• Skip to main content

Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

People of Grace in the Inland Empire

  • About
    • What We Believe
    • Staff
    • Connect
      • Events and News
      • Sunday School
        • Children Sunday School
      • Blog
  • Worship
    • Worship Videos
    • Listen
      • Youth Sunday School
  • Give
  • Preschool
  • VBS 2025

Second Sunday of Easter April 16,2023

April 13, 2023 by Teruni Evans Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinEmail

Grace Lutheran Church and Preschool

2108 North Euclid Ave., Upland, Ca 91784

Second Sunday of Easter

Pastor: Wesley Menke, [email protected]

Office Assistant: Teruni Evans, [email protected]

Preschool Director:  Gayle Romine, [email protected]

Music Director: Tatiana Thibodeaux, [email protected]

 GLC 909-982-2954 / Preschool 909-981-2226

www.graceupland.org

Lay Participants 8:30

Lector: Brian Atkinson

Ushers: Shannon Motschall

Communion: Joey Christenson

Cantor: Joisanne Dailey

Acolyte: Brian & Ronan Atkinson

Sound: John Holmgren

Broadcast: Charles Menke

Refreshments: Mortons

Lay Participants 11:00

Lector: Jerry Uhler

Ushers & Counters: 

Clayton & Austin Thom

Communion: Ingrid Uhler

Assisting Minister: Ralph Dieter

Acolyte: Rebecca, Alan, Paxton & Sophie Grace Menke

Flowers are in celebration of our Lord Jesus!

Free masks are available in the narthex.

Live feed of service available in the Fellowship Hall during 8:30am service.

Prayer Request please fill out the card and give it to the usher during the Hymn of the Day.  Your request will be included on the prayer list for two weeks.

[ * Denotes standing as you are able]

PRELUDE         

GATHERING SONG                                                         ELW 384

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY*

Patient God, our strength and hope, may we have faith in you. Amen.

WORD

CHILDREN’S SERMON

FIRST READING:  ACTS 2:14A, 22-32
14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], 22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25For David says concerning him,
 ‘I saw the Lord always before me,
  for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
  moreover my flesh will live in hope.
 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
  or let your Holy One experience corruption.
 28You have made known to me the ways of life;
  you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
 29“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
 ‘He was not abandoned to Hades,
  nor did his flesh experience corruption.’
32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM  16

  1Protect me, O God, for I take ref- | uge in you;
  I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good a- | bove all other.”
 2All my delight is in the godly that are | in the land,
  upon those who are noble a- | mong the people.
 3But those who run after | other gods
  shall have their troubles | multiplied.
 4I will not pour out drink offerings | to such gods,
  never take their names up- | on my lips. R
 5O Lord, you are my portion | and my cup;
  it is you who up- | hold my lot.
 6My boundaries enclose a | pleasant land;
  indeed, I have a | rich inheritance.
 7I will bless the Lord who | gives me counsel;
  my heart teaches me night | after night.
 8I have set the Lord al- | ways before me;
  because God is at my right hand, I shall | not be shaken. R
 9My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spir- | it rejoices;
  my body also shall | rest in hope.
 10For you will not abandon me | to the grave,
  nor let your holy one | see the pit.
 11You will show me the | path of life;
  in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures    

       for- | evermore. R

SECOND READING:   1 Peter 1:3-9

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION* 

HOLY GOSPEL according to  John 20:19-31

Glory to you Oh Lord.

19When 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.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So 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.”
 26A 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.” 27Then 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.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you Oh Christ.

SERMON                                                                          Pastor Wesley Menke

HYMN OF DAY                                                                  ELW 386

APOSTLE’S  CREED

With the whole church, let us confess our faith.

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 into hell.

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. 

THE PRAYERS*                                        Assisting Minister or Lector

United in the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

A brief silence.

God of rebirth, following the women at the tomb, empower us to share your radical love. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

As you breathed your Spirit into all creation, strengthen us to stop polluting and destroying. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You calm fears. Equip us to lead our community with courage. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You come among us in people. Send us to those who are isolated by addiction, incarceration, mental illness, chronic pain, sickness, or grief. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

04/09                                                                                                Pastor Wesley

Rich Thornton, longtime friend with cancer. From Linda & Fred V.

Paul Wooten, as he receives chemotherapy, may he recover from leukemia. The Uhlers

Fred Diver, appendicitis. PW

04/02

Beth, Don and Tonya – health concerns

Bob and Karla M

We lift our prayers and praise to you; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

Amen.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you

TESTIMONY             Rollie Myrold

MEAL

OFFERING

An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set.

