28 April 2024
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Ringing of the Bell
– The bell rings as the call to worship, reminding us to discontinue conversation and reverently prepare for worship.
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Lutheran Service Book Divine Service Setting One
Stand
807 When Morning Gilds the Skies LSB 807
1
When
morning gilds the skies,
My
heart, awaking, cries,
“May
Jesus Christ be praised!”
When
evening shadows fall,
This
rings my curfew call:
“May
Jesus Christ be praised!”
2
When
mirth for music longs,
This
is my song of songs:
“May
Jesus Christ be praised!”
God’s
holy house of prayer
Hath
none that can compare
With
“Jesus
Christ be praised!”
3
No
lovelier antiphon
In
all high heav’n
is known
Than
“Jesus
Christ be praised!”
There
to the_eternal Word
The_eternal
psalm is heard:
“May
Jesus Christ be praised!”
4
Ye
nations of mankind,
In
this your concord find:
“May
Jesus Christ be
praised!”
Let
all the earth around
Ring
joyous with the sound:
“May
Jesus Christ be praised!”
5
Sing,
suns and stars of space,
Sing,
ye that see His face,
Sing,
“Jesus
Christ be praised!”
God’s
whole creation o’er,
Both
now and evermore
Shall
Jesus Christ be praised!
Text:
Katholisches Gesangbuch, 1828, Würzburg;
tr.
Robert S. Bridges, 1844–1930,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the TSon and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
Exhortation
P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.
Confession of Sins
P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal 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.
Absolution
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 TSon and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
This Is the Feast
C This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Let us pray.
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Sit
Psalm Psalm 150
Praise
the Lord!
Praise
God in his sanctuary;
praise
him in his mighty heavens!
Praise
him for his mighty deeds;
praise
him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise
him with trumpet sound;
praise
him with lute and harp!
Praise
him with tambourine and dance;
praise
him with strings and pipe!
Praise
him with sounding cymbals;
praise
him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise
the Lord!
First Reading Acts 8:26–40
An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like
a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and
like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so
he opens not his mouth.
In
his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who
can describe his generation?
For
his life is taken away from the earth.”
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Epistle 1 John 4:1–11
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Stand
Common Alleluia and Verse
C Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Holy Gospel John 15:1–8
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fifteenth chapter.
C Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.
Sit
686 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing LSB 686
1
Come,
Thou Fount of ev’ry
blessing,
Tune
my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams
of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for
songs of
loudest praise.
While
the hope of endless glory
Fills my
heart with joy
and love,
Teach
me ever to adore Thee;
May
I still Thy goodness prove.
2
Here
I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither
by Thy help I’ve
come;
And
I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to
arrive at
home.
Jesus
sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring
from
the fold of God;
He,
to rescue me from danger,
Interposed
His precious
blood.
3
Oh,
to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m
constrained to be;
Let
that grace now like a fetter
Bind my
wand’ring
heart to Thee:
Prone
to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to
leave the God I
love.
Here’s
my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for
Thy courts
above.
4
Oh,
that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see
Thy
lovely face;
Clothed
then in the blood-washed linen,
How I’ll
sing
Thy wondrous grace!
Come,
my Lord, no longer tarry;
Take my
ransom’d
soul away;
Send
Thine angels soon to carry
Me to
realms of endless
day.
Text:
Robert Robinson, 1735–90,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Sermon Pastor Eric Ash
Easter 5 B April 28, 2024 Acts 8:26-40
An Ethiopian Eunuch
“Sometimes you don’t know what you need until you find it.” I don’t know who said that first, but it’s true. Everybody is looking for something and often we don’t know exactly what it is. We might call it “peace of mind” or “serenity” or by some other name. But defining and describing it isn’t easily done. It is as if we are all born with something missing inside us, spiritual holes in our souls just aching to be filled. Sometimes we try various means to satiate our longings, such as food or money or power (just to name a few of the big ones), but nothing seems to satisfy us for long. Our amorphous quest goes on.
