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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
April 19, 2026
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
The Reverend Leonard H. Bolick
Pastor Emeritus The Reverend Terrell G. Long, Jr.
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to our service today! May God richly bless you as you worship here. If you are visiting for the first time this morning, we ask that you please sign the guest register found in the front entrance of the church.

Gathering music
P: Welcome and announcements
prelude (Remain seated during prelude)
GATHERING: The Holy Spirit gathers us in Christ’s name!
*(You are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)

“alleluia”
1 Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, alleluia.
2 He’s my Savior; He’s my Savior.
He’s my Savior; He’s my Savior.
He’s my Savior; He’s my Savior.
He’s my Savior; He’s my Savior.
3 He is worthy; He is worthy.
He is worthy; He is worthy.
He is worthy; He is worthy.
He is worthy; He is worthy.
4 I will praise Him; I will praise Him.
I will praise Him; I will praise Him.
I will praise Him; I will praise Him.
I will praise Him; I will praise Him.

*greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

*P With one voice let us pray.....

Thanksgiving for Baptism
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the minister begins.)
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
P: Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb!
Amen.
P: Let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Merciful God,
you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation:
morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness
who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows.
Break down barriers that divide us.
Fill us with the breath of peace.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.

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Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism,
and for making us a new creation.
We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise,
now and forever.
Amen.

(The congregation may be seated.)

Children’s message

first Reading acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Today’s reading is the conclusion of Peter’s sermon preached following the giving of the Holy Spirit to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The center of his preaching is the bold declaration that God has made the crucified Jesus both Lord and Christ
A reading from Acts, the second chapter
14a Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd]: 36 “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Second reading: 1 Peter 1: 17-23
The imagery of exile is used to help the readers of this letter understand that they are strangers in a strange land. Christians no longer belong to this age. Through the death of Christ we belong to God, so that our focus, faith, and hope are no longer on such things as silver or gold.
A reading from 1 Peter, the first chapter
17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges impartially according to each person’s work, live in fear during the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile conduct inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your trust and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual affection, love one another deeply from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19 (spoken 2 x 2 Cantor 2; congregation 2)
1 I love the Lord, who has heard my voice, and listened to my supplication, 2 for the Lord has given ear to me whenever I called. 3 The cords of death entangled me; the anguish of the grave came upon me; I came to grief and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray you, save my life.” 12 How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things God has done for me? 13 I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

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14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people. 15 Precious in your sight, O Lord, is the death of your servants. 16 O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds. 17 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people, 19 in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

P: Holy Gospel (Remain seated) luke 24: 13-35
The colorful story of Jesus’ appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus answers the question of how Jesus is to be recognized among us. Here, he is revealed through the scriptures and in the breaking of bread.
The Holy Gospel according to the twenty-fourth chapter of St. Luke
Glory to you, O Lord.
13 Now on that same day two [disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group

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astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon the rev. leonard H. bolick

*Sermon song: “majesty”
Majesty, worship His majesty, Unto Jesus be all glory, power and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority flow from His throne unto His own, His anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship His majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings!

P: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the words of the Apostle’s 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 power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession
Assisting Minister: Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)

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Living Savior, just as you journeyed with the disciples to Emmaus, accompany us on our journey of faith. Gather us at your table, that we recognize you in the breaking of the bread. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Almighty God, you provide for the needs of all creation. Bless the fields that are being prepared for planting, and send favorable weather so that the soil may yield an abundant harvest. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of justice, where leaders abuse power, confront them and call them to repentance. Where there is corruption, bring integrity; where there is violence, sow peace. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Healing Savior, your resurrection brings hope to a hurting world. Heal those who are sick. Strengthen the weary, give courage to the despairing, and comfort the dying. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Gracious One, you have made us your own through the gift of baptism. Unite us in genuine love for one another and uphold this community in your name. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Eternal Light, we give thanks for all who have nurtured your church’s life in ages past. Bring us at last with them to the brightness of your glorious presence. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
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.
Amen.

*Sharing of the Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offering/ Remain seated)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful
response for all God’s gifts.)

MEAL: (God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ).

Offertory “we are an offering” elw #692
We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift out lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord , use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering, we are an offering.

*“Come and See the Glory of the Lord” (The pastor sings the first two verses.)
In the night that Jesus was betrayed, in an upper room,
He took the bread and blessed it as he said..
“Here’s my body broken for you”.
He took the cup and raised it up on high, bowed His head and prayed. And then he said: “My blood for you is shed, a cleansing stream to wash your sins away”.

(Congregation joins in singing)
Come and see the glory of the Lord, come before the Lamb
Come and see the mercy of the King, bowing down before Him
For He is Lord above the heavens, Lord in all the earth.
Lord of all the angels, worthy to be served. Alleluia…..Lord!

P: Invitation to Communion: Come to the table of new life. Receive the Risen Lord.
COMMUNION–communion music

White grape juice is available in the center of the tray for those unable to drink wine.
When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond: Amen.
**if you would like to take communion in your seat, please indicate to an usher and they will bring it to you.**

*LOrd's Prayer-sing
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 pow’r and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.

Sending: (God blesses us and sends us with gifts of grace in mission to the world.)

P*Blessing
God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end,
Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead,
and the Spirit, our advocate and peace,
Xbless you now and forever.
Amen.

Sending HYMN: “how great is our god”
The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty;
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice.
He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at His voice, and trembles at His voice.
Chorus
How great is our God! Sing with me:
How great is our God! And all will see
How great, how great is our God.
Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands;
Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End.
The Godhead, three in one, Father, Spirit, Son,
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb. [Repeat Chorus]

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Gerald & Edith Beane by Karan Cline

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Sinclair Deal by Mike & Malinda Clay

Sunday Servants April 19th
Assisting Minister.........................................................................................................David Hartmann
Lay Reader.............................................................................................................................Kelly Taylor
Ushers ………………..............................................................................................Dale & Stacie Myers
Greeter..............................................................................................................................James McGee
Acolyte………………..…………............................................................................................Leah Isley
Crucifer................................................................................................................................Marc Woodie
Tabulators………………..............................................................................Marc Woodie & Leah Isley
Altar Guild……..............…….................…...............................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Presenters...............................................................................................................Harold & Judy Smith
Children’s Message...........................................................................................................Katie Hamann

WELCA is collecting items for Robins Nest, a children’s advocacy program. You may place your items in the basket in the narthex. This project is open to all members of the congregation.

The church council and WELCA will meet immediately following the morning worship service today. WELCA’s meeting will last about ten minutes.

The quilters are on the calendar this week for Wednesday, April 22nd at 10:00 AM. Please talk to Diane Chaffee or Dot Fairchild to see if they will be meeting on that date.

This Week’s Opportunities
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship
Church Council Meeting ~After the service
WELCA Meeting –After the service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 8:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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