OFFERING HYMN “Come Now You Blessed”

OFFERING PRAYER* 

Generous God, thank you for these gifts of the earth. Send us out in service to the earth; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

It is indeed right…join their unending hymn:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

In the night in which he was betrayed…

We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.

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.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos de mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo el poder y tuya la gloria ahora y siempre.  Amén.

COMMUNION

We, God’s people, pray that the body and blood of Jesus save us by grace through faith.

LAMB OF GOD

COMMUNION SONG                                                       ELW 635  

PRAYER

Gracious God, you have nourished our life together. Strengthen us to show your love and serve the world in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sending

ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 16              Sunday worship 8:30 am & 11:00 am                     

April 18                  Spanish Class for adults 8:30-9:30am 

April 18                  AA for Women 6:00pm 

April 19                  Estudio bíblico 8:30am via Zoom

April 19              Bible Study 10:30am

April 20                  Piecemaker’s Quilting Group 9:00am

April 22              Communion Class 9am-11am 

April 23              Church Annual Meeting 9:45am

April 23              Lay Preaching Class 2pm

April 30              First Communion Sunday

May 4-6              Synod Assembly in Palm Desert

May 6                 “Tacos and Talent” Spring Benefit Concert 4pm

June 10              Toastmasters Event

June 19-23        Vacation Bible School

June 24              Dia Playero con El Espíritu Santo Beach Day with       the Holy Spirit

July 23 – 28       Tentative dates for trip to Mexico

We would like to wish Happy Birthday to the following:

Bob Dailey, Diane Abrams, Jeff Thom, Jerry Shepherd, Ralph

Dieter, Anabel Wanner, Grace Morton, Sandy Schoenwetter, Brian

Atkinson, Mitchell Haag, Paxton Menke, and Joisanne Dailey.

Happy Anniversary !

Bob and Joisanne Dailey

Testimonies at Grace Lutheran!

Our goal is to have at least one testimony per month. Three minutes

in length, during the time of offering, with the topic: How has

Grace Lutheran made a positive difference in your life? How have

you seen God? Coming up: Rollie Myrold April 16th, Diane Abrams

April 30th, Jerry Uhler in May, and Loretta Estu in June. Please let

Pastor Wesley know if you’d like to share a testimony.

Podcast of Sermons  https://www.graceupland.org/podcast/

FYR Updated Constitution and Bylaws for Grace Lutheran April 2023

Thank you to Joyce F. for drafting updates to the Grace Lutheran’s constitution and bylaws. These updates will bring us into compliance with required updates by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s churchwide assembly held in 2022. Hard copies are available at church and digital copies can be found by clicking on the link below. The constitution and bylaws will be voted to be accepted at the congregation annual meeting on April 23, 2023 at 9:45am.

Constitution & Bylaws DRAFT 2023 April

Annual Meeting to be held April 23, 2023 at 9:45am

Items to be voted on

Budget 2023-2024

Council and Officers

Audit Committee

Updated Constitution

Council Positions Up for Vote

Vice President   Roberta Thom

Education           Carrie Macias

Building & Grounds  Jim Zimmer

Outreach            Karla Maez

Audit Committee

Fred Vogelgesang

Joyce Frevert

Brian Atkinson

BLESSING

The God who raised ☩ Jesus from the dead,

bless you by the power of the Holy Spirit

to live in the new creation.  Amen.

SENDING SONG                                                               ELW 646

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Risen One.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

We are saved by grace through faith, and not by works. Imagine the Lutheran

Christian religion being something like the Golden Gate Bridge. The purpose of

the religion is to safely take us from one place to another. We are taken or

“saved”  from death to life, and from sin to righteousness; from corruption to

justice. The two great pillars that hold up this religion are:

  1. Grace – God loves you unconditionally just as you are, and makes you valuable. 
  2. Faith – Is believing in your value and that of others and so living an ethical and good life.

“Not by works,” means that there is no toll booth to cross this bridge, or

participate in this religion. You can’t be excluded for lack of money. Material

possessions won’t get you there. All you need to be saved is grace and faith: they

are inestimable and priceless.

FacebookTweetPinEmail

Filed Under: Bulletin, Worship

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2025 · Grace Lutheran Church · Digital Ministry Coaching by Faith Growth

  • About
  • Worship
  • Give
  • Preschool
  • VBS 2025