us up to live anew in your power and grace alone. Give us Easter hearts to believe and to see, a new dawn breaks forth, for you are alive in our midst. By your Holy Spirit we trust as Jesus is risen, we shall arise to give God the glory in all we do and say. Break into our presence once again; make us alive and anew in your real living peace. In The Risen Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

First Lesson

Acts 5:27-32

When the temple police had brought the apostles who were imprisoned, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We give you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

 

Gospel Acclamation

He Is Exalted

Paris

He is exalted
The King is exalted on high
I will praise Him
He is exalted
Forever exalted
And I will praise His name
He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth
Rejoice in His holy name
He is exalted
The King is exalted on high

(repeat)

He is exalted
The King is exalted on high

 

Gospel

John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, Jesus showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas, who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and My God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

(New Revised Standard Version)

 

Based on Revelation 21:5-7

God’s Son born in a manger, who went forward in obedience to make us all one through his death and resurrection; he will come again. While we wait for Jesus’ return, with Easter hearts, we trust and believe, we are alive and anew, in the grace of The Risen Christ.

God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Amen.

 
 

"EASTER HEARTS, ALIVE & ANEW, IN LIVING PEACE”

ACTS 5:17-32; REVELATION 1:4-8; JOHN 20:19-31

The peace at day break can be amazing.  The quiet.  The stillness.  The calm.  The hope of a new day.  What does the word, `peace,' mean to you?  What do you need `peace’ to be, at day break, all day long, when your day ends?  Would you like more peace and quiet?  Less worry, pain or stress?  Is world peace what concerns you?  What is `peace' and where do you find it, or experience it?  Today we hear again of Jesus appearing to his disciples.  They are not being noisy, in fact, they are being quite quiet.  They are not busy, in fact, they are sitting around.  The disciples are in the midst of uncertainty, questions, doubts and fears.  Not the least of which is who are they, what do they believe, what is real to them.  It is ‘the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the first day of new life springing forth,’ yet, they have no peace.  The Risen Jesus appears; says, `Peace be with you.’  When we need quiet, stillness, calm - within our hearts, our spirits, our faith - let us trust we are given Easter hearts, `peace is with us’ and we are alive, anew, in the grace of The Risen Christ, for Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

1. The peace of an Easter heart at day break, at day’s end, is amazing!
John 20:19-22,26

A. Are you able to experience new life in the peace at day break?

B. What keeps you from taking hold and trusting the new life springing forth in the quiet, the stillness, the calm?

C. How does peace come to you and break in, to give you life

D. Those who carry this peace all day, who surrender to this peace in the middle of their day, who are saved by this peace all day long, who rest in peace at day’s end, are alive, anew, in real peace!

2. Expectations, obligations, fears, callings, drive, passion can get in the way of peace, and new life.  Expectations, obligations, fears, callings, drive and passion can spring forth Easter hearts with new life; celebrated, served and fulfilled with great peace in The Risen Christ!

A. The disciples, `when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week,’ were in the midst of expectations, obligations, fears, callings, drive and passion; they knew no peace springing forth. 
John 20:19,25

i. Uncertainty could not cast aside fear.

ii. Uncertainty could not cast aside short comings.

iii. Uncertainty could not cast aside doubt.

B. We, like the disciples, are blessed with the grace of new life, peace is with us, alive, anew, in the midst of our expectations, obligations, fears, callings, drive and passions.
Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19,22,26,29

i. Jesus is alive, anew, in the midst of our fears!

ii. Jesus is alive, anew, in the midst of our short comings!

iii. Jesus is alive, anew, in the midst of our doubt!

3. The peace of Easter hearts at day break is amazing.  The peace of knowing, believing, trusting the peace of Easter hearts does not die as the day goes forward, as night draws near, as the uncertainty of another new day approaches; this peace lives forever!  Trust with Easter hearts, we are alive and anew in the peace beyond all understanding, for Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed!  Alleluia!
John 20:30-31

 

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

 

Offering of Hope & Life Anew

It Is Well With My Soul

Spafford & Bliss

vs 1
When peace like a river
Attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
“It is well
It is well
With my soul”

refrain:
It is well
With my soul 
It is well
It is well
With my soul

vs 3
My sin – O the bliss
Of this glorious thought
My sin – not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross
And I bear it no more
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
O my soul

(refrain)

vs 4
And Lord haste the day
When my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpet shall sound
And the Lord shall descend
Even so –
It is well
With my soul

(refrain)

 

Litany for Seeking Peace & Calm In the Midsts of an Uncertain World

Lord, you know what consumes our hearts these days, and yet, we join the words of old,
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer from the ends of the earth.  I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy."

Loving God, life’s events often open our hearts to how vulnerable and fragile life is. Life is uncertain for us and our loved ones. Today we share the words God spoke through the prophet, “Comfort, o comfort my people.” God still sends words of comfort and hope.
We trust God says to us again today, “Do not fear. I have created you and formed you, and I have called you by name. You are mine and I am with you.”

Friends, God says, “I will make with them a covenant of peace. I will make them and the region one of blessing. They shall be secure, and I will break the bars of their yoke, and save them from the hands that hurt them. They shall live in safety and, no one shall make them afraid.” Trust Jesus Christ is risen, and lives to fulfill the covenant!
But Lord we are afraid. We wait and pray for your promises to be fulfilled. At times our voices join those of the psalmist, those of our Savior, and we too, cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? My God, I cry to you by day, but you do not answer; I cry to you by night, and I find no rest.”

