service of the word · web view4/19/2020 · 3blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus...

SERVICE OF THE WORD – COVID-19 Suspension

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship TextsFor Virtual Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipService of the Word and Holy Communion Setting 4

April 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic

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This SUNDAY: April 19, 202010:30am Virtual Worship

CANCELLED through April 30: please pay attention to church website, Facebook page,

and/or word-of-mouth network for updates!Quilting, Bible StudyPreschool, ChoirSunday School, ConfirmationWednesday WorshipsSunday Worships (in-person)Pub Theology

Upcoming: The following may be cancelled at a later date.Sat, June 13 – Relay for Life

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St. John Lutheran ChurchMineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.orgPastor Luke Kuenzli

April 19, 2020 7:30am2nd Sunday of Easter

We are called to glorify God,

grow in faith, and build community.

Mission Statement


GatheringWelcome/Announcements

As we begin, please prepare by finding a bowl (small or large) and placing some water into the bowl; or you may pour water into the bowl at the same time as Pastor Luke.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISMAlleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are raised with him to new life.Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your image and planted us in a well-watered garden.

In the desert you promised pools of water for the parched, and you gave us water from the rock.

When we did not know the way, you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters. At the cross, you watered us from Jesus’ wounded side, and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life.

We praise you for your salvation through water, for the water in this font, and for all water everywhere.

Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love. Satisfy the thirsty, and give us the life only you can give.

To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Take a moment to dip your hands in the water and make the sign of your cross on your family members’ or your own forehead, a sign that Christ is with us even in the midst of suffering, anxiety, and uncertainty. You may say “Remember your baptism into Christ’s life, death, and resurrection” if you are marking others who have been baptized with the sign of the cross; or “rejoice in God’s grace, poured out for all people in Jesus” if you are marking those who

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have not been baptized.

GATHERING SONG“Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain” ELW #363(public domain)

Come, you faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness;God has brought forth Israel into joy from sadness;

loosed from Pharaoh's bitter yoke Jacob's sons and daughters;led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters.

'Tis the spring of souls today; Christ has burst his prison,and from three days' sleep in death, as a sun hath risen;

all the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flyingfrom the Light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor,with the royal feast of feasts, comes its joy to render;

comes to glad Jerusalem, who with true affectionwelcomes in unwearied strains Jesus' resurrection.

Neither might the gates of death, nor the tomb's dark portal,nor the watchers, nor the seal hold you as a mortal:but today, among your own, you appear, bestowing

Your deep peace, which evermore passes human knowing.

Alleluia! now we cry to our Lord immortal,who, triumphant, burst the bars of the tomb's dark portal;

Alleluia! with the Son, God the Father praising;Alleluia! yet again to the Spirit raising.

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GREETINGThe 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 (Holy Communion Setting 4)

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SONG OF PRAISE (Holy Communion Setting 4)

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PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. A brief silence is kept before the prayer.Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith in you and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORDFirst Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-3214aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], 22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

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Psalm: Psalm 161Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;

I have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”2All my delight is in the godly that are in the land,

upon those who are noble among the people.3But those who run after other gods

shall have their troubles multiplied.4I will not pour out drink offerings to such gods,

never take their names upon my lips.5O LORD, you are my portion and my cup;

it is you who uphold my lot.6My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;

indeed, I have a rich inheritance.7I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel;

my heart teaches me night after night.8I have set the LORD always before me;

because God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.9My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;

my body also shall rest in hope.10For you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor let your holy one see the pit.11You will show me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-93Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

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Gospel Acclamation (Holy Communion Setting 4)

Announcement of the GospelThe Gospel according to John 20:19-31. Glory to You, O Lord!

The Gospel is Proclaimed19When 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 Judeans, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he 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.” 26A 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.” 27Then he 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.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so 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.

…the gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ!

SERMON Pastor Luke Kuenzli

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“…and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for

fear…” Well, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We know fear well these days. We

fear this virus and the disease it causes. We fear that our national economy won’t

recover quickly, that our local businesses may close, that our kids aren’t getting the

education the need and the attention to detail they deserve. We fear every visit to

the doctor’s office, the post office, the grocery. We fear for our health and for our

lives. We fear for our families and friends. And in our fear, we lock ourselves into

our houses, just as the disciples did after Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

Their teacher and friend, the one for whom they had given up everything,

had been killed, and they didn’t know where to go next; neither do we. Their lives

had been upended, and ours have too. The disciples were filled with grief, and we

are grieving, as well. And while we grieve, the doors of our houses are locked for

fear, and we find ourselves isolated and alone or feeling crowded by the inability to

get out and connect with our friends and family who we don’t live with.

