The gospel lesson for the 2nd Sunday of Easter every year is the story of Thomas, the one disciple who refused to believe the other disciples’ account of the resurrection without seeing it for himself. While the epistle tells of apostles who were filled with courage and the Holy Spirit as they proclaimed the story of Jesus in spite of opposition from the authorities. These disciples simply could not keep silent about their resurrected Lord. May we too be filled with wonder and awe while we yet struggle with doubt and fear.
THE RINGING OF THE BELLS AND THE WELCOME
OPENING HYMN: ALLELUIA HEARTS TO HEAVEN (477)
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hearts to heav'n and voices raise; sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a hymn of praise: he who on the cross a victim for the world's salvation bled, Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, now is risen from the dead.
Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits of the holy harvest field, which will all its full abundance at his second coming yield: then the golden ears of harvest will their heads before him wave, ripened by his glorious sunshine from the furrows of the grave.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high; alleluia to the Savior, who has won the victory; alleluia to the Spirit, fount of love and sanctity. Alleluia! Alleluia to the Triune Majesty.
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(SILENT PRAYER) (MOMENTO DE ORACIÓN PERSONAL)
Pastor:
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
People:
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Pastor:
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
People:
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
Pastor:
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
People:
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Pastor:
Let us then confess our sins to God:
People:
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Pastor:
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
RESPONSE: THIS IS THE FEAST This is the Feast of victory for our God Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ the lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing, honor, glory, and might Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (La Oración del Día) Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father.AMEN
THE SCRIPTURE READINGS (SEE INSERT)
(After each reading:) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Acts 5:29-42 29
Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God, not30 men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. 31God raised him to his right-hand side as Leader and Saviour, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. 32We are witnesses to these things—we and the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to those who obey him.” 33 When the members of the Council heard this, they were so furious that they wanted to have the apostles put to death. 34But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was a teacher of the Law and was highly respected by all the people, stood up in the Council. He ordered the apostles to be taken out for a while, 35and then he said to the Council, “Fellow-Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. 36You remember that Theudas appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and his movement died out. 37After that, Judas the Galilean appeared during the time of the census; he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38And so in this case, I tell you, do not take any action against these men. Leave them alone! If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear, 39but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. You could find yourselves fighting against God!” The Council followed Gamaliel’s advice. 40 They called the apostles in, had them whipped, and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus; and then they set them free. 41As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus. 42And every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.
1 Peter 1:3-9 3
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, 4 and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away. 5 They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God’s power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time. 6 Be glad about this, even though for a little while you may have had to suffer many kinds of trials. 7 These troubles come to show that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested and purified by fire; and so also your faith, which is much more precious than gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring much praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, 9 because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him.
John 20:19-31 19
It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? Blessed are those who believe without seeing me!” 30 In his disciples’ presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. 31 But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.
THE APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth.
And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence 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.
SERMON HYMN:Cantad al Señor
Cantad al Señor, we sing Him a new song. (3 veces) ¡Cantad al Señor, cantad al Señor!
Porque el Señor ha hecho prodigios. (3 veces) ¡Cantad al Señor, cantad al Señor!
Cantad al Señor, we praise Him with music. (3 veces) ¡Cantad al Señor, cantad al Señor!
Es él que nos da el Espíritu Santo. (3 veces) ¡Cantad al Señor, cantad al Señor!
Jesus is our Lord! ¡Amén, aleluya! (3 veces) ¡Cantad al Señor, cantad al Señor!
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SERMON
THE PRAYERS
PADRE NUESTRO /THE LORD’S PRAYER (958)
Padre Nuestro, que estás en el Cielo
Santificado, santificado sea tu nombre
Vénganos tu reino, Señor. Hágase tu santa voluntad En la tierra como en el Cielo se hace tu santa voluntad. Padre nuestro.....
Danos hoy, danoslo Señor, nuestro pan, el pan de cada día.
