Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Welcomes You

Contemporary Worship Service

April 18, 2021 – 8:00 A.M. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church & School 4333 Cleveland Avenue, Stevensville, MI 49127 Phone: (269) 429-7222 – Church (269) 429-7111 - School www.christ-luth.org Sunday Services: 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Sunday School and Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.. Thursday Evening Service at 7:00 p.m. Christian Day School: Preschool through 8th grade Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Stevensville, MI April 18, 2021 8:00 a.m.

The Third Sunday of Easter Contemporary Worship Service

As We Gather The same Lord Jesus who stood among his disciples and said “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36) shares that same blessing among us. The church, in her liturgy, extends Jesus’ greeting to all believers. Whenever the pastor says, “The peace of the Lord be with you,” he doesn’t mean “Have a nice day.” For by the command and promise of Jesus, whenever two or more are gathered in his name, the Lord Jesus himself is present with his peace. His living flesh and real blood are distributed in his Holy Supper for us Christians to eat and to drink. His living Word is among us, read and preached, sung and prayed for our ears to hear and our hearts to believe.

He extends his peace to us again and again -- his peace, purchased by his holy, precious blood when he was crucified, died, and was buried and then raised for us. So, at his divine command and trusting in his promise, we receive with inexpressible and glorious joy what we cannot now see but yet believe: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. (Australian Anglican Alternative Collects, Adapted)

Opening Song:

Come See The Son

Come, see the Son of the living God hanging on a tree, dying there for you and me. Come, see the bringer of truth and grace nailed there for us, agony across his face.

This is love displayed, this is mercy perfectly portrayed in Christ, the cross of Christ.

Come, see the innocent Son of God punished there for us, rescuing us with his blood. Come, see the healer of wounded souls crucified for us, broken there to make us whole. 1 CHORUS

Come, see the tomb where they laid him down; the stone is rolled away, nothing but the grave clothes now. Come, see the King is alive again, risen from the dead, ushering a new age in.

This is victory, this is life for everyone who will believe in Jesus Christ.

Come and worship him, come and sing to him, come and live for him, Jesus Christ.

Confession and Absolution

Stand The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Invocation P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. (Matthew 28:19–20)

Confession and Absolution P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8) P If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? C But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. (Psalm 130:3-4) P Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word and to call upon Him in prayer and praise, let us first 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.

P 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, saying: C God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. In Holy Baptism You declared us to be Your children and gathered us into Your one, holy Church, in which You daily and richly forgive us our sins and grant us new life through Your Spirit. Be in our midst, enliven our faith, and graciously receive our prayer and praise through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. P 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. C Amen.

Service of the Word

Entrance Psalm Psalm 30:1–5 (antiphon: Ps. 16:11)

P In your presence there is full ness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. C I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. P O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. C O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. P Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. C For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen. P In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Kyrie P O Lord, C Have Mercy on us. P O Christ, C Have Mercy on us. P O Lord, C Have Mercy on us.

Song of Praise

On the Darkest Day of All

On the darkest day of all the Light of all the world was crowned with thorns and lifted on a cross. Forsaken and alone, the Son became our sin, Surrendering His life for love of us.

Then the darkness of the tomb was shattered by the Son, The grave could not contain His radiant light. The stone was rolled away, death’s victory reversed In Christ, the resurrection and the life.

Christ was raised, never to die again, And He reigns in everlasting light. We are saved; forever we’ll live in Him, For we share His resurrection life.

In the darkness of this world the hope of glory shines. The shadows of this age will pass away. His triumph is assured, our future is secure, for Jesus rose to life on Easter day.

CHORUS

Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus is alive. Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus is alive. Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus is alive.

CHORUS

Salutation

P The Lord be with you C And also with you.

Collect of the Day P Let us pray O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.

Sit

Reading from the Book of Concord - The Smalcald Articles, Part III, Article III. Repentance, 5-8

John the Baptist (preceding Christ) is called a preacher of repentance, but this is for the forgiveness of sins. That is, John was to accuse all and convict them of being sinners. This is so they can know what they are before God and acknowledge that they are lost. So they can be prepared for the Lord [Mark 1:3] to receive grace and to expect and accept from Him the forgiveness of sins. This is what Christ Himself says, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in [My] name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). Whenever the Law alone exercises its office, without the Gospel being added, there is nothing but death and hell, and one must despair, as Saul and Judas did [1 Samuel 31; Matthew 27:5]. St. Paul says, through sin the Law kills. [See Romans 7:10.] On the other hand, the Gospel brings consolation and forgiveness. It does so not just in one way, but through the Word and the Sacraments and the like, as we will discuss later. As Psalm 130:7 says against the dreadful captivity of sin, “with the Lord is … plentiful redemption.”

Readings from Holy Scripture

First Lesson Acts 3:11–21

11While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded. 12And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And his name—by faith in 5 his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, 20that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

P This is the word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

P Christ has risen from the dead. C God the Father has crowned him with glory and honor, P He has given him dominion over the works of his hands; C he has put all things under his feet.

Epistle Lesson 1 John 3:1–7

1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 4Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

P This is the word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Stand

P Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. C If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Alleluia. Rom. 6:9; John 14:23

Preparation for the Gospel

Celebrate Jesus

Celebrate Jesus, celebrate, Celebrate Jesus, celebrate. Celebrate Jesus, celebrate, Celebrate Jesus, celebrate.

He is risen, He is risen, and He lives forevermore. He is risen, He is risen, come on and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

Celebrate Jesus, celebrate, Celebrate Jesus, celebrate. Celebrate Jesus, celebrate, Celebrate Jesus, celebrate.

Holy Gospel Luke 24:36–49

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 24th chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.

36As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate before them. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

7 Sermon Song

Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!

How can it be the One who died has borne our sin through sacrifice, To conquer every sting of death? Sing, sing Hallelujah!

For joy awakes as dawning light when Christ’s disciples lift their eyes. Alive He stands, their friend and King: Christ, Christ He is risen!

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Oh sing Hallelujah! Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed: Christ is risen, He’s risen indeed!

Where doubt and darkness once had been, They saw Him and their hearts believed; But blessed are those who have not seen, Yet sing Hallelujah!

Once bound by fear, now bold in faith, They preached the truth and pow’r of grace and pouring out their lives they gained life, life, everlasting.

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Oh sing Hallelujah! Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed: Christ is risen, He’s risen indeed!

The pow’r that raised Him from the grace Now works in us to powerfully save; He frees our hearts to live His grace Go, tell of His goodness. (Continued)

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Oh sing Hallelujah! Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed: Christ is risen, He’s risen indeed!

He’s alive, He’s alive, Heaven’s gates are opened wide He’s alive. He’s alive, now in Heaven glorified. He’s alive, He’s alive, Heaven’s gates are opened wide, He’s alive He’s alive, now in Heaven glorified.

Sermon “Stolen Identity” 1 John 3:1–7

Stand

Apostles’ Creed

C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His 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. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence 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 T everlasting. Amen.

Sit

Gathering Of Our Tithes and Sacrificial Offerings There will be no passing of the offering plates. Please place your offering in the plates in the narthex.

The Offertory See, What a Morning

See what a morning, gloriously bright, With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem; Folded the grave clothes, Tomb filled with light, as the angels announce “Christ is risen!” See God’s salvation plan wrought in love, Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice, Fulfilled in Christ the Man, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead.

See, Mary’s weeping, “Where is He laid?” As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb. Hears a voice speaking, calling her name; It’s the Master, the Lord, raised to life again! The voice that spans the years, Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us, Will sound till He appears, for He lives: Christ is risen from the dead. (Continued)

One with the Father, Ancient of Days, Through the Spirit Who clothes faith with certainty. Honor and blessing, glory and praise to the King crowned with pow’r and authority. And we are raised with Him; Death is dead, Life has won, Christ has conquered. And we shall reign with Him, for He lives: Christ is risen from the dead.

Stand (You may remain seated if necessary.)

Prayer of the Church

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.

Collect for Grace to receive the Word

P Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Benediction

P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace. C Amen.

