04/05/26

As We Gather

Sin brings separation and death. That sin separates us from God and divides us from one another. But in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we are united to God once again. As we hear in Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you” (31:3). Nothing will separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Rom 8:39). Thanks be to God for the victory in Jesus Christ!

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, 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 Christian is Triumphantly Certain “Know ye, then – Sin, death and the devil, and everything that assails me – that you are missing the mark! I am not one of those who are afraid of You. For Christ, my dear Lord, has presented to me that triumph and victory of His by which you were laid low. And from this very gift of His I derive my name and am called a Christian. There is no other reason. My sin and death hung around His neck on Good Friday, but on the day of Easter they had completely disappeared. This victory He has bestowed on me. This is why I do not worry about you.” What Luther Says # 3881

The Resurrection of Our Lord!

April 5, 2026

Prelude                                    A Festive Introit for Easter                      Ascension Choir

Opening Sentences   (Psalm 118:24; Romans 6:9)

P:   Alleluia, Christ has risen!

C:   He has risen indeed! Alleluia!

P: This is the day that the Lord has made;

C: let us rejoice and be glad in it.

P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

P: We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;

C: death no longer has dominion over Him.

P:   Alleluia, Christ has risen!

C:   He has risen indeed! Alleluia!

Opening Praise                          Jesus Christ Is Risen Today                                  LSB 457

Invocation, Confession and Absolution  (Psalm 16:1-8)

P:   We gather in the name and at the invitation of our great and gracious triune God;

C:   In the name of the Father and of the ✠Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P:   Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

C:   I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 

P:   As for the saints who are in the land,

C:   they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

P:   The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. 

C:   I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. 

P:   Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; 

C:   you have made my lot secure. 

P:   The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

C:   surely I have a delightful inheritance. 

P:   I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 

C:   I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

P: Let us then, in full faith and confidence, confess our sins to God our Father.

C: Most merciful God, even in the light and joy of the resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus, we confess to You that our sinful nature affects our thoughts, words, and deeds. In failing to do good to others we have sinned against You. For the sake of Your Son, our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord Jesus, and by His intercession for us at Your right hand, have mercy on us. Forgive us and breathe into us Your renewing breath of life so that we may live according to Your will to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

(Silence for Meditation)

P: At His ascension into heaven, our Lord Jesus lifted up His hands and blessed His disciples. So now, upon this your confession, receive the blessing of our Lord and know the grace of God to all of you: your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the ✠Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Hymn of Praise                              This Joyful Eastertide                                          LSB  482

Salutation

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

All:   Heavenly Father, gracious Lord, for us You sent Your Son into this world of sin as one of us to redeem us as Your children.  We rejoice in our Savior’s resurrection and pray that Your Holy Spirit would give us such joy that today and always we live as Your redeemed people 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.

O T Lesson Jeremiah 31: 1-6 

“At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people.” ² This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel.” ³ The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. ⁴ I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. ⁵ Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit. ⁶ There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’ ” 

N T Lesson         (Paul reminds us of  being raised with Christ)     Colossians 3: 1-4; 12-14

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Gospel Hymn                                 O Love, How Deep                            LSB 544  vs 1, 5 – 7 

Gospel Lesson                         (Christ has risen… go on ahead…)                    Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 

⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 

Message Song                        Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!                  Getty/Cash

How can it be, the One who died, Has borne our sin through sacrifice 
To conquer every sting of death? Sing, sing hallelujah. 

For joy awakes as dawning light When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes. 
Alive He stands, their Friend and King; Christ, Christ He is risen. 

              Chorus          Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Oh, sing hallelujah. 
                                                    Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed; 
                                                            Christ is risen, He is risen indeed. 

                                        Where doubt and darkness once had been,

They saw Him and their hearts believed. 
But blessed are those who have not seen, Yet, sing hallelujah. 

Once bound by fear now bold in faith, 
They preached the truth and power of grace. 
And pouring out their lives they gained, Life, life everlasting.    Chorus

The power that raised Him from the grave 
Now works in us to powerfully save. 
                  He frees our hearts to live His grace; Go tell of His goodness.    Chorus

        Bridge        He’s alive, He’s alive! Heaven’s gates are opened wide. 
                                    He’s alive, He’s alive!   Now in heaven glorified.   2x’s

CCLI Song # 6399205© 2012 Capitol CMG Paragon | Getty Music Publishing

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. 

All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI License # 11390779

Message                                    For Us He Lives on High to Reign

1.      Separation        and isolation       are the enemy.

2.      Because God loves you, you will never be     separated     from Him again.

                                                                                                  Romans 8: 28-29

3.      What it means to live on       this       side of the resurrection.  2 Cor. 5: 15

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                                              This is the Day                                  Ascension Choir

Prayers of the Church  

P: Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, will never die again; death has no more power over Him. Let us pray for ourselves and the church around the world, all people baptized into His death.

C: Grant, heavenly Father, that all who announce the Gospel proclaim the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, and that all who have been recently baptized find the Holy Spirit increasing in them God’s great and abiding love.

P: Let us pray for the nations of the world and all agencies that work for peace and cooperation.

C: Give them direction, protection, and opportunity to fully support all people in their bodily and spiritual needs, hat they may rise up and be able to like wise to those others in their time of need. 

P:   Let us pray for our governing authorities.

C:   May those who are called to govern and guide do so in the authority You have given them.  May they be diligent in the use of the resources You provide that we may live in safety, peace and with provisions for life. May the strength You provide keep the enemy away and the battles fought find a sure victory that meets with Your approval. May the allies we support do likewise for this great country.

P: Let us pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests.

C: Give needed sun and rain, fertile soil, and protection of crops and herds, that our nation and the world’s people may rejoice in Your bountiful care.

P: Let us pray for those near and dear to us, [especially . . .]; that we may care for them as God gives us strength.

C: O Holy Spirit, show us how to use our gifts for those we love so that we may rejoice together.

P: Let us pray for ourselves, this congregation, and our community.

C: Use Your Word and Sacraments, Lord, our God, to increase faith, and to renew in us a sense of the rejoicing in the joy of our salvation. Grant that what we celebrate here may be reflected in our lives now and forever;

P: through Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord, who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, ever interceding for His saints as we pray together:

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

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  ♪ And also with you.

P:   Lift up your hearts.

C:  ♪ We lift them to the Lord.

P:   Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:   ♪ It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P:   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

P:   The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:   ♪ Amen.

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 Hymn                  My Song of Love Unknown               LSB 430 vs 1-2, 5-7

                                                                    Behold the Lamb                               Ascension Choir 

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 Prayer

All:   Gracious God, from Your Son’s loving, nail-pierced, and now glorious hands, You have fed us with His own risen body and precious blood, giving us the forgiveness He won for us on the cross. We thank You now with hearts and hands and voices, and as You  lead us faithfully until that day when we celebrate with all the faithful at the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end; 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 Praise                            I Know That My Redeemer Lives                    LSB 461

Announcements 

Dismissal

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.      

C:   Thanks be to God!   

Postlude

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”