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“Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church is an open, welcoming and affirming community, fulfilling God’s vision of a world

where peace, love, and justice become a reality for all."

Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church Dillon, Colorado April 12, 2020

Easter Sunday

The Feast of the Resurrection

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The Lighting of the Pascal Candle

Pastor: Alleluia, Christ is risen! 3x All: Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia! 3x

Opening Hymn Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztugxIfwP4c

Invitation to the Easter JOY (Excerpts from John Chrysostom’s Easter Sermon ca.400 AD)

(Let us listen to ancient piety and faith at the Joy of the Resurrection in the voice of a monk who spent two years in a cave studying the Scriptures. He includes absolutely everyone in this JOY)

Pastor: Are here any who are devout lovers of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Are here any who are grateful servants? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Those who are first and those who are last receive your reward; Rich and poor, rejoice together Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, And you that have not, Rejoice today for the Table is richly filled, Feast royally on it!

Let no one go hungry Partake all of the cup of faith, Enjoy all the riches of God’s goodness.

Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it. He destroyed Hell when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

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Isaiah foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below." Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting? O hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is risen and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is liberated!

To him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen

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Children’s Time: Bringing Out the Alleluia Banner and the Story of the Red Easter Eggs.

Prayer of the Day

Pastor: Let us pray: All: God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of all Life. Give us the courage, strength and wisdom to model a new life to a world hungering for Resurrection. Amen.

Lector: Let us hear the Spirit’s Voice speak today

First Reading From Mary Oliver, a modern day psalmist

Some Questions You Might Ask at Easter Time

Is the soul solid, like iron? Or is it tender and breakable, like the wings of a moth in the beak of the owl? Who has it, and who doesn’t? I keep looking around me. The face of the moose is as sad as the face of Jesus. The swan opens her white wings slowly. In the fall, the black bear carries leaves into the darkness. One question leads to another. Does it have a shape? Like an iceberg? Like the eye of a hummingbird? Does it have one lung, like the snake and the scallop? Why should I have it, and not the anteater who loves her children? Why should I have it, and not the camel? Come to think of it, what about the maple trees?

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Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

Pastor: The gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon The Resurrection of All Creation and All Humanity Pastor Liliana Stahlberg

Hymn of the Day Thine Is the Glory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG3OZoSXmt0

Prayers for the people of God

Pastor: With the people of God gathered here and throughout the world, we offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation. Pastor: Lord in your compassion, All: Hear our prayers!

Sharing of the Peace

Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you always! All: And also with you! Pastor: Let’s share Christ’s peace with one another.

Offering We are now invited to praise God with our offering! If you feel so inclined, please send us a check at P.O. Box 1059, Dillon, CO, 80435. Or give online with Zelle. We anticipate a church closure until May 10th. Our church will be hurting not only spiritually but also financially.

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What about the blue iris? What about all the little stones, sitting alone in the moonlight? What about roses, and lemons, and their shining leaves? What about the grass?

Second Reading Galatians 3: 23-29

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Je-sus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs ac-cording to the promise.

Lector: Hear the Spirit’s voice speak today. All: Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation The Easter with Joy Was Bright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJn1CfJVjEM

And now, please stand to welcome the Gospel

Gospel Pastor: The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 28th chapter All: Glory to you O Lord.

After the sabbath, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the wom-en, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was cruci-fied. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

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The Great Thanksgiving

Pastor: May the God of Life and Resurrection be with you! All: And also with you! Pastor: Lift up your hearts! All: We lift them up to the one who can bring life even out of death. Pastor: Let us praise God! All: We give thanks for who we are and, by the grace of God, are becoming.

Words of Institution In the night before he was crucified Jesus had a Passover meal with his friends. And he took the bread, he gave thanks, and then broke it, and gave it to his disciple saying, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me. Again after supper he took the cup, he gave thanks and gave it for all to drink saying, “this is the new covenant in my blood shed for you and for all people; do this in remembrance of me. Send now the power of your holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Lord’s Prayer (congregation may join hands)

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.

Sending Hymn Crown Him With Many Crowns

https://youtu.be/qdK4lzg8gsU

A BLESSED, JOYOUS EASTER WITH HOPE FOR A RESURRECTED HUMANITY

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Welcome to Lord of the Mountains

We rejoice that diversity in God’s creation enriches, nurtures and challenges our life and ministry

as followers of Jesus and as servants in the world.

Because we believe with Jesus that God’s grace is truly amazing, we are committed to welcoming all people to this place…

no matter where you come from, no matter what age, race, socio-economic or family status,

no matter what gender identity or sexual orientation, no matter what your faith tradition or theological beliefs.

Grace is for everyone or it isn’t grace. It’s that simple.

It’s that amazing.

In the spirit of the Reformation, Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church continually seeks meaningful ways of expressing our commitment

to the life and teachings of Jesus.

We do this by… -welcoming all people to full participation in our community offaith.-recognizing there are many ways to God.-striving to be compassionate toward all of creation.-aspiring to live what we believe.-respecting diversity of thought and opinion.-working for peace and justice for all people and all creation.-committing ourselves to serving others.