The Foundation of our Faith: The Resurrection
Easter Sunday
April 12, 2020
Emmanuel & St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Churches
Welcome To Our Church We extend a warm welcome to everyone viewing our recorded worship service today. The bulletin includes the complete order of service, hymns, Bible readings and announcements. For those without internet access to our website <stjohnsmontello.org>, DVDs and written sermons plus the bulletin may be mailed. Just phone secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office (608) 297-2866 or contact Pastor Zietlow (talk or text) at (608) 408-7830.
Online Service, Printed Bulletin or Split Screen If you’re watching our worship services on-line and want to also follow along with the bulletin, you can just print the bulletin and follow it as you view the recorded worship service. Or, you can do a “split screen.” This means you would click the menu button on the top right corner of your screen, click “new window” and then open a second window to our website and recorded service page. Click “bulletin can be accessed here” and now you have two windows. Make each window half-size, so that you have a split screen–one side for the service and one side for the bulletin.
P: Christ is risen!
C: He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Congregational Hymn 157 Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Easter Litany
P: Christ is risen!
C: He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
P: The stone has been rolled away.
C: The tomb is empty.
P: The women have told the disciples.
C: The disciples have come to see.
P: The Lord lives,
C: Never to die again.
P: The victory has been won.
C: Death has been defeated.
P: The stone has been rolled away.
C: Our faith is built on this foundation.
1st Reading: The Wise and Foolish Builders Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Confession and Absolution
P: Though our faith is built on the rock-solid foundation of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, there are times when we hear his words but do not do them. It is then that our lives are built on that faulty foundation of our own weak and sinful nature. For that, we must repent and confess our sin to our Savior who paid the price, hears our confession and then forgives.
C: Most merciful God, we confess that our very nature is sinful. We do not love you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We do not love our neighbors as ourselves. Far too often we trust in our own willpower and resolve rather than the firm foundation of a Savior crucified and risen again for us. We fail to do what you command and do the things that you detest. We deserve to have our spiritual houses destroyed for lack of a firm foundation. Forgive us, most holy God.
P: The stone was rolled away from the tomb, and the death and resurrection of Jesus have become the source of infinite forgiveness from the God who loves and saves. He hears our plea and responds by washing away our sin in the flood of his mercy. Therefore, all of our sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn of Response 152v1 I Know That My Redeemer Lives
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead:
He lives my ever-living Head!
The Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, you have laid the perfect foundation for us in the death and resurrection of your beloved Son, Jesus our Savior. Grant that our faith would ever be founded on this firm foundation and that we would hear your words and do them. Amen.
2nd Reading: Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”
3rd Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:10-22
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours.
Verse of the Day: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia. Psalm 118:24
Congregational Hymn, “This is the Day the Lord Has Made,” Hymn 225, verses 1 & 2
This is the day the Lord has made;
He calls the hours his own.
Let Heav’n rejoice; her earth be glad
And praise surround the throne.
Today he rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell; Today the saints his triumphs spread
And all his wonders tell.
Gospel Reading: Jesus Has Risen Mark 16:1-8
P: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Congregational Hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” Hymn 382, Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare to make no other claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4th Reading: The parable of the wise and foolish builders in our 1st Scripture reading is a well known teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. At one level Jesus’ meaning is obvious. You build on a solid foundation if you want what you build to stand. Obeying Jesus’ words provides just such a solid foundation. However, Jesus uses symbolic elements in this picture to give it a deeper and richer meaning. The Bible portrays floods and winds as forces that brought chaos and could only be controlled by God. Jesus uses them as a metaphor to describe the causes of calamity that could overtake a person or even a nation. When illness hits or relationships falter; when we fail utterly or lose our job or do something really stupid and face the consequences for it, we feel our lives are falling apart. Fair-weather foundations do not hold up—only Jesus is faithful.
Congregational Hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” Hymn 382, Verse 2
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace; In ev’ry high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
5th Reading: Moses describes God himself as “The Rock” in Deuteronomy 32:4. The Hebrews understood this. God was their sure place of refuge and strong tower against the enemy. In our 2nd Scripture reading, Isaiah tells us that God has laid “a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” And that “the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” We are safe and secure with Jesus.
Congregational Hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” Hymn 382, Verse 3
His oath, his covenant and blood
Support me in the raging flood;
When ev’ry earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
6th Reading: Christ is laid for a foundation, and everything besides Christ is sand. Some build their hopes upon worldly prosperity—making a lot of money or collecting a lot of stuff; others upon becoming well-known and respected, or competing and winning. Some build a life on being healthy or happy or smart, or build it on an outward profession of religion or their own goodness. But all is sand, too weak to bear our hopes of heaven. First, and foremost, the resurrection of Jesus paves the way to life beyond death for all who believe in him. Jesus can be trusted. Jesus said he would suffer, die, and then rise in three days, and he did! May the risen Lord make us wise builders.
Congregational Hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” Hymn 382, Verse 4
When he shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before his throne.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
Sermon Text: Revelation 19: 11-16
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Sermon Theme:
“The Son of God Goes Forth to War – VICTORY!”
Prayers
P: When the rains fall and the floods come, O Lord,
C: we build our house on you, our Rock.
