Sunday Worship Via Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83025269997?pwd=VW1ZUXlsSTdkcWl0SC90SWRvK2dHUT09
For those not using computer for the worship service:
PhoneNumber: 1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 830 2526 9997
Password: 958432
April 12th, 2026
Worship Theme: The risen Christ appears to his disciples and offers them peace — not as an idea, but as a gift breathed into them with the Holy Spirit. This is the resurrection community: a people held together by the presence of the Risen One, including those who struggle to believe.
Pastor: Nathan Whittaker
Sermon: Adam Edwards
First Reading: Merlean Locke
Second Reading: Pat Montgomery
Assisting Ministers: Ron Stephens & Clato Barnes
Musician: Anita Tucker
Technician: Adam Edwards
We pray that you are blessed with the Word of God today.
May the spirit of the living God abide with you always!
Welcome
P: Blessed be ✝ God, who creates and sustains all life; who redeems and restores us to new life; and who works within us and this world,
C: Amen.
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Before God and in the company of our siblings in Christ, let us confess our sin.
Silence for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: we have sinned 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. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, 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.
P: God’s love for you is total and complete. No matter who you are, no matter what happens, and no matter what you do, God still loves you. Even more, in God’s good pleasure and in the name of Jesus Christ ✝ your sins are forgiven now and forever.
C: Amen.
Opening Hymn TFF 90 – They Crucified My Savior
They crucified my Savior
and nailed him to the tree,
they crucified my Savior
and nailed him to the tree,
they crucified my Savior
and nailed him to the tree,
and the Lord will bear my spirit home.
Refrain:
He rose, he rose, he rose from the dead,
he rose, he rose, he rose from the dead,
he rose, he rose, he rose from the dead,
and the Lord will bear my spirit home.
Then Joseph begged his body
and laid it in the tomb,
then Joseph begged his body
and laid it in the tomb,
then Joseph begged his body
and laid it in the tomb,
and the Lord will bear my spirit home.
Refrain
Sister Mary, she came running,
a-looking for my Lord,
sister Mary, she came running,
a-looking for my Lord,
sister Mary, she came running,
a-looking for my Lord,
and the Lord will bear my spirit home.
Refrain
An angel came from heaven
and rolled the stone away,
an angel came from heaven
and rolled the stone away,
an angel came from heaven
and rolled the stone away,
and the Lord will bear my spirit home.
Refrain
Greeting
P: The grace of God that is Christ’s gift to all, the love of God that sustains us all, and the unity of the Spirit who binds us in peace be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Call to Worship TFF p.72-76
AM: This is the day that the Lord has made;
C: we will rejoice and be glad in it!
AM: The Lord is my strength and my song.
C: The Lord is my salvation.
AM: Open to me the gates of righteousness;
C: I will go through them and praise the Lord.
AM: I will not die, but live,
C: and declare the works of the Lord.
AM: This is the day that the Lord has made;
C: we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Kyrie TFF pp. 26-27
AM: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, you are the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt.
C: Bring us, who have not seen, faith in you to receive the fullness of Christ's blessing,in Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
First Reading Acts 2:14a, 22-32
14 Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared,
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man whose credentials God proved to you through miracles, wonders, and signs, which God performed through him among you. You yourselves know this. 23 In accordance with God’s established plan and foreknowledge, he was betrayed. You, with the help of wicked men, had Jesus killed by nailing him to a cross. 24 God raised him up! God freed him from death’s dreadful grip, since it was impossible for death to hang on to him. 25 David says about him,
I foresaw that the Lord was always with me;
because he is at my right hand I won’t be shaken.
26 Therefore, my heart was glad
and my tongue rejoiced.
Moreover, my body will live in hope,
27 because you won’t abandon me to the grave,
nor permit your holy one to experience decay.
28 You have shown me the paths of life;
your presence will fill me with happiness.
29 “Brothers and sisters, I can speak confidently about the patriarch David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day. 30 Because he was a prophet, he knew that God promised him with a solemn pledge to seat one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Having seen this beforehand, David spoke about the resurrection of Christ, that he wasn’t abandoned to the grave, nor did his body experience decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm of Response Psalm 16
AM: Protect me, God, because I take refuge in you.
