Grace Lutheran Church
Proclaiming the grace of Christ in Word and Sacrament
Second Sunday of Easter
✠ April 12th, 2026 ✠
3410 Community Church Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
Second Sunday of Easter
April 12th, 2026
Our service begins with the ringing of bells. Please stand, as you are able, as indicated by *
* Hymn: “Hallelujah! Jesus Lives” LBW #147
* Confession & Forgiveness
P: In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit
C: Amen. Matthew 28:19
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify Your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord:
C: Amen
P: Beloved in the Lord: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. 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. 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 name. Amen.
P: Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, and for His sake, He forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
C: Amen John 20:22
* Introit
P: As newborn babes, | alleluia*
Long for the pure milk without guile, alleluia, | alleluia.
Hear, O my people, and I will testify to you,*
O Israel, if you will heark |-en to Me.
Sing aloud to | God our strength*
Make a joyful noise to the | God of Jacob.
C: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the | Holy Spirit,*
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- | ver, Amen
P: P: As newborn babes, | alleluia*
Long for the pure milk without guile, alleluia, | alleluia.
Hear, O my people, and I will testify to you,
O Israel, if you will heark |-en to Me.
1 Peter 2:2; Psalm 81
* Kyrie (chanted)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy Mark 10:47
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
* Hymn of Praise
P: This is the feast of victory for our God, Alleluia!
C: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia!
Sing with all the people of God,
And join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever, Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia, alleluia. Revelation 5:12-14
* Collect of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you. Ruth 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:22
P: Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord’s Resurrection, may, by the help of Your grace, bring forth fruits in our life and conversation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.Amen. John 15:5; Colossians 1:10
The First Lesson: Acts 5:29-42
29 Peter and the apostles answered {the high priest and the council}, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to 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.” 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 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. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 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. 37 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. 38 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; 39 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, 40 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. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalm 148
1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord | from the heavens;*
Praise him | in the heights.
2 Praise him, all you an- | gels of his;*
praise him, | all his host.
3 Praise him, | sun and moon;*
Praise him, all you | shining stars.
4 Praise him, heav- | en of heavens,*
And you waters a- | bove the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name | of the Lord;*
For he commanded, and they | were created.
6 He made them stand fast forev- | er and ever;*
He gave them a law which shall not | pass away.
7 Praise the Lord | from the earth,*
You sea monsters | and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, | snow and fog,*
Tempestuous wind, do- | ing his will;
9 Mountains | and all hills,*
Fruit trees | and all cedars;
10 Wild beasts | and all cattle,*
Creeping things and | winged birds;
11 Kings of the earth | and all peoples,*
Princes and all rulers | of the world;
12 Young | men and maidens,*
Old and | young together.
13 Let them praise the name | of the Lord,*
For his name only is exalted, his splendor is over | earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his | loyal servants,*
Fhe children of Israel, a people who are near him. | Hallelujah!
All: Glory to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the | Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- | ver, Amen.
P: O God, You gave Your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by His glorious Resurrection You delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live forever with Him in the joy of His Resurrection, Amen.
The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 1:3-9
3 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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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. 8 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, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Please stand as you are able for the Holy Gospel
* Gospel Acclamation
All: Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia John 6:68
* Gospel Hymn: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today…” (verses 1-2) LBW #128
A: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Saint John.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
* The Holy Gospel: John 24:36-44
19 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.” 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And 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 withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, 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 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.” 26 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.” 27 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.” 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 believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 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.
A: This is the Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ
* Gospel Hymn: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today…” (verses 3-4) LBW #128
You may be seated
Naomi’s Heart Mission Collection
Children’s Message
The Sermon Rev. Matt Knuppel
* The Votum
P: May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
C: Amen Philippians 4:7
* Hymn: “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here” LBW #187
Holy Baptism of Sonny Chapman
Please remain standing, if able.
P: In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: In Holy Baptism, our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death, joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.
Sponsor: I present Sonny Chapman to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
P: In Christian love, you have presented Sonny for Holy Baptism. You should therefore faithfully care for him and help him in every way as God gives you opportunity, that he may bear witness to the faith we profess, and that, living in the covenant of his Baptism and in communion with the Church, Sonny may lead a godly live until the day of Jesus Christ. Do you promise to fulfill these obligations?
Sponsor & Congregation: I do.
The Prayers of the Church begin.
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer
After the Prayers:
P: The Lord be with you
C: And also with you
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise
P: Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment, You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy, You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry land, a foreshadow of this washing in Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood, and a lavish washing away of sin. We pray that You would behold Sonny according to Your boundless mercy, and bless him with true faith by the Holy Spirit that, through this saving flood, all sin in him would be drowned and die. Grant that he be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, he would be declared worthy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen. 1 Peter 3:20-22; 1 Corinth. 10:1-3; Mark 1:9-11
P: I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church, the faith in which we baptize. Do you renounce all the forces of evil?