The Ethiopian Eunuch, an official in the court of Queen Candace, was a man on such a quest. He was looking for something, and his search had taken him to Jerusalem and Judaism. It was not uncommon for people who were not born Jewish to be attracted to the religion of Judaism and its way of life as a means to finding a meaningful, satisfying life. Such people could come to worship in the Temple in the Jerusalem if they stayed in the Court of the Gentiles. They were prohibited from worshiping with the Jews and from getting too close to the more sacred places in the Temple. Through study and certain rituals, a non-Jew, over time, could be accepted into the fellowship of the Jewish community as a convert, which is probably what the Ethiopian Eunuch wished for.
This Ethiopian Eunuch could not do that, though, because he had a situation in his life, which would forever prevent him from becoming a converted Jew. The problem with the Ethiopian Eunuch was simply that he was a eunuch. I once read a book that suggested always referring to the Ethiopian Eunuch as the “Ethiopian Official” to avoid having to explain what a eunuch is. The book suggests saying, if pressed, that a eunuch is “a man who had an operation so that he would never have children.”
There’s more to it than that but that may not be a bad way to address such questions, especially if they come from children. The main point is that the law of the Jews, the Law of Moses, prohibited a eunuch, and people with other physical imperfections, from converting to Judaism. That would not be considered politically correct today, and it might seem less than merciful to us, but that was the Old Testament law and who are we to question it?
That law made the portion of Isaiah’s prophecy that the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading as he rode along in his chariot even more poignant and appropriate to his situation. Even though only eunuchs were allowed to work closely with the queen, not many men, maybe not any men, would choose to be a eunuch, even to be in the high position of national treasurer as he was. It is almost certain that the Ethiopian Eunuch was forced into that operation and career path, perhaps before he was old enough to have a say in the matter, like some choir boys were centuries ago, the soprano castrati they were called. The Ethiopian Eunuch may have known well the emotions and trials that Isaiah in the 53rd chapter of his prophecy attributed to the Suffering Servant because, “In his humiliation, justice was denied him.” Given that in ancient times there was even a greater emphasis on achieving immortality through having children than there is today, it could be said of the Ethiopian Eunuch, and he may well have felt, “Who can speak of his descendants? His life is taken away from the earth.”
But God had a corrective plan. An angel of the Lord instructed Philip to, "Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza," where he would meet the Ethiopian Eunuch. The text says he ran to the Ethiopian as he was riding in his chariot. That would mean that for some time Philip must have run alongside the horse-drawn chariot, keeping pace with the horse. That’s both miraculous and comical – and certainly not a ministry I would be suited for. Eventually Philip joined him in his chariot and explained to him what the words he was reading meant, especially as Isaiah’s depiction of the Suffering Servant applied to Jesus Christ. That short scene makes a couple of important points.
First of all, the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah, the Law and historical books of Moses, the Psalms of David, etc., all point to Jesus Christ. The Old Testament is not second-class scripture; it is indispensable to Christianity. Secondly, salvation is found in Christ alone. Judaism and Christianity are not two paths to salvation. That’s not antisemitism, that’s the Word of God.
The Ethiopian Eunuch can be seen to represent all the people who are seeking salvation, all the people who are on the margins and fringes of the church, all the people wrestling with their faith. They will find no rest, no peace, no serenity, until they find it in Jesus. The hole in our hearts is a God-shaped divot only Christ can fill. Knowing Christ in that way made the Ethiopian Eunuch feel serene and whole in a way he had never experienced before. Christ transformed his life.
They came to water and the Ethiopian Eunuch asked Philip to baptize him. Philip didn’t delay. He didn’t prescribe several months of classes. He didn’t make him memorize anything. Philip baptized him immediately. Now, I think Christian Education is very important. Every Christian should make learning more about Christ and his church a lifelong endeavor. But making it the basic requirements for the Baptism of an adult are relatively minimal yet infinitely profound.
