Special Posts

Worship Service for Easter on April 30, 2023, at 11 AM

Welcome and Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: When we come into the presence of God we cannot help but see our sinfulness. God does not require us to cleanse our own sin and be perfect of our own power for, surely, we could never achieve this. Instead, He tells us to come just as we are and receive His great mercy.

Song: Just As I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not, To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
Lamb of God, I come!  I come!

 (a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you and each other. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, please forgive us and help us to live according to Your ways. Amen

Just As I Am Verse 4:
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!                                          © Public Domain

P: The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. Therefore I announce unto you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – Living Hope

How great the chasm that lay between us.

How high the mountain I could not climb.

In desperation, I turned to heaven,
And spoke Your name into the night.

Then through the darkness Your loving kindness,

Tore through the shadows of my soul.

The work is finished, the end is written,
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope.

 

Who could imagine so great a mercy.

What heart could fathom such boundless grace.

The God of ages stepped down from glory,
To wear my sin and bear my shame.

The cross has spoken. I am forgiven.

The King of Kings calls me His own.

Beautiful Savior I’m Yours forever,

Jesus Christ, my Living Hope.

 

Chorus:

Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free!

Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me!

You have broken every chain. There’s salvation in Your Name,

Jesus Christ, my Living Hope.

 

Verse 3:

Then came the morning that sealed the promise,

Your buried body began to breathe.

Out of the silence the roaring Lion,

Declared the grave has no claim on me.

(Repeat)

 

Jesus, Yours is the victory!

(Chorus 2x)               © Bethel Music Publishing and Remaining portion is unaffiliated

First Reading – Acts 6:1-7

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – John 14:1–14

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Brief Announcements (scroll down for more details)

Sermon Hymn – Cornerstone
My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Chorus:

Christ alone, Cornerstone, Weak made strong in the Savior’s love.

Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all.

 

Verse 2:

When darkness seems to hide His face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.

My anchor holds within the veil.

 

(Chorus)

 

He is Lord. Lord of all.

 

Verse 3:

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless, stand before the throne.

 

(Chorus)                                                        © 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing

Sermon – “Living Stones”

1 Peter 2:1–10

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Offering

Greeting and Benediction for the Online Service (scroll down for a video of the closing song)

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song – The Church’s One Foundation

The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;

she is his new creation by water and the Word:

from heav’n he came and sought her to be his holy bride;

with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

Elect from ev’ry nation, yet one o’er all the earth,

her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth;

one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,

and to one hope she presses, with ev’ry grace endued.

Through toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war,

she waits the consummation of peace forevermore;

till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,

and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One,

and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won:

O blessed heav’nly chorus! Lord, save us by Your grace,

that we, like saints before us, may see You face to face.

 

    © Public Domain

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Today, After the Service, Voter Meeting
Faith Lutheran Church

Today, After the Voter Meeting, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Today, 5 PM, Main Event (All are welcome)
Main Event, Wesley Chapel. Cost – $20

May 2, 7 PM, Growth Group
Growth Group 2 – Rich and Judy’s Home and Online

May 7, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

May 14, Mother’s Day and Faith and Food Worship Service
Faith Lutheran Church

 

May 21, Confirmation Sunday
Faith Lutheran Church

 

 

 

Florida-Georgia District Regional Conference
“Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus”
Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing from Concordia University in St. Paul

This conference will highlight how God’s kingdom comes to us and then through us to the world. The conference will draw us into a deeper understanding that what Jesus did for Israel in the past he will do for us today—deliver us from bondage and bring us into a kingdom where he reigns forever and ever.

• ·        When: Monday, May 8th
• ·        Where: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church 7461 Prospect Rd. Sarasota.
• ·        Time: Registration begins at 8:30am and we conclude at 3:30pm.
• ·       Cost: $10 (includes lunch)

Register through Pastor Kurt

 

 

 

1 Peter Reading Plan

• ·         4/24: 1 Peter 1:1-2
• ·         4/25: 1 Peter 1:3-9
• ·         4/26: 1 Peter 1:10-12
• ·         4/27: 1 Peter 1:13-16
• ·         4/28: 1 Peter 1:17-25
• ·         4/29: 1 Peter 2:1-10
• ·         5/1: 1 Peter 2:9-10
• ·         5/2: 1 Peter 2:11-12
• ·         5/3: 1 Peter 2:13-15
• ·         5/4: 1 Peter 2:16-17
• ·         5/5: 1 Peter 2:18
• ·         5/6: 1 Peter 2:19-25
• ·         5/8: 1 Peter 3:1-2
• ·         5/9: 1 Peter 3:3-6
• ·         5/10: 1 Peter 3:7
• ·         5/11: 1 Peter 3:8
• ·         5/12: 1 Peter 3:9-12
• ·         5/13: 1 Peter 3:13-22
• ·         5/15: 1 Peter 4:1-2
• ·         5/16: 1 Peter 4:3-5
• ·         5/17: 1 Peter 4:6
• ·         5/18: 1 Peter 4:7
• ·         5/19: 1 Peter 4:8-11
• ·         5/20: 1 Peter 4:12-19
• ·         5/22: 1 Peter 5:1-4
• ·         5/23: 1 Peter 5:5
• ·         5/24: 1 Peter 5:6-7
• ·         5/25: 1 Peter 5:8-11
• ·         5/26: 1 Peter 5:12-14
• ·         5/27: Numbers 11:24–30 and John 7:37–39

Below is the video of the closing song:

Worship Service for Easter on April 23, 2023, at 11 AM

Opening Song: Thy Strong Word

Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;

At Thy speaking it was done.

For created light we thank Thee,

While Thine ordered seasons run.

 

Refrain:

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,

Dark as night and deep as death,

Broke the light of thy salvation,

Breathed thine own life-giving breath. (Refrain)

 

Thy strong Word be- speaks us righteous;

Bright with thine own holiness,

Glorious now, we press toward glory,

And our lives our hope confess. (Refrain)

Give us lips to sing thy glory, Tongues thy mercy to proclaim,

Throats to shout the hope that fills us,

Mouths to speak thy holy name. (Refrain)
                                                                                                                                                                      © 1969 Concordia Publishing House

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Come into the presence of the Lord our God.
C: Have mercy, O Lord. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand; but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(A time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Let us confess our sin before the Lord. Let us confess together.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your punishment.  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: The Lord is gracious and merciful. He promises to forgive our sins. Therefore, upon this, your confession, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – Everlasting God

Verse:
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.
We will wait upon the Lord.
We will wait upon the Lord.
(repeat)

Pre-Chorus:
Our God You reign forever! Our hope Our strong deliverer!

Chorus:
You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.
You do not faint You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak. You comfort those in need.
You lift us up on wings like eagles.

(Verse)
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)                                                                                                                                     © 2005 Thankyou Music

First Reading – Acts 2:14a, 36–41

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you,…

…Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – Luke 24:13–35

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But 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 happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message

Brief Announcements (scroll down for more details)

Sermon Hymn – Who You Say I Am

Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?

I was lost but He brought me in. Oh, His love for me.

Oh, His love for me.

 

Chorus 1:

Who the Son sets free, Oh is free indeed.

I’m a child of God, Yes I am.

 

Free at last He has ransomed me. His grace runs deep.

While I was a slave to sin Jesus died for me. Yes, He died for me.

 

Chorus 2:

Who the Son sets free, oh is free indeed.

I’m a child of God, Yes I am.

In my Father’s house there’s a place for me.

I’m a child of God, Yes I am.

 

I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am

You are for me, not against me. I am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am

You are for me, not against me. I am who You say I am

I am who You say I am

 

(Chorus 2)
(Chorus 2 second half, “In my Father’s house…”)
                                                                                                                       © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Sermon – “Perishable and Imperishable”

1 Peter 1:17–25

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for

“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ, his 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.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Offering

Greeting and Benediction for the Online Service (scroll down for a video of the closing song)

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song – Oh, When the Saints

Oh, when the saints go marching in,

Oh, when the saints go marching in,

Oh Lord, I want to be in that number,

When the saints go marching in.

And when the sun refuse to shine,

And when the sun refuse to shine,

Oh Lord, I want to be in that number,

When the sun refuse to shine.

Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call,

Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call,

Oh Lord, I want to be in that number,

When the trumpet sounds its call.                                                                                            © Public Domain

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Apr 25, 7 PM,
Growth Group 1 – Renee’s Home (Maybe)
Growth Group 2 – Rich and Judy’s Home and Online

Apr 29, 10 AM, Growth Group 3
The McConnell’s Home

Apr 30, After the Service, Voter Meeting
Faith Lutheran Church

Apr 30, After the Voter Meeting, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Apr 30, 5 PM, Main Event (All are welcome)
Main Event, Wesley Chapel. Cost – $20

 

 

 

Florida-Georgia District Regional Conference
“Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus”
Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing from Concordia University in St. Paul

This conference will highlight how God’s kingdom comes to us and then through us to the world. The conference will draw us into a deeper understanding that what Jesus did for Israel in the past he will do for us today—deliver us from bondage and bring us into a kingdom where he reigns forever and ever.

