PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
P: In the waters of baptism, we have passed over from death to life with Jesus Christ, and we are a new creation. For this saving mystery, and for this water, let us bless God, who was, who is, and who is to come.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.
We thank you, God, for your river of life, flowing freely from your throne:
through the earth, through the city, through every living thing.
You rescued Noah and his family from the flood;
You opened wide the sea for the Israelites.
Now in these waters you flood us with mercy,
and our sin is drowned forever.
You open the gate of righteousness
and we pass safely through.
In Jesus Christ, you calm and trouble the waters.
You nourish us and enclose us in safety.
You call us forth and send us out.
In lush and barren places, you are with us.
You have become our salvation.
Now breathe upon this water and awaken your church once more.
Claim us again as your beloved and holy people.
Quench our thirst; cleanse our hearts; wipe away every tear.
To you, our Beginning and our End, our Shepherd and Lamb,
be honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving, now and forever.
C: Amen.
GATHERING HYMN: 363 Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain
GREETING
P: The grace and of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (Read in unison)
O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
READINGS
Acts 5:27-32
27When they had brought [the apostles,] they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might 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.”
Psalm 118:14-29 (Read responsively)
14The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation. 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. 25Hosanna! | O Lord, save us! We pray to you, Lord, prosper our days! 26Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27The Lord is God and has given us light. Form a procession with branches up to the corners of the altar. 28You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.
Revelation 1:4-8
4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Holy Gospel: John 20:19-31
P: The Holy Gospel according to John.
C: Glory to you O Lord.
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.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY:392 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
STATEMENT OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P: God in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
PEACE
Please share a sign of peace with those around in whatever way you are most comfortable.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
OFFERING
We join Christians all over the world in worshipping God through our giving of financial resources. For members and friends, the mission and ministry of this congregation is completely dependent upon your generous giving. Our offering is a significant act of worship, and we now worship God through our giving. If you have brought your offering with you today, please place it in the basket in the back as you leave. You may send your giving to the church office or give through the link on our website. Thank you for supporting our ministry.
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.
BLESSING
P: God, the Author of life, Christ, the living Cornerstone, and the life-giving Spirit of adoption, ☩ bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN: 547 Sent Forth By God’s Blessing
BENEDICTION
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
P: Go in peace. Tell what God has done.
C: Thanks be to God.
Flowers at Grace are sponsored by Dave and Hikki Houzner.
Trinity Lutheran Church will hold a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 8 beginning after service that day. Please plan to attend. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the ideas and concerns of the congregation members as we move forward in the parish relationship. Please email or call the Council President, Melissa Schneider (stampinmomof3@gmail.com or 608-427-6989) if you are unable to attend but would like to voice ideas and/or concerns.
Trinity Cemetery Clean-up will be Saturday, May 14 beginning at 9:30 am. Please bring your tools and mowers.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH. Thursday:1 pm Regular Food Pantry Distribution at Grace; Sunday, May 1 8:30 am Communion Worship at Fountain; 8:45 am Sunday School at Grace; 10:15 am Communion Worship at Grace; WELCA Meeting at Grace after coffee
GRACE’S WELCA is meeting after coffee hour on May 1.
A Mother-Daughter Banquet will take place at Grace on Saturday, May 14 at 6 pm. Please mark this on your calendar. This is open to the entire parish. Tickets must be purchased by Sunday, May 8 (Mother’s Day). Tickets are available through the office (608-462-5398) or at Grace services beginning April 24.
The last day of Sunday School for this school year will be May 15. The children will be singing in church that day.
WE PRAY FOR: Andy Helmann, Lola Frye, Holly and Harry Hinzpeter, Shirley Hyer, Calvin Nelson, Kandy Hagen, Mariam Burdick, Kathy Haske, Suzanne Soltvedt, Lola St. Clair, John Thompson, Clarence Johnson, Carol Leopold, Alan Leopold, Pete Nelson, Pat Nelson, Donnie Benson, Barney Johnson, Everett Burdick, Bob Brod, LouAnn Bever, Sue Ann Preuss, Norm Hyer, Barb Nofsinger, Sharon Halverson, Karyn Bell, Kathy Christensen
+ Together In Mission +
WELCOME! If you are a visitor please fill out a “Welcome Card” and drop it in the offering plate. Fountain Grace Trinity Lutheran Parish is a congregation of the ELCA in the La Crosse Area Synod. We invite you to participate with us in following Christ as he leads.
Parish Office: 226 Erickson Street, Elroy WI 53929 Parish E-mail: fgtlpadmin@centurytel.net Phone: (608)462-5398 Sunday Organist: Heather Vlasak Sunday Pianist: Bev Rood
Parish Secretary: Kris Stauffacher; Grace Custodian: Dave Clark
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