Closing A Tomb So Cold

A tomb so cold, no fitting place for one whom death could never hold; You broke the chains, defeated sin, and glorified you rose again and you’re reigning!

Risen and victorious, radiant and glorious, Jesus, Jesus, you reign! Lifted to the highest place, Name above all other names, Jesus, Jesus, you reign!

Seated on high at God’s right side, You’re interceding for your own. And with your blood You’ve made a way To welcome us to heaven’s throne, Where You’re reigning!

CHORUS

And one great day our King will come again. And we will rise to His eternal reign, Forever living in the glory of the Son.

CHORUS

+ Silent Prayer +

Come, See the Son Copyright Joel Payne/ RESOUNDworship.org, (Administered by Jubilate Hymns Ltd) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use (about/termsofuse). All rights reserved. www.ccli.com (http://www.ccli.com. 5453922

Celebrate Jesus Copyright Gary Oliver 1988, Intregrity’s Hosanna Music (Administered byCapitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use (about/termsofuse). All rights reserved. www.ccli.com (http://www.ccli.com. CCLI 16859

On the Darkest Day of AllCopyright Matt Osgood/ RESOUNDworship.org, (Administered by The Jubilate Hymns Ltd) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use (about/termsofuse). All rights reserved. www.ccli.com (http://www.ccli.com. CCLI 5220461

12 Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed! Copyright Keith Gerry, Kristyn Getty, Ed Cash 2012 Capitol CMG Paragon/Getty Music Publishing For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use (about/termsofuse). All rights reserved. www.ccli.com (http://www.ccli.com. CCLI 6399205

Resurrection HymnCopyrightKeith Getty, Stuart Townend 2003 Thankyou Music (Administered by Dapitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use (about/termsofuse). All rights reserved. www.ccli.com (http://www.ccli.com. CCLI 4108797

Tomb So ColdCopyright Joel Payne/ RESOUNDworship.org, (Administered by The Jubilate Hymns Ltd) ) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use (about/termsofuse). All rights reserved. www.ccli.com (http://www.ccli.com. CCLI 4759483

The Easter Season

Everything about the Christian faith centers on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” If the resurrection of Jesus is so crucial to our Christian faith that without it Christianity is a waste of time, then it is natural that our observance and celebration of Easter should last more than one day. In the stores Easter is past. It is time to sell Mother’s Day cards and flowers. But in the Church Year, Easter lasts for seven weeks. We continue to rejoice that because Christ has risen from the dead, we too shall rise. We sing the Easter hymns. Our Alleluias echo forth with great vigor. Our hearts rejoice in Easter triumph and Easter joy. In fact we celebrate Easter every Sunday. Since Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, every Sunday is a little Easter. Try to not let the world dim your Easter joy! Pastor Quardokus

SERVICE PARTICIPANTS: THE PREACHER & LITURGIST ...... Rev. Martin P. Measel THE CONTEMPORARY SONG LEADER ...... Debbie Tietz ELDER ON DUTY ...... Mark Russell ALTAR GUILD ...... Ginny Jennings, Dianna Huycke USHERS ...... Steve Huycke – Captain, Chuck Dinges, ...... Tom Ulmer, Andrew Gerken, John Schulz, Mike Essig, Matthew Starkey

VOTER’S MEETING TODAY, April 18 Please plan to attend the voter’s meeting TODAY at 9:30 a.m.

Christ Lutheran Church and School Christ’s People Proclaiming Christ’s Love

The following safety precautions will be followed:

 Please maintain social distancing (6 feet apart front and back, and side to side), only use every other pew and maintain 6’ between family units.  Please use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting.  We will not pass the plate or attendance books. Offering plates located by the entrance.  Everything will be in the bulletin, no need for the hymnal. Keep the bulletin or recycle it.  Face masks encouraged (but not required).  Communion will be continuous style, so that people can maintain 6’ between family units.  We request that people not congregate in the narthex (take a donut to-go and head home). If you’d like to talk please talk outside in the parking lot while still maintaining 6’ separation.  Bible study continues online and in person.  The pews / door handles / bathrooms will be cleaned in-between services.  If you are sick or have any symptoms of any illness, please stay home.  If you are vulnerable, or feel uncomfortable coming back, feel free to remain home as long as necessary until you’re comfortable. We will continue to stream Sunday services live at 8:00 a.m., which may be viewed thereafter.