• ·        When: Monday, May 8th
• ·        Where: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church 7461 Prospect Rd. Sarasota.
• ·        Time: Registration begins at 8:30am and we conclude at 3:30pm.
• ·       Cost: $10 (includes lunch)

Register through Pastor Kurt

 

 

 

1 Peter Reading Plan

• ·         4/24: 1 Peter 1:1-2
• ·         4/25: 1 Peter 1:3-9
• ·         4/26: 1 Peter 1:10-12
• ·         4/27: 1 Peter 1:13-16
• ·         4/28: 1 Peter 1:17-25
• ·         4/29: 1 Peter 2:1-10
• ·         5/1: 1 Peter 2:9-10
• ·         5/2: 1 Peter 2:11-12
• ·         5/3: 1 Peter 2:13-15
• ·         5/4: 1 Peter 2:16-17
• ·         5/5: 1 Peter 2:18
• ·         5/6: 1 Peter 2:19-25
• ·         5/8: 1 Peter 3:1-2
• ·         5/9: 1 Peter 3:3-6
• ·         5/10: 1 Peter 3:7
• ·         5/11: 1 Peter 3:8
• ·         5/12: 1 Peter 3:9-12
• ·         5/13: 1 Peter 3:13-22
• ·         5/15: 1 Peter 4:1-2
• ·         5/16: 1 Peter 4:3-5
• ·         5/17: 1 Peter 4:6
• ·         5/18: 1 Peter 4:7
• ·         5/19: 1 Peter 4:8-11
• ·         5/20: 1 Peter 4:12-19
• ·         5/22: 1 Peter 5:1-4
• ·         5/23: 1 Peter 5:5
• ·         5/24: 1 Peter 5:6-7
• ·         5/25: 1 Peter 5:8-11
• ·         5/26: 1 Peter 5:12-14
• ·         5/27: Numbers 11:24–30 and John 7:37–39

Below is the video of the closing song:

Worship Service for Easter on April 16, 2023, at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song – Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia

Verse 1:
Christ has arisen, alleluia. Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Refrain:

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;

Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.

Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living,
alleluia!

 

Verse 2:

For three long days, the grave did its worst

Until its strength by God was dispersed.

He who gives life did death undergo;

And in its conquest, His might did show.

(Refrain)

Verse 4:

Go spread the news: He’s not in the grave;

He has arisen this world to save.

Jesus’ redeeming labors are done; Even the
battle with sin is won.

(Refrain)

 

     Tr. © 1977 Augsburg Publishing House; ©1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makomira, Tanzania, admin. Augsburg Fortress

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Our Heavenly Father asks us to come into His presence.
C: But we are sinful and unworthy. 

P: Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross that we may be forgiven and washed clean of all our sins by His blood.
C: Lord, if You wash us, we will certainly be clean and pure.

P: We take a moment to bow before the His cross and silently reflect on our lives and confess our sins.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Let us confess, together, our sins to God our Father.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not lived out our faith in our community. We justly deserve Your punishment.  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: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I, therefore, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Forever

The moon and stars they wept. The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen.
His body on the cross. His blood poured out for us.
The weight of every curse upon Him

One final breath He gave, As Heaven looked away

The Son of God was laid in darkness.

A battle in the grave. The war on death was waged.

The power of hell forever broken

 

Pre-Chorus:

The ground began to shake. The stone was rolled away

His perfect love could not be overcome

Now death where is your sting. Our resurrected King

Has rendered you defeated

 

Chorus:

Forever, He is glorified. Forever, He is lifted high

Forever, He is risen. He is alive; He is alive!

 

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus)

 

We sing hallelujah. We sing hallelujah

We sing hallelujah. The Lamb has overcome

 

Chorus:

Forever, He is glorified. Forever, He is lifted high

Forever, He is risen. He is alive; He is alive!                                                                © 2013 Bethel Music

 

First Reading – Acts 5:29-42

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading – 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – John 20:19–31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Sermon Hymn – Cornerstone

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Chorus:

Christ alone, Cornerstone, Weak made strong in the Savior’s love.

Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all.

 

Verse 2:

When darkness seems to hide His face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil.

My anchor holds within the veil.

 

Bridge:

He is Lord. Lord of all.

 

Verse 3:

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless, stand before the throne.

 

(Chorus)                                                                                                        ©2011 Hillsong Music Publishing

Sermon – “Doubt and Belief”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Offering

(Online service ends. See below for closing song and additional announcements)

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness (See below for a video of this song)

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Chorus:

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand has provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

 

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.

 

(Chorus)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

 

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Apr 18, 7 PM Council Meeting
Lorna’s Home

Apr 23, After the Service, God Squad Youth Group
Faith Lutheran Church

Apr 25, 7 PM,
Growth Group 1 – Renee’s Home
Growth Group 2 – Rich and Judy’s Home and Online

Apr 29, 10 AM, Growth Group 3
The McConnell’s Home

Apr 30, After the
Service, Voter Meeting
Faith Lutheran Church

Apr 30, 1 PM, Main Event (All are welcome)
Main Event, Wesley Chapel. Youth – $20, Adults – $25

Worship Service for Easter on April 9, 2023, at 11 AM

P: He is risen!     
C: He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

Welcome

Invocation

Gospel Reading – Matthew 28:1-10

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Opening Song: Jesus Christ is Risen, Today

Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

Praise Him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Come into the presence of the Lord our God.
C: Have mercy, O Lord. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand; but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(A time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, whose rising from the empty tomb brings to us the promise of life eternal. And so, we confess together in the presence of the living God,
C: We confess that we set our minds towards things of this dying world, and not on the life that is revealed in Christ. We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your punishment.  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: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ proclaims, “Do not be afraid!” Know that you are washed anew in His rising, and your sins are forgiven. Be at peace, and live in the everlasting love of God. Amen!
C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Christ Is Risen

Let no one caught in sin remain inside the lie of inward shame.
We fix our eyes upon the cross and run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us. Freely You’ve bled for us.

Chorus:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead, we are one with Him again.
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave.

Beneath the weight of all our sin You bowed to none but Heaven’s will
No scheme of Hell, no scoffer’s crown,
No burden great can hold You down.
In strength You reign. Forever let Your church proclaim.

(Chorus)

O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
The glory of God has defeated the night!
O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
Our God is not dead. He is alive! He is alive!

(Chorus)

Second Reading – Acts 10:34–43

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All.
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
‘Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
‘Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Sermon – “Hidden With Christ”

Sermon Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ, his 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.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Offering

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: Our God/All Hail the Power of Jesus Christ

Our God – Verse 1:

Water You turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind.

There’s no one like You, none like You.

Our God – Verse 2:

Into the darkness You shine. Out of the ashes we rise.

There’s no one like You, none like You.

Our God – Chorus:

Our God is greater. Our God is stronger.

God, You are higher than any other.

Our God is healer, awesome in power, our God, our God.

Crown Him – Verse 1:

All hail the pow’r of Je- sus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all!

Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all!

Crown Him – Verse 3:

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, Ye ransomed from the fall,

Hail Him who saves you by His grace and crown Him Lord of all!

Hail Him who saves you by His grace and crown Him Lord of all!

(Our God – Verse 2)

(Our God – Chorus)

Our God – Bridge:

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? 

And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?

(Repeat)

Then what could stand against? Then what could stand against?

Crown Him – Verse 6:

Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe, On this terrestrial ball,

To Him all majesty ascribe and crown Him Lord of all!

To Him all majesty ascribe and crown Him Lord of all!

Our God – Chorus:

Our God is greater. Our God is stronger.

God, You are higher than any other.

Our God is healer, awesome in power, our God, our God.
We crown Him Lord of all!

 

 

Upcoming Events

Apr 11, 7 PM,
Growth Group 1 – Renee’s Home
Growth Group 2 – Rich and Judy’s Home and Online

Apr 15, 10 AM, Growth Group 3 – The McConnell’s Home

Apr 16, After the Service, Confirmation – Faith Lutheran Church

Apr 18, 7 PM Council Meeting – Lorna’s Home

Apr 23, After the Service, God Squad Youth Group
Faith Lutheran Church

 

Apr 30, After the Service, Voter Meeting – Faith Lutheran Church