RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD / EASTER DAY
RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD / EASTER DAY
04-05-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ WE ANNOUNCE THE VICTORY +
EASTER SUNDAY OPENING RITE:
L In the beginning of that week they were so full of enthusiasm –
C Hosanna,
Son of David,
Alleluia,
King,
Prophet,
Jesus!
L But at the end of those days he was hanging on a cross –
C betrayal and denial,
spitting and shame,
crown of thorns and a speared belly,
suffering and sweat,
dying words and last breath,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
L He underwent it all, without any intervention.
C His blood started to flow.
His life ebbed away.
His eyes misted over.
His limbs gave way.
His lungs collapsed.
His spirit waned.
L He bent his head and died.
C A tomb was borrowed and prepared.
Darkness set in.
Hope was lost.
Trying to establish good, he was overrun by evil.
Trying to establish peace, he was overcome by violence.
He had tried to save others, but he failed to save himself.
L At the end of the day, there was only a rumor left.
C They told Pilate:
“This liar said,
after three days
I will rise again.”
So they sealed the tomb
and placed the guards.
L Jesus may have appeared a complete failure – crucified, died, and buried…
C but God had other plans!
OPENING SONG: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” Green #151 (1) Jesus Christ is risen today, Al — le – lu – ia! (2) Hymns of praise then let us sing, Al — le – lu – ia!
Our triumphant holy day, Al — le – lu –ia! Unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Al — le – lu – ia!
Who did once upon the cross, Al — le – lu ia! Who endured the cross and grave, Al — le – lu – ia
Suffer to redeem our loss, Al — le – lu – ia! Sinners to redeem and save, Al — le – lu – ia!
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(3) But the pains which he endured, Al — le – lu – ia! (4) Sing we to our God above, Al — le – lu – ia!
Our salvation have procured, Al — le – lu – ia! Praise eternal as his love, Al — le – lu – ia!
Now above the sky he’s king, Al — le – lu – ia! Praise him, all you heav’nly host, Al — le – lu – ia!
Where the angels ever sing, Al — le – lu – ia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Al — le – lu – ia!
+ WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE +
CELEBRATION OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST:
L Sisters and brothers, today we are celebrating astounding good news – Christ is not dead; he is risen from the tomb!
Death, despair, and the devil don’t have the last word, for we are Easter People, always rising! Let us now bless and
reassure each other, offer a sign and say the words of what God has done for any and 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!
PRAISE SONG: “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 God who loves us so dearly, the cross is vacant, the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive!
May we trust that he is our Lord in life, in death, and in life that is beyond our physical death.
May we find in him our peace, our purpose, our power, and our promise now and forever, Amen.
+ WE PROCLAIM GOD’S SAVING WORD +
FIRST READING: ACTS 10:34-43
[GOOD NEWS: God shows no partiality…Jesus Christ is for all people… and everybody who believes, receives!]
SONG SELECTION:Sunday School Children
SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1-4
[GOOD NEWS: The old you has died… so live the new you! Keep both your mind and your life “out of the gutter”.]
DANCE SELECTION: Timyk Mathis
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: MATTHEW 28:1-10
[GOOD NEWS: He’s no longer dead! This is both a message to believe and a story to tell.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil
VACANT CROSS, EMPTY TOMB, RISEN LORD.
THE SURPRISE OF EASTER HAS NOT ENDED…
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RESPONSE SONG: “Revive Us Again” Tan #569
(1) We praise thee, O God, for the Son of thy love, for Jesus who died and is now gone above.
Hallelujah, thine the glory! Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, thine the glory! Revive us again!
(2) We praise thee, O God, for thy Spirit of light, who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.
(3) All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain, who has borne all our sins and has cleansed every stain.
(4) Revive us again, fill each heart with thy love, may each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
THE PRAYERS… We pray that all people might be transformed by the GOOD NEWS of Easter!
+ WE CELEBRATE THE WATERS OF NEW BIRTH +
HOLY BAPTISM [This morning Akarie Jasmine Ayame Jackson, Aria C. Glover, and Lamar R. Glover receive the new
beginning and new life that God has given in Jesus Christ. HOLY BAPTISM IS MORE THAN A SOLITARY MOMENT…
THIS IS A LIFE’S JOURNEY IN RESPONSE TO THE FREE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE IN JESUS CHRIST!]
(1) Introduction:
L Hear the testimony of the Holy Scriptures concerning baptism. In Matthew 28:19 we listen as the resurrected Jesus,
about to ascend into heaven, commands his followers:
C Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
L In Acts 2:38-39, immediately after the Pentecost event that gave birth to the Church, Peter proclaimed to the crowd:
C 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. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away.