Thank you for being considerate of your neighbor. Pastor Measel, Pastor Yeager, Board of Elders

We have resumed offering the common cup, along with the individual cups, in our weekly worship services. The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, which means commandment. It alludes to Jesus’ new commandment in John 13:34 to love one another. More importantly, this is the day on which Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. See Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:1–39. We encourage you to use the common cup safely. Read and follow the church's COVID safety precautions.

14 Prayers Christ Lutheran Church

Members who are ill, hospitalized or having surgery Continued Prayers: Amanda Clark Deleigh McClintock Kathy Karnik Miro Virsik Addie Scheffler Denice McClintock Kathy Kasewurm Nancy Duke Amee Mantei Dave Knuth Laurie Ulmer Mary Panzica Connie Schmidt Jean Mort Laura Lesher Nathan Gerken Barbara Maul Jim Walters Laura Schornhorst Ferny Rantz Penny Haldy Family or friends who are ill, hospitalized or having surgery Continued Prayers: Aubrey Hamby – nephew of Dee Payovich Austin Arndt – grandson of Linda Steinke Carol Syring – daughter of Ken Vieregge Cate Reed – granddaughter of Doris Beezley Christine Lowmaster – niece of Sharon Lowmaster Ginger Nurkala – sister of Betty Spencer Jackie Klepper – mother of Pattie Allred Jim Russell – brother of Mark Russell Keith Avery – friend of Ralph & Devona Dinges Logan Arnt – Christ Lutheran School student Marian Gerken – mother of Andy Gerken Paula Hicks – niece of Dee Payovich Phil Oberhaus – brother of Susan Jackemeyer Ron Bessick – friend of Sharon Lowmaster

* Our country, president, armed forces and all those who serve our country, including * Alex Root, Allison Blake, James Vieregge, USMC – grandson of Ken Vieregge, Joseph Schafer – nephew of Pastor Quardokus, Mitchell Carter – grandson of Bob Dixon.

Missionaries Rev. Dr. John and Melinda Bombaro in Latvia, Deaconess Caitlin Worden de Ramirez in the Dominican Republic and Rev. Roger James in the Philippines.

PRAYER REQUESTS – Each Sunday we offer prayers to those that are ill, hospitalized, or recovering from surgery. Since we are often unaware of the status of the friends and relatives for whom we pray in church, prayers will be offered for up to one month. After that time the name will be transferred to and left on the Christ Times prayer page until we are asked to remove it. Should the situation require a lengthier recovery time, please call the office to request the name be left on for an additional month. May God grant healing, comfort, peace, and teach us to rely on Him in times of need. 15 Bulletin Announcements for April 18, 2021

WE JOYOUSLY GREET ALL WORSHIPERS in the name of the risen Lord. We rejoice in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Praise God with great enthusiasm. Christ is risen indeed! If you are visiting, please introduce yourself to the pastor and sign our guest book on the welcome center credenza. Please visit us again!

ALTAR FLOWERS – The flowers on the altar today are dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Art Grau, given by Lucille Grau & Celeste Grau. The flowers are also in loving memory of Carol Klupp, given by Joe Klupp.

2021 FLOWER CHART – The flower chart for 2021 is posted in the commons area. Be sure to sign up soon for the date you would like flowers given in memory or honor of your loved ones. The Altar Flowers remain at $15.00. After the services, they are delivered to a shut-in or someone that is sick or hospitalized. Thank you!

THE NURSERY IS AVAILABLE for your children 3 years of age or younger. You are welcome to take your child or children into the nursery and watch the service from there. Please do not leave your child unattended.

RADIO SPONSORSHIP – The 2021 chart for radio broadcasts is now posted in the commons area. Christ Lutheran records two radio broadcasts per month. This will give our members more opportunities for sponsorship. Please consider sponsoring a broadcast (you could share it with a family member or friend.) The cost remains $150.00. Be sure to sign up soon to secure the date you would like!