Y perdona nuestras deudas así como nosotros perdonamos. Padre nuestro.....
No nos dejes caer en tentación, antes bien líbranos del mal. No nos dejes caer en tentación, líbranos del mal. Padre nuestro.....
THE BLESSING
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. / La gracia del Señor Jesucristo, el amor de Dios, y la comunión del Espíritu Santo sean con todos ustedes.
People:Amen
CLOSING HYMN: ALLELUIA! JESUS US RISEN! (#474) Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
Trumpets resounding in glorious light!
Splendor, the Lamb, heaven forever!
Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!
Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!
Walking the way, Christ in the center, telling the story to open our eyes; breaking our bread, giving us glory:
Jesus, our blessing, our constant surprise.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!
Jesus the vine, we are the branches; life in the Spirit the fruit of the tree; heaven to earth, Christ to the people, gift of the future now flowing to me.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!
Weeping, be gone; sorrow be silent: death put asunder, and Easter is bright. Cherubim sing: "O grave, be open!"
Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!
City of God, Easter forever, golden Jerusalem, Jesus the Lamb, river of life, saints and archangels, sing with creation to God the I AM!
Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!
Easter Sunday is the high point of the liturgical year for Christians. It has always been, and remains to be, the core event of the Christian story. We understand Jesus’ resurrection to be the central witness of God’s radical action in human history; the pinnacle black swan event of the universe. Jesus, God in the flesh, has defeated death and has been resurrected to life that we all might have life eternal.
Ringing of the Bells and The Welcome
The Invocation
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. / En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.
People: Amen.
Easter Vigil Prayer
Pastor: O God, You are like a refiner's fire, and Your Spirit enkindles the hearts of Your faithful people with the fire of Your love. Bless this new flame and those who keep this joyful Easter festival that, burning with desire for life with You, we may be found rightly prepared to share in the Feast of Light which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
I Know that My Redeemer Lives (#461)
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!
He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, throned above;
He lives to rule his church in love.
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.
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!
The Blessing of the Christ Candle
Pastor: Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and ending, the Alpha and the Omega. His are time and eternity; His are the glory and dominion, now and forever. By His wounds we have healing both now and forever. May the light of Christ, who is risen in glory from the dead, scatter all the darkness of our hearts and minds.
People: Amen
Resurrection Prayer
Pastor: Almighty and merciful God, pour out on us Your abundant blessing that all who share this day in joyful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead be filled with Your heavenly benediction. Once we were in darkness, but now we are in the light.
People: Amen.
The Light Of Christ
Pastor: Luz De Cristo.
People: Gracias a Dios.
Pastor: Luz de Cristo.
People: Gracias a Dios.
Pastor: Luz de Cristo.
People: Gracias a Dios.
The Easter Proclamation
People: Rejoice now, all you heavenly choirs of angels; Rejoice now, all creation; Sound forth, trumpet of salvation, And proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice too, all the earth, In the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; Know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ clothed in the brightness of this light; Let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing,
With the praises of all God's faithful people.
Jesus Christ is Risen Today(#457)
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
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!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Preface
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Proper Preface
Pastor: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places, with one heart and mind and voice, praise You, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty everlasting God, and your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. For He is the very Paschal Lamb who offered Himself for the sin of the world, who has cleansed us by the shedding of His precious blood. This is the day when You brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt and led them through the Red Sea on dry ground. This is the day when all who believe in Christ are delivered from bondage to sin and are restored to life and immortality. This is the day when Christ, the Life, rose from the dead. The seal of the grave is broken and the morning of a new creation breaks forth out of night. How wonderful and beyond all telling is Your mercy toward us, O God, that to redeem a slave You gave Your Son. How holy is this day when all wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away. How holy is this day when innocence is restored to the fallen and joy is given to those downcast. How blessed is the day when man is reconciled to God in Christ. Holy Father, accept now the sacrifices of our thanksgiving and praise. Let Christ, the true light and morning star, shine in our hearts, He who gives light to all creation, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Alleluia, Jesus Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor: ¡Gloria a Dios!
