Our Redeemer Lutheran Church	Prospect Heights, IL
2nd Sunday of Easter								  Sunday, April 19, 2020
As We Gather	
Sometimes the simplest of words carry the greatest of importance. As Jesus speaks with the doubting disciple Thomas gathered in a special room with the disciples a few days after the resurrection, He says simply, “See.” But that is all He needs to say. It confirms the powerful truth that He is indeed arisen from the dead. Today we are faithful people gathered in a different room—but also with those who are disciples of the Lord. And He has promised to be with us and among us in the upper room. As we worship, we will see signs of His abiding presence.

Hymn: “Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won”	 LSB 490
1	Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s won!
    Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!
    From the grave will Christ recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.

2	Jesus lives! To Him the throne
    High above all things is given.
I shall go where He is gone,
    Live and reign with Him in heaven.
God is faithful; doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.

3	Jesus lives! For me He died,
    Hence will I, to Jesus living,
Pure in heart and act abide,
    Praise to Him and glory giving.
All I need God will dispense;
This shall be my confidence.

4	Jesus lives! I know full well
    Nothing me from Him shall sever.
Neither death nor pow’rs of hell
    Part me now from Christ forever.
God will be my sure defense;
This shall be my confidence.

5	Jesus lives! And now is death
    But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
    When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense:
Jesus is my confidence!

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Invocation	
P	In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C	Amen.
Opening Sentences	Romans 6:9; John 20:29b
P	Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
C	death no longer has dominion over Him. Alleluia.
P	Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
C	Alleluia, alleluia.

Confession and Absolution	Psalm 85:1–2, 7
P	Lord, You were favorable to Your land;
C	You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
P	You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
C	You covered all their sin.
P	Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord,
C	and grant us Your salvation.

P	Let us then confess our sins unto our gracious Lord.
C	Almighty God, in humility and with repentant hearts we come before You. With shame and regret we admit and confess our sinfulness. We have not lived up to our calling as Your peaceable people. We have not done the good You demand and have not been the people You would have us be. We do repent and are truly sorry for our sins in thought, word, and deed. Have mercy on us, merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Forgive us all that needs Your forgiving grace, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, direct us to serve You faithfully all our days through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

P	God has promised His merciful forgiveness to those who repent of their sins and turn to Him in confession. He will revive them and speak peace to His people. In His stead and by His command, therefore, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C	Amen.

P	God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you in ways of peace and joy, and finally bring you to live with Him forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C	Amen.

Hymn: “Praise to the Lord , the Almighty”	 LSB 790
1	Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
    Let all who hear
    Now to His temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!

2	Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
    Have you not seen
    All that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

3	Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously, made you,
Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you.
    What need or grief
    Ever has failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade you.

4	Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
    Ponder anew
    What the Almighty can do
As with His love He befriends you.

5	Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
    Let the Amen
    Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him!

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Salutation and Prayer of the Day	
P	The Lord be with you.
C	And also with you.
	
P	Let us pray, Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C	Amen.

First Reading	 Acts 5:29–42
29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

L	This is the Word of the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Epistle	 1 Peter 1:3–9
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
L	This is the Word of the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Holy Gospel	 John 20:19–31
P	The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter.
C	Glory to You, O Lord.

19On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
24Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
P	This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C	Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn: “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness”	 LSB 467
1	Awake, my heart, with gladness,
    See what today is done;
Now, after gloom and sadness,
    Comes forth the glorious sun.
My Savior there was laid
Where our bed must be made
    When to the realms of light
    Our spirit wings its flight.

2	The foe in triumph shouted
    When Christ lay in the tomb;
But lo, he now is routed,
    His boast is turned to gloom.
For Christ again is free;
In glorious victory
    He who is strong to save
    Has triumphed o’er the grave.

3	This is a sight that gladdens—
    What peace it doth impart!
Now nothing ever saddens
    The joy within my heart.
No gloom shall ever shake,
No foe shall ever take
    The hope which God’s own Son
    In love for me has won.

4	Now hell, its prince, the devil,
    Of all their pow’r are shorn;
Now I am safe from evil,
    And sin I laugh to scorn.
Grim death with all its might
Cannot my soul affright;
    It is a pow’rless form,
    Howe’er it rave and storm.

5	The world against me rages,
    Its fury I disdain;
Though bitter war it wages,
    Its work is all in vain.
My heart from care is free,
No trouble troubles me.
    Misfortune now is play,
    And night is bright as day.

6	Now I will cling forever
    To Christ, my Savior true;
My Lord will leave me never,
    Whate’er He passes through.
He rends death’s iron chain;
He breaks through sin and pain;
    He shatters hell’s grim thrall;
    I follow Him through all.

7	He brings me to the portal
    That leads to bliss untold,
Whereon this rhyme immortal
    Is found in script of gold:
“Who there My cross has shared
Finds here a crown prepared;
    Who there with Me has died
    Shall here be glorified.”

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Sermon

Confession of Faith:  Apostles’ Creed	
C	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 T everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of the Church	
Hear us, merciful Father, as we pray for ourselves, for the Church, for our nation and for all conditions and manner of people.
God of mercy, keep us from the doubts and fears that cripple us and prevent us from knowing the fullness of Your saving peace and gracious presence. Teach us to trust in Your Word and to believe with all our hearts, minds, bodies and strength in Jesus Christ, crucified for our sins and raised for our justification. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of grace, bestow upon Your Church Your Holy Spirit and all the gifts that come down from on high. Grant to us faithful pastors who will preach faithfully and ears to hear Your Word proclaimed. Give us boldness in our witness before the world and courage to speak Your name without fear. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of power, give courage and strength to those persecuted for the faith, and comfort the families of the martyrs. Keep Your Church from following the winds of change, and make her steadfast in the doctrine of the apostles and the faith once delivered to the saints. Help us to admonish those who have fallen away with Your Word and to restore with gentleness those who have wandered from the truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of might, counsel the nations and their leaders in the paths of peace and justice. Bless us with wise, faithful and just leaders who will protect the sanctity of life and defend us against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Make us wise and discerning citizens who use the gift of liberty for noble purpose. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of love, teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Guide us so that in our neighborhoods and communities we may manifest the love of Christ as well as His strength. Deliver us from all that would threaten our homes and families. Protect the police, firefighters, disaster-relief workers and medical personnel who attend to us, as well as the places where we live and work. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of comfort, give Your aid and relief to all who suffer want or need, to the sick in their afflictions, to those troubled in mind, and to those to whom death draws near [especially _____________]. Heal and sustain them according to Your gracious will, and preserve them in faith to eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of hope, be with those who grieve the loss of those whom they love. Point them to the promise of the resurrection and the gift of everlasting life to all who die in Christ. Deliver us from the distractions of things that do not matter, that we may focus on the needful things of Your Word and Sacraments and so be found faithful when our Lord returns in His glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, bless us with the good gifts of the earth, with the fruits of our honest labors, and with a kind and generous heart. Accept the worship of our hearts and voices along with the tithes and offerings we bring as part of our gratitude and thanksgiving. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of the poor, that we may serve them in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O blessed God and Lord, hear the prayers of Your people and teach us to trust in Your will to answer our prayers with all that is needful and beneficial, both for us and for all for whom we have prayed; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord's Prayer	
C	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.

Concluding Collect	
C  I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept 
   me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also
    from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I 
    commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the
    evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Benedicamus	
P	Let us bless the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Benediction	
P	The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.
C	Amen.

Hymn: “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”	 LSB 821

1	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.”

2	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”?

3	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.

4	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.

5	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.”

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Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Quarter 2. Copyright © 2019 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.