A SERVICE of FIRST COMMUNION April 1, 2021

A SERVICE OF FIRST COMMUNION April 1, 2021

AS WE GATHER This is a special service within the church because this is a special moment within the lives of our students. These students have received instruction in the Gospel and Sacraments. They have learned the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. Confessing their sin and trusting in their Savior, they desire to receive the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of sins and strengthening of their faith in Christ and their love toward others. This is a moment that should be celebrated. We encourage you to make this moment in the student’s faith memorable because Jesus’ work for us on the cross, where he poured out His blood for us, will always be memorable.

OPENING HYMN “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” [LSB 641 vs. 1-3 ]

Refrain You satisfy the hungry heart Vs.2 With joyful lips we sing to You With gift of finest wheat. Our praise and gratitude Come give to us, O saving Lord, That You should count us worthy, Lord, The bread of life to eat. To share this heav’nly food. (Refrain)

Vs.1 As when the shepherd calls his sheep, Vs.3 Is not the cup we bless and share They know and heed his voice; The blood of Christ outpoured? So when You call Your fam’ly, Lord, Do not one cup, one loaf, declare We follow and rejoice. (Refrain) Our oneness in the Lord? (Refrain)

INVOCATION

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen.

OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 43:4; 124:8

Pastor: I will go to the altar of God, People: to God my exceeding joy.

Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: who made heaven and earth.

Pastor: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? People: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Pastor: Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together, as His people, let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God be merciful to me, a sinner. People: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

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: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray. O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your passion. Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 24:3–11

Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the just decrees And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.”

And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.

Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CONNECT TIME During this time please use your mobile device to fill out the Connect Card online at www.trinitymerrill.com/live, text any prayer requests to 715-200-4546, and text your giving amount to 833-341-0335. You can also visit www.trinitymerrill.com/give to give now or learn more about other ways to support the ministries at Trinity.

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 26:26-29 (The Passover with the disciples)

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-sixth chapter. People: Glory to You, O Lord. Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN OF THE DAY “Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain ” [LSB 435] Public Domain

Vs.1 Come to Calv’ry’s holy mountain, Vs.3 Come in sorrow and contrition, Sinners, ruined by the fall; Wounded, impotent, and blind; Here a pure and healing fountain Here the guilty, free remission, Flows for you, for me, for all, Here the troubled, peace may find. In a full, perpetual tide, Health this fountain will restore; Opened when our Savior died. They that drink shall thirst no more.

Vs.2 Come in poverty and meanness, Vs.4 They that drink shall live forever; Come defiled, without, within; ’Tis a soul-renewing flood. From infection and uncleanness, God is faithful; God will never From the leprosy of sin, Break His covenant of blood, Wash your robes and make them white; Signed when our Redeemer died, Ye shall walk with God in light. Sealed when He was glorified.

SERMON

NICENE CREED People: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sits www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

at the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH + HOLY COMMUNION +

PREPERATION FOR RECEPTION

Pastor: The purpose of instruction in the faith is to provide opportunities to support both students and families in their walk of faith and celebrate their milestones with the Trinity family. Today we are celebrating one of those milestones, today we are celebrating with Trinity families as their children receive the Lord’s Supper for the first time.

(Addressing the candidates)

Pastor: Candidates, please rise. Now that you have finished your formal training on the Lord’s Supper, and knowing that you are never fully done learning about your Savior Jesus, you are invited to join the Lord’s Table. Holy Scripture describes the life of the Church and every baptized Christian with these words: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This is what you have done up to this point. With the help of your parents and family, you have devoted yourself to the apostles’ teaching through the study of His Word in confirmation and now you can devote yourself to the breaking of bread, which is communion. You are invited by our Lord to come regularly to hear His Word and receive His Sacrament. You will continue to be instructed and nurtured in the Christian faith and life. All this will help you live as the child of God you have been made through Holy Baptism.

Pastor: Therefore, I ask you, do you intend to continue to hear and receive the instruction of your Lord, confess your sins, and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully throughout your life?

Candidates: Yes, with the help of God.

Pastor: Parents please rise and put your arm around them and pray this prayer over your children with me.

Parents: Lord Jesus Christ, You call to Yourself all those who labor and are heavy burdened and You promise to give them rest. I recognize that my child is counted among those who are heavy burdened. I pray that you would let them experience Your love and peace at the heavenly feast, which you have prepared for us here on earth. Give to them the benefits that you have promised in this meal, the forgiveness of each and every one of their sins, a strengthening of their faith, and a promise to be with them always, even into life everlasting. Empower me as a parent to continue to raise them in the faith, bring them to church, and let them experience the community of believers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Pastor: In communing, we want people to receive Christ’s body and blood for their good. This means that as you come to the Lord’s Table you affirm with each communicant that Jesus is your Savior and Lord; so we ask that each child confess along with the rest of God’s family: www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

Pastor: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, and in the Holy Spirit? People: Yes, I believe.

Pastor: Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord? People: Yes, I believe.

Pastor: Do you believe and recognize that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness? People: Yes, I believe.

Pastor: Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for you and shed His blood for you on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins? People: Yes, I believe.

