Easter Sunday 2023
April 9, 2023
Ressurrection by Andrea Mantegna (1457)
210.532.7341
stpaulsa.org
Make no mistake: if he rose at all
It was as His body;
If the cell’s dissolution did not reverse, the molecule reknit,
The amino acids rekindle,
The Church will fall.
It was not as the flowers,
Each soft spring recurrent;
It was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of the
Eleven apostles;
It was as His flesh; ours.
The same hinged thumbs and toes
The same valved heart
That—pierced—died, withered, paused, and then regathered
Out of enduring Might
New strength to enclose.
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
Analogy, sidestepping, transcendence,
Making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded
Credulity of earlier ages:
Let us walk through the door.
The stone is rolled back, not papier-mache,
Not a stone in a story,
But the vast rock of materiality that in the slow grinding of
Time will eclipse for each of us
The wide light of day.
And if we have an angel at the tomb,
Make it a real angel,
Weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair, opaque in
The dawn light, robed in real linen
Spun on a definite loom.
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
For our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,
Lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are embarrassed
By the miracle,
And crushed by remonstrance.
John Updike, Seven Stanzas at Easter (1960)
Greeting and Welcome
The congregation stands and faces the back of the sanctuary. We begin with a procession as the cross leads the way, representing our life in Christ – our journey from death to life. Some bow as the cross passes, honoring the mystery of salvation.
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (457)
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!
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 & 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 ye heav’nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Invocation and Easter Acclimation
En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.
All Amen.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
All He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Lord Jesus Christ, our Paschal Lamb who was offered for us and has taken away the sins of the world:
All have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, who by Your death has destroyed death, and by Your rising to life again has restored to us eternal life:
All have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, who rose early in the morning on the first day of the week and did first appear to Mary Magdalene:
All have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared to Your disciples proclaiming peace and breathed on them the Holy Spirit:
All have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus Christ, who revealed Yourself to Thomas with the marks of Your suffering and who commended the faith of those who have not seen and yet believed:
All have mercy on us.
By Your suffering and dying:
All deliver us from sin, its guilt, and its punishment.
By Your glorious resurrection:
All deliver us from this body of death.
By the majesty of Your risen body:
All deliver us from the weakness of this mortal life and lead us to eternity.
Set our minds on things above, that we may walk in love in this earthly journey and that we may dwell with You forever in the heavenly places of light and life.
All Grant that we may live in Easter joy today and all the days of our lives until we attain its eternal joys in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Luz De Cristo.
All Gracias a Dios.
Luz de Cristo.
All Gracias a Dios.
Luz de Cristo.
All Gracias a Dios.
The Easter Proclamation
Rejoice now, all 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.
All 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! 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!
Remembrance of Holy Baptism
On this holiest of days, the Church recalls Jesus’ death and burial, rejoicing with great joy in the Gospel of His glorious resurrection from the dead!
Do you renounce the devil?
All Yes, I renounce him.
Do you renounce all his works?
All Yes, I renounce them.
Do you renounce all his ways?
All Yes, I renounce them.
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth?
All Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son?
Al Yes, 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
All Yes, 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 X everlasting.
Reception of New Members
We joyfully welcome Evelyn, Suzanne, Christina, Marianna, and Pat. After receiving instruction and initiation into our community and church, on this most blessed day, they will be received into full membership.
You have been baptized and catechized in the Christian faith according to our Lord’s bidding. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven? Lift up your hearts, therefore, to the God of all grace and joyfully give answer to what I now ask you in the name of the Lord.
Do you this day in the presence of God and of this congregation acknowledge the gifts that God gave you in your Baptism?
Yes, I do.
Do you hold the Scriptures to be the inspired and true Word of God?
I do.
Do you confess the doctrine of the Lutheran Church, drawn from the Scriptures, to be faithful and true?
I do.
Do you intend to hear the Word of God and to receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully?
I do, by the grace of God.
Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, & deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, even to death?
I do, by the grace of God.
Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and
to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?
I do, by the grace of God.
We rejoice with thankful hearts that you have been baptized and have received the teaching of the Lord. You have confessed the faith and been absolved of your sins. As you continue to hear the Lord’s Word and receive His blessed Sacrament, He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
All Amen.
The Scripture Readings
Isaiah 65:17-25
See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God
The Gospel Procession
The gospel is read in the midst of the people as a sign of God coming to us in Jesus Christ. As the gospel is announced some worshippers make a small cross on their forehead, lips, and chest – a prayer that the Word may dwell in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
Hail Thee, Festival Day (489)
Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised, Breaking the kingdom of death.
Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised, Breaking the kingdom of death.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
All Glory to You, O Lord.
Matthew 28:1-10
1 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow. 4 The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. 5 Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” 8 Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announcethis to his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Hail Thee, Festival Day (489)
Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised, Breaking the kingdom of death.
Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised, Breaking the kingdom of death.
Kid Sermon
Now all The Vault of Heaven Resounds
Now all the vault of Heav’n resounds in praise of love that still abounds:
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! Repeat their song of glory here:
“Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Eternal is the gift he brings, therefore our heart with rapture sings:
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Now still he comes to give us life and by his presence stills all strife.
Christ has triumphed! He is living!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; set heart and will on things above
That we conquer through your triumph;
Grant grace sufficient for life’s day that by our lives we truly say:
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Sermon
Litany of the Resurrection
O Lord,
All have mercy.
O Christ,
All have mercy.
O Lord,
All have mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
All hear us.
Paschal Lamb, who was offered for us and has taken away the sin of the world,
All have mercy on us.
Who was crucified for our transgressions and raised for our justification,
All have mercy on us.
Who foretold Your passion saying, “The Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day rise again,”
All have mercy on us.
Who destroyed death by dying, and by rising to life again brought life and immortality to light,
All have mercy on us.
Whose resurrection was first announced by an angel to the women,
All have mercy on us.
Who appeared to Mary Magdalene and was worshiped by her,
All have mercy on us.
Who revealed Yourself to the two disciples on the Emmaus Road and made Yourself known to them in the breaking of the bread,
All have mercy on us.
Who appeared to the disciples, giving them Your peace and Your Spirit,
All have mercy on us.
Who showed Your wounded hands to Thomas that he might believe,
All have mercy on us.
Who appeared to disciples on the Sea of Tiberias, bringing a miraculous catch of fish,
All have mercy on us.
Who appeared to Peter and to the Twelve, to over 500 disciples, to James and to all the apostles, and to Paul on the Damascus Road,
All have mercy on us.
Who commissioned Your Church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them,
All have mercy on us.
By Your glorious resurrection from the dead,
All good Lord, deliver us.
By Your victory over sin and death,
All good Lord, deliver us.
By the majesty of Your risen body,
All good Lord, deliver us.
We poor sinners implore You
All to hear us, Lord Jesus.
That we may daily die and rise with You in our Baptism and walk in the freedom of Your forgiveness,
All grant us, good Lord.
That we may set our minds on things above and not on earthly things, serving as we have been served by You,
All grant us, good Lord.
That we may dwell with You forever in the new creation as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, together with all the saints,
All grant us, good Lord.
Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
All have mercy on us.
Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
All have mercy on us.
Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
All grant us Your peace.
O Lord,
All have mercy.
O Christ,
All have mercy.
O Lord,
All have mercy. Amen.
Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (805)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer Before Reception of Holy Communion
O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ,
The Son of the living God, who came into the world
To save sinners of whom I am the first.
Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Lord,
For I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies,
Nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, But like the thief I profess to you:
Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.
May the partaking of your Holy mysteries, O Lord,
Be not for my judgment or condemnation,
But for the healing of my soul and body.
O Lord, I also believe and profess, that this,
Which I am about to receive,
Is truly your most precious Body, and your life-giving Blood,
Given for me for remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen
Service of the Sacrament
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, on this day of our redemption to celebrate with joyful hearts the memory of your wonderful works. For by the mystery of his passion Jesus Christ, your risen Son, has conquered the powers of death and hell and restored in all people the image of your glory. He has placed them once more in paradise and opened to them the gate of eternal life. And so, in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness and we with the angels and archangels and the powers of all creation sing forever of your glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Sabaoth adored;
Heaven and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name.
Sing hosana in the highest, sing hosana to the Lord;
Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy, we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us to faithfully eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us to in His own testament. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate, with all the faithful, the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone be all glory, honor, and worship, now and forever.
All Amen.
The Consecration
The Acclamation and Invitation
As often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Behold the Lamb of God, behold Jesus, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
La paz del Señor sea con ustedes.
All Y Tambien contigo
Sharing of the Peace
Greet each other in the name of Jesus by saying, ‘the Peace of the Lord be with you’ as a sign of forgiveness & reconciliation in preparation for reception of the Blessed Sacrament.
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.
Distribution
Scatter the Darkness, Break the Gloom (481)
If Christ Had Not Been Raised from Death (486)
Sung by the Choir
Eucharistic Dismissal
Thank The Lord
Thank the Lord and sing His praise; Tell everyone what He has done.
Let everyone who seeks the Lord, Rejoice, and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises, and leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.