P: God, who lays the firm foundation for our faith, we give you thanks for the glorious resurrection of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave his life, laid in the tomb, and rose from the dead so that our salvation is secure and our faith is firm. When the rains fall and the floods come, O Lord, we build our house on you, our Rock.
C: Father, use your people to make a firm foundation for this nation, so that we live in peace and serve others to the glory of your name, Be with our elected leaders that they would see in you the source of all hope, courage and strength. When the rains fall and the floods come, O Lord, we build our house on you, our Rock.
P: Lord Jesus, be the bedrock of your church wherever your Word is preached and your Sacraments are given to the faithful as gifts from your hand. Use this church to be a foundation of renewal in this community so that many will know of your eternal love and your overwhelming forgiveness. When the rains fall and the floods come, O Lord, we build our house on you, our Rock.
C: God, our Creator, for those who are facing storms in their life due to illness or disease, be their source of healing and hope. Provide caregivers, medicine and medical personnel to be your instruments of help. When the rains fall and the floods come, O Lord, we build our house on you, our Rock.
P: God, who lays the firm foundation of our faith, today we look forward to the resurrection of the dead when we will rejoin all those who have gone before us in the faith. We especially ask that our faith would be firm, as was theirs, so that we would be lasting witnesses of your resurrection story. When the rains fall and the floods come, O Lord, C: we build our house on you, our Rock. Amen.
We join together in the Lord’s Prayer.
Benediction
Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.
All: Amen
Closing Hymn, “Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won,” Hymn 145
Adapted from a service by Dean Nadasdy and Tom Eggebrecht. © 2015 by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A
Announcements
WORSHIP CHANGE
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Yes, this is definitely a change from what we’re used to. Wisconsin’s state directive “Safer At Home” has changed how we will worship, for now. We need to remember that the power of God’s Word and the comfort of the gospel is not diminished by the way it is delivered. You will hear law and gospel. You will be assured of Christ’s forgiveness. Your faith will be nourished and our trust in God’s unchanging promises will be strengthened.
Perhaps God will use this experience to lead us to never take public worship for granted again. I pray that God is also using this crisis to draw many in our nation to see the value of forgiveness, faith and the Word of God. As He tells us, “My Word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11). If you know of someone who doesn’t have access to these on-line worship opportunities, please let us know. Call (608-297-2866) or email <scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org> church/school secretary Ciara Neuhauser at the church office or leave a message.
At the encouragement of our church synod leaders, we will be reserving distribution of the Lord’s Supper for its regular and normal use within the gathering of the body of believers, except in special circumstances. We take comfort in knowing that we have two forms of the means of grace – Word and sacrament. Forgiveness received through God’s Word is no less powerful and effective than the sacrament.
Every Saturday at 11am (either at Emmanuel at St. John’s) we will record an abbreviated service that will be uploaded to our website <www.stjohnsmontello.org> & linked You Tube channel together with a bulletin file and available for viewing at your convenience. This week’s Maundy Thursday (4/9) and Good Friday (4/10) services will also be recorded and available on-line, or via DVD, printed sermon & bulletin mailings.
While we might be tempted to face this situation with a great deal of disappointment and chagrin, we also recognize the opportunity God is placing before us to ponder and grasp ever more firmly his promise of spiritual health for our souls and to reflect the light of his love to others. We can:
– pray for God’s healing for those affected by the virus
– pray for those involved in essential services – medical personnel, first responders, and those who keep the peace
– share the links to our website and worship service with family, friends, and acquaintances
– renew our daily devotional life
– continue to support the message and ministry of our congregation by responding in thanks to God for his gift of eternal life through offerings mailed to the church office, by electronic-ACH-auto-pay-direct-deposit giving or via credit card at <www.stjohnsmontello.org> menu button “Church Recorded Service” DONATE NOW yellow button. Call Ciara at the church office for direct deposit giving details.
– offer care and compassion for those who need support and a listening ear
Church elders, shepherd, trustees, other concerned members and Pastor Zietlow have begun contacting all E/SJ members (via email, text, and phone) to make all aware of the situation, to offer alternatives for those who do not have a computer or internet access, and to offer any special assistance during these challenging times. Following our governor’s announcement on 3/24, all WI residents are to “stay safe at home”. President Trump also advises that we continue this “social distancing” until May. These are trying times..times for personal reflection, Bible study, devotion and prayer. Pastor Zietlow (608-408-7830 talk/text) and our E/SJ Elders are available for emergency home visits. Please reach out to them directly.
Elders:
Darrell Buchholz at E –
(608) 215-7871, darrell.buchholz@gmail.com
Jerre Duerr at SJ –
(608) 697-8706, jerre.asc@gmail.com
Jim Eisermann at SJ –
(608) 297-8171, jay.diane.eisermann@gmail.com
Wayne Stelter at E –
(608) 297-2761, shieldscreamery@gmail.com
James Wachholz at SJ –
(608) 369-2635, lwmsreporter@stjohnsmontello.org
We as your church family want to be able to help and serve you, but we can all rejoice as we look to the One who is our real and lasting helper. He is our strength and that’s especially comforting in a time like this, when our human weakness is made so clear!
In Jesus Christ our loving & protecting Savior,
Pastor Pete Zietlow
(608-408-7830 talk/text & ZietlowPL6@hotmail.com)
“The Lord knows the way that I take, and when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
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