Pastor: Do you believe that in the Lord’s Supper He gives you His true body and blood for the forgiveness of all your sins and to strengthen your faith in Him and your love toward others? People: Yes, I believe.

Pastor: Do you intend to dedicate your life to the service of your Lord in His Body, the Church, by regular group worship, sacrificial giving, and thankful living and sharing the Gospel with others? People: Yes, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you intend to receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully throughout your life? People: Yes, with the help of God.

Pastor: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus Christ loved the young and called them to Himself, we ask You to bless these students. Strengthen them in the faith through the Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood so that they may grow spiritually and bring forth the fruits of faith in a life of love toward others to the praise and honor of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

(Addressing the candidates)

Pastor: It is with joy in our hearts that we welcome you to the table of Your Lord, for the first time. May you tase and see that the salvation of the Lord is good. We now continue with the Words of Institution.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION Pastor: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.’

“In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

LORD’S PRAYER

Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and each us to pray:

People: 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 www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

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.

Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And also with you.

Pastor: Communion for God’s people is a sacred act in which we are united with all followers of Jesus. To this point, God, through His Word, has instructed the church on how to administer this sacrament. In keeping with the scriptural mandates, we ask that you believe and confess each of these statements in order to receive Jesus’ true body and blood this evening. • I recognize and confess that I am a sinner. I repent of my sin and ask God’s forgiveness. • I believe that Jesus Christ is my only Lord and Savior from sin, Satan and death. • I believe that the risen Christ is truly present in the Sacrament and, under the form of the bread and wine, I receive His true body and true blood for the forgiveness of my sin and the strengthening of my faith and life. (Augsburg Confession – Article X) • I resolve to dedicate my life to the service of my Lord in His Body, the Church, by regular group worship, sacrificial giving, thankful living and sharing the Gospel with others. (Romans 12:1)

However, if you have questions about these things, are unsure about what they mean, or belong to a church that would ask you to refrain from communing with us, we ask that out of respect for Christ’s church, you would do just that.

Pastor: We continue with the Lord’s Supper.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS “When You Woke That Thursday Morning” [LSB 445]

Vs.1 When You woke that Thursday morning, Vs.3 What was there that You could give them Savior, teacher, faithful friend, That would never be outspent, Thoughts of self and safety scorning, What great gift that would outlive them, Knowing how the day would end; What last will and testament? Lamb of God, foretold for ages, “Show Me and the world you love Me, Now at last the hour had come Know Me as the Lamb of God: When but One could pay sin’s wages: Do this in remembrance of Me, You assumed their dreadful sum. Eat this body, drink this blood.”

Vs.2 Never so alone and lonely, Vs.4 One in faith, in love united, Longing with tormented heart All one body, You the head, To be with Your dear ones only When we meet, by You invited, For a quiet hour apart: You are with us, as You said. Sinless Lamb and fallen creature, One with You and one another One last paschal meal to eat, In a unity sublime, One last lesson as their teacher, See in us Your sister, brother, Washing Your disciples’ feet. One in ev’ry place and time.

Vs.5 One day all the Church will capture That bright vision glorious, And Your saints will know the rapture That Your heart desired for us, When the longed-for peace and union Of the Greatest and the least

www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

“Here, O My Lord, I see Thee Face to Face” [LSB 631; tune 682]

Vs.1 Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face; Here would I touch and handle things unseen; Here grasp with firmer hand the_eternal grace, And all my weariness upon Thee lean.

Vs.2 Here would I feed upon the bread of God, Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heav’n; Here would I lay aside each earthly load, Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv’n.

Vs.3 This is the hour of banquet and of song; This is the heav’nly table spread for me; Here let me feast and, feasting, still prolong The brief bright hour of fellowship with Thee.

Vs.4 I have no help but Thine; nor do I need Another arm but Thine to lean upon. It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed; My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.

Vs.5 Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness; Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood; Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace: Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God.

Vs.6 Too soon we rise; the vessels disappear; The feast, though not the love, is past and gone; The bread and wine remove, but Thou art here; Nearer than ever; still my shield and sun.

Vs.7 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by, Yet, passing, points to that glad feast above, Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy, The Lamb’s great marriage feast of bliss and love. Public domain

DISMISSAL BLESSING

POST-COMMUNION COLLECT

Pastor: Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” [LSB 641 vs. 4-5] www.trinitymerrill.com/easter

Refrain You satisfy the hungry heart Vs.5 You give Yourself to us, O Lord; With gift of finest wheat. Then selfless let us be, Come give to us, O saving Lord, To serve each other in Your name The bread of life to eat. In truth and charity. (Refrain)

Vs.4 The myst’ry of Your presence, Lord, No mortal tongue can tell: Whom all the world cannot contain Comes in our hearts to dwell. (Refrain)

Easter will be live streamed on our website all day starting at 8:00 AM at: www.trinitymerrill.com/easter. You can also watch our sanctuary service live at 9:00 AM on www.facebook.com/trinitylutheranmerrill. The radio broadcast for Easter will be at 6:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Tune in your radio to 96.3 FM or 730 AM to listen. Please join us as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord!