Welcome!
“What happier news on earth than this:
Christ’s life is ours, and we are His!” (from WS 734:3)
SECOND SUNDAY of the EASTER season April 12, 2026
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH HIDEWOOD TWP, SD
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH WATERTOWN, SD
To prepare yourselves for worship you are welcome to meditate on:
Today’s Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
7Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him.
Praise the Lord!
ORDER for WORSHIP
The bell calls us for worship
Opening Prayer
P: Dearest Jesus, our risen Redeemer, we pray that You would be with us this day as we gather to hear Your Word. Grant us sincere repentance from all sin and move us to live our lives in loving service to You and in joyous anticipation of Your return. Amen.
Hymn 208: 1-5
Invocation, Confession and Forgiveness of Sins
to be used during the 2026 Easter season
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Invocation
P: Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
P: We begin in the name of the Triune God:
C: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Confession and Absolution of Sins
P: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve Him as His dear children. But we have disobeyed Him and deserve only His wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to Him and plead for His mercy.
ALL: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against You and do not deserve to be called Your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to Your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
P: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has removed your guilt forever. You are His own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to His will.
C [spoken]: Amen.
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Hymn 208: 6-10
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First Reading – NewTestament Epistle – 1 Peter 1: 1-9
Ours is an incorruptible inheritance through Jesus’ resurrection!
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Second Reading – New Testament Gospel – John 20: 19-31
The living Jesus is our Lord and our God!
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
P: So far with today’s Bible reading.
Our “Hallelujah!” for today is the following hymn stanza, 190:1
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CONFESSION OF FAITH – THE APOSTLES’ CREED
ALL: I believe in God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; From there 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 everlasting. Amen.
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Hymn 193
Sermon Text – Deuteronomy 30: 11-14
11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”
Theme: God is CLEAR and NEAR in His Word!
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Hymn – O Sing Of Christ #338 – melody WS 738
1. Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to heav’n and voices raise:
Sing to God a hymn of gladness, Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim For the world’s salvation bled –
Jesus Christ, the King of glory, Now is ris-en from the dead.
2. Alleluia, Christ is ris-en! Death at last has met defeat:
See the ancient pow’rs of evil In confusion and retreat;
Once He died, and once was buried:
Now He lives forevermore,
Jesus Christ, the world’s Redeemer,
Whom we worship and adore.
The Offering is collected / brought forward
Prayer led by the pastor
P: O precious Savior Jesus Christ, there is no work or sacrifice we can do to turn away God’s wrath from us. But eternal thanks be to You, because through Your suffering and death on the cross You have won full pardon for our sins and established peace with God in our behalf. This peace God announced unmistakably to the whole world when He raised You from the dead.
Our ever-living Lord, this peace which You brought to us sinners fills our souls with a holy joy, for we know that whenever we meet God, we shall stand before Him unaccused, uncondemned, and unpunished; and that at the last we will be received into the everlasting joys of heaven.
Cause the peace which God has declared through Christ to rule our hearts so bountifully that we will serve our God in all that we do, and live in peace and love with our fellow man. Broadcast throughout the world that blessed message of pardon and peace in the crucified and risen Christ and draw the hearts of sinners to the Savior, calling them to repentance.
In the blessed name of Jesus we ask it. Amen.
P: any special prayers there may be will be offered here...
P: And so we join to pray the words Jesus taught us:
ALL: 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 Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you His peace.
C [spoken]: Amen.
Closing Hymn – O Sing Of Christ #338 – melody WS 738
3. Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to God on high:
Alleluia to the Savior Who has gained the vic-to-ry;
Alleluia to the Spirit, Fount of love and sanctity!
Alleluia, Alleluia to the triune Majesty!