L And in Acts 8:36, 38-39 we read the account of an unexpected baptism by Philip, a Christian disciple:
C The Ethiopian said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?”… Philip and the
Ethiopian went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit
of the Lord snatched Philip away; the Ethiopian saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
L Finally, Jesus tells us in John 3:5-6:
C Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is
born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
L My brothers and sisters, the testimony of the New Testament is that it is through HOLY BAPTISM – ordinary waters and
the presence and promises of God – that persons have joined the Church. In this sacrament God washes away our sin
and delivers us from the forces of evil and the power of death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord
Jesus Christ. In this sacrament God gives us new birth, adopts us as children, as brothers and sisters to Christ and
united in one body of Christ with all the faithful throughout the ages. In this sacrament God gives us the gift of the Holy
Spirit and calls us to a life of obedient faith and love. In this sacrament God promises us eternal life.
(2) Presentation of Candidates:
L Today God calls Akarie, Aria, and Lamar by name to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism and to enter God’s
family.
(3) Commitment and Promise:
L Lamar, do you desire to be baptized? I do.
L Parents, family, godparents and sponsors, as you bring Akarie and Aria to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted
with responsibilities: to live with her among God’s faithful people… to bring her to the Word of God and to the Lord’s
Supper… to teach her the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments…to place in her hands the Holy
Scriptures… to nurture her with faith and prayer… and to do your faithful best to show and teach and guide her how to
trust in God, how to proclaim Christ through word and deed, how to care for others and the world God created, and
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how to work for justice and peace. Will you make this commitment to act in this way, will you promise to help Akarie and Aria grow in the Christian faith and life? I do.
L Congregation / Assembly / People of God, we as witnesses to this baptism, as members of Christ’s Church, and as
brothers and sisters to these children and our brother in faith also have concern and responsibility for them. Do we
promise to support Akarie, Aria, and Lamar in their new life in Christ, to love them and to pray for them? I do.
(4) Profession of Faith:
L I ask you to profess your faith in Jesus Christ, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we
baptize. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? I renounce them.
Remembering the words of the Apostles’ Creed that our church uses for Holy Baptism, I ask you – and all Christians in
our worship – to confess your faith in the Triune God – the eternal Creator, the risen Savior, and the dynamic Spirit.
Do you believe in God, the Father?
C I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
L Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
C 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 into hell. 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.
L Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
C 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.
(5) Thanksgiving for God’s Life-giving Waters:
L Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your voice thundered and your Spirit moved over the
waters and – by your Word – you created the world. You water the mountains and send springs into the valleys to
refresh us and satisfy us and all living things. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family,
preserving humanity. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery to freedom; and in the wilderness you
nourished them with water from the rock; and you brought them across the River Jordan to the land you had promised.
At the river your Son Jesus was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of his death and
resurrection, your Son Jesus has carried us to safety and to freedom. The floods will not overwhelm us, the deep shall
not swallow us up, for Christ has brought us over to the land of promise. Gracious, merciful, loving God, pour out your
Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism may receive new life.
Wash away their sin, take away the sting of death, and claim them as your own redeemed children. We praise you and
pray to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(6) Baptism:
L Name, I baptize you in the name of the Father <> and of the Son <> and of the Holy Spirit <>. Amen.
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks for freeing your sons and daughters from the power of sin
and for raising them up to a new life though this holy sacrament. Pour your Holy Spirit upon name: the spirit of wisdom
and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in
your presence. Amen.
Name, child of God, receive the sign of the holy cross upon your [+] forehead and upon your [+] heart to mark you as
one who has been sealed with the Holy Spirit and redeemed by Christ forever. Amen.
Jesus said, I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life. Let your light so shine before
others that they may see your good works and give glory to God.
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(7) Welcome:
L On behalf of this St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation and the one Church of Jesus Christ here on
earth, let those who are present say to the newly baptized:
C We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share. Join us in giving thanks and praise to God, living faithfully and loving fervently through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST!
+ WE SHARE GOD’S NOURISHING MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS
If we are willing, we are the hands and feet of Jesus… his voice and his heart… his disciples in this time and
place… carrying God’s love and forgiveness to others. With courage and compassion, let us commit who we
are, how we act, and what we have in order to go, to show, and to tell! 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!
Get all excited, go tell ev’rybody that Jesus Christ is King!
Get all excited, go tell ev’rybody that Jesus Christ is King!
Jesus Christ is still the King of kings, the King of kings!”
OFFERING PRAYER led 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.
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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 SONG: “Blessed Assurance” Brown #118
(1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long! [repeat]
(2) Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(3) Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
COMMUNION SONG: “He Rose” Brown #90
(1) They crucified my Savior and nailed him to the tree. They crucified my Savior and nailed him to the tree.
They crucified my Savior and nailed him to the tree. And the Lord will bear my spirit home.
He rose (he rose)… He rose (he rose)… He rose from the dead!
He rose (he rose)… He rose (he rose)… He rose from the dead!
He rose (he rose)… He rose (he rose)… He rose from the dead!
And the Lord will bear my spirit home!
(2) Then Joseph begged his body and laid it in the tomb…
(3) Sister Mary, she came running, a-looking for my Lord…
(4)An angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away…
COMMUNION SONG: “Down at the Cross” Brown #72
(1) Down at the cross where my Savior died, down where for cleansing from sin I cried;
there to my heart was the blood applied: glory to his name.
