service of the wordstjohnluthchurchmineola.org/.../2020-04-26.easter_3a.ever… · web...

SERVICE OF THE WORD – COVID-19 Suspension

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship TextsFor Virtual Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipService of the Word and Holy Communion Setting 4

April 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic

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This SUNDAY: April 26, 202010:30am Virtual Worship

CANCELLED through April 30: please pay attention to church website, Facebook page,

and/or word-of-mouth network for updates!Quilting, Bible StudyPreschool, ChoirSunday School, ConfirmationWednesday WorshipsSunday Worships (in-person)Pub Theology

Upcoming: The following may be cancelled at a later date.Sat, June 13 – Relay for Life

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St. John Lutheran ChurchMineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.orgPastor Luke Kuenzli

April 26, 2020 10:30am3rd Sunday of Easter

We are called to glorify God,

grow in faith, and build community.

Mission Statement


GatheringWelcome/Announcements

As we begin, please prepare by finding a bowl (small or large) and placing some water into the bowl; or you may pour water into the bowl at the same time as Pastor Luke.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISMAlleluia! 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.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your image and 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 praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Take a moment to dip your hands in the water and make the sign of your cross on your family members’ or your own forehead, a sign that Christ is with us even in the midst of suffering, anxiety, and uncertainty. You may say “Remember your baptism into Christ’s life, death, and resurrection” if you are marking others who have been baptized with the sign of the cross; or “rejoice in God’s grace, poured out for all people in Jesus” if you are marking those who

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have not been baptized.

GATHERING SONG “Thine Is the Glory” ELW #376(public domain)

Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded graveclothes where thy body lay.

Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!

Lo, Jesus meets thee, risen from the tomb!Lovingly he greets thee, scatters fear and gloom;

let his church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting!


No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;

make us more than conqu’rors, through thy deathless love;bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.


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GREETINGThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

KYRIE (Holy Communion Setting 4)

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SONG OF PRAISE (Holy Communion Setting 4)

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PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. A brief silence is kept before the prayer.O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORDFirst Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41

14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], 36“Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Psalm: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-191I love the LORD, who has heard my voice, and listened to my supplication,2for the LORD has given ear to me whenever I called.3The cords of death entangled me; the anguish of the grave came upon me;

I came to grief and sorrow.4Then I called upon the name of the LORD: O LORD, I pray you, save my life.12How shall I repay the LORD for all the good things God has done for me?13I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all God’s people.15Precious in your sight, O LORD, is the death of your servants.16O LORD, truly I am your servant;

I am your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.

17I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the LORD.

18I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all God’s people,19in the courts of the LORD‘s house,

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

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Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-2317If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Gospel Acclamation (Holy Communion Setting 4)

Announcement of the GospelThe Gospel according to John 20:19-31. Glory to You, O Lord!

The Gospel is Proclaimed Luke 24:13-3513Now on that same day [when Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene,] two [disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet

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mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

…the gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ!

SERMON Pastor Luke Kuenzli

The story told in today’s Gospel lesson is perhaps my favorite of Jesus’

resurrection appearances. It is still the first Easter Sunday, as we hear of this

journey undertaken by two of Jesus’ followers, Cleopas and an unnamed

companion. Having been in Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover, they had

been waiting to go home since the events of Good Friday. Emmaus, where they

lives, was about 7 miles’ walk from Jerusalem, much further than the 2/3 mile

allowed by traditional Sabbath law. Because of the grief and fear and confusion of

Friday for these disciples, they were not able to leave for home that day, had to

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wait all day Saturday, presumably with the other disciples in their locked room,

and finally left on Sunday, but not until after the women had returned from the

tomb that morning with the surprising news that Jesus was risen.

But none of that is why I like the story so much. What I enjoy is the fact that

these followers of Jesus, his friends, didn’t recognize him, when he was right there

in front of them. I like that because it makes me feel so much better about the times

in my life when I didn’t and don’t recognize God’s presence in the moment, but

can only see that Jesus was right there beside me when I am able to look back with

hindsight. So many times, I can’t even begin to number them… I couldn’t see,

can’t see what is right there in front of my face.

