Easter Sunday

First Lutheran Church 408 9th Street NW

Mandan, ND 58554

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9:30 A.M. April 12, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP In his life, Jesus seemed invincible to shame, immune to criticism, impervious to illness and death. Jesus was laughter aplenty, food abundant, new health after illness. Then he died. And his friends scattered, because they knew death had come for them. This is Easter morning--the day death lingers near the ones God loves. And death still lingers in our world.

Like fearful disciples who sheltered in place, we hide in the lonely shadow of death;

Like Nicodemus embalming the body of God, we swallow our questions and bury our hope.

Like Jesus’s friends who walked the Emmaus road, we struggle to understand the signs of this age.

Like Mary who carried one last farewell for a friend, we grieve the loss of the life we knew, and we fear an uncertain future.

But then we find the empty tomb. The angels in white. The useless stone. The discarded clothes. One question remains: Why are we weeping?

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Greetings to you in the name of our mighty God, the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit; the one God Trustworthy and True, the Firstborn of the Dead, the Calm from the Chaos, Rest for the overworked, Love for the overlooked, Breath for the overwhelmed. Christ is Risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Even if we believe, joy does not evaporate tears; faith cannot always dispel confusion. So hear the truth once more, and trust the Word is true: Christ is Risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Building Faith and Transforming Lives in Christ

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GATHERING SONGS “Glorious Day” Page #9 “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” Page #10

PRAYER OF THE DAY O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43 Peter’s sermon, delivered at the home of Cornelius, a Roman army officer, is a summary of the essential message of Christianity: Everyone who believes in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets, “receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 34Peter began to speak to [the people]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how 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. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not 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. 42He 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. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Word of the Lord. RESPONSE: Thanks be to God. PSALM: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps. 118:24)

1Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever. 2Let Israel now declare, “God’s mercy endures forever.” 14The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.

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15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly! 16The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”

17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 18The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death. 19Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. 20“This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.” 21I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation. 22The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Word of the Lord. RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.

THE VERSE “Beautiful”

Beautiful, beautiful, Jesus is beautiful. And Jesus makes beautiful things of my life. Carefully, touching me, causing my eyes to see. Jesus makes beautiful things of my life.

GOSPEL: Matthew 28:1-10 Sorrow gives way to “fear and great joy” when two women are sent by an angel to proclaim the good news: Jesus is risen! 1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

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9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The gospel of the Lord. RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.

HYMN OF EASTER “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” Page #11

SERMON Pastor Christina Martin

HYMN OF THE DAY “Thine Is the Glory” Page #12

THE PRAYERS

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WE GIVE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

We have to stay financially strong. The ongoing ministry of our church is dependent on the tithes and offerings of our people. Our giving has to be modified to accommodate the new reality of not gathering in person for a few weeks. Electronic giving is the best way to do this. Many of you are already on our giving platform. If you are not giving electronically, this would be a good time to do that. You can sign up here https://firstlutheranofmandan.com/. Simply click on the button on the right hand side that says “Give Online”. If you prefer to make your gifts by check, you can drop it off at the church or mail it to 408 9th St NW Mandan, ND 58554. Staying strong in worship, caring ministries, and finances is important as we work to love and serve hurting people during this tumultuous time.

OFFERING HYMN Special Music Allison Bard

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM In this time of pandemic, social distancing, and isolation, we are not able to worship together as we ought or as we long to do…. we die with Christ; so we may be reborn with Christ. Let us pray,

Merciful God, we thank you that you have made us your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called us to yourself, enlightened us with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished us in the community of faith. Uphold us and all your servants in the gifts and promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ. Amen.

PROFESSION OF FAITH I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God, the powers of this world that rebel against God, and the ways of sin that draw you from God? I renounce them.

Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence both now and forever. Amen.

THE 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.

BENEDICTION

SENDING SONG “Faith” page #13 Adapted from sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. CCLI #784019 “On the occasion of this Easter Celebration” by the Rev. Justin Kosec for the South Dakota Synod of the ELCA.

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2020 General Fund Received Weekly Difference

2020 Building Fund Received Weekly Difference

ANNOUNCEMENTS ~ April 12, 2020 Attendance last Week: Sunday 8:30 – 10:45 -

PRAYER CONCERNS: Noel Albrecht, Shirley Albrecht, Ernie Seeman, Amy McNalley, Darlene Hill, Crystal Halvorson, Brad Schmidt, Jared Barnhart, Joan Hanson, Arlene Dittus, Ron Otto, Elsie Rader, Rodney Olson, Wayne Walker, Edna Klein, Debbie Martineson, Kirby Johnson, Hal Lang, Patrick Lang, Walter Keidel, Jason Bjorgen, Ken Charvat, Karen Rothmann, Dave Thomas, Gen Backsen, Irene Thomas, Val Olheiser, Milo Miller, Pauline Lentz, Joann Meyer, Preston Joyce, Susan Voigt, Toby Kienzle, Ryan Hilfer, Tom Frank, Pam Weng, Claudette Thompson, Brianna Barth, Kerry Stastny, Sharon Miller, Lois Smith, Barb Carl, Darbie Young, Sharon Hopkins, Chris Faller, Jeff MacIver, Wally Joersz First Lutheran Church will be updating the prayer list periodically. If a name is not listed and you would like it re-listed please call the church office at 663-3594. We will re-list names for prayers.

PLEASE KEEP THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED TO SERVICE FOR OUR

COUNTRY IN YOUR PRAYERS: Todd Bauer, Alex Dove, Jacob Selzler

If you know of anyone who has ties to our congregation and is called to active duty, please contact the church office.

Like our Facebook page for the latest information about what’s going on including weather related cancelations and upcoming activities. There is a link to our Facebook page on our website.

14 April 5, 2020 $ 133,097.58 $ 144,466.00 $ (11,368.42)

14 April 5, 2020 $ 13,268.00 $ 16,153.90 $ (2,885.90)

Piano - Kathy Brandvold Vocals - Allison Bard

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Stewardship Campaign How are members of your congregation asked to serve? Do you primarily de-fine service as volunteering within the church on boards or committees or other internal opportunities? Or do you provide more service opportunities that con-nect your members to the local community in ways that help those around you in need? It is easy to over-simplify Christianity into a weekly worship service. We worship God and make sacrifices not out of adoration, but to make God happy so that things will go well for us. This is neither worship nor stewardship. It is selfishness. As Christians, we have been made stewards of God’s name and reputation. How we care for the oppressed, the voiceless, and the weak amongst us impacts how those around us will think about our God. Proper stewardship will always take this into account and will always lead us beyond a tithe of our money, beyond religious practices, and into the humble service of others.

DOWNLOAD THE “GIVE PLUS” APP TODAY!

OR TEXT 8449340609 TO DONATE

Electronic Giving is Good for You and the Church Electronic gifts are fast and secure, and they reduce administrative costs, al-lowing more of every dollar to fund the important work we are called to do.• Give anytime, anywhere to your favorite funds• Schedule and manage recur-ring donations • Make one-time donations to special appeals • Pay for events, programs and other activities. If you would like to give electronically, visit our website or contact the church office.

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WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sunday 12 Happy Easter

7:00 Midco Channel 12

9:30 Live Stream Worship

Monday 13 Office Closed

Tuesday 14

Wednesday 15 6:00 Live Stream Worship

Thursday 16

Friday 17

Saturday 18

Sunday 19 7:00 Midco Channel 12

9:30 Live Stream Worship

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 408 9

TH Street NW, Mandan, ND Phone: 663-3594 Fax: 663-6217

email: jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org www.firstlutheranofmandan.org