People: ¡Alabemos al Señor¡
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus(#821)
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone!
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
Jesus out of every nation
Has redeemed us by His blood.”
Alleluia! Not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us;
Faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him,
When the forty days were over,
Shall our hearts forget His promise?—
I am with you evermore.”
Alleluia! King eternal
you, the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heaven your throne:
as, within the veil you entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest;
here on earth both priest and victim
in the eucharistic feast.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone!
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
Jesus out of every nation
Has redeemed us by His blood.”
The First Reading(Acts 10:34-43)
Peter began to speak to; “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Second Reading (Colossians 3:1-4)
You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right-hand side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory!
The Holy Gospel (Matthew 28:1-10)
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth.
And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence 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.
Alleluia! Jesus us Risen! (#474)
Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
Trumpets resounding in glorious light!
Splendor, the Lamb, heaven forever!
Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
give God the glory! Alleluia!
Walking the way, Christ in the center,
telling the story to open our eyes;
breaking our bread, giving us glory:
Jesus, our blessing, our constant surprise.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
give God the glory! Alleluia!
Jesus the vine, we are the branches;
life in the Spirit the fruit of the tree;
heaven to earth, Christ to the people,
gift of the future now flowing to me.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
give God the glory! Alleluia!
Weeping, be gone; sorrow be silent:
death put asunder, and Easter is bright.
Cherubim sing: "O grave, be open!"
Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
give God the glory! Alleluia!
City of God, Easter forever,
golden Jerusalem, Jesus the Lamb,
river of life, saints and archangels,
sing with creation to God the I AM!
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
give God the glory! Alleluia!
The Children’s Message
The Message
The Prayers
Lord’s Prayer
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
This is the Feast
This is the Feast of victory for our God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ the lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain
has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Blessing
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. / La gracia del Señor Jesucristo, el amor de Dios, y la comunión del Espíritu Santo sean con todos ustedes.
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Entrance Hymn(Lamb of God)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
The Confession of Sins
Pastor: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
People: Amen.
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
All: O most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Pastor: Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
People: Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Pastor: Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros
People: Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
Pastor: Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
People: Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
The Absolution
Pastor: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister in the Church of Jesus Christ, and by his authority, I declare to you the forgiveness of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
The Readings
Isaiah (Isaías) 53:4-8
But he endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God. But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved. “He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; he never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared he never said a word. He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die, and no one cared about his fate. He was put to death for the sins of our people.
Hebrews (Hebreos) 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God—Jesus, the Son of God. 15Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. 16Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him. 8 But even though he was God’s Son, he learned through his sufferings to be obedient. 9 When he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
Luke (San Lucas) 23:26-27, 32-43
26 The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. 32 Two other men, both of them criminals, were also led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33When they came to the place called “The Skull”, they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doihis clothes among themselves by throwing dice. The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders jeered at him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37and said, “Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!” 38 Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” 42And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come into your kingdom!” 43 Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a tribute far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!
The Sermon
Offering
Prayers
The Lords Prayer(Prayed quietly by 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
The Readings(La Lectura) Luke (San Lucas) 23:44-46
44-45 It was about twelve o’clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o’clock; and the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. 46Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died.
The Removal of the Christ Candle
The Final Reading Luke (San Lucas) 23:47-56
47 The army officer saw what had happened, and he praised God, saying, “Certainly he was a good man!” When the people who had gathered there to watch the spectacle saw what happened, they all went back home, beating their breasts in sorrow. All those who knew Jesus personally, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance to watch. 50-51 There was a man named Joseph from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was a good and honorable man, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Although he was a member of the Council, he had not agreed with their decision and action. 52He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took the body down, wrapped it in a linen sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock and which had never been used. 54 It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had Jesus’ body was placed in it. Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.
Were You There?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