Sponsor: Yes, I renounce them.
P: Do you renounce the devil?
Sponsor: Yes, I renounce him.
P: Do you renounce all his empty promises?
Sponsor: Yes, I renounce them.
P: Hear the word of our Lord Jesus Christ when he says:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
And again:
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16
The Apostles Creed
Do you believe in God the Father?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
P: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
All: I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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.
P: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
All: I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy, catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Baptism
P: Sonny, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
P: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you.
P: 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 new life through this Holy Sacrament. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon Sonny; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in Your presence. Titus 3:5-6; Isaiah 11:2
The Anointing with Oil
P: Sonny, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen. Ephesians 1:13-14
The Lighting of the Baptismal Candle
P: Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Amen Matthew 5:16
P: O God, the giver of all life, look with kindness upon Colton and Jenna, the mother and father of this new saint. Let them ever rejoice in the gift of life that you have given them. Make them teachers and examples of righteousness for Sonny. Strengthen them in their own Baptism, so they may share eternally with Sonny in your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
A: Through Baptism, God has made this new brother a member of the priesthood we all share in Christ Jesus, that we may proclaim the praise of God and bear his creative and redeeming Word to all the world. 1 Peter 2:9
C: We welcome you, Sonny, into the Lord’s family. We receive you as fellow members of the body of Christ, children of the same heavenly Father, and workers with us in the kingdom of God.
The Peace concludes the Service of Holy Baptism
* The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you. John 20:19
Members of the gathered assembly are invited to greet one another, saying: “Peace be with you.”
Offertory
After the gifts have been collected from the assembly, please stand.
All: Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, Isaiah 27:2
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather the harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life. John 6:35
Gather the hopes and dreams of all,
Unite them with our prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
And give us a foretaste of the feast to come. Revelation 19:9
* Eucharistic Liturgy
P: Let us pray: Merciful Father…
C: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
* The Great Thanksgiving
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
P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Isaiah 6:3
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9
*The Words of Institution
P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father…For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
C: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Matthew 26:26-28
P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup, we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast. Revelation 19:9
C: Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection, that we who receive the Lord’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light. Colossians 1:19
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Hebrews 4:14
* Doxology
P: Through Him, with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, Almighty Father, now and forever,
C: Amen. John 14:6
* The 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. Matthew 6:9-13
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, grant us peace. John 1:29
All who are baptized and share in our confession that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are invited to the altar with us. After receiving the bread, those who wish to dip the bread into the wine may proceed to the right chalice; those who wish to drink from the common cup may proceed to the left chalice.
Anyone is welcome to come forward with their arms folded to receive a blessing from the minister.
After the celebration of Holy Communion, the minister will ask the assembly to stand
P: May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen
*Post-Communion Canticle
C: Thank the Lord and sing His praise
Tell everyone what He has done
Let everyone who seeks 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
P: Let us pray…through Jesus Christ our Lord:
C: Amen
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* The Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen Numbers 6:24-26
* Exit Hymn: “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen” WOV #674
* Dismissal
A: Go in peace, serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Altar flowers are given in honor of the Baptism of Sonny Chapman
And to the glory of God.
Welcome to our Visitors!
Grace Lutheran Church welcomes you this morning! We value families with children and encourage you to worship together; if you would like assistance during the sermon, we have volunteers who will be happy to take your child to a Nursery Area following the Children’s Message, they will return your child to you in the sanctuary just before Holy Communion. Please fill out a Visitor Connect card, these are found either on the entrance table or in the pew rack in front of you. Completed cards should be placed in the offering plate and will be collected with the offering today.
Sunday School
All are welcome to attend the adult Sunday School class before worship beginning at 8:45. We are currently studying Early Church History.
Holy Communion
Those who are baptized and believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation, are welcome to the Lord’s Table with their baptized children, regardless of age. Please let the Pastor know that you wish to receive this gift of life by holding out your open hands. If you desire to drink the wine from the common cup, please proceed to the left chalice after receiving the wafer. If you prefer to dip the wafer into the wine, please proceed to the right chalice after receiving the wafer. All are welcome to come forward for a blessing. The sign for a blessing is folded hands.
Disciples in Service today, April 12th
Ushers: Thierry Amar, John Kollmeyer
Pianist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Marsha Maxey
Acolyte: William Roberts Crucifer: Art Peters
Servers: Dena Anderson, Sherry Hurst
Altar Guild: Greta Roberts
Disciples in Service next Sunday, April 19th
Ushers: Ashley Hurst, Rik Maxey
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Doro Clapper
Acolyte: Roman Hurst Crucifer: Ruby Hurst
Servers: Nicole Hurst, Laura Knuppel
Altar Guild: Carla Lynch