I have found myself to be extremely grateful for the ability to connect

virtually. Zoom meetings with my parents and siblings and nieces and nephews…

we have been connecting more now, in the midst of this, than we ever have before.

Google Hangouts with fellow pastors to study the scriptures for the week, though

not as large a group as when we meet in person, and without the ability to enjoy

lunch together afterwards… it is still good to bounce ideas off of one another.

Facebook groups where other young Lutheran clergy dads offer prayer and support

for one another. It’s good to know that I have colleagues praying for and with me,

and that we are all experiencing much the same thing. And, of course, this virtual

worship. Without this, I would be lost. Being able to proclaim God’s Word to all of

you in this way has kept me sane, because I am able to maintain my sense of

calling that drew me into the ministry in the first place. And I have received so

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many text messages, emails, and cards from you saying that you are grateful for

this opportunity to connect, too.

Still, though, we grieve, we feel alone, we are anxious and afraid. We are

never told, in the Gospels, where Thomas was or what he was doing on that

evening of the first Easter Sunday. All we know is that he wasn’t there, when the

risen Jesus showed up in that locked room. I imagine that Thomas just couldn’t

take the grief and crowded room, full of at least 10 other men, and it sounds like

some of the women, too. He needed to go be alone, maybe. Or maybe he drew the

short straw and had to go out, risking his own life, to procure provisions with

which to keep the cohort fed… though maybe he volunteered. After all, he was the

one who was ready to die with Jesus by returning to Judea where the Scribes and

Pharisees and Chief Priests had been trying to kill Jesus, going to Bethany where

Lazarus would be raised from the dead.

But we don’t remember Thomas for his willingness to die with Jesus. We

remember him for doubting the word of his friends, for disbelieving that Jesus

could possibly be alive, unless he saw Jesus for himself, scars and all. We

remember Thomas for his one mistake, and a mistake that any of us would be

likely to make, too. Maybe we are being unfair to Thomas. Then again, we live in

an age of doubt. We need only to watch the news from any two different channels

or read articles from any two different news websites to see that media outlets

constantly question one another’s sources, cast doubt upon the decisions of

administrations or health organizations. Even science has, according to many,

become less objective and more politicized. So, who are we to trust, when the CDC

and the WHO are saying different things, when Federal and State and local

government can’t agree, when there are so many questions and so little certainty?

Thomas couldn’t even believe his friends, but I’ll give him the benefit of the

doubt, and say it was because he was too wracked with grief, his world too rocked,

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to trust anything at all. And if that doesn’t describe us in this present age, then

nothing does. “…and the doors of the house were locked for fear…” We haven’t

only locked our homes, but many have locked minds and hearts, too. It is easier to

be in denial that it is to face this new reality. Denial is one of the 5 stages of grief.

It is normal, as is anger, and depression, and bargaining. As is, eventually, and for

a while, acceptance. But finding a way to accept the new reality that causes grief

does not meant hat we won’t have moments, days, weeks of denial and anger and

depression and bargaining. It only means that they come less frequently, less

strongly in general.

This week, I’ve been in the anger stage of grief. Thomas was probably in the

denial stage. You may be in the depressed stage, or trying to bargain with God or

government or family in your search for some sort of return to normal. Maybe

you’ve accepted that nothing will ever be the same after this. I haven’t yet, though

I know intellectually that this may be true.

But hear this again. “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 Judeans, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with

you.” Even in their fear, even locked in their room, in their grief, whatever stage it

may have been. Jesus came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you.”

He stood among them, not six feet away, not 13 feet. He breathed on them

and they weren’t made sick, but were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. A week

later, when Thomas was present and Jesus once again appeared, Thomas and Jesus

made physical contact, and Thomas didn’t contract a virus, but he confessed his

faith, “my Lord and my God!” Isn’t this all that we have been longing for?

The chance to stand together, side by side, not separated by distance or

personal protective equipment or computer and smartphone screens…? The

opportunity to touch and be touched by our loved ones – hugs and handshakes and

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kisses…? The knowledge that we can breathe the same air safely, as a gift of life

and not as a threat of death…? Jesus appears and gives his disciples the gift of his

presence. That’s what we want. We want to be present with one another in our

grief.

