Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg
5765 Maeystown Road – Waterloo, IL 62298
Pastor Dan Ostlund
Office: 618-939-7094 – cell 618-301-6358
Office: hcwartb@htc.net, Pastor: wartburg.pastor@gmail.com
Website: www.holycrosswartburg.com
Third Sunday of Easter
Our Service can be found on your radio at 87.9 FM
April 19, 2026
Guests Welcome! We are delighted that you are with us for worship this morning. Consider us your church home– at least for today. We hope we will see you again soon!
Divine Service Setting 3 – page 184
Ringing of the Bell
Opening Hymn #474 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen
Confession and Absolution
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
P Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C who made heaven and earth.
P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
P O almighty God, merciful Father,
C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I 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
Introit – sung responsively Psalm 133; antiphon: v. 1
Behold, how good and pleas- | ant it is*
when brothers dwell in | unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of | Aaron,*
running down on the collar | of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of | Zion!*
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for- | evermore.
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.
Behold, how good and pleas- | ant it is*
when brothers dwell in | unity!
Kyrie LSB 186
C Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187
P Glory be to God on high:
C and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee,
we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
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
First Reading Acts 2:14a, 36–41
14Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, . . .
36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Gradual sing responsively adapt. from Matthew 28:7; Hebrews 2:7; Psalm 8:6
Christ has risen | from the dead.*
[God the Father] has crowned him with glory and | honor.
He has given him dominion over the works | of his hands;*
he has put all things un- | der his feet.
Epistle 1 Peter 1:17–25
17If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, 21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Please stand if you are able
Alleluia LSB 190
C Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Holy Gospel Luke 24:13–35
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter.
C Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21But 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 happened. 22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
Children Sing -“Hallelujah, Jesus Lives!”
Children’s Message
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 + everlasting. Amen.
Sit
Hymn of the Day #483 With High Delight Let Us Unite
Sermon Luke 24: 13-35 “Opened Eyes”
P The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
C Amen.
Please stand if you are able
Offertory LSB 192
C Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.
Sit
Offering
Please stand if you are able
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.
Concluding Collect
A Let us pray.
Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, so that in steadfast faith we may serve You and, in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Benedicamus LSB 202
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
A Bless we the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Benediction LSB 202
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 peace.
C Amen, amen, amen.
Closing Hymn #919 Abide, O Dearest Jesus
Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting Three from Lutheran Service Book
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 © 2026 Concordia Publishing House.
OUR PRAYERS
For the sick and/or injured – Rich Brege (hospitalized), Brandy Burkemper (health complications), Radar Glaenzer – health concerns, Hailey Marlow (recovery from surgery), Barb Schmeding (heart issues), Howard Schmidt (cancer).
Will Breiner (recovering from surgery – Kenny & Radar’s grandson), Tripp Dodson (leukemia – Myah Grossheim’s cousin), Bill Keel (hospice – brother-in-law of Arlene Baum and Howard & Mike Schmidt), Cindy Kerr (cancer – Arlene Baum’s niece), David Marler (cancer – Rejona Reichert’s brother-in-law), Susan McFadden (cancer – friend of Pastor & Deb), Dave Moore (cancer- Ron Braun’s niece’s husband), Herb Phillips – (stroke- cousin of Connie Kostecki), Leo David Trost (many health challenges/born with scoliosis – grandson of Kathy Bollinger), Beth Vincent (ALS – friend of Kenny & Radar), Janice Whelan (surgery-friend of Ron & Pearl Braun).
