Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter DayHoly Communion (ELW I)April 5th, 2015

INTRODUCTION

Christ is risen! Alleluia! St. Mark’s account of Easter morning may speak to our experience more directly than the other gospels. Mark's gospel ends abruptly, with the astonishment the disciples must have felt before their hearts turned to joyful proclamation. Corinthians and Acts fill out the story by telling of appearances of the risen Christ. Peter says we "ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." And so do we, in a foretaste of the mountaintop feast where death will be no more.

CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An usher will gladly provide you with assistance.

As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.

We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so that we may record your presence with us.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW

Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE Chorale Fantasia on Jesu Nostra Redemptio          Wells

WELCOME

INVOCATION AND EASTER PROCLAMATION

In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

GATHERING SONG: Christ is Risen! Alleluia! (ELW 382)

GREETING

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!And also with you!

KYRIE

CANTICLE OF PRAISE PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34–43

34Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24Refrain:

Tone:

1Give thanks to the LORD, for the | LORD is good;God's mercy en- | dures forever.

2Let Israel | now declare,"God's mercy en- | dures forever."

14The LORD is my strength | and my song,and has become | my salvation.

15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents | of the righteous:"The right hand of the | LORD acts valiantly!

16The right hand of the LORD | is exalted!The right hand of the | LORD acts valiantly!"

17I shall not | die, but live,and declare the works | of the LORD. R

18The LORD indeed pun- | ished me sorely,but did not hand me o- | ver to death.

19Open for me the | gates of righteousness;I will enter them and give thanks | to the LORD.

20"This is the gate | of the LORD;here the righ- | teous may enter."

21I give thanks to you, for you have | answered meand you have become | my salvation. R

22The stone that the build- | ers rejectedhas become the chief | cornerstone.

23By the LORD has | this been done;it is marvelous | in our eyes.

24This is the day that the | LORD has made;let us rejoice and be | glad in it. R

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:19–26

19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

VERSE: Alleluia. Christ, our paschal lamb, | has been sacrificed.* Therefore, let us | keep the feast. Alleluia. (1 Cor. 5:7, 8)

GOSPEL: Mark 16:1-8

The holy gospel according to Mark.Glory to you, O Lord.

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they

went to the tomb. 3They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson

Silence for reflection and then please stand and sing:

HYMN OF THE DAY: The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done (ELW 366)

AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM

The presiding minister addresses the assembly with these or similar words.

Dear friends in Christ, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and make public affirmation of our own baptism into Christ.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

Brothers and sisters: I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

The presiding minister address the assembly.Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?I renounce them.

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?I renounce them.

The presiding minister addresses the candidates and the assembly.Do you believe in God the Father?I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried;he descended to the dead.*On the third day he rose again;he ascended into heaven,he is seated at the right hand of the Father,and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT

The Lord be with you.And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family, and through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of Jesus' death and

resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you.

Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism may be given new life. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.Amen.

AFFIRMATION IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ASSEMBLY

Dear sisters and brothers, you have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:

to live among God's faithful people,to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper,to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

ResponseI do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ?We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

Let us pray.We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in us and in all your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Confident that the resurrection of Christ has defeated sin and death, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.

Please kneel or sit as you are able.

Each petition ends with:Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Holy God, by the death and resurrection of your Son, you have granted new life, abundant renewal, and salvation. Hear our prayers for the sake of the one who has set us free, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PEACE

Please greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANTHEM AT THE OFFERINGCome Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain Wells

OFFERTORY Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (ELW 674)

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray.Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

DIALOGUE

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God....For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command…To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.

LORD'S PRAYER

Risen Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray: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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you.The blood of Christ, shed for you.Amen.

All baptized people are welcome to the table to receive Christ’s body and blood. If you have not been baptized, you are also welcome to the table as God’s guest; we are honored by your presence. We recognize the Body of Christ as the community of the baptized, so if you would like to become part of the Body of Christ, we encourage you to seek baptism. If you can’t or don’t wish to receive today, we encourage you to hold your hands over your chest for a blessing as you come forward.

LAMB OF GOD

SONGS DURING DISTRIBUTION:Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia (ELW 364)

Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen! (ELW 377)

SONG AFTER COMMUNION: This Joyful Eastertide (ELW 391)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray. Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ's resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son's resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.Amen.

SENDING OF COMMUNION

Gracious God, loving all your family with a mother's tender care: As you sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread, assist those who set forth to share your word and sacrament with those who are sick, homebound, and imprisoned. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those who will receive this sacrament, and give us all the comfort of your abiding presence through the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.Amen.

BLESSING

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God's will, working in you that which is pleasing in God's sight; through + Jesus Christ,to whom be the glory forever and ever.Amen.

SENDING HYMN: Jesus Christ is Risen Today! (ELW 365)

DISMISSAL

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!Go in peace. Share the good news.Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

POSTLUDE Chorale Prelude on All Hail This Brightest Day of Days Bach

Today’s bulletin cover is given to the Glory of God and in memory of grandmother, Anne Evans and mother, Charlotte Jolly.

Presented by Janet Robertson

Today’s bulletin cover is given to the Glory of God and in memory of husband, Bob Telfer.

Presented by Anita Telfer