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April 28, 2019 • 8:15am

WELCOME TO ELK RIVER LUTHERAN CHURCH!

We are a forward-thinking congregation, striving to create

community that brings joy and hope. Worshipping together since

December 2009, we believe that all people are welcome in the

Lord’s house, to hear the Word, share the Sacraments, and

become strengthened for the life of faith.

We encourage everyone to take a moment to sign the worship

registration slip and place it in the offering plate.

We hope and pray you have a wonderful worship experience here

today and invite you to join us again

PARENTS

We welcome kids with their wiggles and noises in worship. We are

also aware that as a parent, time away from wiggles and noises

can be a blessing too. You will find our staffed nursery (For

children 5 and under) in the far corner of the fellowship hall.

Whether you have been coming for years or this is your first time,

our LiFT! Family Sunday School is open to all families. Focus is for

kids preschool to 6th grade. Grandparents with their grandkids are

also encouraged to join us at LiFT! It meets between services

downstairs in the community room.

The Gathering of God’s People WELCOME SHARING OF JOKES (AND PEACE) The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. CALL TO WORSHIP Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed. Let us rejoice! Let us celebrate with holy humor. Let us laugh, let us dance, let us sing praises of joy! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! GATHERING SONG:

(#373) “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” v1, 3 & 6

to the tune of “Angels We Have Heard on High” 1 "Christ the Lord is ris'n today!" All on earth with angels say; raise your joys and triumphs high; sing, O heav'ns; and earth, reply 3 Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Christ has burst the gates of hell. Death in vain forbids his rise; Christ has opened paradise.

6 King of glory, soul of bliss, everlasting life is this: thee to know, thy pow'r to prove, thus to sing, and thus to love! Confession and Forgiveness

P: In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the

Holy Spirit. All: Amen. P: None of us likes to look foolish, but which is sillier? Chasing after the world and all its gaudy trinkets which flatter our souls, or being a 'fool for Christ', imitating him in service to others, offering ourselves in love and joy to the world? Let us confess to God the foolish choices we make each and every day, All: You know better than we do, Amused God, what important people we believe we are. Believing we have to be serious all the time, we miss out on the joy of your creation. Choosing to feast on the pain of the world, we skip the picnic offered in paradise. Clinging to the despair which is our best friend, we ignore Jesus.. P: The Gospels tell us over and over again of the joy which comes to us through Christ. Through Jesus lives are changed, sins are forgiven, the sick are healed, the sorrowful begin to laugh with joy. The dead are raised to life. The good news is that this joy is now given to us.

All: Ha, ha, ha! We are loved by God! We are forgiven by God! Death will not have the last laugh with us! Amen! P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All: And also with you! Song of Praise (p. 140) “This is the Feast” 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. PRAYER OF THE DAY: Let us pray. O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. JOKE SHARING TIME READINGS

Psalm 118:14-29 14The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation. 15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly! 16The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!” 17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 18The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death.

19Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. 20“This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.” 21I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation. 22The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25Hosanna! O Lord, save us! We pray to you, Lord, prosper our days! 26Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27The Lord is God and has given us light. Form a procession with branches up to the corners of the altar. 28You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.

Psalm 150 1Hallelujah! Praise God in the holy temple; praise God in the mighty firmament. 2Praise God for mighty acts; praise God for exceeding greatness. 3Praise God with trumpet sound;

praise God with lyre and harp. 4Praise God with tambourine and dance; praise God with strings and pipe. 5Praise God with resounding cymbals; praise God with loud clanging cymbals. 6Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Hallelujah! Please stand for the Gospel GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (p.142) Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia. The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. Gospel: John 20:19-31 19

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and

stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20

After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then

the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father

has sent me, so I send you.” 22

When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy

Spirit. 23

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the

twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my

hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and

stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do

not doubt but believe.” 28

Thomas answered him, “My

Lord and my God!” 29

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ CHILDREN’S MESSAGE SERMON PASTOR NATHAN MUGAAS

HYMN OF THE DAY: “When We Are Tempted” to the tune of "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

VERSE 1 When we are tempted in our pride to dizzy heights of sin, beneath our feet, O Lord, provide a ripe banana skin, and when we yearn at someone’s head to let a brickbat fly, give us the grace to use instead a well-aimed custard pie…. VERSE 2 When cherished institutions stand before your throne of grace, with good intentions in each hand and egg on every face, teach us to query grand designs with laughter born of tears, for deep in earth’s jam-butty mines your rainbow still appears… APOSTLES’ CREED: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. 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. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION-BIDDING PRAYER Each prayer petition ends with a time for silent prayer and reflection, and then the following call and response: Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. OFFERING OF JOKES OFFERTORY PRAYER: Let us pray, God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you.

