Today’s Readings and Hymns: (Click on each blue arrow to expand/collapse each section.)
14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], ... 22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25For David says concerning him,
‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
26
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
27
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
28
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
‘He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.’
32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”
1
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;
I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”
2
All my delight is in the godly that are in the land,
upon those who are noble among the people.
3
But those who run after other gods
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4
I will not pour out drink offerings to such gods,
never take their names upon my lips.
5
O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;
it is you who uphold my lot.
6
My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
indeed, I have a rich inheritance.
7
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
my heart teaches me night after night.
8
I have set the Lord always before me;
because God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9
My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;
my body also shall rest in hope.
10
For you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor let your holy one see the pit.
11
You will show me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt 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 come to believe.”
30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Now all the vault of heav’n resounds in praise of love that still abounds: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! Repeat their song of glory here: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Eternal is the gift he brings, therefore our heart with rapture sings: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Now still he comes to give us life and by his presence stills all strife. “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; set heart and will on things above that we conquer through your triumph; grant grace sufficient for life’s day that by our lives we truly say: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Adoring praises now we bring and with the heav’nly blessed sing: “Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!” Be to the Father, and our Lord, to Spirit blest, most holy God, all the glory, never ending! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
We walk by faith and not by sight; with gracious words draw near, O Christ, who spoke as none e’er spoke: “My peace be with you here.”
We may not touch your hands and side, nor follow where you trod; but in your promise we rejoice, and cry, “My Lord and God!”
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; and may our faith abound to call on you when you are near and seek where you are found:
For you, O resurrected Lord, are found in means divine: beneath the water and the word, beneath the bread and wine.
That Easter day with joy was bright; the sun shone out with fairer light when, to their longing eyes restored, th’apostles saw their risen Lord!
O Jesus, king of gentleness, with constant love our hearts possess; to you our lips will ever raise the tribute of our grateful praise.
O Christ, you are the Lord of all in this our Easter festival, for you will be our strength and shield from ev’ry weapon death can wield.
All praise, O risen Lord, we give to you, once dead, but now alive! To God the Father equal praise, and God the Spirit, now we raise!
Worship Leaders: Pastor Colleen Cox, Karen Nein
Music: Deb Jenks (organ and piano), Senior Choir
Additional Resources:
View and print the pre-reader’s version of this Sunday’s children’s bulletin: Pre-reader’s Version View and print the reader’s version of this Sunday’s children’s bulletin: Reader’s Version
The radio program Sing for Joy follows the weekly Sunday lectionary through music and reflection. To listen, click here: Sing for Joy. Program host Pastor Bruce Benson ties the biblical readings of the day with musical selections from a number of sources brought together by Dr. John Ferguson, retired professor of organ and church music. The program is produced by St. Olaf College.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE #A-730287. All rights reserved.
