2nd Sunday of Easter Worship Service on Sunday, April 19th at 10 a.m.
I will launch this service at around 9:30 a.m.
These Services will be provided by Zoom again. The Zoom password that you will need if asked: 762034
We will be holding Sunday Church Services this way until further notice. Every Sunday, there will be a Church Service using Zoom.
Thank you,
Jeremy Grasby
Welcome and Announcements
For those reading this via internet here is the Easter Message from National Bishop Susan Johnson.
You can find it here: https://youtu.be/36wHnNKHzgA2020
2. Easter Message to Congregations from Bishop Jason Zinko April 11, 2020
Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name Christ our Saviour.
Dear people of MNO Synod, this is going to be a different type of Easter than we have ever celebrated. Following the guidance of our national and provincial governments, we are distancing from each other, unable to meet in person as congregations and as friends.
There are obvious challenges to this.
However, despite the distance between us, our pastors, deacons, and leaders, and congregation members are finding innovative and new ways to ensure that we can celebrate the gift of life and hope that we know through the cross.
Our gospel for this Easter morning from Matthew tells us a story that is very different from our ‘normal’ Easter celebration. The two women named Mary approach a tomb in quiet, lonely longing. They do not expect to find an empty tomb or a message of resurrection. They do not expect to hear about new life in the face of death.
How familiar are those feelings for us right now? Isn’t this a message that speaks even more clearly to us this Easter?
In the face of uncertainty, doubt, isolation, and longing, Christ leaves the grave to give us grace, hope, and life in unexpected ways. Christ meets us where we are to bring us peace and salvation. And Christ sends us into the world to share that message, bringing others with us to continue the ministry that is ours through baptism.
What a hopeful message for us and for the church in this time.
As Easter dawns this year, there will be signs of resurrection all around us. We will be able to see how God speaks to us and through us in new and surprising ways. I hope that in that mystery, you are able to grow in faith and see Christ clearly in your life.
Blessings to you as we celebrate Easter this year, putting our hope in trust in the one who’s death defeated death, and whose life brings new life to all. Yours in Christ’s Service, Bishop Rev. Jason Zinko, MNO Synod, ELCIC
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Easter 2 ZOOM Worship service - April 19, 2020,
Invocation
* The disciples were self-isolating.
They were scared. They were confused.
They needed to be alone.
But even in the middle of their isolation, they discovered that they were NOT actually alone.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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Hymn - ELW 365 Jesus Christ is Risen Today
1 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
2 Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia!
unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
3 But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
4 Sing we to our God above Alleluia!
praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
praise him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
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Prayer of the Day (Prayer used by permission of Augsburg Fortress)
* Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Let us pray. 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 fulness of Christ’s blessing, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Scripture Readings
First Reading:
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
After the Holy Spirit comes to the apostles on Pentecost, Peter preaches the gospel to the gathered crowd. He tells them that Jesus, who obediently went to his death according to God’s plan, was raised from the dead by God. Finally, he appeals to scripture, quoting Psalm 16:8-11, to show that Jesus is the Messiah: though crucified, the risen Jesus is now enthroned. Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], “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—this 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. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For 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; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence." “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. Since 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. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, "He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption." This 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 16 In your presence there is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11)
1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;
I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”
2 All my delight is in the godly that are | in the land,
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 But those who run after other gods
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4 I will not pour out drink offerings to such gods,
never take their names upon my lips.
5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;
it is you who uphold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
indeed, I have a rich inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
my heart teaches me night after night.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;
my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor let your holy one see the pit.
11 You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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Second Reading:
1 Peter 1:3-9
This epistle was written to encourage Christians experiencing hardships and suffering because of their faith in Christ. The letter opens by blessing God for the living hope we have through Christ’s resurrection even amid difficult circumstances and surroundings. Blessed 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, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so 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. Although 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, for 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 Reading
* The Holy Gospel according to St. John 20: 19-31
Glory to you, O Lord
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.’ After he said this, he 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 he 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 them; 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 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.’ 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 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.’ 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 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.
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REFLECTION/Meditation:
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
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.
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
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Sharing the Peace
Peace be with you
And also with you.
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Offering Prayer
Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us: Our selves, our time our possessions and our envelope offerings, signs of your gracious love. Receive all we offer for the sake of Jesus Christ who offered himself for us.
Amen.
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Prayers of the People
Celebrating the victory of love over death, we offer our prayers to God.
[Short pause]
* God who keeps coming, you leave no one out. We give you thanks.
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, your presence arrives inside the doors of those who are isolated by disease, by fear, by distance, by circumstance. Open our ears to hear your greeting of peace.
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, your presence extends even to those who cut themselves off from family, community, church, friends, or themselves. May we be a welcoming presence in this place.
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, inspire your church, in these days of pandemic, to be creative in the ways we reach out, to be persistent in extending love, to be faithful in sharing Good News with this broken world.
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, provide courage and strength to all we lift up that are working in essential occupations during COVID. Especially those we forget such as pharmacists, therapists, grocery personnell, (countless others) and our loved ones....God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, we come to you with those who are sick in body, mind or spirit, who are secluded, who are lonely, who see no hope for any kind of future. Use us to touch those whom we name before you. [Jack, Fern, Renate, Pete and Ella, Dorothy B., and those we lift from our hearts]
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, be with all who mourn. No matter the loss or when the loss, wrap our broken hearts in your grace, love and hope.
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
* God who keeps coming, you leave no one out. Strengthen us to do the same.
God of Easter, Hear our prayer.
We pray this in the name of our risen and living Saviour, Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray,
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Lord’s Prayer (Prayer used by permission of Augsburg Fortress)
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
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Hymn ELW 385 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!
1 Good Christians friends, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
2 The Lord of life is ris'n this day;
death's mighty stone is rolled away;
let all the world rejoice and say:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
3 Praise we in songs of victory
that Love, that Life, which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
4 Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
and sing to-day with one accord,
the life laid down, the life restored:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
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Benediction
May almighty God,
The Father who created us to live in love,
The Son (✝) who died and rose to bring us new life,
And the Spirit who comes even when we are self- isolating,
bless us all, now and forever. Amen.
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Dismissal
Christ is Risen, just as he said.
Go in Peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia