Resurrection of Our Lord/ Easter Sunday                         April 9, 2023

WELCOME to each of you gathered for worship this morning.  Please take a moment to complete the attendance sheet inside your worship guide and place it in the offering plate when it is passed.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT “Sharing God’s love and His promise for tomorrowEngaging with God’s children to carry the light ofJesus Christ from the altar through the door.” Louis Sanders – Council PresidentVacant – Vice-PresidentDr. Eric Hahn – SecretaryAnni Hahn – Treasurer 

Love Lutheran Church

3730 MacArthur Blvd.

New Orleans, La 70114

504-362-1967

Love Lutheran e-mail addresses:  lovelutheran68@gmail.com

Love Lutheran Website:  www.lovelutheran.org

Love Lutheran is a Member of the ELCA

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website at: www.elca.org

Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans

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PRESIDING AT WORSHIP:  Pastor Lisa Gaye

LECTOR:  Elaine Teague

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                       IN OUR PRAYERS

Congregation Prayers:

Mary Sanders

Melissa Gallant

Sharon Steele

Dianne Revuelta

Lyn Weixel

Robert Onsgard

Kevin Trimble

Ken and Sandy Flora

Phillip Brubaker

Denise Daigrepont Roy

Ila Duncan

Jamie Johnson

Hans Heinemann

Rick and Gabe Lyons

Laurie Smith

Andrew Douglas

Arlene Ogg

Elaina Cannon and Children

Leya and Aaliyah

Wayne Prayers:

Bob Steele

Sarah Steele

Charlie Steele

Kathy Gamble

Dirk Anderson

Joyce Barber

Jodee James

Lu Carrigan

Janice Bela

Dixie Adkins

Alex Adkins

Adam Adkins

Julien Adkins

Alisha Adkins

Dixie Prayers:

Bob Steele

Sarah Steele

Charlie Steele

Kathy Gamble

Dirk Anderson

Joyce Barber

Jo Ellen Smith Nursing Home

Elaine Prayers:

Elaine Teague

David and Kim Teague

Joshua Teague

David Teague Jr.

Steven Teague

Terri Marino

Jackie Pavur

Shirley Lyons

Louis Mayer

Lane Wise

Natalie and Paul Steele

Pastor Lisa Prayers:

Community and World

For Bob Steele recovering from surgery

For those who work and live in nursing homes

Staff of United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund

Our military serving here and abroad

We pray also for Love Lutheran Church and for all those in need of healing power of God’s love.

Ask and it will be given to you:  Our Lord invites us to bring all our cares and concerns to him and trust in his mercy and grace.  If you have prayer concerns please let Pastor Gaye know by noon on Wednesday so that your prayer request may be included in the prayers of the people at Sunday worship.  Please inform Pastor Gaye if your prayer request needs to be extended longer than two weeks.

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LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH   Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye                       Adult Bible Study:  9:00 A.M. Office: 504-362-1967                                               Worship:  10:00 A.M.  

Resurrection of Our Lord/ Easter Sunday                 April 9, 2023

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Stand as you are able)

A:  Allelulia!  Christ is risen.

C:  Christ is risen indeed.  Allelulia!

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P:  In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

(Silence is kept for reflection)

P:  Most merciful God,

C:  We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.  We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.  Amen.

P:  In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority.  I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

OPENING HYMN:  #ELW 451 “We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

THE GREETING

P:  The grace 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.

THE KYRIE

THE HYMN OF PRAISE:  “Now the Feast and Celebration”

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P:  Let us pray.

C:  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.

(You may be seated)

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.”

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.  36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ–he is Lord of all.  37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 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.  39 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; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 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.       42 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.  43 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, 14-24

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps. 118:24)

1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;

16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.

18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Second Reading:  Colossians 3:1-4

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.

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  4 When 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.

(Stand as you are able)

Gospel:  Matthew 28:1-10

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew           Glory to you, O Lord.

Sorrow gives way to “fear and great joy” when two women are sent by an angel to proclaim the good news: Jesus is risen!

1 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  2 And 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.  3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.  5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.  Come, see the place where he lay.    7 Then 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.”  8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”  And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.  10 Then 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.

(You may be seated)

SERMON

(Stand as you are able)

HYMN OF THE DAY:  #ELW 361 “The Day of Resurrection!”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

P:  God has made us his people through our Baptism in Christ.  Living together in hope, we confess our 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 into hell.

   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 Christian church.

   The communion of saints

   The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

   And life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

A:  United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

(A brief silence)

A:  You call your church to witness to your salvation.  We give thanks for all theologians, preachers, and teachers who proclaim your gospel.  Equip all the baptized to share the joy of the resurrection in all we say and do.  Risen Lord, in your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  You bring abundant life throughout creation.  The green blade rises, and all creation greets the resurrection dawn.  Preserve vineyards and orchards and those who tend to them.  Feed us with the fruits of creation.  Risen Lord, in your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  You anointed your Son with the Holy Spirit and with power.  Encourage us by his example in our ministries of healing, care, and outreach.  We pray for all who are sick or hospitalized (especially…) and for all health care workers who care for them.  Risen Lord, in your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)

(After each petition we respond:)

A:  Risen Lord, in your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

A:  As you have raised Jesus from the dead, you show us your resurrection promise.  With your holy ones who have sung your praise, free us from fear and empower us to go and tell the good news.  Risen Lord, in your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

P:  Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, we lift our prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Lord Jesus, you said to your apostles: I leave you my peace, my peace I give you.  Look not on the sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.