Anyone who honestly professes belief in the Triune God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and confesses Christ as his or her Savior, is a candidate for Baptism. Instruction in church polity and structure can come later. Priority #1 is for us to go forth into all the world making disciples, teaching them to obey God’s commands, and baptizing them in God’s Holy Name.
The story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch shows us that the Good News of Jesus Christ is for people of all nations and races – even eunuchs, and even the people of North America! It may surprise us to know that the Christian church was well established in Ethiopia centuries before Christianity came to Europe and then later North America. About 60 percent of Ethiopians today are Christian, with the majority of them belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which is very similar to the Coptic Church in Egypt.
Lutheran missionaries went into Ethiopia more than 100 years ago and began a church now known as the Mekane Yesus which means “The Place of Jesus.” This Ethiopian Lutheran denomination has more than 5.6 million members today – more than double the number of members in our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Imagine that! And Mekane Yesus is the fastest growing church in world. Someday they will be sending missionaries to us.
Like Philip being called to witness to the Ethiopian Eunuch, we never know where the Lord might call us to go or why. Yet, when we trust him, and love our neighbors, great things can happen, people can find the peace and serenity in Christ they have been looking for… as happened with the Ethiopian Eunuch… as it is happening in the Mekane Yesus in Ethiopia today… as can happen in your life right now. Amen.
Stand
Nicene Creed
C 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 T of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God, Your only Son came in the flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. Protect us from all false teaching and the spirit of the Antichrist, that we may always confess Christ to be our only true God and remain faithful to Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You have grafted us onto the vine of Your Son. Prune us and cut off from us all sin and dead works, that we may always draw life from Your Son and produce the fruits of faith and good works. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, give health and guidance to all in authority, that they may serve honorably and in accord with Your good order. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, You hear and answer Your children in their hour of need. [Give aid to _____________.] Grant that they would bear their crosses with faith, ever looking to You, and so fix their hearts where true joy is found. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Father, You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Hear and answer our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, and Your saints shall bless You; for You live and reign with the Holy Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen.
Sit
Offertory Invitation
Remembering the words of our Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Let us give now with joy and thanksgiving our gifts, tithes and offerings to the Lord.
The Choir sings the Offertory as the offerings are collected.
Stand
Offertory LSB 192
C Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
God our Father, on this holy day [in this holy season] you give us the joy of recalling the rising of Christ to new life. Accept the offerings of your people and by these Easter mysteries, bring us to the glory of the Resurrection. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
Preface
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Proper Preface
P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God. And most especially are we bound to praise You on this day for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us and bore the sins of the world. By His dying He has destroyed death, and by His rising again He has restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, and with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus
C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Words of Our Lord
P On the night, in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same also, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Lord's Prayer Invitation
By our Lord's command we are bold to pray. . .
Lord's Prayer
C
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.
Fraction
P: When we eat this bread, we share the body of Christ. When we drink from this cup, we share the blood of Christ.
C: Reveal yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of bread as once you revealed yourself to your Apostles. Amen.
Agnus Dei
C Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
Sit
The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:
Distribution 164
The body of Christ, given for you.
Amen.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Amen.
Stand
In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:
The Dismissal
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart Tin peace.
C Amen.
Thank the Lord
C Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev’ryone what He has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.
Post-Communion Prayer
P Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Benediction
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and to give you peace.
C Amen.
861 Christ Be My Leader LSB 861
1
Christ
be my Leader by night as by day;
Safe
through the darkness, for He is the way.
Gladly
I follow, my future His care,
Darkness
is daylight when Jesus is there.
2
Christ
be my Teacher in age as in youth,
Drifting
or doubting, for He is the truth.
Grant
me to trust Him; though shifting as sand,
Doubt
cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand.
3
Christ
be my Savior in calm as in strife;
Death
cannot hold me, for He is the life.
Nor
darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain
Can
touch my salvation: with Jesus I reign.
Text:
Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1926
Text:
© 1964,
renewed
1992 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB
Hymn License no.
110004199
CLOSING RESPONSE
P Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!
C Praise be to God!
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.