Zion Lutheran Church Hidewood Township, SD – 8:30 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church Watertown, SD – 10:30 a.m.
trinitywatertownsd.com
Members: Church of the Lutheran Confession www.clclutheran.org
Pastor Paul Krause. . . parsonpaulkrause@gmail.com cell:920-238-5775
Teacher-elect Mikkela Schmitt . . . . . . . .cell: 715-933-1502
Church and School: 886-2976
Organists: John Klatt, Rebecca Larson, Naomi Rehder
STATISTICS – week of 04/05/2026
Zion: 43; Trinity: 50
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CALENDAR and ANNOUNCEMENTS
THIS WEEK >> Zion – James DeBough instruction class
TODAY >> Zion – 8:30 a.m. service; Trinity – 10:30 a.m.
>> Sunday School - after church at Zion; 9:20 a.m. at Trinity
>> Trinity School Board meeting – after church
>> Zion “north” Bible study – 2:00 p.m. Garry/Sherri Krause’s place
WED >> Louis Jensen confirmation class after school at church
>> Trinity – choir session – 6:45 p.m.
>> Trinity Bible Class – 7 p.m.
FRI >> Bruna brothers catechism class – at Trinity – 3 p.m.-ish
>> Trinity church council meeting – 7 p.m.
SAT >> Easter Season VBS – held at Trinity – 2:00-6:30 p.m.
NEXT SUNDAY >> Zion – 8:30 a.m. Trinity – 10:30 a.m.
>> Sunday School - after church at Zion; 9:20 a.m. at Trinity
>> Trinity quarterly potluck meal – after church
>> Trinity quarterly voters’ meeting – 1 p.m.
>> Trinity Ladies’ Aid business meeting – 1 p.m.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
4/20 MON Pastors’ Study Conference – Bowdle/Pierre, SD
4/28 TUE Brookings Bible Study – 7 p.m.
5/1-2 FRI-SAT ILC Visitors’ Day / play performance – Eau Claire
5/3 SUN Examination / Confirmation Sunday at Trinity
5/17 SUN Special Ascension service – w/ children’s program
5/31 SUN Examination / Confirmation Sunday at Zion
MANY THANKS!
>> Do you have something you are thankful for at Zion/Trinity? Let Pastor Krause know, and he will be happy to include it in the bulletin!
EASTER VBS Trinity will be hosting a day of Easter VBS on Saturday, April 18th! All of our Trinity/Zion children are welcome! The VBS will run from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. including supper. Hope you can come!
ASCENSION CHILDREN’S SERVICE On Sunday, May 17, we will be including a children’s program in with the service. The children will be presenting memory verses and songs similar to Christmas time. One of the rehearsals will be held in connection with the Easter VBS day.
ILHS VISITORS’ DAY ILC Prof. Matt Thurow sends the following... Immanuel Lutheran High School in Eau Claire, WI will host their annual High School Visitors Day on Friday, May 1, 2026 for students grades 7 and up. An invitation letter, schedule of events, and online registration can be found at www.ilc.edu. Please register students and chaperones by Friday, April 24. A theater performance of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will take place on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm. The Immanuel Band will perform before the play on Friday at 7:00 pm, and student talent performances will take place Saturday at 7:00 pm. Performances are free and open to the public. For more information regarding ILHS Visitors Day, please contact Prof. Matt Thurow (matt.thurow@ilc.edu 612-516-1177) For general questions regarding the high school program, please contact the high school principal, Prof. Joel Gullerud (joel.gullerud@ilc.edu 715-544-8446).
CLC UPDATES that can be found online –
>> to keep up on our CLC missionaries, and to learn more of our overseas brethren, go to lutheranmissions.org. Scroll down and click on the photos of the missionaries to access their blog, photos, video, etc.
ILC GIRLS’ DORM SUPERVISOR NEEDED Jaqi Bredehoft will be resigning as girls dorm supervisor at the end of this school year. We thank her for her faithful service to the LORD and for being such a positive role model to our dorm students. ILC is accepting applicants for this position to begin the 2026-27 school year. This role is vital to our campus, given how dorm supervisors provide spiritual counsel and a fatherly or motherly role to those students who are living away from home. Females who are CLC members in good standing and are able and willing to fill this position may contact ILC President Daniel Schierenbeck (dan.schierenbeck@ilc.edu/660.864.9231) for more information about the responsibilities and compensation for this position. An application is available online at ilc.edu > Forms and Applications > ILC Employment Application. Review of applications begins April 15.
