3rd Sunday of Easter

Thine the Amen Thine the Praise (680)

Thine the amen Thine the praise Alleluias angels raise

Thine the everlasting head Thine the breaking of the bread

Thine the glory Thine the story Thine the harvest then the cup

Thine the vineyard then the cup is lifted up lifted up.

Thine the life eternally Thine the promise let there be

Thine the vision Thine the tree All the earth on bended knee

Gone the nailing gone the railing Gone the pleading gone the cry

Gone the sighing gone the dying what was loss lifted high.

Thine the truly Thine the yes Thine the table we the guest

Thine the mercy all from Thee Thine the glory yet to be

Then the ringing and the singing Then the end of all the war

Thine the living Thine the loving evermore evermore.

Thine the kingdom Thine the prize Thine the wonder full surprise

Thine the banquet then the praise Then the justice of Thy ways

Thine the glory Thine the story Then the welcome to the least

Then the wonder all increasing at Thy feast at Thy feast.

Thine the glory in the night No more dying only light

Thine the river Thine the tree Then the Lamb eternally

Then the holy holy holy Celebration jubilee

Thine the splendor Thine the brightness only Thee only Thee.

Invocation

      En el nombre del Padre, y del  Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.

All Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us

All But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.

All Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.

Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.

All Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.

Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.

All Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.

Silence is Kept

Let us then confess our sins to God our Father:

All 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.

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 forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All Amen.

The Kyrie

Prayer of the Day

The Lord be with you.

All And also with you.

Let us pray.

All Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Acts 5:29-42

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

1 Peter 1:3-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Procession

The Holy Gospel is read in the midst of the people as a reminder of God coming to us in Jesus Christ. As the Gospel is announced some make a small cross on their forehead, lips, and chest – a prayer that the Word would dwell in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

Thy Strong Word (578)

Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done.

For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

All Glory to You, O Lord. John 20:19-31

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

Thy Strong Word (578)

God the Father, light-creator, To thee laud and honor be.
To thee, Light from Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally.

Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity!

The Apostle’s Creed

All 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

Children’s Sermon

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;

This Cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease:

My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe;

This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save;

‘Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied,

For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.

And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His, and He is mine, bought by the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death: this is the power of Christ in me;

From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny,

No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand

‘Till He returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Sermon

Prayer of the Church

After the pastor says Lord in Your Mercy, all respond with – Hear our Prayer.

For a blessed Easter season as we continue to rejoice in the resurrection

For blessing in our outreach: CDC, Thrift Store, Food Pantry, LINC, Presa

Pastors Phillip, Roy, Naresh, Christoph, Matt, and all church planters

For U.S. Leaders: President Joe, Governor, Greg, and Mayor Ron

For those in Military: Jarred, Alissa, Mark, Tom, Thomas, Ricky, Jennifer

Church Leaders: LCMS President Matthew, District President Michael

Persecuted Christians: Bangladesh, Cuba, Morocco, Niger

Global Partner Church: The American Association of Lutheran Churches

For Comfort, Health, Encouragement, and Recovery:

The people of Ukraine

Ryker Wear (great grandson of Susan Pennington had tonsillectomy)

Diana Garza (recovering from gallbladder surgery)

Frankie and Phyllis Mason (family of Virginia and Everett, with Covid)

Eddie Render (childhood friend of Everett, with Leukemia)

Family Marian Lee Ermis (cousin of Patti Sue Young who died)

Evangelina Flores (mother of Eva Schindel, with health challenges)

Sandy Staples (in the hospital this past week)

Virginia Luna (for clarity and provision from God in this season)

Rosa Figueroa (friend of Alva-Alicia – back in the hospital)

Pat Garcia (cousin of Rick Garza in need of liver transplant)

Linda Wenck (as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment)

Michael Garcia (brother of Eva, battling cancer)

Daniel (brother of Patricia Perez, recovering from surgery)

Diane Beasley

Ana Garcia (cousin of Paul and JoAnn – diagnosed with cancer)

Cecilia Luna (friend of America Alderete – diagnosed with cancer)

Joe Ojeda (blessing and guidance as he begins pastoral formation)

Tillie Cropper

Alex Rivera

Gulley Rivera

Roy Wessel (for God’s provision)

Vicky Dean (sister of Melissa Hild)

Yesenia (daughter of Anna Marquez)

Teresa Medellin (neighbor of Alicia Guerrero)

Mildred Westphal

Albert Pedroza (neighbor of Thomas Robledo)

Cayley (granddaughter of Robert and Linda Chetwood)

Austin Hernden

Robin Beasley Jr

The Offering

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 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, and in these days of Easter 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 has restored in men and women the image of your glory. He has placed us once more in paradise and has opened to us the gate of life eternal. And so, in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness, and we, with the angels and archangels and the whole of 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 Christ 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

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

The Blessing

Abide with Me (878)

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,

But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;

Tears for all woes, a heart for ev’ry plea.

Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still if Thou abide with me!

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.