C: I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
AM: Now as for the “holy ones” in the land,
C: the “magnificent ones” that I was so happy about;
AM: let their suffering increase because; they hurried after a different god;
C: I won’t participate in their blood offerings; I won’t let their names cross my lips.
AM: You, Lord, are my portion, my cup; you control my destiny.
C: I will bless the Lord who advises me; even at night I am instructed in the depths of my mind.
AM: I always put the Lord in front of me;
C: I will not stumble because he is on my right side.
AM: That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous;
C: yes, my whole body will rest in safety.
AM: because you won’t abandon my life to the grave;
C: you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit.
AM: You teach me the way of life; In your presence is total celebration.
C: Beautiful things are always in your right hand.
Second Reading 1 Peter 1:3-9
3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! On account of his vast mercy, he has given us new birth. You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 4 You have a pure and enduring inheritance that cannot perish—an inheritance that is presently kept safe in heaven for you. 5 Through his faithfulness, you are guarded by God’s power so that you can receive the salvation he is ready to reveal in the last time.
6 You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. 7 This is necessary so that your faith may be found genuine. (Your faith is more valuable than gold, which will be destroyed even though it is itself tested by fire.) Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you’ve never seen him, you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words. 9 You are receiving the goal of your faith: your salvation.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation TTF 98 – Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Gospel John 20:19-31
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 20th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
21 It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
24 Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” 28 Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” 30 Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. 31 But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
P: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Hymn of the Day TFF 100 – We Praise Thee, O God
We praise thee, O God,
for the Son of thy love,
for Jesus who died
and is now gone above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah, Thine the glory,
hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory,
revive us again.
We praise thee, O God,
for thy Spirit of light,
who has shown us our Savior,
and scattered our night
Refrain
All glory and praise
to the Lamb that was slain,
who has borne all our sins
and has cleansed ev'ry stain.
Refrain
Revive us again,
fill each heart with thy love,
may each soul be rekindled
with fire from above.
Refrain
Sermon
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He 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 again 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 everlasting. Amen.
Music Group Selection
Prayers of the Congregation
AM: Trusting in the power of Christ's resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
Silence
Almighty God, you give life to the dead and call into existence things that do not exist.
C: Breathe your Spirit upon us, that our faith may be renewed day by day.
AM: Maker of heaven and earth, your mercies are new every morning.
C: Open us to the wonders of creation, from the beauty of flowers to the complexity of subatomic particles.
AM: God of peace, in every place where conflict rages, sow seeds of calm and openness to reconciliation.
C: Strengthen the resolve of leaders and citizens to work for peace in their nations.
AM: We pray for the ministries of this area and their leaders, especially Messiah Lutheran Church and Peter Elliot in Wedgwood.
C: Bless the community through them so that their neighborhood would know the love of God.
AM: Giver of joy, let this assembly be a place of genuine love and mutual affection.
C: Deepen our care for one another and help us to embody your forgiving and sacrificial love.
AM: Healing God, come alongside all who are doubting, fearful, or suffering in any way, especially those in our congregation, including: Jerelene, Norma, Rozetta, Orelia, Jean, Aldora, Carolyn, Ella, Candice, and Paul.
C: Embrace people who have been rejected because of difference, heal trauma caused by racism or prejudice, and shield any who are persecuted.
AM: Eternal One, we give thanks for saints who were faithful unto death and have joined the church triumphant, especially Levert Banks and Ruth Yerardi.
C: Inspire us by their witness and bring us with them into your glorious presence.
AM: We thank you for our congregation, which strives to live as your family in this time and place. Care for those we bring to you today, especially Chris Serold, Patrick Shurley, and David & Cynthia Simmons.
C: Show them your love and grace abundantly each and every day.
AM: For what else do the people of God pray? We invite those joining us via zoom to offer their prayers first.
Prayers to consider:
- Peace in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, and all places of conflict
- Full dignity and equality for women
- Safety and belonging for LGBTQ+ communities
- Deliverance from the scourge of gun violence
- Dismantling racism and strength for all harmed
- Economic justice for Seattle’s Central District
- The faithful work of Good Shepherd House and LIHI
- Healing for communities impacted by nature
AM: We now invite those in the sanctuary to offer up their prayers.
After the petitions:
AM: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior,
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(We now greet one another with: “Peace be with you.”)
Gathering of Offerings
Offering Prayer
P: Let us pray. Risen Christ, you came back the following week specifically for the one who had doubted, and showed your wounds as proof that love survived death.
