5th Sunday Of Easter (Cantate) ~ 2025

May 17-18, 2025 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

 

Today's Service Leader - Rev. Michael W. Mohr, Associate Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church & CID President

 

 

Today's liturgy is the Divine Service, Setting One, LSB pages 151ff.

 

458 Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands

 

5 Here our true Paschal Lamb we see,
    Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursèd tree—
    So strong His love—to save us.
See, His blood now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o’er,
    And Satan cannot harm us.
        Alleluia!

 

6 So let us keep the festival
    To which the Lord invites us;
Christ is Himself the joy of all,
    The sun that warms and lights us.
Now His grace to us imparts
Eternal sunshine to our hearts;
    The night of sin is ended.
        Alleluia!

 

7 Then let us feast this Easter Day
    On Christ, the bread of heaven;
The Word of grace has purged away
    The old and evil leaven.
Christ alone our souls will feed;
He is our meat and drink indeed;
    Faith lives upon no other!
        Alleluia!

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Richard Massie, 1800–87, alt.
Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, 1524, Wittenberg, ed. Johann Walter
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Please 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.

 

Exhortation LSB 151

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

"Silent Reflection before Confession"

 

Confession of Sins LSB 151

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C Most merciful God, 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. 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. 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.

 

Absolution LSB 151

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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Introit Psalm 98:1b, 3–4; antiphon: vv. 1a, 2b

Sing to the Lord a new song, Alle- | luia,*
for he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Alle- | luia.
His right hand and his | holy arm*
have worked salva- | tion for him.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of | Israel.*
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation | of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, | all the earth;*
break forth into joyous song and sing | praises!
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
Sing to the Lord a new song, Alle- | luia,*
for he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Alle- | luia.

 

Kyrie LSB 152

 

This Is the Feast LSB 155

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P Let us pray.

O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Please be Seated

 

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 12:1–6

¹You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
²“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”

³With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. ⁴And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
⁵“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
⁶Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Epistle James 1:16–21

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

¹⁹Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. ²¹Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Please Stand

 

Alleluia and Verse LSB 156

 

Holy Gospel John 16:5–15

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the sixteenth chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

⁵[Jesus said:] “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹²“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Please be Seated

 

556 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

 

5 God said to His belovèd Son:
    “It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of My crown,
    And bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death for them that they
    May live with You forever.”

 

6 The Son obeyed His Father’s will,
    Was born of virgin mother;
And God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
    He came to be my brother.
His royal pow’r disguised He bore;
A servant’s form, like mine, He wore
    To lead the devil captive.

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Richard Massie, 1800–87, alt.
Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Sermon ~ "Bearing the Unbearable" - John 16:5–15 ~ Rev. Michael W. Mohr

 

Please Stand

 

Nicene Creed

C 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 at the right hand of the Father.

     And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,

     whose kingdom will 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 in 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 T of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Church

P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Father, You have provided a well of salvation, springing up from the empty tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lead us to drink deeply from His Word of life and never neglect His gift of salvation. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O Holy One of Israel, cause Your Spirit of truth to reign in the Church, that what Christ has won for us would be declared joyfully and faithfully to sinners. Preserve our pastors, missionaries and all who serve Your Word. Increase among us thankfulness for Your compassion, for You are great in our midst. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Almighty God, You have enjoined us to be slow to wrath, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Create in us kind and loving hearts, that we may love our neighbors and help and support them in every physical need. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord of all, You sit in judgment over all the rulers of this world. Proclaim to them the witness of Your Spirit concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. Grant them ears to hear and the will to establish earthly righteousness. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord God, every good and perfect gift comes from You. Deal kindly with Your servants who are sick, injured or in need [including _____________]. Renew those You have created in love, and grant us Your salvation. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Merciful Lord, send Your Holy Spirit upon Your faithful people, that convicted of their sin they may also be convinced that the righteousness of Christ is theirs, and in such repentance and faith receive the things of Christ declared in this Supper: His holy body and precious blood for the forgiveness of sins. Unite us by Your Spirit of truth in faith and confession, and comfort us with the knowledge that this world’s prince is judged. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O heavenly Father, You have taught us the new song of faith by the work of Your Holy Spirit. Quench in us, we pray, the old song of sin and death, which defies You and deifies man, and let us sing with all Christians in Your celestial harmony. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord God, heavenly Father, through Your Son You promised Your Holy Spirit, who would convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Enlighten our hearts, that we would confess our sins; obtain everlasting righteousness through faith in Christ; and through every trial and temptation, abide in the consolation that Christ is Lord over the devil, death and all things. We ask that You would graciously deliver us from all affliction to make us partakers of eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Please be Seated

 

Offering

 

Offering Hymn

 

556 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Richard Massie, 1800–87, alt.
Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg
Text and tune: Public domain

 

The offering is presented on the last stanza

 

Please Stand

 

Offertory LSB 159

 

Preface LSB 160

 

Proper Preface (Abbreviated) LSB 161

P It is truly good, right, and salutary . . . evermore praising You and saying:

 

Sanctus LSB 161

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving LSB 161

P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.

Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Lord’s Prayer LSB 162

P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

 

The Words of Our Lord

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

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

 

Pax Domini LSB 163

 

Agnus Dei LSB 163

 

Please be Seated

 

Distribution Hymns

 

696 O God, My Faithful God

 

5 Let me depart this life
    Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul
    That it may live forever;
And let my body have
    A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave;
    And let it sleep in peace.

 

6 And on that final day
    When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand,
    My deathly slumber breaking.
Then let me hear Your voice,
    Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice
    With those who love Your name.

Text: Johann Heermann, 1585–1647; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: Neu-vermehrtes . . . Gesangbuch, 1693, 3rd ed., Meiningen
Text and tune: Public domain

 

623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray

Text: Henry E. Jacobs, 1844–1932, alt.
Tune: Cantionale Germanicum, 1628, Gochsheim
Text and tune: Public domain

 

729 I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus

 

5 I am trusting Thee for power;
    Thine can never fail.
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me
    Must prevail.

 

6 I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
    Never let me fall.
I am trusting Thee forever
    And for all.

Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836–79
Tune: Henry W. Baker, 1821–77
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Please Stand

 

Nunc Dimittis LSB 165

 

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Benediction LSB 166

 

Please be seated.

 

816 From All That Dwell Below the Skies

Text (sts. 1–2): Isaac Watts, 1674–1748; (st. 3): William W. How, 1823–97
Tune: Geistliche Kirchengesäng, 1623, Köln
Text and tune: Public domain

 

 

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.