And also, with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY 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. WORDS OF INSTITUTION: P In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. 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

COMMUNION INVITATION LAMB OF GOD (p. 146) 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.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION COMMUNION SONG (#631) “Love Divine, All Love Excelling” 1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav'n, to earth come down! Fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation, enter ev'ry trembling heart. 2 Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit into ev'ry troubled breast; let us all in thee inherit; let us find thy promised rest. Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty. 3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive; suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love. 4 Finish then thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be; let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee! Changed from glory into glory, till in heav'n we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!

COMMUNION SONG (#379) “Now the Green Blade Rises” 1 Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, wheat that in dark earth many days has lain; love lives again, that with the dead has been; love is come again like wheat arising green. 2 In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain, thinking that he would never wake again; laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen; love is come again like wheat arising green. 3 Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain, he that for three days in the grave had lain; raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen; love is come again like wheat arising green. 4 When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, your touch can call us back to life again, fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; love is come again like wheat arising green. Communion Blessing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God's grace. Amen. Communion Prayer Let us pray.

Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS BLESSING OF CONGREGATION The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor

and ☩ give you peace.

Amen. SENDING HYMN “Joy to the World” (Easter Version) VERSE 1 Joy to the world! The Lord’s alive, Awake, rejoice and sing! It’s just as He had said, He’s risen from the dead. Salvation now He brings, Salvation now He brings, Salvation, salvation, now He brings.

VERSE 2 Joy to the world! The empty tomb, Proclaims a victory. Of light compelling, A great dispelling Of darkness in the world, Of darkness in the world, Of darkness, of darkness in the world.

VERSE 3 Joy to the world, our Savior reigns, Let Heaven and Earth proclaim

The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love.

Sending Dialog P: Go in peace. Share the Good News! All: We will! Thanks be to God!

About Holy Humor Sunday….

Holy Humor Sunday is a tradition that goes way back. The early Greek Christians started this

Easter custom as a way of celebrating Christ’s resurrection. The Bible tells us “for every-thing

there is a season… a time to weep and a time to laugh.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4) Easter is a time of

joy when we can even laugh in the face of death, because of Jesus’s victory over death.

History tells us that churches in 15th century Bavaria celebrated the Sunday after Easter as

Risus Paschalis (“God’s Joke” or “the Easter Laugh”). Priests would tell jokes and funny stories

to highlight the joy of the resurrection. Following worship churchgoers and priests would play

practical jokes on each other, drench each other with water, tell more jokes, sing and

dance. The celebration of Risus Paschalis was officially outlawed by Pope Clement X (also

known as Pope Party-pooper) in the 17th century. There wasn’t a theological problem with the

tradition, it seems that revilers were just having a little too much fun. We hope today’s worship is

a fun and reverent celebration of Easter. God raised Jesus from the dead, this is a cause to

celebrate and laugh.

Greeters: Florence and Myron Grams Ushers: Jane and Chuck Cazett Lector: Jim Hecker Musicians: Bea Bastyr Audio Visual: Communion Steward: Vicki Simpson Communion Servers: Marlys and Cedric Olson, Babs Armagost Basket Holders: Audrey and Katherine Horner Communion Setup before and after service

Adam and Kelli Horner

Mid-Week Communion Fill: Shirley Schmidt Hospitality Coordinator: Peg Davies

Powered by Love Sermon Series May 5 We are neighbors helping neighbors. May 12 There’s no place like home. May 19 Love is where the story begins.(Block Party) May 26 Remember. June 2 Every exit is also an entrance. June 9 Love is lit! June 16 Empowered by Love

Praise the Lord (joys and answered

prayers):

• Thank you for welcoming my daughter and her family (Lizette Goddard)

In Sorrow:

• Bernard & Joy Wilkinson in the death of Mother

• Family and friends of Joe Demars who lost his battle with cancer. Joe is uncle to Jeremy and Jodie.

• Family of Douglas Brown, grandpa of Gabby Klinkenborg

• Family of Ron Stricker in the death of his mother Mary Stricker

For Support:

• All Military Personnel and their families

• Jonas Maher has navy boot camp graduation April 26th then reports to Nuclear Tech School in Charleston SC

• Get Adam Giddings to Bethel University

Health concerns:

• Carol Sindelir

• Steve Lindberg, continued recovery

• LeRoy Wegscheid

• Gary Ristau, battling cancer

• Hazel Norris

• Erich VanRyn

• John Ernst

• Joan Campbell

• Sharyn Mayer, Knee replacement on 3/27 followed by hip and back therapy

• Pat Hansen

• Gigi, daughter of Marsha Emmons home from the hospital, still in need of healing prayer.