Of course, there are those moments when I do seem to recognize God

present and at work in a meaningful way – and strangely, this COVID-19 crisis is

one of them. Despite my continued anger that this is happening at all, despite my

continued sadness that I don’t get to be with the good people of St. John Lutheran

Church in person, nor with my friends around the area… still, I have seen God in

this moment. As I said last week, you have been Jesus to me during this time. But

there is one other way that I have experienced God’s presence that is new and

refreshing.

It has been in hearing God’s Word proclaimed to me. But isn’t that a normal

thing? Don’t we have God’s Word proclaimed to us every Sunday. Yes, we do.

And yes, I do hear God’s word proclaimed to me through the words of friends and

family and congregation. But I don’t often get to sit and listen to a sermon. I’m

usually too busy preparing my next sermon so that I can proclaim God’s Word to

you.

Now, suddenly, my Facebook feed is filled with videos and links of friends

and classmates and colleagues from my years at Capital University, at Trinity

Lutheran Seminary, at First Lutheran Church in Muskegon, Michigan, at Jacob’s

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Porch (THE Ohio State University’s Lutheran Campus Ministry), from around the

Western Iowa Synod of the ELCA and from ecumenical partners in the Mills

County Ministerial Association. Suddenly, I get to hear sermons that I didn’t write,

and it has been life-giving for me.

The Word of God, rightly proclaimed. This is one of the “means of grace” in

Lutheran understanding, one of the defining marks of what it means to be the

Church. The other essential characteristic of being “the Church” is that it is where

the sacraments are rightly administered. Our tradition recognizes two sacraments:

Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. In these three things: in God’s Word

proclaimed, in God’s promises to us in Baptism, and in God’s body broken for the

forgiveness of our sins in Communion (also called the Eucharist, meaning

“thanksgiving”), we experience the true presence of Jesus Christ, the very real and

life-changing gift of his grace.

This Gospel lesson, the story of the road to Emmaus, has Eucharistic

connotations to it: Jesus was revealed to the disciples in the breaking of the bread.

If I were preaching on this story during a “normal” time, I would probably focus in

on that part of the story, and invite you to see the meal of Holy Communion with

new eyes, to consider how Christ opens your eyes in the breaking of the bread. But

this isn’t a normal time, is it? We cannot share in bread broken and wine poured;

we can’t even gather physically for the mutual consolation of believers (another

crucial piece of what it means to be the Church). The hymn we will be singing

after I complete the sermon notes this reality. The third verse of Susan Palo

Cherwein’s hymn “Day of Arising” says this: when the church gathers, when

bread is broken,

there Christ is with us in bread and wine.

And this is true. We do trust that God is with us when we gather together as

Christians, when we share in the Holy Supper… and we are missing that, in these

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days of isolation. We will still be singing those words, when we get to the Hymn of

the Day. I thought about removing the third verse because it wasn’t applicable to

our worship for today, but I decided to keep these words, as a reminder of what we

have to look forward to whenever the time comes for us to be together again.

But I also kept the third verse because, before describing the gathered

community and the shared meal, it says this: Lo, I am with you, Jesus has spoken.

This is Christ’s promise, this is Christ’s sign. Jesus’ presence with us does not

begin with the gathering of Christians or with the breaking of the bread. We know

and trust that Jesus is with us in these ways, yes, but they are not the end-all be-all

of God’s grace. No, God’s grace, God’s presence with us, God’s promise to us

begins with the Word of God, spoken. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus

were with Jesus – Jesus was with them – before they invited him to stay with them,

before he broke the bread and blessed it, before their eyes were opened. Jesus was

walking alongside them, opening the scriptures to them so that their hearts burned

with hope.

But not only that, Jesus was with them even before he explained the

scriptures to them. “While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came

near and went with them.” As they spoke to one another about their dashed hopes

and ruined dreams, about their grief and confusion and wonder, about their

questions and their doubts, Jesus was with them. Even in their so-called

foolishness, even in their slowness of heart to believe, Jesus was with them! Jesus

was with them, though their eyes were kept from recognizing him… their eyes

were kept from recognizing him, but their hearts were not. Were not their hearts

burning within them? They were.

We miss our normal ways of experiencing God’s grace – our gathering

together, our sharing in the meal of mercy. But one thing has not and will not

change. God’s Word is still being proclaimed. The scriptures are still being

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interpreted so that we can better understand Jesus. Our hopes and dreams, our

griefs and fears, our questions and confusions are still being met by Jesus himself,

though we may not always recognize him in our midst.