Glory to his name, glory to his name!
There to my heart was the blood applied, glory to his name!
(2) I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly abides within;
there at the cross where he took me in: glory to his name.
(3) O precious fountain that saves from sin, I am so glad I have entered in;
there Jess saves me and keeps me clean: glory to his name.
(4) Come to this fountain so rich and sweet; cast your poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
plunge in today and be made complete: glory to his name.
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, 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!”
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CLOSING SONG: “To God Be the Glory” Brown #264
(1) To God be the glory, great things He has done; so loved He the world that He gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory – great things He has done!
(2) Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to ev’ry believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender by grace may believe, that moment from Jesus a pardon receive.
(3) Great things He has taught us, great things He has done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our vict’ry when Jesus we see.
EASTER PLANTS 2026:
Lily and Tulip given in memory of my mother, Karen Brown, by Veronica Britto.
Lily and Hyacinth given in memory of my grandparents, William and Fannie Thompson, by
Veronica Britto.
Lily given in memory of my grandmother, Ruth Alma Britto, by Veronica Britto.
Lily given in memory of our daughter, Nicole Draper, by Aaron and Brenda Draper.
Lily given in memory of Janie Wilson, my mother, by Brenda Draper.
Lily given in memory of Johnsie Sippio by Janice and Eric Henderson.
Lily given in memory of Jacquelyn Henderson by Janice and Eric Henderson.
Lily given in memory of Brenda Jones by Diane Hughes.
Lily given in memory of Ollie Drayton by Rashidah Perkins.
Lily given in memory of Travist and Emma Johnson by Pastors Gwen and Neil.
Hyacinth given in memory of Sylvia Lone by Tamell Hillsman.
Hyacinth given in honor of Olliyah Perkins by Rashidah Perkins.
Hyacinth given in memory of Anthony Henson, St. Peter’s member, by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Hyacinth given in memory of Lennie Gaither, St. Peter’s member, by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Hyacinth given in memory of Rosella McVay, St. Peter’s member, by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Hyacinth given in memory of Katherine Nelson, St. Peter’s member, by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Hyacinth given in memory of Martha Thurman Padgett, cousin, by Pastors Gwen and Neil.
Hyacinth given in memory of James Bond, uncle, and Mary Ann Bond, aunt, (he died March15, she died March 23, married for 64 years) by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Hyacinth given in memory of Martha Fisher, cousin, (died February 8) by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Tulip given in memory of my mother by Jerona Jackson Rice.
Tulip given in memory of Rasoul by Jerona Jackson Rice. .
Tulip given in honor of Ms. Agnes Nelson, my neighbor, by Beverly E. Morris.
Tulip given in memory of Helen Rouse, my mother, by Beverly E. Morris.
Tulip given in honor of my mom, Beverly Morris, by Tomika Washington.
Tulip given in memory of Etther White, my wife, by James White
Tulip given in memory of Matthew White, my brother, by James White.
Tulip given in memory of Donald and Edith Bond by Pastors Neil and Gwen.
Tulip given in memory of Kenneth Johnson, brother, by Pastors Gwen and Neil.
HE IS RISEN AND ALIVE!
Stay Easter green and growing.
God’s great grace attitude of gratitude generosity!
Beyond support of our 2026 Budget ($187,927 is what we envision spending this year) are those opportunities for special giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
We received $5 last Sunday and $1,276 to date. Your love is showing!
Lutheran Charities Appeal (assisting three local social ministry organizations – KenCrest Services, Lutheran
Settlement House, and Gemma Services – that serve thousands of neighbors with various needs).
We have received $250 to date. Lives are being changed!
Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 it is Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Housing Project. We sent them $579.65 in 2024.) We have received $233 to date. Help welcome others!
“God’s Global Barnyard” is an ELCA development project to fight poverty. We have received $20 to date.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 9:30AM Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Discussion and Study. Men are also invited.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall to the community.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scout troops.
Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “Gathering” in person and online.
What’s Happening…
April 12… 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER.
Worship in person and online at 10:00AM. Is someone at the door? Yep!
April 13… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7:00PM.
April 19… 3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER.
Worship in person and online at 10:00AM. The best “heartburn” is Jesus!
April 25… Cliveden-Wister Al-Anon Step Group “Anniversary Meeting and Meal”, 7:00PM.
April 26… 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER. Pastor Bob Holum preaching.
CONFIRMATION CLASS for Christian youth becoming Christian adults, 11:30AM.
May 25… DAY OF PENTECOST: Worship + Picnic at Fort Washington Park.
The State Park is already booked for this date. We’ll do something else to celebrate.
June 4… Scholarship Committee bus trip to Sight and Sound Theatres in Lancaster, PA to see “JOSHUA”. Lunch at Shady Maples. Our Scholarship Committee is asking for $175 per person. Contact Carol
Chatman or Jerona Rice to submit your name and a deposit.
There’s so much hurt and hate in our world.
There’s too much drama and trauma around.
We need some real LOVE !
Don’t love others as others love you.
Love others as Jesus Christ loves you.