Lord, in the midst of our anger and fear, keep us calm, comforted and assured, for the psalm continues: “In you alone our ancestors put their trust, and you delivered them. To you alone they cried, and they were saved, and in you alone they trusted, and they were not disappointed.”
Lord, your power alone rules all creation, yet at times we weep, and we cry out the words of long ago, “I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” Trusting in you alone, we announce with unwavering conviction, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Lord, when confidence is shaken, when we are not sure where to turn, what to do, what to hold onto, speak to us, assure us as you did Paul, “Your grace is sufficient; your power is made perfect in weakness.”
As we search to hold onto peace and order, increase in us such faith to trust what is true; “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not ever overcome it.”

Creator of life and peace: Give us faith and courage to trust you when you say, “The day is coming when swords will be beaten into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks, and nation will no longer lift up sword against nation, and war will be no more.”
Give us the peace only you can give, that all might see and realize and hold fast to your promised Word, for “the wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.”

At times we feel alone or isolated. Today we give thanks, Lord, you are the tie that binds us together. We trust Jesus continues “to pray on our behalf that all people may be one people.”
Even in times of despair, Jesus, you are faithful, and we remember you “are with us always, to the close of the age.”

Stating Our Faith In God’s Faithfulness Written Based On Romans 8:31-39

As we hear God's Word which restores us and gives us hope, we remember how God restored and called the Apostle Paul.  Paul wrote words of great conviction, even in the midst of trials and uncertainties.  Let us state our faith today, trusting and announcing the foundation of faith we hold onto and the promises of God, neither of which will ever fail us.
"What then are we to say about these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?  Who will bring any charge against God's elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn?  It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  .....  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Amen.

Sharing Words of Prayer for One and All

Though the world reminds us we are vulnerable, The Risen Jesus invites us to live today in confidence and hope. “Do not worry about your life. If God clothes the grass of the field, will He not much more clothe you?” And “not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from The Father. Do not be afraid, for you are of more value to him than the sparrows.” When we are troubled, “God gives us peace that passes all understanding, he keeps our hearts guarded and our minds in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, “let us love one another as he has loved us” for peace comes in knowing “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all who believe would not die, but have eternal life.” In grace and peace and hope, we pray anew the prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we would not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

As we pray to you, living Jesus, ...
Risen Savior, give us Easter hearts, to live anew, in your grace.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Risen Lord and Savior.
Amen.

 

Holy Communion will take place during our service. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

The Words of Institution

In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

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.

 

Songs During Holy Communion

Holy Spirit

Torwalt

There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your Presence Lord

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
In Your Presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere
Your glory God
Is what our hearts long for
To be overcome
By Your presence Lord
Your presence Lord

bridge:
Let us become
More aware
Of Your Presence
Let us experience
The glory of
Your goodness

(repeat bridge 3x)

Holy Spirit
You are welcome here
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere
Your glory God
Is what our hearts long for
To be overcome
By Your presence Lord

 

The body and blood of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in the living grace of The Risen Christ, this day, this most blessed and holy morning, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ, The Risen Lord of life. Amen.

The Risen Lord bless you and keep you. The Risen Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Risen Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, for you are alive and anew, in the living grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

With Easter hearts, let us go in the peace of Christ, alive and anew, celebrating the love of God, and serving The Risen Lord of life.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

 

Song Living In The Good News

Better is One Day

Redman

vs 1
How lovely is
Your dwelling place
O Lord almighty
My soul doth long
And even faints for You
For here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath
The shadow of Your wings

refrain:
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

bridge:
My heart and flesh cry out
To You the living God
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You

(refrain 2x)

Than thousands elsewhere

 

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Today we celebrate The Second Sunday Of Easter, “Easter Hearts, Alive And Anew, In Living Peace!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets today! Today we share a special Litany Of Peace! Thank you to one and all who shared in our Lenten journey, and to all who blessed, our Holy Week services and events and our festive Easter worship last Sunday!

Join us next Sunday as The Great Fifty Days of Easter continue: The Third Sunday of Easter, May 1, “Easter Hearts, Filled To Be Alive And Anew!” Join us next Sunday for Teacher Appreciation Sunday and the last Sunday of Faith Quest until the fall!

As we continue to share worship in this way, we are seeking more volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion,
live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more!
You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them. In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected!  On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew
God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love and grace!

 

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Alive & Anew In The Living Peace of The Risen Christ, written based on Psalm 40. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Awake My Soul” © 2012 S.D.G. Publishing, CCLI #6453172  “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen” Music © 1969 Contemporary Worship 1, Text © 1995 Augsburg Fortress OL #01600  “He Is Exalted” © 1985 Mountain Spring Music CCLI #17827 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “When Peace, Like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)” Words and Music Public Domain  “Let There Be Peace on Earth” © 1955, Renewed 1983 Jan-Lee Music CCLI #93690 “Better Is One Day” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1097451 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.

Litany For Seeking Peace & Calm In The Midst Of An Uncertain World based on Psalm 61, Isaiah 40, Isaiah 43, Ezekiel 34, Psalm 22, Psalm 121, 2 Corinthians 12, John 1, Ephesians 2, Micah 4, Isaiah 11, John 17, Matthew 28, Matthew 11, Matthew 10, Philippians 4, John 3, John 15.