CLC NEWS
Current pastoral vacancies: Mapleton, ND/Ponsford, MN; Detroit, MI; Red Wing, MN; Appleton, WI; Eau Claire, WI; Spokane, WA; Phoenix, AZ
2026 ILC teacher graduate request:
Redeemer Lutheran School, Cheyenne, WY
Undecided calls:
Teacher Ross Kok, Phoenix, AZ, to Messiah, Eau Claire, WI
Pastor Mike Wilke, Saginaw, MI, to Messiah, Eau Claire, WI
Pastor David Pfeiffer, West Columbia, SC, to Detroit, MI
Pastor Jonah Albrecht, Seattle & Tacoma, WA, to Appleton, WI
Returned calls:
Pastor Rob Sauers, Winter Haven, FL, to Phoenix, AZ
Retirement:
Pastor Ted Barthels, Austin, MN, effective April 30
NCLC 50TH ANNIVERSARY CLC President Mike Wilke writes... Lord willing, Missionary Ohlmann, Joel Krafft, Gloria and myself, will be flying to Nigeria at the end of this month. We are traveling to join the Nigerian Church of the Lutheran Confession (NCLC) in praising God for 50 years of grace. Please pray for our safe travels and that God would richly bless the NCLC’s 50th Anniversary celebration!
POST FROM JANELLE HEIN ON CARINGBRIDGE The following was posted on Saturday, April 4... Eight weeks have gone by since John's earthly pilgrimage ended. It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago. I'm finding that Saturday mornings are difficult (the time he died) along with every church service.
My favorite church services to play organ for have always been the Good Friday and the Easter services. The somber, minor music of the day Jesus died verses the triumphant music of the day He burst forth from the grave is such a stark contrast! This evening as I was practicing organ for church tomorrow, I realized that the Easter hymns are so much more personal now.
Two verses of "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" that really struck me:
“He lives to silence all my fears, He live to wipe away my tears, He lives to calm my troubled heart, He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death; He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there.”
As I go on with life without John, my Savior is right here holding me close and John is spending Easter in the mansion prepared for him by his LORD and Savior who died and rose for him!
EASTER’S LAST LAUGH Posted on Easter Sunday by Missionary Bruce Naumann... In her memoir about life in Africa, author Karen Blixen describes the hyena in this way: "The hyena, Fisi, is the one who has the last laugh. He is the scavenger of the world, and he knows that in the end, everything comes to him. He waits in the shadows of the night, and his laugh is the sound of one who knows the ultimate truth: that all pride, all beauty, and all strength must eventually fall to the earth and be claimed by him." Yes, people often laugh at Fisi's ugly and ungainly looks, but his powerful jaws are always there to crunch the bones of the fallen. In this way he is the same type of symbol that we associate with the Grim Reaper, Death himself.
Death certainly appears to have the last laugh in this world. God told Adam "You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19). Moses wrote in Psalm 90, "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away." No doubt Death and the Devil were rejoicing when Jesus, the Son of God, gave up his spirit on Calvary's cross. But Death and the Devil did not laugh last! Jesus came forth bodily from the grave, to live in glory forever. Our own hearts are now filled with sacred laughter, for "Our Savior, Christ Jesus...has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:10
Your brothers and sisters in Christ here in East Africa share the joy of Jesus' resurrection with you! See the Easter photos below, as well some other updates. Mungu awabariki msimu huu wa Pasaka!- May God bless you this Easter season!
CLC WORLD MISSIONS PRAYER LIST – March edition –
Togo (West Africa) – Pastor Kossi Blewu, Missionary Evensen, and recent seminary graduates continue outreach efforts aimed at starting new congregations. Pastor Blewu conducts a weekly Gospel radio program in Assahoun, a town about 30 minutes from the seminary. Following the broadcasts, people have been calling to attend services. One graduate will be called to begin a congregation there.