Easter Sunday Home Worship
Other options:
Reminder: We will celebrate Holy Week AGAIN in May or whenever we're able to return to in-person worship. This is not a substitute for our worship together. You can't replicate the experience of being together with 100 other worshipers from your home. But you can still take some time to be with the Lord and grow in your home devotional life! Jesus is risen!
This service is a little long because I included a really long sermon.
WORSHIP OPENING
Welcome everyone. It's time to worship God, so let's put aside planning and worrying and whatever might distract us, and spend the next few minutes focused on the Lord.
OPENING HYMN
- 4pm tonight!!! The WELS has a live worship service that can also be watched after-the-fact. It'll be put on by the seminary and I'm sure be very good.
- You can check out The Vine's worship here
- Cross of Christ in Boise has services with music posted
Reminder: We will celebrate Holy Week AGAIN in May or whenever we're able to return to in-person worship. This is not a substitute for our worship together. You can't replicate the experience of being together with 100 other worshipers from your home. But you can still take some time to be with the Lord and grow in your home devotional life! Jesus is risen!
This service is a little long because I included a really long sermon.
WORSHIP OPENING
Welcome everyone. It's time to worship God, so let's put aside planning and worrying and whatever might distract us, and spend the next few minutes focused on the Lord.
OPENING HYMN
OPENING IN THE NAME OF THE TRINITY
Leader: Christ is risen, he is risen indeed! Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Leader: "God is holy, and we are unholy. God is pure and we are impure. God is good and we are so often evil. Let us take a moment to silently confess our sins to God... Father, we confess that we have feared, loved, and trusted other things more than you (pause for silence).... we have not loved each other as we should (pause for silence)...we have done what is evil, and failed to do what is good (pause for silence)... forgive us for Jesus' sake."
(brief pause)
Leader: "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He rose again to life to give you new and eternal life. Your sins are forgiven. You are at peace with God. Amen."
PRAYER FOR BLESSING ON WORSHIP
Leader: "Be with us now as we gather in your name. Bless us through the hearing of your word. Give us hearts that are eager to believe what you promise and obey what you command, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen."
Leader: Christ is risen, he is risen indeed! Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Leader: "God is holy, and we are unholy. God is pure and we are impure. God is good and we are so often evil. Let us take a moment to silently confess our sins to God... Father, we confess that we have feared, loved, and trusted other things more than you (pause for silence).... we have not loved each other as we should (pause for silence)...we have done what is evil, and failed to do what is good (pause for silence)... forgive us for Jesus' sake."
(brief pause)
Leader: "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He rose again to life to give you new and eternal life. Your sins are forgiven. You are at peace with God. Amen."
PRAYER FOR BLESSING ON WORSHIP
Leader: "Be with us now as we gather in your name. Bless us through the hearing of your word. Give us hearts that are eager to believe what you promise and obey what you command, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen."
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Since many of you will be celebrating Easter tonight at 4 with the entire WELS, and since we will celebrate Easter again in about a month, I thought I'd have us focus on an aspect of Easter that is very important in the New Testament, but often somewhat ignored in our worship, Psalm 118. So, after reading John's account of the resurrection morning we will turn to Psalm 118 and listen to a good Easter Sunday sermon on that text.
FIRST READING: John 20:1-18
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.
11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
Now sing one of the following hymns. The first if you don't mind a little country music, the second if you prefer something from the hymnal:
Since many of you will be celebrating Easter tonight at 4 with the entire WELS, and since we will celebrate Easter again in about a month, I thought I'd have us focus on an aspect of Easter that is very important in the New Testament, but often somewhat ignored in our worship, Psalm 118. So, after reading John's account of the resurrection morning we will turn to Psalm 118 and listen to a good Easter Sunday sermon on that text.
FIRST READING: John 20:1-18
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.
11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
Now sing one of the following hymns. The first if you don't mind a little country music, the second if you prefer something from the hymnal:
Refrain:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
1. God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
2. How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days, because He lives
3. And then one day, Gonna cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
1. God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
2. How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days, because He lives
3. And then one day, Gonna cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns
Christ is arisen From the grave's dark prison.
So let our joy rise full and free; Christ our comfort true will be. Alleluia!
Were not Christ arisen, Then death were still our prison.
Now, with Him to life restored, We praise the Father of our Lord. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Now let our joy rise full and free;
Christ our comfort true will be. Alleluia!
So let our joy rise full and free; Christ our comfort true will be. Alleluia!
Were not Christ arisen, Then death were still our prison.
Now, with Him to life restored, We praise the Father of our Lord. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Now let our joy rise full and free;
Christ our comfort true will be. Alleluia!
