Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Second Sunday of Easter
April 24, 2022 – 10:30 AM
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
In spite of all we have heard and all that we have seen, it is often hard to believe. Because it is hard to believe, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for fifty days (a week of weeks). Because it is hard to believe, John the evangelist will provide sign after sign cel- ebrating Jesus’ victory over death. Because it is hard to believe, the Lord Jesus will return to us again and again in the mystery of the holy communion, inviting us to touch and taste his presence, and offering us his peace.
Wounded Healer
The Sunday after Easter can feel a little bit like a crash, a return to normalcy after a day of unmatched celebration. And yet this is where we live most of our lives: not in celebration, but struggling to make ends meet, doing our best to love our imperfect partners and kids, holding on to our faith in humanity when people do terrible things, and dealing with our own kinds of adversity, hurt, and loss. This is why we need to hear from the one who missed everything, the one who still has a lot of questions, the one who is not afraid to open up about his own doubt and fear.
It’s revealing that the one thing Thomas asks to see is Jesus’ scars. He is not looking for an- other miracle or celebration. His connection to Jesus is through his humanity, through his suffering, through the things that Thomas could identify with and understand.
Very often when we are at a crossroads of being trapped in our grief, depression, or anger on the one hand and the possibility of moving through on the other, the only person we can really trust is someone who has been there before, someone who has walked the road we are travel- ing and lived to tell about it.
That’s why Christ stands among us today not as one who has finally escaped our humanity but as one who is still identified by those marks of love and sacrifice. We see in his wounds a reflection of our own pain. When we gather at the table to see and touch for ourselves, we know that the risen life he extends to us is real. No matter how many times we missed it the first time, Jesus reaches out to include us in the promise of Easter: “Here is my body, here is my blood. Do not doubt, but believe.”
And we, for the first or the thousandth time, reply, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
GATHERING
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TEMPLE TALK
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation.
Amen.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters, and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN – “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O sons and daughters, let us sing
with heav’nly hosts to Christ our king:
today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia!
That Easter morn, at break of day,
the faithful women went their way
to seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!
An angel clad in white they see,
who sits and speaks unto the three,
“Your Lord will go to Galilee.”
Alleluia!
That night the apostles met in fear;
among them came their master dear,
and said, “My peace be with you here.”
Alleluia!
On this most holy day of days,
be laud and jubilee and praise:
to God your hearts and voices raise.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
In peace, in peace, let us pray to the…
Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
For the reign of God, and for peace throughout the world;
for the unity of all let us pray to the…
Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
For your people here, who have come to give you praise;
for the strength to live your Word, let us pray to the…
Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Help save, and defend us, O God.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
Now the feast and celebration,
all of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom;
praise and glory forevermore!
Now is the feast of the Lamb once slain,
whose blood has freed and united us
to be one great people of God. Refrain
Now the feast and celebration,
all of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom;
praise and glory forevermore!
Power and riches, wisdom and might,
all honor and glory to Christ forever.
Now the feast and celebration,
all of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom;
praise and glory forevermore!
For God has come to dwell with us,
to make us people of God;
to make all things new.
Now the feast and celebration,
all of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom;
praise and glory forevermore!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God of Life,
Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Acts 5:27-32
Peter has been arrested for proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. His response to the charges of the high priest summarizes the early church’s proclamation of forgiveness of sin through repentance.
A reading from the book of Acts.
When they had brought [the apostles,] they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Revelation 1:4-8
The book of Revelation recounts a mystical vision of the risen Christ, experienced by a Christian prophet named John. Here he describes Christ as a timeless redeemer, the beginning, present, and end of all time.
A reading from the book of Revelation.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, Alleluia. Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia!
GOSPEL READING John 20:19-31
The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus, Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who “have not seen and yet believe.”
The Holy Gospel according to John.
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 Jews, 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.
MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY – “Christ Is Risen”
Let no one caught in sin
Remain inside the lie of inward shame,
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us.
Freely you’ve bled for us.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling over death by death.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead,
We are one with Him again.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
Beneath the weight of all our sin,
You bowed to none but heaven’s will.
No scheme of hell, no scoffer’s crown,
No burden great can hold You down.
