Sixth Sunday of Easter 5/25/25
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
MAY 25, 2025
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!
✠ ✠ ✠
THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice Setting: Keith Kolander
WELCOME
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
ENTRANCE HYMN Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice Sts. 1-4 LSB 556
1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done,
How His right arm the vict’ry won.
What price our ransom cost Him!
2 Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
Death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
In sin my mother bore me.
But daily deeper still I fell;
My life became a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.
3 My own good works all came to naught,
No grace or merit gaining;
Free will against God’s judgment fought,
Dead to all good remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left only death to be my share;
The pangs of hell I suffered.
4 But God had seen my wretched state
Before the world’s foundation,
And mindful of His mercies great,
He planned for my salvation.
He turned to me a father’s heart;
He did not choose the easy part
But gave His dearest treasure.
10:30 SERVICE
INVOCATION and BAPTISMAL DESCRIPTION
PRESENTATION FOR BAPTISM
QUESTION TO PARENTS AND SPONSORS
PROFESSION OF FAITH (Addressed to all)
Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil and all his empty promises?
I do.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe 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 again 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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
✠ THE BAPTISM ✠
Frederick Aaron Siebrass
(Son of Aaron and Holly Siebrass)
PRAYER, SIGN OF THE CROSS, PRESENTATION OF THE CANDLE
WELCOME BY THE CONGREGATION
We welcome you into the Lord’s family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child of the same heavenly Father, and worker with us in the kingdom of God.
8:00 & 10:30 SERVICES
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 151
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have
sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what
we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not
loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal
punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us,
renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to
the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE LSB 152
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE – “This is the Feast” LSB 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. O God,
the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think
those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through
Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Acts 16:9-15
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 67 (Sung responsively)
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
SECOND LESSON Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand) LSB 156
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL John 16:23-33
The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 16th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON (Be seated)
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Leaving a Last Will and Testament to express one’s thoughts and wishes upon death is a very helpful thing to do. It can also be a place to express one’s beliefs. Many of us have included a Christian preamble to our Will which gives witness to our faith and explains our choices in light of what we believe. This can be an additional gift we leave to our loved ones.
In much the same way, the words of the Gospel lesson just read contain Jesus’ thoughts as he prepares his disciples for his upcoming death. Even though his death would be quickly overcome by his glorious resurrection, he would still be leaving his disciples again by ascending into heaven. And at that time the disciples would need to negotiate life without his being available to them in the same way as before.
The portion of the discourse we read today is just a small part of the entire discourse, which takes up three whole chapters. But these verses are also its concluding verses, which gives us the chance to see how Jesus wraps things up, so to speak. In them we see that Jesus has at least three important points that he wants to make.
The first of these points describes the help his disciples will receive in the future. Jesus has already told them about the great help they will receive through the Holy Spirit, which he would pour out upon them after his departure. Here he tells them about an additional source of help. After he is gone, they will no longer be able to ask things of him like they had always done before. But that’s okay, because they will be able to pray directly to the Father themselves. They can do this by praying in Jesus’ name.
Such prayer to the Father, Jesus explains, will be very powerful. Simply “ask, and you will receive.” Here Jesus echoes words that he had spoken earlier in his ministry too.
Jesus then adds that doing this will lead to “full joy.” This statement should be understood in light of two other things he had just said about joy. A few verses earlier he promised that their sorrow at his leaving would eventually turn to joy. And he also promised them that no one would take this joy from them.
These promises about joy are greatly comforting. And they should remind us how blessed we are to be able to pray to our heavenly Father in Jesus’ name.
A second subject Jesus mentions in these verses is that of clarity. Previously, as he notes, Jesus had spoken to them in “figures of speech.” And by this Jesus means all the illustrations, metaphors, and difficult sayings he had spoken to them earlier in his ministry. These include his parables and his seven “I am” sayings such as “I am the bread of life” and “I am the Good Shepherd. It also includes his statements about a man’s need to be “born again,” and the drinking of “living water,” and his call to “fish for men,” and many other such sayings. Sometimes these are collectively referred to as “enigmatic statements” made by Jesus, meaning they contain a hidden meaning. Interestingly, the word we translate here as “figures of speech” is also the word for “proverb.” But it’s best to avoid this word here, however, since most of Jesus’ statements are very different than the proverbs we know from the Old Testament.
Regarding these “figures of speech,” Jesus told his disciples that the hour was coming when he would no longer speak in such a way but would instead tell them plainly about the Father. To show this, Jesus then said something to them in this plain kind of way which the disciples immediately understood. Jesus said: “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” And to this the disciples responded by saying: “Ah, now you are speaking plainly.”
But in this declaration about plain speech, Jesus also seems to be pointing towards his upcoming actions too. Words are much easier to understand when they’re accompanied by action, and Jesus would soon be involved in plenty of action.
