Bulletin
04/27/25
As We Gather
Thomas is forever marked with the qualifying adjective “doubting.” How Thomas is known is due to one episode in a career marked more by faith and faithful discipleship. Could it be that the doubts that plague us are less marks of our unfaithfulness than they are challenges we must daily face in order to be Christ’s own disciples? What defines you are not the doubts but what you do with them. Thomas brought his doubts to Jesus. We, too, are called to bring our doubts to the Lord and to be strengthened in faith and encouraged in a life of following our Savior.
Family Room & Children Activity Bags- Children Activity Bags- We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, a closed-circuit TV to watch the worship service, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station on a small rack. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.
Holy Communion- The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused the LCMS ordinarily communes only those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. Please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service if you have a question about this. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.
Ridiculous to the Best of Heathens “What have the most exalted minds among the heathen thought about a future life and a resurrection? Is it not a fact that the more exalted they were in mind, the more ridiculous a resurrection and life eternal appear to them? This true unless those philosophers and Greeks at Athens who called Paul, when he taught these things, a “babbler” and a “setter forth of strange gods” were not ingenious (Acts 17: 18). Portius Festus calls out that Paul is “mad” on account of his preaching eternal life (Acts 26:24). How does Pliny revile these things? How Lucian, that great genius? Were these foolish men? Moreover, to this day there are many who laugh all the more at this article, consider it fable, and do so publicly, the greater their mind and learning are.” What Luther Says # 3878
Easter 2
April 27, 2025
Welcome
Opening Hymn He’s Risen, He’s Risen LSB 480 vs 1-4
Invocation, Confession and Absolution (Psalm 91:1–2)
L: In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
L: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
L: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
C: I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
L: Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
C: We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. By the things we have done and by what we have failed to do, we have not honored You as we ought, nor have we served others in love. Yet in Your great mercy, You sent Your Son to die and rise again for us. Help us to know the power of His resurrection and to share in the joy that His forgiveness brings. May we honor You as the Lord and God in whom we place our trust. Amen.
(Silence for reflection)
L: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, hears our prayers and answers them for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ. By faith, we stand at His cross and empty tomb. We find our refuge and sing for joy in the shadow of His wings. As a servant of Christ, I declare that all your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
L: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing LSB 475
Prayer of the Day
All: Almighty God, who once delivered Thomas from his fears and strengthened his faith, grant us by Your grace the same Spirit to confront our doubts and so be made steadfast and bold in faith and in the confession of Christ’s saving name before the world; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior, whom with the Father and the Spirit, You are one God, one Lord, now and forever. Amen.
1st Reading (The apostles testify of Jesus’ resurrection.) Acts 5:12–20
The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
N T Lesson (Jesus is alive forevermore.) Revelation 1:4–18
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Gospel Lesson (Thomas sees, touches, believes, and confesses the risen Jesus.)John 20:19–31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Message All Things Are New Gary Kinne
Notes:
Nicene Creed
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. 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 Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life ✠ of the world to come. Amen.
Offering
Offertory Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow LSB 805
Prayers of the Church
After each petition:
L: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
The Lord’s Supper
Preface page 160 in the hymnal
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 truly good, right, and salutary …. And ever more praising You and singing:
Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy page 161 in the hymnal
C: ♪ Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)
Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord page 163 in the hymnal
L: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: ♪ Amen.
Message Hymn Sons and Daughters of the King LSB 470 vs 1, 5-8
Agnus Dei – Lamb of God page 163 in the hymnal
C: ♪ Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
Distribution of Communion
Distribution Hymn Jesus Shall Reign LSB 832
Post Communion Canticle page 164 in the hymnal
C: ♪ Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev’ryone what He has done. Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name. He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.
Post Communion Thanksgiving
All: Here, O Lord, in the true body and blood of Your Son, we have seen You face-to-face and touched the same Savior who showed His hands and side to Thomas and the other disciples. Grant that we who stand forgiven in the shadow of His cross may testify with great boldness to the power of His resurrection; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Benediction
L: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and ✠ give you peace.
C: Amen.
Easter Acclamation
L: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Sending Hymn Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds LSB 465
Announcements
Dismissal
P: Go in peace as you serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
05/04/25
As We Gather That God has authority is not always in question, but how God uses His authority so often confuses and confounds us. Such is the way of mercy. We instinctively believe that mercy should be reserved for those who deserve it, but God shows His mercy even to those who reject it. The tenants in Jesus’ parable treat the servants of the vineyard owner shamefully, and yet he sends his own son. Is this not the story of the world since Adam and Even rebelled against God? Yet even as we rejoice in God’s mercy, we realize that the rejection of His mercy is not without consequence and those who reject the cornerstone will be crushed by it on the day of judgment.