C:  Amen.

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

(You may be seated)

THE OFFERING

(Stand as you are able)

THE OFFERTORY:  “As the Grains of Wheat”

(printed on the following page)

THE OFFERTORY PRAYER

A:  Let us pray, Merciful God,

C:  everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.  We joyfully release what you have entrusted to us.  May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

PROPER PREFACE

P:  It is indeed right, our duty, and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, but chiefly to celebrate this day as our paschal lamb has been sacrificed, even, Jesus Christ our Lord.

For he is the true lamb who has taken away the sin of the world.  By his death be destroyed death, and by his resurrection he created life anew.

Therefore in this day all the world rejoices in paschal joy, therefore the company of heaven and the choirs of angels magnify you, singing the praise of your glory:

THE SANCTUS:

(printed on the following page)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

P:  “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed,

     took bread and when He had given thanks,

     He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying:

    ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.

     Do this in remembrance of Me.’

    “In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, gave thanks,

     and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you;

     this cup is the New Testament in My blood,

     which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.

     Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

     With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

P:  We say together

C:  Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.  Amen

P:  We pray together THE LORD’S PRAYER

C:  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.

THE COMMUNION

P:  The gifts of God for the people of God, feed on them in your heart with thanksgiving.

C:  Amen

(You may be seated)

The Communion follows

During the communing of Pastor and Assistant the congregation sings “Lamb of God”

(printed on the following page)

(Stand as you are able)

COMMUNION HYMN:  #ELW 365 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A:  Let us pray.

Gracious God, in you we live and move and have our being.  With your word and this meal of grace, you have nourished our life together.  Strengthen us to show your love and serve the world in Jesus’ name.

C:  Amen.

THE BENEDICTION

P:  The God of all, who raised (+) Jesus from the dead, bless you by the power of the Holy Spirit to live in the new creation.

C:  Amen.

SENDING HYMN:   #TOSB 11 “Because He Lives”

(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)

DISMISSAL

P:  Go in peace.  Serve the Risen One.

C:  Thanks be to God.

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Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible with Apocrypha.

Copyrighted elements of Revised Common Lectionary, liturgical texts, and liturgical music used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license number SB144485.  All music and portions of the liturgical music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-705233.  All rights reserved.  Clipart and images as reprinted from Churchart.com license.

Scripture Next Sunday: Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 22-32;

Psalm 16;

1 Peter 1:3-9;

John 20:19-31

Hymns

(continued on the following page)

EASTER LILIES

The flowers that adorn our worship area this morning were given by donations from the following persons:

Amy Hilton in loving memory of

Mother – Peggy Senat

Brother – David Senat, Jr.

Elaine Teague in honor of

Savannah and Joshua Teague on their upcoming graduation from

John Curtis Christian High School

Louis & Mary Sanders, Jeffrey Celeste & Family, Ryan Sanders &

Caitlin Sanders Schultz & Family

in loving memory of

our Son, Robert John “Bobby” Celeste

Helen (Nana) & Ed Sparrow (Papa)

Alternate Gospel Lesson

John 20:1-18

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.  2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”  3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.  4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.    6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb.  He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.  8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.  10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.  11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.  As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.  13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”  14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you looking for?”  Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).  17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father.  But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”  18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

In the event of an emergency you may contact Pastor Gaye at the church office (504) 362-1967.

Cell Phones:  We are requesting that members and visitors please silence your cell phones to “off” while in the sanctuary and we are in worship service.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Wednesday, 19 April 2023 – Council Meeting, 6:00 PM

Please consider a donation to the Memorial Engelbracht Guest Musician Fund.  Donation envelopes can be found in the rear of the church.

TITHE.LY app: The Council is continuing to prepare for the launch of the Tithe.ly APP that will enable folks to give “On-Line”

If you wish to help to aid in the recovery of victims of disaters, donations can be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.

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Daily devotional website as suggested by Pastor Lisa Gaye

https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/

Meditation on the Lessons – Take Home

Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA

Created for at-home use, this rite for the home may be prayed by individuals or in a group in which case the speaking roles may be appointed ahead of the rite.  The space is prepared with a candle to be lit after the opening prayer.  You may also scan QR codes to see and hear the included readings and a Hymnal with music is also included!  This interactive liturgy is a gift to the community and may be reproduced and used wherever the need arises.CTK Vigil of Ehttps://gulfcoastsynod.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/CTK-Interactive-Vigil-of-Easter-2023.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2MwsCAMTATmYVPb0x6D8Q2lmUN0gvhhjwCMGmQ2kJnPz6tvyQzBUgBFeYaster 2022 (gulfcoastsynod.org)

Last modified: April 25, 2023