RUSHFORD LUTHERAN CHURCH
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 27 & 28, 2025
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Led by: Pastor Steve Chellew
Scripture Reader 8:00 AM: Carol Jeffers | 9:15 AM: Lisa Chellew
Organist 8:00 & 9:15 AM: Portia Lee
Projectionist 8:00 AM: Becky Stocker | 9:15 AM: Sandy Rasmussen
Videographer 9:15 AM: Jeremy Tesch
Ushers 8:00 AM: Dale Evavold, Brendon Honken | 9:15 AM: Milford Paulson, Lowell Rasmussen
Altar Guild: Joyce Miller, Deb Heiden, Kathy Ingram
(9:15 AM SERVICE IS LIVE STREAMED ON YOU TUBE.)
MONDAY COFFEE HOUSE WORSHIP
5:30 PM Led by: Pastor Steve Chellew; Pianist: Portia Lee
PRESERVICE MUSIC Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Driftless Revival
(Cat Minor & Scott Nielsen)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MILESTONE MOMENT Books of the Bible
Fifth & Sixth Grade Students
GREETING ONE ANOTHER
OPENING HYMN (Please remain standing)
I Know that My Redeemer Lives!
Reclaim 274, vs. 1-4
I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head!
He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, throned above;
He lives to rule his Church in love.
He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Seek the Lord and His strength;
People: Seek His presence continually!
Pastor: The Lord remembers His covenant forever,
People: The word that He commanded, for a thousand generations.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Pastor: Merciful Lord, almighty Father,
People: 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.
Pastor: 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.
People: 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.
(Silence is kept for meditation and reflection.)
Pastor: 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.
People: Amen.
Pastor: He who began this good work within you will bring it to completion on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you.
People: Amen.
RESPONSIVE PSALM Psalm 148 (ESV)
Pastor: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
People: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
Pastor: Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
People: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Pastor: Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created.
People: And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Pastor: Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,
People: Fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Pastor: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
People: Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
Pastor: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
People: Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Pastor: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
People: He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!
SPECIAL MUSIC Running to You (Matt 10:26)
Driftless Revival
(Cat Minor & Scott Nielsen)
FIRST LESSON Acts 5:12-20 (ESV)
Lector: A reading from the book of Acts, chapter five, verses twelve to twenty.
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE Revelation 1:4-18 (ESV)
Lector: A reading from the book of Revelation, chapter one, verses four to eighteen.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HOLY GOSPEL (Please stand) John 20:19-31 (ESV)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
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.” 20 When 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.
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
CONFESSION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
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 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.
HYMN OF THE DAY Because He Lives
Reclaim 204
God sent his son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because he lives I can face tomorrow;
Because he lives all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because he lives.
How sweet to hold a new-born baby,
And feel the pride, and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm as-sur-ance,
This child can face uncertain days because he lives.
Because he lives I can face tomorrow;
Because he lives all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because he lives.
And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s fi-nal war with pain;
And then as death gives way to vict’ry.
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know he lives.
Because he lives I can face tomorrow;
Because he lives all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because he lives.
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The Church Obeys God Rather Than Men
Acts 5:12-32 (ESV)
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE (Please stand)
Pastor: As we pray today, we join together in singing our praise to the God we pray to. Prayer responses are the remaining verses of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”
Pastor: Grant us grace, O Lord, that we may not give in to temptation and doubt but with confidence confess the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection, and through our confession bless those who hear us. Hear us now, as we sing your praise:
He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.
Pastor: Grant us courage, O Lord, that we may not fear along the way but daily become bolder by the power of the Spirit to speak the name of Jesus and to live as His own in His kingdom here and in heaven forevermore. Hear us now, as we sing your praise:
He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King!
