This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at
the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful.
Easter SundayApril 12, 2020
Napa Valley Lutheran Church1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94559
(707) 226-8166napavalleylutheran.org
GATHERING THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLS US TOGETHER AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
PRELUDEThe first movement of worship. This helps one prepare a more focused response to the presence of God and the purpose of gathered worship.
WELCOME
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM (ELW P. 94)Baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus our Christ , we give
thanks for what God has done through Christ and the promises extended to us in bapt ism.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,we are raised with him to new life.Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
We give you thanks, O God,for in the beginning you created us in your imageand planted us in a well-watered garden.In the desert you promised pools of water for the parched,and you gave us water from the rock.When we did not know the way,you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters.At the cross, you watered us from Jesus’ wounded side,and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life.We praise you for your salvation through water,for the water in this font,and for all water everywhere.Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love.Satisfy the thirsty, and give us the life only you can give.To you be given honor and praisethrough Jesus Christ our Lordin the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.Amen.
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GATHERING SONG Jesus Christ Is Risen Today ELW 365Carries the joy of forgiveness forward in song and introduces themes that
wil l be heard in the day’s lessons.
GREETINGWe receive God’s actions of grace, love, and unity in our l ives.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!The joy and peace of God be with you all.And also with you.
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KYRIE ELW P. 138“Kyrie Eleison” is Greek for “Lord, Have Mercy.” The Kyrie is
s imultaneously a series of petit ions and prayers of thanksgiving for what God has done, what God is doing, and what God wi l l continue to do: give
peace, salvation, wel l-being, unity, worship, help, comfort, defend us.
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CANTICLE OF PRAISE THE DAY OF RESURRECTION ELW P. 361Gives the congregation the opportunity to praise God and express joy
because Jesus is our victor ious Savior. During Advent and Lent, the hymn of praise is omitted.
PRAYER OF THE DAYCol lects the themes of the readings to prepare us to receive God’s word.
Let us pray. 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
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your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.
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WORD GOD SPEAKS TO US IN SCRIPTURE READING, PREACHING, AND SONG.
We are a people with a high view of the Bible’s inspirat ion and authority. God’s word shapes and forms how we l ive. The public reading of
Scripture is an indispensable part of worship. For each Sunday, four readings are suggested: an Old Testament Reading, a reading from the
Psalms, a New Testament letter, and a Gospel reading.
FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43A reading from Acts.
Peter began to speak to the people: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how 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. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not 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. He 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. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.Let Israel now declare, “God’s mercy endures forever.”The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!” I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death.Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.“This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.”7
I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation.The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes.This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4A reading from Colossians.Easter means new life for us as it first meant new life for Christ. His resurrection reshapes the entire focus and motivation for our lives since we are now hidden with the risen Christ in God.
1If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ELW P. 142We are so excited to hear the gospel that we r ise and “shout” “Al leluia”
which means “Praise the Lord!”
GOSPEL: Matthew 28:1-10The holy gospel according to Matthew.Glory to you, O Lord.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. 9Suddenly Jesus 8
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.Praise to you, O Christ.
EASTER MESSAGEThe pastor uses the lessons to apply God’s word to our daily l i fe.
HYMN OF THE DAY Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! ELW 382We respond to God’s message with a song relat ing to the lesson and
sermon themes.
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NICENE CREEDOn this Day of Resurrection, let us join with Christians throughout the world in confessing our faith through the Nicene Creed.10
We believe in one GOD, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one LORD, Jesus Christ, the only Son of GOD, eternally begotten of the Father, GOD from GOD, Light from Light, true GOD from true GOD, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the LORD, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSIONDear members of God’s family: on this Easter Day marked by both sorrow and joy, our prayers for the church, the world, and all in need include both heartfelt lament and fervent praise. The response to each prayer of mercy will be, “Your mercy endures forever” and the response to each acclamation of praise will be, “Alleluia! Thanks be to God.”A brief silence.