For Church leaders who do not get the regular experience of having God’s

Word proclaimed to them… this widespread move to virtual worship has been a

blessing. For those young families with kids at home, for those hard-working

employees who don’t control their schedule, for homebound members who can’t

regularly get to Sunday worship, this crisis has provided a way to engage God’s

Word being proclaimed, interpreted, opened up, spoken. And dear friends in

Christ, when God’s Word is proclaimed, God’s grace is there.

It is, after all, not the bread and wine of Holy Communion, not the water of

Holy Baptism, not the physical bodies of our gathered community that enable

God’s presence. God is in all of those ordinary things of life, but it is God’s Word

that makes them meaningful: no longer only bread and wine, but also body and

blood by Jesus’ words spoken; no longer only water, but also the Spirit, by God’s

promise made; no longer only a body of people gathered, but the Body of Christ

living in community. All of this remains true of our worship today, though we are

not physically, corporately gathered, though we are not fed with the forgiving flesh

and blood of Jesus Christ.

Still, Jesus himself comes near and walks with us. We hear and speak and

study and share God’s Holy Word. And, like Cleopas and his companion, that

Living Word enflames our hearts, ignites our hospitality, opens our eyes, and

drives us to journey once again toward fellowship with our brothers and sisters to

share the news that we have seen Jesus. Someday, we’ll all look back at this

pandemic and find that Jesus has been walking with us the entire time. For now,

we hear the Word – Jesus is risen! – and we believe, even without seeing the

evidence with our own eyes. But Christ will be revealed. Always. Christ will be

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revealed in ways we are looking for, and in ways we cannot yet imagine. Who

would have thought that we might even find the presence of God in a virtual

community? Yet surely, without a doubt, God is with us right now. Amen.

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HYMN OF THE DAY “Day of Arising”Text © 1996 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg FortressMusic © 1999 Augsburg Fortress

Day of arising, Christ on the roadway,unknown companion walks with his own.

When they invite him, as fades the first day, and bread is broken, Christ is made known.

When we are walking, doubtful and dreading,blinded by sadness, slowness of heart,yet Christ walks with us, ever awaiting

our invitation: Stay, do not part.

Lo, I am with you, Jesus has spoken.This is Christ’s promise, this is Christ’s sign:

when the church gathers, when bread is broken,there Christ is with us in bread and wine.

Christ, our companion, hope for the journey,bread of compassion, open our eyes.

Grant us your vision, set all hearts burningthat all creation with you may rise.

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NICENE CREEDWe 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 Maryand 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 INTERCESSIONEach portion of the prayers ends with these or similar words.Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The presiding minister concludes the prayers with these or similar words.Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray,trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.Please take a moment to greet your family members who are with you, or to send a greeting via text message to someone you are thinking of today.

ThanksgivingOFFERING

While we cannot take up a physical offering through our virtual worship, I would encourage you to continue the practice of giving. Even though we cannot meet in person and our church building is closed to the public, we do have continued commitments to ministries beyond our congregation’s walls, such as the MCMA food pantry, the Mills County Storehouse, Bethany Lutheran Home, the Western Iowa Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as commitments to our congregation’s employees and expenses such as utilities.

OFFERTORY SONG “Now Thank We All Our God” public domain

Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;

who, from our mothers’ arms, has blest us on our waywith countless gifts of love. And still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,

and keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed,and free us from all harm in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,the Son, and Spirit blest, who reigns in highest heaven,

the one eternal God, whom earth and heav’n adore;for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

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THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORDThe presiding minister leads one of the following or another appropriate prayer.Let us pray.

Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things:you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos,and brought life into being.For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts:freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey,a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you.For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness:forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death,the way of your self-giving love.For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us:renew our faith, increase our hope,and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need.Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you;through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYEROur 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,

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forever and ever. Amen.

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SendingBLESSING

May the One who brought forth Jesus from the deadraise you to new life, fill you with hope,and turn your mourning into dancing.

Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,bless you now and forever. Amen.

SENDING SONG “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” ELW#367Text © 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress

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 songs 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 abovethat 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!

DISMISSALChrist is risen, just as he said. Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

From Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

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