Pastor: Grant us peace, O Lord, that having full confidence in Your loving care, we may neither be distracted by cares or struggles of this life nor succumb to a suspicious heart, but daily grow closer to You through Your Word and live according to Your will. Hear us now, as we sing your praise:
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
Pastor: Grant us healing, O Lord, that those who suffer may place all things into Your almighty arms, and, as You have promised, be kept to the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. We remember today….that they may abide in Christ by faith until we all behold You face to face. Hear us now as we sing your praise:
He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Pastor: Grant us life, O Lord, that we may be kept by Your grace and Spirit that through the days of our trouble and by the merits of Christ alone we receive Your salvation, dwelling among the saints on high even as we rest from all our labors. Into your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.
BENEDICTION (Psalm 121:7-8)
Pastor: The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
People: Amen.
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
CLOSING HYMN (Be seated) Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!
Reclaim 158
Good Chris-tian friends, re-joice and sing!
Now is the tri-umph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia!
The Lord of life is ris’n this day;
Bring flow’rs of song to strew his way;
Let all the world re-joice and say:
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia!
Praise we in songs of vic-to-ry
That love, that life which can-not die,
And sing with hearts up-lift-ed high:
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia!
Your name we bless, O ris-en Lord,
And sing today with one ac-cord,
The life laid down, the life re-stored:
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia!
OFFERING THANK YOU FOR WORSHIPPING WITH US TODAY
All songs and hymns CCLI 11170614. Parts of the liturgy © Creative Worship, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO, 1994 to today; or © Lutheran Book of Worship, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN, 1978, or © Reclaim Resources, St. Paul, MN, 2013 Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following individuals have requested prayer:
Family of Scott Bestul, Family of Chris Hoiland (Mary & Phil Hoiland’s son), Dorothy Wunderlich, Esther Sorum, Ilene Larson, Emily Heiden-Michaelis, Jacob Welti (Marlene Boehmke’s son), Sharon Erickson, Marlys Johnson, Arlene Wenzel, Deanna Stennes, Corrine Hill
Prayer Concerns: Please contact Pastor Steve by emailing steve.chellew@gmail.com or calling 507.703.1221. You may also call the church office at 507-864-7152
Thank You: To all who put in extra time last Sunday making Easter a very special day, including our worship servers, altar guild, and Easter breakfast cooks/cleanup. Proceeds from the Easter brunch will be going to the Stained Glass Fund. If you ordered a lily or hydrangea, they may be picked up at any time.
Rushford Flower Baskets will soon be placed in the planters out front. Those wanting to contribute to the planter fund may drop their contribution off at the church office. This may be done in celebration of any event or person in your life. Each planter is $55.00.
Royal Ball for Children: May the fourth be with you! May 4th, 3:00-5:00 PM here at RLC. Children of all ages are invited to attend the Royal Ball! Dress up as your favorite character, and spend the day dancing with Princesses, playing games, and much more!
Fillmore County Cattlemen’s Dinner: will be held at RLC 4:30-6:00 PM on Sunday, May 4th in conjunction with the Royal Ball. The $15 meal includes a ribeye steak sandwich, chips, coleslaw, brownie & water. Carryout only. Tickets are available in advance from youth families or on rlcyouth.ludus.com. Proceeds support RLC Youth activities.
CALENDAR
SUNDAY, APRIL 27 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
8:00 AM & 9:15 AM Worship service
Coffee served by Hannah Circle-Fellowship Hall
10:15 AM NO Adult Bible Study
10:15 AM Sunday School
11:15 AM Praise Team
2:00 PM Rite of Confirmation – Worship Service
5:30 PM Jr. Youth Group
6:30 PM Youth Group
MONDAY, APRIL 28
5:30 PM Coffee House Worship
6:30 PM Building Committee Meeting
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
9:00 AM Men’s Helping Hands & Ladies Mission Work
5:00 PM Choir Practice
SUNDAY, MAY 4 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
8:00 AM & 9:15 AM Worship service w/Communion
Coffee served by Martha Circle-Fellowship Hall
10:15 AM Adult Bible Study
10:15 AM Sunday School
11:15 AM Praise Team
3:00 to 5:00 PM Royal Ball for Children
4:30 to 6:00 PM Fillmore County Cattlemen’s Dinner