In strength You reign,
Forever let Your church proclaim.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling over death by death.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead,
We are one with Him again.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light,
The glory of God has defeated the night.
Singing – O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
Our God is not dead,
He’s alive, He’s alive.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling over death by death.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead,
We are one with Him again.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling over death by death.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead,
We are one with Him again.
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave.
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 into hell.
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Set free from captivity to sin and death, we pray to the God of resurrection for the church, people in need, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
In your mercy, O God, respond to these prayers, and renew us by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Lift up your heads;
we lift them up to God.
Lift up your voices;
we lift them up to God.
Lift up your hearts;
we lift them up to God.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
And so we gather at the table. We come from many different places in life. And as we come together around the table we discover that our differences are not something we just tolerate, but that our differences are indeed a blessing. So come, children of God, just as you are. Wherever you are on this journey of life and faith, you are welcome here – here in this place, here in this community, here at this table. Come, children of God, come and remember.
Remember the stories that Jesus’ friends tell: Stories of bread broken and shared to feed a multitude; stories of gathering both enemy and friend together around a common table; stories of unlikely guests revealing the face of the sacred.
On a night of both celebration and betrayal Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it; gave it to his disciples and said, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Then Jesus took the cup, blessed it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
And so we pray: Lord, bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking that our eyes might be open, and that we might recognize the risen Christ in our midst, indeed in one another.
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The risen Christ dwells with us here. All who are hungry, all who are thirsty, come.
Amen
HOLY COMMUNION – Receiving the Lord’s tangible presence.
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Each person may respond: Amen.
Communion Statement ~ If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Redeemer and would like to receive Holy Communion, then come forward to receive the elements. If you would just like to come forward and receive a blessing, then you may do that also.
NOTE: We invite everyone to come forward for Holy Communion. If you have a gluten allergy, gluten-free wafers are available upon request when receiving Communion. Also, if you prefer not to receive wine at Communion, apple juice is available upon request.
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us, mercy on us. mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you break the chains of hatred and fear: have mercy on us, mercy on us. mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you are the way of justice and peace: have mercy on us, mercy on us. mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you are the way of mercy and love: have mercy on us, mercy on us. mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: grant us peace, grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMN “The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
now is the victor’s triumph won!
Now be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!
The pow’rs of death have done their worst;
Jesus their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!
The three sad days have quickly sped,
Christ rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen head! Alleluia!
Christ closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell. Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes that wounded you,
from death’s sting free your servants too,
that we may live and sing to you. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
REFLECTION DURING COMMUNION
As we prepare to receive the sacrament today, may we quietly take this time to center our- selves on Christ, and the amazing gifts of grace and forgiveness that we have been given. As we receive the body and the blood of our Lord, let us reflect upon His sacrifice. Finally, may we take this time to ask the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts, and then to work in us and through us in the coming days.
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and always keep you in God’s grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give you thanks, generous God, for in this bread and cup we have tasted the new heaven and earth where hunger and thirst are no more. Send us from this table as witnesses to the resurrection, that through our lives, all may know life in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
SENDING
BLESSING
God, the Author of life, Christ, the living Cornerstone, and the life-giving Spirit of adoption, bless you now and forever.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN – “My Savior Lives”
Our God will reign forever; and all the world will know his name;
Everyone together sing the song of the redeemed.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and now I stand on what he did;
My Savior, my Savior lives;
Every day a brand new chance to say, “Jesus, you are my only way.”
My Savior, my Savior lives.
The King has come from heaven, and darkness trembles at his name;
Victory forever is the song of the redeemed.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and now I stand on what he did;
My Savior, my Savior lives;
Every day a brand new chance to say, “Jesus, you are my only way.”
My Savior, my Savior lives.
My Savior lives, my Savior lives, my Savior lives.
My Savior lives, my Savior lives, my Savior lives.
My Savior lives, my Savior lives, my Savior lives.
My Savior lives, my Savior lives, my Savior lives.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and now I stand on what he did;
My Savior, my Savior lives;
Every day a brand new chance to say, “Jesus, you are my only way.”
My Savior, my Savior lives.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia
Go in peace. Tell what God has done.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD
From Sundays and Seasons.com.
Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22920.
New Revised Standard Version Bible,
Copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Curches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.