The Ascension of Our Lord (Observed) – Divine Service One

 

Jesus promises to release the power of the Holy Spirit that will sustain the church as she magnifies the name of Christ, in all wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment.  Today, the church honors Jesus’ ascent into the heavenly realms.  In His absence from us, we shall be comforted and sustained by the spirit of God.  In our waiting for Christ’s return, we boldly proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins to all nations.

 

 

Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”     LSB 493  (hymn of the month)

“Up through Endless Ranks of Angels”     LSB 491

“Crown Him with Many Crowns”     LSB 525

“Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious”     LSB 495

“The Head that Once Was Crowned with Thorns”   LSB 532

“Draw Us to Thee”     LSB 701

“Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise”     LSB 680

“On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build”     LSB  492

The Sixth Sunday of Easter – Divine Service One

 

Paul unmasks an entire culture of religious idolatry where objects of worship are rubbish and religious assertions are merely fabricated in the minds of men.  In the midst of the ungodly, he preaches the counsels of God, tells of the need for repentance, and confirms the resurrection of the dead.  The resurrected Christ is the one we worship.  His commandments are divine assertions.  By baptism, we are believers in all these things, loved by God and enabled to serve.    

 

 

O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice”     LSB 556

“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”     LSB 493  (hymn of the month)

“God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It”     LSB 594

“The Gifts Christ Freely Gives”     LSB 602

“Children of the Heavenly Father”     LSB 725

“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word”     LSB 655

The Fifth Sunday of Easter – Divine Service One

 

Faithful apostles, prophets, and preachers can become martyrs because they earnestly believe in Jesus.  But for us, Jesus becomes the martyr – the sacrifice – the cornerstone, so that we may be His people, basking in light, shrouded in mercy.  Christ ushers us, His precious, chosen, and holy ones, into His eternal realm that we may reside in the heavenly mansion prepared by God the Father.  

 

 

O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”     LSB 493  (hymn of the month)

“Evening and Morning”     LSB 726   (sung by the choir)

“Saints, See the Cloud of Witnesses”     LSB 667

“Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet”     LSB 973   (not in pew hymnal)

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”     LSB 739

“Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me”   LSB 722

“The Church’s One Foundation”     LSB 644

“Christ Be My Leader”     LSB 861

“Built on the Rock”     LSB 645

The Fourth Sunday of Easter – Divine Service One

 

Believers saturate themselves in fervent prayer and the breaking of bread.  Believers empty themselves of possessions, giving belongings to the underprivileged.  Suffering is endured, and this is the very nature of Christ.  By His wounds, we are healed.  He is the one true Shepherd without blemish, fault, or sin.  Yet He was unjustly threatened, despised and condemned.  But He is also the One who opens the door, unbars the gates, and welcomes His sheep eternally.   

 

 

Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Rise Up O Believer”     OAR 265

“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”     LSB 709

“You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”     LSB 641

“Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying”     LSB 597

“O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe”     LSB 666

“Have No Fear, Little Flock”     LSB 735

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”     LSB 711

 

The Third Sunday of Easter

Divine Service One

 

A crooked generation instinctively clings to wealth and riches, grasps human logic, and understands ordinary fact.  The baptized fervently cling to forgiveness and grace in Christ, believe divine mysteries, and confess Christ crucified.  Jesus’ death was necessary that we would know imperishable life.  Without His death, the breaking of the bread would be empty ritual.  But in the Eucharist, we receive the broken bread and body of Christ that sustains extraordinary faith and enables us to confess divine truths.   

 

 

O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Father Welcomes”     LSB 605

“With High Delight Let Us Unite”     LSB 483

“At the Lambs High Feast We Sing”     LSB 633

“Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide”     LSB 585

“Alleluia!  Jesus Is Risen”     LSB 474

“Stay with Us”     LSB 879

“Abide with Me”     LSB 878

“Rise Up O Believer”     OAR 265

The Second Sunday of Easter – Matins

 

Persecution cannot silence those who teach and preach Christ crucified, dead and risen. This unwavering testimony is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Trials, sorrows, and temptations will never eclipse the revelation of Jesus to whom belongs all glory and honor. Just as Jesus, risen and scarred, stood in the midst of His disciples, so also He remains steadfast in the church, through bread and wine, reminding us of His wounds, nourishing our faith, and bestowing peace on all who see Him.

 

 

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.

 

“Rise Up O Believer” OAR 265
“O Sons and Daughters of the King” LSB 470
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941
“Christ the Eternal Lord” LSB 829

The Resurrection of our Lord – Divine Service

 

From catastrophic death emerges the mighty salvation of God.  Israel witnesses the destruction of its Egyptian adversaries and in revelry sings: the Lord has triumphed gloriously.  The apostle Paul, once a vehement assassin of Christians, marvels that the grace of God grips him and inspires his preaching so that others may believe in Jesus.  Mary is seized with astonishment at the sight of the risen Jesus and proclaims Him “Teacher.”  This is the day for resurrection rejoicing.

 

Exodus 14:10-15:1

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

John 20:1-18

 

Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands”     LSB 458   (Not in pew hymnal)

“He’s Risen, He’s Risen, Christ Jesus the Lord”  LSB 480    (Choir)

“I Know that My Redeemer Lives”     LSB 461

“Our Paschal Lamb that Sets Us Free”     LSB 473

“Rise Up O Believer”     OAR 267

“Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia”   LSB 466

“Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds”     LSB 465

“At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”     LSB 633

“The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done”     LSB 464

“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”     LSB 457

Palm Sunday – Divine Service

 

Crowds pursue Jesus to see Him, hear Him, ridicule Him, and finally crucify Him.  The sequence from popularity to persecution unfolds on this Sunday of the Passion.  Hosanna accolades would be stifled by jeering mockery.  The imagery of palm branches would be obscured with the bloodied palms and wounded head of Jesus.  Within a week, Christ is adorned in beauty and fame, scorning and shame.  For us, He decidedly unravels death’s hideous sting! 

 

 

Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”     LSB 443

“Jesus, Remember Me”   LSB 767

“All Glory, Laud and Honor”     LSB 442

“Lift High the Cross”     LSB 837

“No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet”     LSB 444

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”   LSB 699

“My Song Is Love Unknown”     LSB 430   (March hymn of the month)

 “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty”     LSB 44