Post-Communion Prayer
We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You, that of Your mercy, You would strengthen us in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Announcements
Blessing
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 ev’ry 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 o’er,
Shall our hearts forget His promise: “I am with you evermore”?
Alleluia! Bread of heaven, Here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! Here the sinful Flee to You from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, Earth’s Redeemer, hear our plea
Where the songs of all the sinless Sweep across the crystal sea.
Alleluia! King eternal, Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! Born of Mary, Earth Your footstool, heav’n 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 ev’ry nation Has redeemed us by His blood.”
Prayer As You Go
Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are his forever and ever. Amen
St. Hippolytus of Rome
Serving Today @ St. Paul
Musicians Jim Wollmann, Judy Foerster, Ronnie Biediger
Elders Rick Garza, George Fernandez, Paul Mallow
Lector Deaconess Claire Jackson
Altar Servers Michael Cruz, Zachary Robledo, Moriah Windhorst
Preacher/Celebrant Rev. Dave Murillo (davem@stpaulsa.org)
Liturgist Rev. Carlos Boerger(carlosb@stpaulsa.org)
Pastoral Intern Michael Cruz (michaelc@stpaulsa.org)
Parish Administrator Suzanne Segovia (suzannes@stpaulsa.org)
Deaconess Claire Jackson (clairej@stpaulsa.org)
CDC Director Deborah Stephenson (deborahs@stpaulsa.org)
Announcements
Huge Shout Out
Thanks to all who helped make our Easter celebration so wonderful! Special thanks to everyone who helped with purchasing lilies, making Easter baskets, helping with our breakfast, and preparing the cascarones!
Cascarones and Easter Baskets
We have Easter Baskets for all the kids! Easter baskets will be handed out after the service in the narthex (lobby). Also, everyone is invited to receive cascarones as we take the joy of Jesus’ open tomb and resurrection with us!
Sunday Worship Schedule
Join us next Sunday as the Easter celebration continues as we gather at 10:30am to worship the resurrected Lord and receive his gifts!
Sunday School
We have Sunday school every week from 9:30 – 10:15 for children ages 3 and up as well as an adult bible class that meets in Room 6.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is happening June 19th – June 23rd. Please consider volunteering and helping! Follow the QR code to be taken to our VBS signup page.
Easter Lily Donation List
| John and Linda Wenck | In Honor of God’s Blessings |
| Mona Petitt | In Memory of Rev. William and Emily Johnson |
| Jim and Melissa Hild | In Memory of Buddy Hild and Mac & Dale Kyler and In Honor of Marjorie Hild-Kyler |
| Jim and Melissa Hild | In Memory of Harold & Elaine Olmstead, Christine Surface, and Michael Dean and In Honor of Our Lord and Savior |
| Debbie and Bron Milczewski | In Memory of Adeline & Ernie Neel, Delores & Milky Milczewski, and Ella & Ernest Klatt |
| Pastor Carlos and Sharon Boerger | In Memory of Our parents–John & Margaret Boerger and Eddie & Hazel Richter |
| Bruce and Judy Simon | In Memory of Our parents–Julia & Charles Franz and Betty & Harry Simon |
| Jonathan, Kristen, Weston, and Emmaline Boerger | In Memory of David Schneider and Our Loving Granparents |
| Patti Sue Young | In Memory of Wallace and Peggy Graham |
| Christina Chavarria and Mallows | In Memory of Jo Ann Mallow |
| Tom and Sue Carter | In Honor of Maverick, Madelyn, and August! And all the blessings God has given to us |
| Roxanna and Ross Johnson | In Memory of Rev. Bill & Emily Johnson and Ernest & Marketta Woodard |
| Claire Jackson | In Memory of My beloved husband, Toby and in Honor of My 2 children and 5 grandchildren |
| Rick and Diana Garza | In Memory of John & Isabel Garza and Jose & Estela Arroyo |
| Justin, Rachel, and James Maupin | In Memory of Randy Maupin |
| Judy Foerster | In Memory of Elsie and George Schroeder |
| Denise Jackson | In Memory of My Dad, Toby Jackson and In Honor of My Mom, Claire Jackson |
| Ryker Wear | In Memory of My Grandparents and In Honor of My Mom, Dad, and Grandparents |
| Philip Laechelin | In Memory of Michael Dean and in Honor of Marjorie Hild-Kyler |
| Ronnie & Deanna Biediger | In Memory of Our Parents |
| Robin & Diane Beasley | In Memory of the Kolinek & Beasley Families and In Honor of Our Savior |
| Robert & Linda Chetwood | In Memory of Jerry Martin |