For those in Nursing Homes, the home bound, and those unable to be
with us in worship.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Serving Today
Organist: Connie Kostecki
Ushers: Phillip Reinhardt & Greg Reinhardt
Acolyte: Tyler Johanning
Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert
Serving Next Sunday April 26, 2026
Organist: Connie Kostecki
Assist Elder: Carl Brewer & Dwight Boehm
Ushers: Alex Wolfe & Josh Busby
Acolyte: Kelsey Crook
Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert
This Week at Holy Cross
Today 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m. Followship
10:15 a.m. School/Bible Class
Monday Pastor Day Off
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class
6:30 p.m. Choir Practice
Thursday 9:30 a.m. Quilting
Sunday, April 26th 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m. Fellowship
10:15 a.m. Sunday School and
Bible Class-Rev. Heath Curtis presentation
Birthday
Shirley Gross Apr. 21 Deb Ostlund Apr. 21
John Wedel Apr. 21 Kerry May Apr. 22
Randy Jones Apr. 23 Stephanie Toenjes Apr. 24
Anniversary
Ron & Pat Unterseh April 22, 1978
Alex & Melissa Wolfe April 23, 2016
Next Sunday, April 26, 2026, our Bishop / President of the Southern Illinois District, Rev. Heath R. Curtis, will be joining us for worship. He will also be making a presentation during the Bible Class hour about cultural and demographic change, the four problems this raises for every Christian church in America, and how to faithfully respond in our congregation. Everyone in the church is encouraged to come and hear this engaging and informative presentation!
Fabric needed for quilts. If you have any unwanted cotton fabric or sheets (laundered) please bring them to the school basement. The church ladies use this to make quilts for Orphan Grain Train, World Relief, homeless shelters, and any disaster areas. The next quilting day will be Thursday, April 23rd at 9:30 am. Come join in for the making of these quilts. (They are “tied”, not quilted, so not expertise is needed)
The food being collected during April and May will be for the backpack program servicing the students from the Waterloo, Valmeyer, Red Bud, and Prairie du Rocher areas.
The following are suggested items:
Canned meals such as Ravioli, Spaghetti and meat sauce, Peanut butter and jelly; Pancake mix and syrup;
Cereal, Pudding snacks, Pop tarts, Pizza kits, Spaghetti packs and pasta sauce; Cheese and cracker packs;
Peanut butter and cracker packs. Anything that is easy for kids to make. NO glass containers please.
Special Donation in Need – On Friday March 27th there was a drive by shooting on 1-70 that involved a member of our congregation and an innocent family of 4. Thankfully God kept everyone safe from harm and injury. The family of 4 though have been through very hard times and had just gotten back up on their feet and then this incident happened. Their car got front end damage and due to struggling to make ends meet they did not have insurance to fix the car. There will be an offering basket in back of church if anyone would like to give and help this family to get the car repaired, I know they would be beyond thankful!
Spring Rally and Prayer Service is on Saturday April 25th from 8:30 -12:30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church – Waterloo. Everyone is invited. Please let Kathy Bollinger know by April 15th if you like to attend.
LWML/Ladies Aid is asking if anyone is interested in joining our Ladies Aid committee. Our Ladies Aid meets on the first Thursday of the month from 9:30-12:00. Please contact Kathy B., Connie K. or
Arlene B. if you are interested.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church – Wartburg 3rd Golf Tournament on
Friday May 29, 2026 at Acorns in downtown Wartburg Illinois. So, get those clubs and gather some friends to create a team and have a great day.
Golf information is on the Bulletin Board in Narthex with extra sheets to create a team.
For Those Interested: Hole Sponsors would be welcomed, $100 will purchase a hole that would have a sign presented a business, friends or in memory of a loved one you desire. 100% of this money will go to the church. If anyone is interested, please contact Alex Wolf – alexwolfe12@gmail.com
Checks should be made out to Holy Cross Wartburg.
Other options to donate to church is to use the QR code to make a
donation to support Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg.
Thank you!
If you have any questions, contact Kathy Reifschneider 618-444-2188
Or kreifschneider4@gmail.com
Other ways to gift to Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg
Donate stock How to donate stock to Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg in 3 simple steps:
1. Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg has a brokerage account set up with Edward Jones. Our financial advisor is Adam Brewer 618-939-7153.
2. Our brokerage account number is xxx-xx148. Provide this information to your broker to initiate the transfer. Keep in mind that brokerage firms tend to be extremely busy with tax donations and other end-of-year items every December, so it’s wise to get started before then, if possible. It’s also important to remember to report your stock donation, which is considered a non-cash charitable contribution, to the IRS with Form 8283. 3. You should report the donation for the tax year in which it was made.
Read more about charitable giving in this article from Thrivent.
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