Third Sunday of Easter April 26, 2020

VICTORY OVER DESPAIR

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Welcome

Thank you for joining us in your home for worship this morning. In our service we gather before our almighty God to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves through the study of God’s holy and powerful Word.

Pastor’s Office Hours

If you would like to meet with Pastor Koepke, please contact him to make an appointment Tuesday through Friday. Our pastor is here to serve both Lamb of God members and our community.

Holy Communion

If any of our members would like to receive the Lord's Supper, please contact Pastor Koepke to set up a time. He is happy to offer you communion privately. Proper precautions will be observed.

Pastor@MyLambofGod.org MyLambofGod.org

599 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85048

Pastor Michael Koepke Church Phone: 480-283-8329

Cell Phone: 623-419-4303

Lamb of God Lutheran Church

Reaching Out. Reaching Up. Reaching Across.

COUNCIL MEMBER EMAIL PHONE

Scott Arthur, Treasurer scottarthur70@gmail.com 480-695-1612

Chad Chadderton chad@ahwatukeerealty.com 602-369-4134

Dave Hackett daveht2k@yahoo.com 480-200-3265

Chris Muller, Secretary chris_muller@earthlink.net 425-681-7235

Brian Welch, President brwelch@hotmail.com 309-212-3626

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The Gathering

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. M: Dear friends in Christ, today we come together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Let us

draw near to him in worship and in praise, in our thoughts and in our prayers. Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: He is risen indeed! CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: As we come before our God and King, let us confess our sins.

C: Lord God, I humbly come before you.

I confess that I am sinful in thought, word, and deed.

I daily fail to do what you command, and continually do what you forbid.

Lord, I am sorry for my sins.

I believe that for the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ,

you will have mercy on me.

M: Upon this, your sincere confession, by Christ’s command and authority, I assure you that your

sins are all forgiven. The vacant cross and empty grave are God’s signs to you that he has

accepted the sacrifice of his one and only Son. Whoever believes this simple truth of Scripture

has eternal life.

C: Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD This service offers the congregation a form of worship that focuses on the proclamation of God’s Word. Believers respond to this divine gift with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

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M: In the peace of God’s forgiveness, let us praise the Lord!

SONG OF PRAISE: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today v.1,2

1. Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heav'nly King, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

The Word

PRAYER OF THE DAY M: O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world from the despair of death.

By his resurrection to life, grant your faithful people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joys; through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. FIRST LESSON: Acts 2:14a, 36-47 The message of sins forgiven through the risen Christ took Peter’s audience from despair over sin to joyful fellowship within the family of God.

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

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40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

SECOND LESSON: 1 Peter 1:17-21 Searching for hope among the things of this world leads only to emptiness and despair. Our hope is restored when we remember that we were bought with Christ’s blood, and that heaven is our home.

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

HYMN: He’s Risen, He’s Risen (CW 143)

1. He's risen, he's risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;

He opened death's prison, the incarnate Word.

Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song

And earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong.

2. The Foe was triumphant when on Calvary

The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.

In Satan's domain did the hosts shout and jeer,

For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.

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3. But short was their triumph; The Savior arose,

And death, hell, and Satan he vanquished, his foes.

The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high;

He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die.

4. Oh, where is your sting, Death? We fear you no more;

Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden's door.

For all our transgressions his blood does atone;

Redeemed and forgiven, we now are his own.

5. Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;

Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.

Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain,

Who now sits in glory and ever shall reign.

SERMON: Jesus Turns Slow Hearts into Burning Hearts Luke 24:13-35 1. He is hidden in plain sight 2. He is found in plain black and white

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

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25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

CONFESSION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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The Prayers

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Prayers and petitions are made on behalf of the Church

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer

M: All this we ask, Lord Jesus, in joyful confidence that you have conquered death and the grave.

We pray in your name, and as you taught.

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on

earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those

who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom,

the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S BLESSING

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace.

Live in harmony with one another.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

C: Amen.

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CLOSING HYMN: In Christ Alone (CWS 752)

1. In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my all in all, Here in the love of Christ I stand.

2. In Christ alone—who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones he came to save.

Till on that cross, as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev’ry sin on him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live.

3. There in the ground his body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave he rose again!

And as he stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.

For I am his and he is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

4, No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the pow’r of Christ in me;

From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from his hand;

Till he returns or calls me home, Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU We thank Pastor Allen Schroeder for leading our service and sharing God’s Word with us this morning. Pastor Koepke was on “stay-cation” last week, and will be back next week. ONLINE SERVICES In light of Governor Ducey's stay-at-home order through the end of April, we have been holding online services through today, April 26. We will re-evaluate the situation for next week and following. Please watch your email and our website for further news. ASSISTANCE If anyone in our church family is in need during this difficult time, we would like to do what we can to help. Please contact pastor if you are in need of assistance. COMMUNION If you would like to receive communion, please contact pastor and he will be happy to set up a time to give you communion privately. THANKOFFERING Lamb of God is very thankful that its members continue to support the church during these troubling times through various avenues of giving. We ask for your continued support through online giving (http://mylambofgod.org/give) or direct mail (599 East Chandler Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85048). Through these gifts, we are able to reach out to our members and community to spread the Word of God and help those who are in need.

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, Text, Tune, Setting: public domain. Descant: From Hymns Ancient and Modern c 1955.

Renewal 1983 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

He’s Risen, He’s Risen *Text: c 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission of CPH. Tune and Setting: public domain.

In Christ Alone

Text: Keith Getty, b. 1974 and Stuart Townend, b. 1963 © 2002 Thankyou Music; admin. EMI CMG Publishing. International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

OneLicense.net A-730121 & CCLI #1941416

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.