Easter Sunday – March 31, 2024

 8:00 a.m. Contemplative Communion 

 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Ken’s song selection for this week is:

Button Text

Worship Served Family Style

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024

Table Grace / Invocation

Grace—Truth—Time Together

Care—Safety—Authenticity—Service—Growth

The Gift of Word—Family Style Conversation

How Do We Experience God?

How Do We Love One Another?

John 13:1, 33-35

…the New Commandment

Prayer

The Gift of Sacrament—Family Style Communion

GOOD FRIDAY

Prayer Around the Cross — Peace at the Last

We are gathered in the name in which we are baptized,

the Creator, the + Christ, and the Consummate Spirit. Amen.

Ah, Holy Jesus               ELW #349 vss 1, 4, 5

1    Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended

      that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?

      By foes derided, by thine own rejected,

      O most afflicted.

4    For me, kind Jesus, was thine incarnation,

      thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;

      thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,

      for my salvation.

5    Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,

      I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee;

      think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,

      not my deserving.

Text: Johann Heermann, 1585-1647; tr. Robert Bridges, 1844-1930, alt.

ISAIAH 43:1-3a

PRAYER OF THE DAY

We pray,

Holy and Living God, by the mystery of the death of your Son, you have filled the world with hope. As we gather this day, we draw near to his death and to our own, remembering your promises and trusting your Faithful One, Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

PSALM 22:1-5

“O God of Love, O King of Peace”                   ELW #749 vss 1, 2, 3

1    O God of love, O King of peace,

      make wars throughout the world to cease;

      our greed and sinful wrath restrain.

      Give peace, O God, give peace again.

2    Remember, Lord, your works of old,

      the wonders that our elders told;

      remember not our sins’ deep stain.

      Give peace, O God, give peace again.

3    Whom shall we trust but you, O Lord?

      Where rest but on your faithful word?

      None ever called on you in vain.

      Give peace, O God, give peace again.

Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877

JOHN 18:1–19:42

BIDDING PRAYERS

We pray for…

  • the church throughout the world.
  • bishops, pastors, for deacons, church musicians, council members, and all servants of the church, and for all the people of God.
  • for our siblings in Christ who share our faith.
  • the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God.
  • for those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ.
  • for those who do not believe in God.
  • for God’s creation.
  • first responders, health care workers and others who work for the benefit of others.
  • those who serve in public office.
  • those in need.
  • and for whatever else burdens our hearts.

Extended silent prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION 

O God, you have called us, your servants, to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SENDING 

Between each blessing, we will sing the following refrain:

Shepherd us, O God, beyond our wants, beyond our fears, from death into life.

BENEDICTION

Cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.

Easter Sunday

March 31, 2024, 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Classic Communion Service

We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.

Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.

In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.

GATHERING

WELCOME

“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”              ELW #365 vss 1, 2, 4

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!

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!

Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who writes the law on our hearts,

who draws all people together through Jesus.

Amen.

A flood of grace pours over us:

Out of love for the whole world,

God draws near,

breaks every snare of sin,

washes away our wrongs,

and restores the promise of life through  Jesus Christ.

Know this: You are whole, and wholly beloved.

So held in God’s mercy, we dare to confess our sin

in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy God,

we confess that we are caught in snares of sin

and cannot break free.

We hoard resources while our neighbors

are hungry and cold.

We speak in ways that silence others.

We are silent when we should speak up.

We keep score in our hearts.

We let hurts grow into hatred.

For all these things and for sins only you know,

forgive us, Lord.

Amen.

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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHOIR ANTHEM                                                                                “The Easter Song”

WORD

CHILDRENS MESSAGE

“Be Not Afraid”                  ELW #388

Be not afraid, sing out for joy!

Christ is risen, alleluia!

Be not afraid, sing out for joy!

Christ is risen, alleluia!

Text: Matthew 28:5; Taizé Community Text © 1998 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Mark 16:1-8

The resurrection of Jesus is announced, and the response is one of terror and amazement.

Acts 10:34-43

Peter crosses the immense religious and social boundary that separates Jews from Gentiles in order to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, so that God’s forgiveness in Jesus’ name would reach out to all people.

Isaiah 25:6-9

More than 700 years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah proclaims the good news of God’s salvation and calls all people to rejoice! God will make a rich feast for all people. God will wipe the tears from their eyes. And most importantly, God will destroy death itself.

SERMON                                                                                                       Pastor Karla

“Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia”                  ELW #364 vss 1, 2, 4

1    Christ has arisen, alleluia.

      Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.

      For our redeemer burst from the tomb,

      even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Refrain

      Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.

      Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.

      Our sin forgiving, alleluia!

      Jesus is living, alleluia!

2    For three long days the grave did its worst

      until its strength by God was dispersed.

      He who gives life did death undergo,

      and in its conquest his might did show.  Refrain

4    “Go spread the news: he’s not in the grave.

      He has arisen this world to save.

      Jesus’ redeeming labors are done.

      Even the battle with sin is won.”  Refrain

Text: Bernard Kyamanywa, b. 1938; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922  English text © 1977 Howard S. Olson, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Sung response:                    “Restore in Us, O God”                       ELW #328 vs 3

3    Bring us, O Christ, to share

      the fullness of your joy;

      baptize us in the risen life

that death cannot destroy.

Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944

Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

MEAL

OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTY OF GOD’S CHURCH

We have prayed. We have sung.  We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION

One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…

All: 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.

DISTRIBUTION

POST COMMUNION BLESSING

SENDING

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING

“I Know That My Redeemer Lives!”                 ELW #619 vss 1, 2, 4, 8

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 exalted, throned above;

      he lives to rule his church in love.

4    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.

8    He lives, all glory to his name!

      He lives, my Savior, still the same;

      what joy this blest assurance gives:

      I know that my Redeemer lives!

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799, alt. 

OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION

Jesus is the bread of life!                Jesus is the bread of life, indeed!

So go in peace                                 To explore the Faith

Live in peace                                    To express our faith to others

Share the peace                              By inviting others to join us on this journey.

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE, SO LETS GO FEED OUR NEIGHBORS.

THANKS BE TO GOD. 

Reading synopsis and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.