Our service was recorded on Easter Sunday and will air today. This broadcast is dedicated to the Glory of God in loving memory of Sue Ellen Machemer, given by Ellen Machemer.

Our Local Lutheran Worship Service Broadcasts are now on WQYQ AM 1400 and 106.1 FM (Note: The call sign has changed from WSJM to WQYQ but the time and frequencies remain the same for our broadcast) on Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. The service also can be heard online at https://www.thenewqyq.com or with the TuneIn app on your device. To listen with Alexa say, "Alexa, play WQYQ." The service can be heard from anywhere in the country online.

WORSHIP ANEW is a 30-minute traditional Lutheran worship service, broadcast weekly to nourish the souls of those who cannot attend church in a traditional setting. Watch on Sundays at 11:00 am on WHME-TV 46 [FBC] or watch online at any time at www.worshipanew.org/onlineviewing. 16 THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE. (James 5:16) As caring Christians, please remember the following members of Christ Lutheran in your prayers this week:

Martin & Marilyn Strefling Darren & Leslie Priebe Family Donna Klug Mrs. Louise Winter Judy & Lyle Lebsack Nancy & Gordon Duke Family

We will be praying for these members during our worship services today. Each week we ask you to remember a different group of members in your daily prayers.

We remember the following Missionary in our prayers this week:

Rev. Dr. John and Melinda Bombaro serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as missionaries in Latvia, based in Riga. John serves as assistant to the regional director of the Eurasia region in the area of theological education. In this role, he works to plant an English-speaking congregation in Riga. He teaches Lutheran theology and mentors seminary students in a Bachelor of Divinity program at Riga Luther Academy (the Latvian Ev. Luth. Church’s seminary). He builds confessional and strategic relations between regional partner churches and synods. With Melinda’s help, John also coordinates conferences around Eurasia for pastors and other church workers. Ask God to strengthen them as they adjust to the language and culture of this region. Pray the Bombaro family is given wisdom and boldness as they proclaim and present Christ as Lord and Savior. Pray also for a return to true biblical Christianity within the region.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS – Sunday morning bible class will resume next Sunday, April 25. The class will be a study on The Book of Jonah.

TUESDAY EVENING & WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS – Bible classes led by Pastor Measel have resumed. The class is a study on The Book of Jonah. Please join us!

THANK YOU to all who wrote cards for the special Easter delivery to our shut- ins. Each person on the shut-in list received many notes and a little Easter basket. Thank you for helping brighten their day. Christ's people proclaiming Christ's love!

LADIES LEAGUE MEETING - A Christ Lutheran Ladies League meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 5th at 6:00 p.m. at North Lake Park. Please bring your own meal.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who donated candy for the Christ Lutheran School Easter egg hunt! 17

HEART OF COOK GRANT AWARDED TO CLS - Christ Lutheran School has been awarded a Heart of Cook grant of $500! This grant will fund the building materials for the new raised garden beds for the CLS Outdoor Education program. Thank you, Indiana & Michigan Power! To God be the glory!

1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” The essence of our sanctification is becoming like our Lord. As St. John notes, this will only be completed in the Resurrection. In the meantime, we strive toward that goal because we want to walk in the footsteps of our Lord. By His grace we share His destiny in eternal life, and therefore we desire to share His life of service now.

Charting Our Course – Statistics from Last Week

Thursday 04/08/2021 10

Easter Sunday 04/011/2021 8:00 A.M. 96 10:45 A.M. 61 Adult Bible Class -- Total: 157 Weekday Classes --

Streaming Views Sunday 82

Prior Week Total Budgeted Receipts $8,346 Average Weekly Budgeted Disbursements $18,683

This Week at Christ Lutheran Church

Sunday, April 18 8:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Voter’s Meeting 10:45 a.m. Worship Service

Monday, April 19

Tuesday, April 20 7:00 p.m. Bible Class Wednesday, April 21 9:30 a.m. Bible Class

Thursday, April 22 7:00 p.m. Communion Worship Service Friday, April 23 Saturday, April 24

Sunday, April 25 8:00 a.m. Communion Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Bible Class 10:45 a.m. Communion Worship Service