Think about this. Within hours of this discourse, Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, condemned and punished. These were significant actions taken against him. And his action in response was to take the abuse and accept it, as a sacrifice to be made.
Likewise, Jesus would then be crucified, die, and be buried. And his response to these actions was to rise from the dead and show clearly to all that contrary to what it might seem, he was not defeated.
All of this is plain speech, which tells clearly and powerfully of Jesus’ generosity, mercy, goodness, and power. The messages given through these actions are easily understood and plainly perceived.
The third subject Jesus addresses in the final words of his discourse, is his promise to help the disciples through their difficulties to come. Jesus tells them of these difficulties by saying: “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home.” Here Jesus is pointing to that time to come in just a few hours, when the disciples would become outlaws through their association with him. At that time the disciples would hide in order to survive. And this danger would only be the start of more danger in the future, for Jesus would eventually send them out in mission to the world – a mission which would come with great risks.
As Jesus said this, he also spoke to the feeling of being alone which would come during these times. He did this by adding that their scattering would leave him alone, but that in reality he would not be alone – for God the Father would be with him. His message to the disciples here is that no believer is ever really alone because their heavenly Father is always with them. And knowing this is an important part of that help Jesus which promises.
And yet, God’s presence is not the only help Jesus mentions. Jesus also provides help by giving us victory over the great troubles of this life. We hear this in the beautiful and beloved promise he gives in his last and culminating statement: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Tribulation is anything that causes us pain or distress. It is a strong word, which becomes even stronger when we recall that Jesus chose it to describe the immediate days before his return on the last day. In those days, he said, there would be wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, false prophets and desecration of holy places.
The apostle Paul also speaks of tribulations in his writings. But the word is usually translated as “afflictions” instead, perhaps to avoid the connotation of what is coming in the last days. Here we remember that Paul, who experienced many wonderful moments in his ministry, also experienced many difficult afflictions.
In our first reading today we heard Paul receive a vision to cross over from modern-day Turkey, where he had been working, and go into Macedonia, the northern part of Greece. When Paul got there and visited the city of Philippi, he had the great joy of sharing the faith with a very prominent woman named Lydia, and then baptizing her and her entire household.
This joy was quite a contrast to his days right before this. For during those days he and the message of Christ were completely ignored in the province of Asia – which at that time was not the name of the great continent we know today but rather a small section of southwest Turkey.
Reflecting on this later in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul said: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.” Paul doesn’t go into detail here about this affliction. But we know that he was afflicted at other times by being beaten, slandered and imprisoned.
Affliction is always hard to endure. But Paul knew the secret of overcoming it. He knew the promise of Jesus, that “in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Paul once shared this trust in God’s promise by saying to the Corinthians: “But [these afflictions were meant] to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again” (2 Cor. 1:8-10).
And this expression of faith by Paul clues us in on the full meaning of Jesus’ statement about overcoming the world. For Jesus overcomes the world not by making everything right in the end or by taking away all our times of pain, but by taking away the world’s greatest affliction, which is death. Notice how Paul says: “we rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”
The world and its curse of death are overcome by Jesus, who was raised from the dead himself and who has made possible the same resurrection for all people. Those who now rely not on themselves but trust in Jesus as their Savior from sin can know for sure that their sin is forgiven and that they will overcome death, with their Savior Jesus.
This is the way to live. Because only God can raise the dead. And he does this for us, when we place our faith in him, out of his grace and mercy.
When Martin Luther finally understood this, it unleashed in him a joy and confidence that changed his life and brought forth reform and renewal to the church of his day. This joy and confidence also moved him to try his hand at hymn writing, and one of the earliest hymns he wrote, and the first he wrote for congregational singing, is the ten-stanza hymn we are singing throughout our service today.
Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice is a hymn found in our hymnal’s “justification” section. And this is a very honored place in a Lutheran hymnal, since justification is the doctrine by which the church stands or falls.
Ten stanzas can cover a lot of ground. And Luther does that in this hymn.
The hymn’s final verses allude to the time when Christ was preparing to leave his disciples – the very time we are speaking about today. And in these Luther tells of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the importance of all that Christ has taught us.
Unlike most other hymns, this one ends with a word of warning instead of an expression of confidence or joy. And warnings are certainly necessary, of course. We recall that Jesus offered plenty of them in his teaching. But Jesus’ final words were usually ones of hope. And that’s certainly the case in today’s reading.
What Luther does make sure to include is strong mention of Christ’s sacrificial death. He has Christ say: “Your ransom I myself will be; for you I strive and wrestle.” Christ also says: “All this I suffer for your good; be steadfast and believing. Life will from death the victory win; my innocence shall bear your sin, and you are blest forever.”
Here we are told of Christ overcoming the world. For Jesus has ransomed us from death by offering his life in full innocence, given us the victory of a blessed life forever, and continues to strive and wrestle for us.
The world will still bring tribulation and affliction. But we followers of Christ can take heart, because we will survive these. Christ has opened heavens doors to us, and one day we will go that blessed place where tribulation and affliction will be no more. That is Christ’s promise.
“In the world you will have tribulation.” Jesus knows this. “But take heart;” he says, “I have overcome the world.”
May this message be our joy and peace for all of our days. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice Sts. 5-8 LSB 556
5 God said to His belovèd Son:
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of My crown,
And bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death for them that they
May live with You forever.”
6 The Son obeyed His Father’s will,
Was born of virgin mother;
And God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
He came to be my brother.
His royal pow’r disguised He bore;
A servant’s form, like mine, He wore
To lead the devil captive.
7 To me He said: “Stay close to Me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I Myself will be;
For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, and you are Mine,
And where I am you may remain;
The foe shall not divide us.
8 “Though he will shed My precious blood,
Me of My life bereaving,
All this I suffer for your good;
Be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict’ry win;
My innocence shall bear your sin,
And you are blest forever.
(8:00) APOSTLES’ CREED Hymnal, back cover
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 again 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
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God our heavenly Father, You never refuse the cries of Your children. Therefore we ask you, in the name of our Lord Jesus, to help and protect us according to your grace, and to bring good to our families, our neighbors and rulers, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and our pastors and overseers. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, as you sent Paul to preach the Word to the Macedonians, so You desire all people to hear the Gospel. We pray for the saving peace of Christ among the nations, both here and throughout the world. And we pray that you would call and equip more pastors, missionaries and church workers to serve Your Church in Christ’s name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, direct and enrich the efforts of the faithful women of Your Church. Make them eager and wise in good works, serving the ministry of the Church as faithful Lydia served the mission of St. Paul. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, give wisdom to our leaders and government, that they may lead with integrity and according to Your perfect will. And on this Memorial Day weekend, help us to remember and appreciate the sacrifice made by those who died while protecting our nation. Give blessing to their families, loved ones, and all who mourn. And watch over those who are serving today, preserving them in body and soul. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You hear our prayers for the sake of Your dear Son, Jesus. In His name, we cast our burdens upon You, praying especially for those on our prayer list, as well as those we name in our hearts at this time… Sustain us in the midst of tribulation and trial, and hear us as we cry out to You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, You graciously provide us with the gift of Christ’s true body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Grant us repentance and faith as we commune this day, that we may receive for our good His precious gifts. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
OFFERTORY LSB 159
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
PREFACE LSB 160
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary …evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS
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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI
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.
THE COMMUNION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen LSB 474
1 Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!
Trumpets resounding in glorious light!
Splendor, the Lamb,
Heaven forever!
Oh, what a miracle God has in sight! Refrain
Refrain
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
Give God the glory! Alleluia!
2 Walking the way,
Christ in the center
Telling the story to open our eyes;
Breaking our bread,
Giving us glory:
Jesus our blessing, our constant surprise. Refrain
3 Jesus the vine,
We are the branches;
Life in the Spirit the fruit of the tree;
Heaven to earth,
Christ to the people,
Gift of the future now flowing to me. Refrain
4 Weeping, be gone;
Sorrow, be silent:
Death put asunder, and Easter is bright.
Cherubim sing:
“O grave, be open!”
Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light. Refrain
5 City of God,
Easter forever,
Golden Jerusalem, Jesus the Lamb,
River of life,
Saints and archangels,
Sing with creation to God the I AM! Refrain
PRAYER (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice Sts. 9-10 LSB 556
9 “Now to My Father I depart,
From earth to heav’n ascending,
And, heav’nly wisdom to impart,
The Holy Spirit sending;
In trouble He will comfort you
And teach you always to be true
And into truth shall guide you.
10 “What I on earth have done and taught
Guide all your life and teaching;
So shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
And honored in your preaching.
But watch lest foes with base alloy
The heav’nly treasure should destroy;
This final word I leave you.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen Setting: Gregory Hamilton
FELLOWSHIP – Board of Spiritual Life
FLOWERS – In praise for the birth of Frederick Aaron Siebrass and celebration of his baptism on this day.
“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:49-50 Aaron and Holly Siebrass
In memory of our beloved Trey on his 24th birthday from his family. The Armstrong Family
Those serving:
Sunday, 8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Bob Juenger
Comm. assist: Jim Easterly
Reader: Melissa Hecht
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Lynn Jacquez
Comm. assist: Dede Dixon
Reader: Janice Sebring
Acolyte: Ian Lynch
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.
556 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Richard Massie, 1800–87, alt. Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg Text and tune: Public domain
474 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1926–2009 Tune: David N. Johnson, 1922–87 Text: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