C: Use these gifts to reach those who are still outside the locked room. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and proper that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our brother; who came back for the one who had doubted. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy TFF p.38
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: We give thanks that on the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Lord’s Prayer
P: Let us pray, with confidence, the words our brother gave us:
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Communion Hymn TFF p. 39
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
Communion
Wine is served in individual glasses.
Grape juice is available in the center of the tray.
Song of Simeon TFF p. 40
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of all people:
A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory 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.
Prayer after Communion
P: Let us pray. God of our ancestors and of all people, we thank you that as the broken bread was gathered into one loaf, the broken fragments of our history are gathered up and healed by this redeeming act of Christ.
C: Send us forth in peace and form us into what we just received: your love and grace for all people. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessing
P: Beloved in the Lord, God has shown us what is good. What does the Lord require but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God? We do so with the love, grace, and power of the Father, Son ✝, and Spirit given to us.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn TFF 93– Because He Lives
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Refrain:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Refrain
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Refrain
Announcements
Dismissal
We’ve Come This Far by Faith
We’ve come this far by faith
Leaning on the Lord
Trusting in His holy word.
He’s never failed us yet.
Oh……. Can’t turn around,
We’ve come this far by faith!
Closing Blessing
Acknowledgments
All songs come from This Far By Faith: An African American Resource for Worship (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1999) reprinted with permission under onelicense.net license #A-738102, unless otherwise acknowledged. All Scripture passages are from Common English Bible © 2012. Elements taken from sundaysandseasons.com.; Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Selected liturgy comes from Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley published through CONVERGENT BOOKS and copyright in 2024. Open Our Eyes (TFF 98). Text and music: Robert Cull, © 1976 Maranatha! Music, admin. The Copyright Company. Reprinted from This Far by Faith: An African American Resource for Worship, © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. We’ve Come This Far by Faith (TFF 197). Text and music: Albert A. Goodson, © 1956 Manna Music, Inc. Reprinted from This Far by Faith: An African American Resource for Worship, © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. They Crucified My Savior (TFF 90), Text: African American Spiritual; Tune: HE ROSE, African America Spiritual. We Praise Thee, O God (TFF 100) Text: William P. MacKay, 1837-1885; Tune: REVIVE US AGAIN, John H. Husband, 1760-1825. Because He Lives (TFF 93), Text: Gloria Gaither, b. 1942, William Gaither, b. 1936; Tune: William Gaither, b. 1936; © 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc..
Announcements for April 12, 2026
- Welcome to our visitors. Please take a moment to sign our guest book in the narthex. Feel free to include your address and email to receive information on what’s happening at Good Shepherd. You are always welcome here!
- Church Directory has been updated. The final copy is on the narthex table.
- Also, Portals of Prayerfor April through June are on the narthex table.
- The Anniversary Committee will meet today following the worship service.
- A special thank you to Merlean, Martha, and Lillian for organizing the wonderful Easter Brunch. Thanks to Good Shepherd for your fantastic support! We thank and praise the Lord for His many blessings to us all!!
- Pastor Whittaker is on vacation this week returning next Sunday, April 19th. Please see one of the deacons for your pastoral needs. (Clato, Ron, and Merlean)
- Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Mites. Good Shepherd has donated $300 to LWML missions worldwide. We continue to collect mites for this ongoing service. Please feel free to contribute year-round.
- The World-Class Boeing Employee’s Choir will be in concert on May 3rd @ 4:00, Joy Lutheran Church, 10420 SE 11th ST Bellevue. Free admission, there will be a Freewill offering to support Lutheran Ministry Services NW. More information is on the bulletin board.
- Northwest Harvest Calling all gently used and new paper plastic grocery bags. Please bring bags to Good Shepherd to be donated. See Merlean if you have questions.
- Tithes online You can now donate by going to goodshepherdlutheranseattle.com/online-givingor with the QR code below.
- Please Note: Children are not allowed in the church kitchen without adult supervision.
- Adult Bible study class continues every Sunday at 10:00am led by Pastor Nate. We work together to learn what God is telling us through the scriptures.
Prayer Requests – To update/add prayer requests, please contact us at (206) 325-2733 or lcgs22un@outlook.com
Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit,
the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is to give glory to God
for the building of His Kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.