God our Sanctuary, we lament that we cannot gather today for public worship, that death stalks the church, and that our sorrows and fears blunt our songs of Alleluia. Show the church your mercy: Your mercy endures forever. And yet around the globe we praise you for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, for our baptismal washing in his life, for your presence come to us in the word, and for the hope the gospel brings. We praise you for the church: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!God our Creator, we lament that our lifestyles have harmed your creation and that our efforts to repair your earth are now postponed. Show the earth your mercy: Your mercy endures forever.And yet we praise you for the beauty of the natural world, for springtime flowers and budding trees, for the soil and rain that nourish the crops. We praise you for the earth: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!God our Physician, we lament all who suffer, those we name here before you (especially. . .) but especially we lament the coronavirus and its incalculable suffering, the many thousands sick, the fear instilled, the loss of employment, the cancelation of
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plans, the overflow in hospitals, the scarcity of supplies, the exhaustion of medical staff. Show all the needy your mercy: Your mercy endures forever.And yet we praise you for health and well-being wherever it thrives, for the dedication of medical workers, for the goodwill of volunteers, for the generosity of benefactors, and for the comfort we receive from the power of the resurrection. We praise you for healing: Alleuia! Thanks be to God!God, our Everlasting Arms, mother us in our heartache and distress, receive now our personal laments, and help each of us to praise your name.We praise you for hearing my prayers: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!God our Life Eternal, we lament the thousands dead and the sadness of all who mourn, and we remember before you all who have died in the faith. Show to all humanity your mercy: Your mercy endures forever.And yet here we join in our Alleluias, and we praise you on this Easter Day for your promise of an endless banquet of joyous life in your presence, when disease and sorrow will be no more.In life and death we praise you: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are Source of life, Word of salvation, and Power of mercy, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your compassionate might, for the sake of him who lived, died, and rose for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.
PEACEWe express forgiveness and unity to, and for, one another as we prepare
to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.
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MEAL GOD FEEDS US WITH THE PRESENCE OF JESUS CHRIST.
OFFERINGWe acknowledge that al l we have is a gift f rom GOD and in gratefulness we return to GOD a port ion of the t ime, finances, and gifts that GOD has
given us.
OFFERTORY Let The Vineyards ELW 182
OFFERING PRAYERWe remember that God is the source of al l things and offer our l ives in
return.
Risen One, as you broke bread with the disciples on the shore, meet us now in this meal. Nourish us to follow you, using our gifts to feed the hungry and tend the weary, and all for your love’s sake.Amen.
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THE GREAT THANKSGIVINGWe recal l with thanksgiving Jesus giving his l i fe for our salvat ion.
Jesus’ words remind us to “do this” in remembrance of the salvation he brought us.
God is here.And we are his people.And we have seen the salvation of our Lord! Alleluia!Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life; anyone who comes to me will not hunger."And Jesus took bread, broke it, and gave it to his friends saying,
"Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Anyone who abides in me will bear much fruit."And Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and shared it with his friends, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for remembrance of me."
LORD’S PRAYERThe prayer Jesus taught his disciples.
LORD, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.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.
COMMUNIONWe receive Chr ist tangibly in bread and wine.
Al l are welcome around GOD ’s table; please fol low the directions of Pastor Cindy.
Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, gives everyone a place at the welcome table.
Alleluia! Come to the feast.
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COMMUNION SONG ELW P. 146We prepare to encounter Christ in bread and wine.
SONG AFTER COMMUNION Thankful Hearts And Voices Raise (Nelson) ELW 207
Having received Christ so intimately, we sing thanks.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNIONHaving received Christ ourselves, we pray that we may model Christ in
our l ives to others.
Living God, you have greeted us in our brokenness and nourished us with the body of Christ, broken for us. Risen to new life with you, send us now to bear your healing love 16
into the wounded world, in the name of our risen Savior and Lord.Amen.
SENDING GOD BLESSES US AND SENDS US IN MISSION TO THE WORLD.
BLESSINGGod sends us forth with blessings.
The blessing of the living God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, surround and sustain you, keep you from harm, and fill you with courage.Amen.
SENDING SONG Thine Is the Glory ELW 376Sums up the worship and sends out God's people to l ive and work to
God’s praise and glory.
DISMISSALAlleluia! Christ is risen.17
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!You are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news.Thanks be to God and we will! Alleluia
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