BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH, 2025

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH, 2025

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INTRODUCTION​

In spite of all we have heard and all we have seen, it is often hard to believe.
     Because it is hard to believe, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for
     fifty days (a week of weeks). Because it is hard to believe, John the evangelist
     will provide sign after sign celebrating Jesus’ victory over death. Because it is
     hard to believe, the risen Jesus will return to us again and again in the mystery of
     holy communion, inviting us to touch and taste his presence, and offering us his peace.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your
     risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen
     us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and
     reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.​

FIRST READING

ACTS 5:27-32
Peter has been arrested for proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ death and 
     resurrection. His response to the charges of the high priest summarizes the early
     church’s proclamation of forgiveness of sin through repentance.

27 When they had brought [the apostles], they had them stand before the council.
     The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to
     teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and
     you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29 But Peter and the
     apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The
     God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a
     tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might
     give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to
     these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

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PSALM

PSALM 118:14-29
(Response) You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

14 The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted!
The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
  17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord.
(Response) You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

18 The Lord indeed punished me sorely,
but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord;
here the righteous may enter.”
21 I give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and you have become my salvation.
(Response) You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 By the Lord has this been done;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Hosanna! O Lord, save us!
We pray to you, Lord, prosper our days!

(Response) You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God and has given us light.
Form a procession with branches up to the corners of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will thank you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s mercy endures forever.
(Response) You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

SECOND READING

REVELATION 1:4-8
  The book of Revelation recounts a mystical vision of the risen Christ experienced
     by a Christian prophet named John. Here he describes Christ as a timeless
     redeemer, the beginning, present, and end of all time.

 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
      Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come
      and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ,
     the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

      To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a
     kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion
     forever and ever. Amen.

     7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;
     every eye will see him,
     even those who pierced him,
     and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.
     So it is to be. Amen.

      8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was    
     and who is to come, the Almighty.

​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Alleluia. (John 20:29)

GOSPEL READING

JOHN 20:19-31
The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus
     appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus,
     Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who
     “have not seen and yet believe.”

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were
     locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood
     among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed
     them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
     21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I
     send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
     “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;
     if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

     24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them
     when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”
     But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my
     finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
     26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with
     them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and
     said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and
     see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but
     believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him,
     “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have
     not seen and yet have come to believe.”

     30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not
     written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe
     that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may
     have life in his name.

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LICENSES & EXPIRATION DATES
Worship Service Content is used via permission through Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2026.
Our Hymns and Worship Music are used via permission through CCLI One
License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2026.

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​SERMONS​
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TAKING FAITH HOME