SECOND READING: Psalm 118:1-17 NLT
We now turn to Psalm 118, what has historically been the Easter Psalm. We will read the first half, watch a short video, then read the second half and watch a sermon about it.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let all who fear the LORD repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
5 In my distress I prayed to the LORD,
and the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
7 Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
10 Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
12 They swarmed around me like bees;
they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
But I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
13 My enemies did their best to kill me,
but the LORD rescued me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!
16 The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!
17 I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the LORD has done.
We now turn to Psalm 118, what has historically been the Easter Psalm. We will read the first half, watch a short video, then read the second half and watch a sermon about it.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let all who fear the LORD repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
5 In my distress I prayed to the LORD,
and the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
7 Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
10 Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
12 They swarmed around me like bees;
they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
But I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
13 My enemies did their best to kill me,
but the LORD rescued me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!
16 The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!
17 I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the LORD has done.
THIRD READING: Psalm 118:16-29, NLT
18 The LORD has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.
19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the LORD.
20 These gates lead to the presence of the LORD,
and the godly enter there.
21 I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
24 This is the day the LORD has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Please, LORD, please save us.
Please, LORD, please give us success.
26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
18 The LORD has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.
19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the LORD.
20 These gates lead to the presence of the LORD,
and the godly enter there.
21 I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
24 This is the day the LORD has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Please, LORD, please save us.
Please, LORD, please give us success.
26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Note from Pastor West: I listened to this sermon three years ago and it still sticks with me. It's about building your life on the foundation of Jesus' resurrection. I think the extent to which the present crisis is turning your life upside down can be an indicator of the degree to which you have built your life on shaky foundations. This sermon asks some great questions to probe what we're building our lives on, and some great encouragement to build our lives only on the foundation of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
There are two versions of the video. The first is directly from the Vimeo site and will automatically give you the best quality. The second is a lower resolution video uploaded directly to this server, which should be more reliable. You might want to start with the first, but use the second if the first is stalling.
There are two versions of the video. The first is directly from the Vimeo site and will automatically give you the best quality. The second is a lower resolution video uploaded directly to this server, which should be more reliable. You might want to start with the first, but use the second if the first is stalling.
Lower resolution, but more reliable version you can download (about 400 MB):
CREED
For fun, try to recite it from memory. If you need help, click here.
OFFERING
At this time you may write a check and mail it church, as described on this page, which also tells you how to set up online giving.
Also, if you'd like to offer your time, there is still plenty of raking and other outdoor work to do at the church. Contact Jake Laete to get specific instructions, or start with areas closest to the building.
CONNECTION CARD SUBSTITUTE
Instead of a connection card, leave an encouraging comment on our Facebook page! Or call a friend from church. Perhaps say hello to some of our shut-in members on Facebook (Jean Johnson, Carol Taylor, and Christine Glardon all use Facebook).
PRAYER
Take a moment to ask for prayer requests.
BLESSING
Leader: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and always. Amen.
Optional last song. I liked it:
For fun, try to recite it from memory. If you need help, click here.
OFFERING
At this time you may write a check and mail it church, as described on this page, which also tells you how to set up online giving.
Also, if you'd like to offer your time, there is still plenty of raking and other outdoor work to do at the church. Contact Jake Laete to get specific instructions, or start with areas closest to the building.
CONNECTION CARD SUBSTITUTE
Instead of a connection card, leave an encouraging comment on our Facebook page! Or call a friend from church. Perhaps say hello to some of our shut-in members on Facebook (Jean Johnson, Carol Taylor, and Christine Glardon all use Facebook).
PRAYER
Take a moment to ask for prayer requests.
- Remember to include prayers of thanks and prayers asking for things, both for you and for others.
- Remember to ask for spiritual blessings as well as physical blessings.
- It is fine to have a short prayer. It doesn't need to sound super-fancy or ultra spiritual, just speak to God from the heart.
- Bring these thanks and requests to God in your own way, then close
- Leader: "Bless the Yang family as they adjust to life with baby Rainier. Bless Steve Anson as he recovers from a broken hip. Be with Kathy Gebhardt's mother, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has a previously-compromised immune system, and also bless her family caretakers. Be with our community, our nation, and our world, and help us to get through this coronavirus situation. Use to bring about the good of your church on earth, and open our eyes to the ways we might be a blessing to those around us. Be with all who work in healthcare, first responders, and food suppliers, restaurants. Be especially with our elderly and shut-in members."
- Say the Lord's Prayer
BLESSING
Leader: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and always. Amen.
Optional last song. I liked it:
