Order of Service
April 12, 2020 | Easter Festival | 10:30 AM
Victory over Death!
We invite you to join us on Facebook Live. You can follow along with the order of service below or download a pdf of the service to print.
OPENING HYMN: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today | CW 157
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 you heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
EASTER GREETING
M: Christ is Arisen
C: He is risen indeed.
M: This is the day the Lord has made.
C: We will rejoice and be glad in it.
M: The Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.
C: Let us come before him with thanksgiving, and extol him with music and song.
M: The Lord will not abandon me to the grave. He has made known to me the path of life.
C: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
M: I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
BAPTISMAL CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
M: Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded Baptism when he said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” All of us are born into this world with a deep need for Baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But Jesus took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. At our Baptism he clothes us with the robe of his righteousness and gives us a new life. Our sinful nature need not control us any longer. We recall what Baptism means for our daily lives as we speak these words.
C: Baptism means that the sinful nature in us should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
M: As Baptized children of God we confess our sins:
C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord have mercy on me a sinner.
M: God our heavenly Father has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for all of our sins. Therefore as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
SAVED BY BAPTISIM
M: Christ’s almighty Word gives Baptism it’s power to save. The apostle Peter declares,
C: “Baptism now saves you…it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 3:21)
M: Baptism gives us all a connection with our Savior Jesus. That’s why the Apostle Paul encourages us in Romans chapter 6: “We were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4)
C: If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Romans 6:5)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be dominion and praise now and forever.
C: Amen.
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE
FIRST LESSON: Jonah 2:2-9
2 He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
GOSPEL: Matthew 28:1-10
1After 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.” 8 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.”
HYMN OF THE DAY: He's Risen, He's Risen | CW 143
1 He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened death’s prison, the incarnate Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
And earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong.
2 The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
3 But short was their triumph; The Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan he vanquished, his foes.
The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high;
He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die.
4 Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions his blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are his own.
5 Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
Who now sits in glory and ever shall reign.
SERMON: Colossians 3:1-4
1 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.
Easter Divides Heaven and Earth
APOSTLE'S CREED
believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there 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
Giving an offering is an act of worship, when we give back to the one who gave us eternal life. At this time we encourage you to make use of our Online Giving. You can find that at www.abidingwordtx.org/support. We will take a few minutes to pray. Please use this time to pray with your family, or comment below or message us directly with prayer requests to pray in our service.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD'S PRAYER
M: Heavenly Father, God of grace, you have brought us into a new and living hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
C: Christ is risen!
M: We marvel at the love you showed by your willingness to sacrifice your Son to pay for our sins; we bow down in adoration at your mighty power, which raised him from the dead.
C: We praise you for sending the true Life and Light into the world.
M: Lord Jesus, God of grace, you have filled our hearts with resurrection joy by your victory over sin, death, and the grave.
C: You have conquered the darkness and given us comfort and hope.
M: Dear Savior, we who are weary and burdened come to you for rest, knowing that because of your perfect redemption there is now no condemnation for us.
C: You are risen indeed!
M: Take away our doubts and fears, and daily renew in us the joy of our salvation.
C: Alleluia!
M: Holy Spirit, God of grace, you have called us by the gospel and brought us to saving faith in our risen Lord.
C: We glorify you for opening our eyes to see the light of life.
M: Keep us with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
C: He is risen!
M: As we journey through life, make us yearn for the day when you will give eternal life to us and all believers in Christ.
C: He is risen indeed!
M: Work through us as we proclaim the saving message of the crucified and risen Jesus near and far, so that many others may hear your call, obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and join us before the throne of our God and of the Lamb.
C: Alleluia! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia! Amen.`
M: And we join together to pray the prayer Jesus taught us:
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
M: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
BLESSING
M: Through the resurrection of Jesus, God has become your Father and has made you his children. May you be filled with joy.
As you go on your way, may God go with you.
May God go before you to show you the way. May God go behind you to encourage you,
Beside you to befriend you, above you to watch over you, within you to give you peace.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: I Know That My Redeemer Lives | CW 152
1 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!
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
3 He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring my safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
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Online Giving
Giving an offering is an act of worship to the one who gives eternal life.
Special WELS Live Streaming Services
Our Church Body, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, will have a couple of Special Holy Week Online Events that you can watch live on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
Sunday, April 12: 6:00pm: Watch here