• Janet Slam, CA Treatment

• Beverly Burtness

• David Preston, grandson of Sue Hales

• Jack Hales, brother-in-law of Sue Hales

• Pat Hansen

• Ruth Lemke, cardiac

• Gene Conley

• Kyle Tonsager

• Kathy Dahl, knee replacement

• Jessica Finseth, healing in treatment

• Neal Gilb

• Nancy Pennington, healing from shoulder surgery

Prayer Concerns: can be shared by writing it on your registration slip, contacting the church office at (763) 595-1216 or by visiting the church website at

www.elkriverlutheran.org/prayer-concerns

Generally, names will run for 3 weeks. If more time is needed, please call the church office

THIS WEEK

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VARTY’S ANNUAL YOUTH FUNDRAISER

Sunday, May 5 – 5-7PM

Varty’s Greenhouse

13192 192nd Ave NW

Elk River

SUNDAY Holy Humor Sunday

8:15am – Traditional Service 9:20am – LiFT! Family Sunday School (Community Room) 9:20am – Special Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary) 10:30am – Contemporary Worship 11:30am – Prayground Team Meeting

MONDAY 6:30pm – Riverside Ringers (Handbell) Rehearsal

TUESDAY 9:30am – Quilting 9:30am – Bible Study with Pastor on Next Week’s Readings 3:30pm – VBS Meeting

WEDNESDAY 6:00pm ANF Rehearsal 6:30pm – Confirmation 6:30pm – Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm – 5 Youth Group

THURSDAY 6:30pm – Worship Band Rehearsal 7:00pm – The Way Out (AA)

SATURDAY 8:00am – Men’s Bible Study 9:00am – Feed My Starving Children Packing Event

NEXT SUNDAY 8:15am – Traditional Service 9:20am – “Love without Limits” Book Study (2nd Floor) 9:20am – LiFT! Family Sunday School 9:20am – Worship Band Rehearsal 10:30am – Contemporary Worship 11:45am – Special Events Team Meeting 5:00pm – Varty’s Annual Greenhouse Youth Fundraiser

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday April 28 at 9:30 AM

The Elk River Lutheran Church

Council is excited to be taking

initial steps toward launching a

capital appeal later this year.

We want to share with you the

steps that have already been

taken, and we want to invite you

to get involved in this exciting

process.

FAMILY VBS

June 24 – 27 6pm – 8pm

5:30-6:00pm Dinner

$10 per child

Register at bit.ly/erlcvbs

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN PACKING EVENT

Saturday May 4

9 AM – 11 AM

70 Spots Available

Contact Martha Herbert or sign up in Fellowship Hall

“Love without Limits” Book Study By Jacqueline A. Bussie Sunday mornings May 5 & 12 and June 2 & 9

Meeting during the coffee hour: 9:20 am to 10:20 am

SENIOR SUNDAY

June 2nd – Both Services

A chance for us to recognize and bless our senior graduates

STAFF

Pastor: Nathan Mugaas 763-242-8347

pastornathan@elkriverlutheran.org

Minister of Congregational Care

and Discipleship Jeremy Hallquist

612-201-6382 jeremy@elkriverlutheran.org

Director of Music Ministry:

Taylor Quinn 816-519-2719

taylor@elkriverlutheran.org

Music Leader: Bea Bastyr BeaBastyr@gmail.com

Director of Children, Youth & Family:

Martha Herbert 763-595-1216

martha@elkriverlutheran.org

Office Manager: Linda Nielsen

763-595-1216 linda@elkriverlutheran.org

Bookkeeper: Lori Sundman

763-595-1216

ERLCBookkeeper@gmail.com

Custodian: Brian Harding

Nursery Attendants:

Sonja Tesdahl & David McFarlane

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL President: John Natwick Vice President: Mark Schwarze Secretary: Kari Christianson Treasurer: Jennifer Stanley John Auel Sarah Chur Jodie Dahlheimer Ryan Herbert Brian McFarlane Michele Smith

LAST WEEK UPDATE

Avg Weekly Giving Needed:$ 9,200 Received Last Week: $21,822

Monthly Total: $35,505

Online giving: bit.ly/erlcgive Worship Attendance: Maundy Thursday: 133 Good Friday: 127 Easter 8:15am: 234 Easter 10:30am: 297

Please Recycle Me!

Elk River Lutheran Church 729 Main Street – Elk River, MN 55330

(763) 595-1216 www.elkriverlutheran.org

Office Hours

Church Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 am – 4 pm; Fri Closed