April 21, 2024 — 9:00 AM Service

PRELUDE 
“Alleluia” (W. A. Mozart)                                    
Brass Ensemble

CALL TO WORSHIP
“Hallelujah, Praise Ye the Lord”             
Starlight Singers, Hannah Fleming (Director)

WELCOME

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
our light and our salvation.
Amen.

Gracious God,
have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

HYMN
“Day of Arising” ELW # 374

PRAYER OF THE DAY 
O God, your Son makes himself know to all his disciples in the breaking of the bread.  Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

ANTHEM
“This is the Day” (Kathleen Wissinger)  
Sonshine Singers/Ring of Fire, Jill Boyd & Linnae Stole (Directors)

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
“Halle, Halle, Hallelujah”

READING  
Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“Rising One Step at a Time” 

OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Sing with All the Saints in Glory“ (Carl Schalk) 
Canticle Choir, Brass Ensemble, Larry Bach (Director)

OFFERING PRAYER
Risen One,
you call us to believe and bear fruit.  May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love.  Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true vine.  Amen.

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE  

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“Open Our Eyes (Dear Savior)“ (Steve Hindalong, Jimmy Abegg, Ginny Owens)                                          
“Now the Green Blade Rises” (arr. Tim Graf)                         
Tim Graf

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

BEFORE YOU GO

BENEDICTION

HYMN 
“Christ is Arisen, Alleluia” (St. 1-3) ELW # 364                                                     

SENDING:
Alleluia! Go in peace. Rejoice and be glad.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

POSTLUDE  
“Diademata“ (arr. Emma Lou Diemer)         
Barb Carroll                         


The Musicians for Today’s Worship

  • Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
  • Barb Carroll (Organist)
  • Larry Bach (Canticle Choir Director)
  • Jill Boyd (Sonshine Singers Director)
  • Linnae Stole (Ring of Fire Director)
  • Canticle Choir
  • Brass Ensemble
  • Sonshine Singers
  • Ring of Fire

Prayers

As a community of faith we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:

  • Pastor David Lillejord and family on the death of his father, Nels Lillejord
  • Brad and Nicki Mlynar on the death of Brad’s father, Edward
  • Marty Wyland, Starr Bourque and family on the death of brother in law, Ben
  • Tricia O’Donnell and family on the death of her mother, Betty O’Donnell
  • Steve Lutz and family for the loss of his father
  • Dave and Lori Goble on the death of their niece, Mandy
  • Paul Skoog’s Gustavus friend whose grandson passed away
  • Prayers for Karan Brady’s family and friends upon her death
  • Prayers for Karen Moen and family on the death of her mother, Jean Hyde

Prayers of Mourning:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Psalm 130:1–2
For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’. John 11:25–26

As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:

  • Steve Lutz’s brother, Dan
  • Pat McMullen
  • John Rostad
  • Julie Bergquist
  • Tom Johnson
  • Karen Nelson
  • Marlys Kreuser
  • Julane Anderson

Long Term Prayers:

  • Gordon Gilbert
  • Kathy Hoagland
  • Dave & Sherri Anderson’s daughter, Sarah Anderson-Jacobson
  • Ron Wolfbauer
  • Dick Smith
  • Tammi Ziesemann as she continues her cancer treatment
  • For the people of Haiti enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence.
  • For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine – non-violence and peace.
  • All those in the military serving our country

General Prayers:

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Names will remain listed until more are added unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.


What’s happening at St. Andrew?

David trusted in his own abilities to overcome this giant of a person. In our Group we are here to overcome the “Giants” of raising a teen.

We will be exploring popular Bible stories, parables and see how they apply to our lives as young adults.

Join St. Andrew staff and other members and friends for casual conversation and easy discussion topics. No preparation is needed. Come as you are.

We will be surrounded by voices who articulate the fresh ways to study, preach, learn, and imagine the scriptures.

We want every camper and every family to be able to go to Spirit in the Pines! Check our openings and contact camp for more info.

Join St. Andrew for our VBS and VBS EXTREME (VBX), our new extended Day VBS from June 24-27, 2024!

As most of you know, a Transition Task Force was created by the Church Council to prepare St. Andrew for the call of a new Senior Pastor.

Assist the pastors with distribution of the wine and bread for communion on the first and third Sundays mornings of the month. Training is available.

We invite you to be a part of our Funeral Reception Team, a rewarding and vital ministry at St. Andrew. Following a funeral, surround grieving families and friends with love and support by providing a comforting meal and warm hospitality.

Registration is open for our half-day preschool program at St. Andrew Early Learning!

There’s always something happening here at St. Andrew and we’re so glad to offer ministries and events for people of all ages! Visit our Events Page to see all of our events, and visit our Ministries Page to learn about all of our communities of faith!


The Pastors of St. Andrew

Pastor Peter Johnson

Interim Senior Pastor and Pastor of Service & Small Groups

Pastor Sarah Fike

Pastor of Children, Youth, & Family

Pastor Matthew Ian Fleming

Pastor of Teaching & Young Adults

Pastor Roger Schindel

Visitation Pastor

Pastor Sue Tjornehoj 

Interim Transition Pastor