2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER.
2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER
04-12-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ WE ANNOUNCE THE VICTORY +
OPENING SONG: “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” Green #143
(1) Now all the vault of heaven 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! Christ has triumphed!” AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU — IA!
(2) 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!” AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU — IA !
(3) 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!” AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU — IA !
(4) 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! AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU-IA, AL-LE-LU — IA !
THE OPENING RITE FOR EASTER 2 AND THE EASTER PEACE:
L Jesus is risen!
C Death could not hold him!
L The tomb is open, the stone is rolled away, the Lord is risen…
C but dead disciples tremble behind bolted doors!
L the door of the tomb is open, the grave is empty, and some say that Jesus is risen and alive…
C but denying doubters demand positive proof!
L My brothers, my sisters, do you tremble in fear, do you sometimes doubt, do you have questions or demand more proof?
C The honest truth is this: SOMETIMES.
L Oh, may the peace and power of the Risen Christ embrace and convince you this morning!
Let sorrow turn to joy, let shadows turn to light, let fear turn to faith, let doubt turn to assurance,
let cowardice turn to courage, let death turn life, and let there be hope when hope is gone!
C CHRIST IS RISEN, CHRIST IS ALIVE ALLELUIA!
L We are – only by God’s grace – EASTER people, always rising! Now let us bless and assure one another, offer a sign
and say the words, of what God has done for any and for all of us through Jesus Christ…
[Each person will turn to a neighbor, make the sign of the cross on the forehead, and say…]
C “Receive [+] the sign of the cross. Because HE died, YOU are alive!”
THE PEACE GREETING… We share the peace, love, and forgiveness of the RISEN CHRIST!
SONG OF PRAISE: “Lord, I lift your name on high, Lord, I love to sing your praises.
I’m so glad you’re in my life, I’m so glad you came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way;
from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky; Lord, I lift your name on high!”
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O loving God, may your Son Jesus break through our barricades of doubt and fear… open our locked minds
and shadowed hearts… resurrect our spirits… and breathe new life into us. Help us to use our lips and our
lives to share your love and to offer the good news of CHRIST ALIVE here, there, and everywhere. Amen.
+ WE PROCLAIM GOD’S SAVING WORD +
FIRST READING: ACTS 2:14a, 22-32
[Peter boldly preaches on Pentecost Day to the crowd outside, but his message is pure Easter – the crucifixion and resurrection of
Jesus Christ.]
SECOND READING: 1 PETER 1:3-9
[The letter celebrates the living hope that Christ’s resurrection gives to Christians who are experiencing difficult circumstances,
hardships, and suffering because of their faith.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Oh, how He loves you and me. Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more can He give?
OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU; OH, HOW HE LOVES ME;
OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME!
Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for this world to show.
What He did there brought hope from despair…”
HOLY GOSPEL: JOHN 20:19-31
[The Easter gift of Christ’s presence, peace, power, promises.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “Open Our Eyes, Lord” Brown #98
AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH (The Apostles’ Creed):
L Living in the joy and the power of the Risen Lord, let us boldly confess our faith…
C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary. He 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. He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS… We pray that all people might be transformed by the GOOD NEWS of Easter!
+ WE SHARE GOD’S NOURISHING MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS
We give because we believe that our offering expresses what we really believe, becomes part of something much
larger than ourselves, and changes lives for the better. Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the
offering plate. Those farther away can: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution. God has blessed us to be a blessing!
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “Get all excited, go tell ev’rybody that Jesus Christ is King! [sing this line 3 times]
Jesus Christ is still the King of kings, the King of kings!”
OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O God, it is only by your amazing grace that we are Easter-alive today! Now give us the bold confidence and
the passionate love to dry tears, to lift up broken hearts, and to testify with our gifts and our lives that there
is NEW LIFE IN CHRIST. Amen.
THE PREFACE… We prepare to celebrate the LORD’S SUPPER with humble joy!
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L The Lord delivers us from sin and death… C … and grants us salvation and eternal life!
L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! This morning we will come up by
the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice;
we will also have a tray of poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. TO GIVE US LIFE, HE WAS WILLING TO DIE! WHEN WE EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, WE REMEMBER HIS DEATH… PROCLAIM HIS RESURRECTION… AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS RETURN.
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #249 Brown #220
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ WE ARE SENT TO SHOW AND TELL +
THE BENEDICTION:
L Leave with a message upon your heart, on your lips, and revealed through your daily living: I have seen the Lord!
Go in the faith-filled power of the Risen Lord (+) to love God and to serve your neighbor in all that you do!
C (singing…) “A-MEN! A-MEN! A—MEN!”
CLOSING SONG: “I Love to Tell the Story” Brown #228