Activity Bags We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, a closed-circuit TV to watch the worship service, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station on a small rack. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.
Holy Communion The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused (1 Cor: 11:27), and that participation in the Lord’s Supper is an act of confession of faith, we ordinarily commune those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. If you have a question, please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.
The Good Shepherd Knows How to Care For Me Let Him see and care where my soul will stay who has so faithfully provided for me that He has sacrificed his life in order to redeem my soul. Praise him throughout eternity, to the one true and faithful shepherd and Bishop of all souls that believe on Him! Moreover, He will not even begin to learn from me how to preserve and protect the poor souls who hear and heed his voice against the power of the devil and the wickedness and tyranny of the world.”
Easter 3
May 4, 2025
Welcome
Opening Hymn Christ Has Risen, Alleluia LSB 466 vs 1-3
Invocation, Confession and Absolution
P: In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
P: We have come to worship our great God. However, in our sinful condition, we cannot get near to Him. Let us confess our sins to God and one another.
C: I confess to You, heavenly Father, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned in my thoughts, words, and actions. I am unable to save myself, to turn from my errors, and to atone for my sins. I plead to God for grace and mercy.
(Silence for Meditation)
P: By the grace of God, there is One who is worthy to take our requests for forgiveness to God’s throne of grace. Jesus Christ alone is worthy, for He is God’s own Lamb and has ransomed us from our sins by dying for us and rising in glory. He declares us to be saints, able to go to God in all confidence, and priests, offering our prayers for one another and all people. As a servant of Christ, I declare that all your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen. “Worthy are You, Lord Jesus, to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Amen.
Hymn of Proclamation Christ Has Risen, Alleluia LSB 466 vs 4-5
Prayer of the Day
All: O God, through the sacrifice of Your Son on our behalf, You made us worthy to approach You in confident faith. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to give You all the praise each day in what we think, say, and do; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
2nd Lesson (Worthy is the Lamb.) Revelation 5: 1-14
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Holy Gospel (Jesus visits the disciples a third time) John 21:1–19
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Message Song O Sing to the Lord (w/Guitar) LSB 808
O Sing to the Lord, O sing God a new song.
O Sing to the Lord, O sing God a new song.
O Sing to the Lord, O sing God a new song.
O, sing to our God, O sing to our God.
For God is the Lord! And God has done wonders.
For God is the Lord! And God has done wonders.
For God is the Lord! And God has done wonders.
O, sing to our God, O sing to our God.
So dance for our God And blow all the trumpets.
So dance for our God And blow all the trumpets.
So dance for our God And blow all the trumpets.
And sing to our God, And sing to our God!
O shout to our God, Who gave us the Spirit.
O Shout to our God, Who gave us the Spirit.
O Shout to our God, Who gave us the Spirit.
O sing to our God, O sing to our God!
For Jesus is Lord! Amen! Alleluia!
For Jesus is Lord! Amen! Alleluia!
For Jesus is Lord! Amen! Alleluia!
O sing to our God, O sing to our God!
Message Friends Share Jesus
F – Friend-making
R – Ready to reach out.
I – Interested in others interests!
E – Enduring friendship.
N – Never leave nor forsake.
D – Daring
Notes:
The Apostle’s Creed
C: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ His 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 into hell. The third day He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering
Offertory From All That Dwells Below the Skies LSB 816 vs 1, 3
Prayers of the Church
After each petition:
P: Gracious God, hear us for the sake of Your own Lamb, for
C: worthy is the Lamb!
Last time – All: worthy is the Lamb who taught us to pray:
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
The Lord’s Supper
Preface page 194 in the hymnal
P: The Lord be with you.
C: ♪ And with thy spirit.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: ♪ We lift them up unto the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: ♪ It is meet and right so to do.
P: It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And with the host of heaven we sing:
Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy page 195 in the hymnal
P: ♪ Ho -ly, ho-ly, ho-ly Lord God of Sa – ba – oth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is
He who cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)
Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord page 197 in the hymnal
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: ♪ Amen.
Agnus Dei – Lamb of God page 198 in the hymnal
C: ♪ O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world;
grant us Thy peace. A – men.
Distribution The Lamb LSB 547
Nunc Dimittis page 199 in the hymnal
C: ♪ Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Post Communion Collect
All: Gracious God, we give thanks that You have strengthened us with the body and blood of Your Son, who alone is worthy of worship and praise. Use our hearts and minds, our bodies and abilities, to demonstrate His love each day until we see Him in glory face-to-face; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Easter Acclamation
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Benediction
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 ✠ give you peace.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn Christ the Lord Is Risen Today LSB 469
Announcements
Dismissal
P: Go in peace as you serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
Postlude