We can’t. Not yet. And we’re all moving toward accepting that. But your

cards, your emails, your text messages that you have sent me… the virtual

connections with family and friends and faith community and colleagues… all of

this has been Jesus for me. You have been Jesus for me, appearing in the locked

rooms of my heart and mind and house and speaking words of peace. You have

been Jesus for me, breathing the Holy Spirit into my life as you offer words of

comfort and encouragement. You have been Jesus to me and to one another as you

forgive the imperfections of this new virtual reality and as you continue to give

generously of your gifts and of grace in our continued efforts to be church together

when we’re apart. You have been the risen, living body of Jesus Christ!

We are in the middle of a massive test by fire, to use the words of First

Peter. And what I have seen thus far has been to the praise and glory of Jesus as he

is revealed in new and unexpected ways by this crisis. No matter how bad things

have been or will be, Jesus appears to us in our fear, in our grief, in our anger and

denial and sadness and bargaining, in our closed-in and locked-up and shut-out

lives. Jesus comes to us, wherever we are, and he speaks peace, and he breathes

grace, and he gives faith. He did so for the disciples and for Thomas.

And friends, he continues to do so now for us, through us, by the gift of the

Spirit that has been breathed upon us, the spirit of forgiving sins because we trust

that even when things look bad, God in Christ can make a way. So breathe.

Breathe in God’s love, and breathe out God’s grace. Just breathe, trusting that God

will give you your next breath. Now, take a deep breath, so we can sing to Jesus.

Amen.

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HYMN OF THE DAY “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”(public domain)

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, His the throne.Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood;"Jesus out of ev'ry nation has redeemed us by His blood.

Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now.Alleluia! He is near us; faith believes, nor questions how.

Though the cloud from sight received Him when the forty days were o'er,shall our hearts forget His promise, "I am with you evermore"?

Alleluia! Bread of heaven, here on earth our food, our stay.Alleluia! Here the sinful flee to You from day to day.

Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth's Redeemer, hear our pleawhere the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal, Lord omnipotent we own;Alleluia! Born of Mary, Earth your footstool, heav’n your throne.

As within the veil you entered, robed in flesh, our great high priest,here on earth both priest and victim in the eucharistic feast.

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, His the throne.Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood;"Jesus out of ev'ry nation has redeemed us by His blood.

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NICENE CREEDWe believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the

Father;through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Maryand became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures;he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the

Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSIONEach portion of the prayers ends with these or similar words.Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The presiding minister concludes the prayers with these or similar words.Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray,trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.Please take a moment to greet your family members who are with you, or to send a greeting via text message to someone you are thinking of today.

ThanksgivingOFFERING

While we cannot take up a physical offering through our virtual worship, I would encourage you to continue the practice of giving. Even though we cannot meet in person and our church building is closed to the public, we do have continued commitments to ministries beyond our congregation’s walls, such as the MCMA food pantry, the Mills County Storehouse, Bethany Lutheran Home, the Western Iowa Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as commitments to our congregation’s employees and expenses such as utilities.

OFFERTORY SONG “Now Thank We All Our God” public domain

Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;

who, from our mothers’ arms, has blest us on our waywith countless gifts of love. And still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,

and keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed,and free us from all harm in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,the Son, and Spirit blest, who reigns in highest heaven,

the one eternal God, whom earth and heav’n adore;for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

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THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORDThe presiding minister leads one of the following or another appropriate prayer.Let us pray.

Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things:you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos,and brought life into being.For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts:freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey,a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you.For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness:forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death,the way of your self-giving love.For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us:renew our faith, increase our hope,and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need.Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you;through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYEROur 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,

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forever and ever. Amen.

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SendingBLESSING

May the One who brought forth Jesus from the deadraise you to new life, fill you with hope,and turn your mourning into dancing.

Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,bless you now and forever. Amen.

SENDING SONG “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” ELW#364Translation © 1977 Howard S. Olson, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission.

Christ has arisen, alleluia. Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.For our redeemer burst from the tomb, even from death, dispelling its gloom.

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!

For three long days, the grave did its worst until its strength by God was dispersed.He who gives life did death undergo, and in its conquest his might did show.



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 graveclothes are lying there.”



“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.”

Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.


Christ has arisen to set us free. Alleluia, to him praises be.Jesus is living! Let us all sing; he reigns triumphant, heavenly king.



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DISMISSALChrist is risen, just as he said. Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

From Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

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