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
Fourth Sunday of Easter “Good Shepherd Sunday”
Our Service can be found on your radio at 87.9 FM
April 26, 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!
We celebrate Holy Communion: In this Supper of our Lord we receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ under the earthly forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Since this Holy Communion is also a sign of how we commonly confess the Christian faith, we welcome to the Lord’s Table those who are confirmed members of congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. If this is your first time communing with us, please speak with the pastor or an usher before the service begins. If you are a guest who has not been instructed concerning the Lord’s Supper and our church’s teaching, and desire to commune with us, we invite you to first attend our instructional classes.
Divine Service Setting 4 – page 203
Ringing of the Bell
Opening Hymn #590 Baptized into Your Name Most Holy
Rite of Holy Baptism – Sophie Faith Luther LSB 268
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 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C who made heaven and earth.
P If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
C But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.
P Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
C Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
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 + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
Service of the Word
Introit sing responsively Psalm 95:1–3, 6–7a; antiphon: John 10:14, 15b
I am the good | shepherd.*
I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life | for the sheep.
Oh come, let us sing | to the Lord;*
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our sal- | vation!
Let us come into his presence with thanks- | giving;*
let us make a joyful noise to him with | songs of praise!
For the Lord is a | great God,*
and a great King a- | bove all gods.
Oh come, let us worship and | bow down;*
let us kneel before the Lord, our | Maker!
For he | is our God,*
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep | of his hand.
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.
I am the good | shepherd.*
I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life | for the sheep.
Kyrie LSB 204
C Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy.
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204
C 1 To God on high be glory
And peace to all the earth;
Goodwill from God in heaven
Proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!
We praise and bless You, Father;
Your holy name, we sing—
Our thanks for Your great glory,
Lord God, our heav’nly King.
2 To You, O sole-begotten,
The Father’s Son, we pray;
O Lamb of God, our Savior,
You take our sins away.
Have mercy on us, Jesus;
Receive our heartfelt cry,
Where You in pow’r are seated
At God’s right hand on high—
3 For You alone are holy;
You only are the Lord.
Forever and forever,
Be worshiped and adored;
You with the Holy Spirit
Alone are Lord Most High,
In God the Father’s glory.
“Amen!” our glad reply.
Text: Stephen P. Starke
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Let us pray.
Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; 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.
Sit
First Reading Acts 2:42–47
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Gradual sings 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 2:19–25
19This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Please stand if you are able
Alleluia and Verse
C Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
C These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
C Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Holy Gospel John 10:1–10
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the tenth chapter.
C Glory to You, O Lord.
1[Jesus said:] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.
Sit
Hymn of the Day #709 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Sermon John 10:1-10 “Our Good Shepherd Cares For Us!”
Please stand if you are able
Prayer of the Church
Sit
Offering
Service of the Sacrament
If you are visiting and desire to receive Holy Communion, please see our
Communion statement on the front of our bulletin
Please stand if you are able
Preface LSB 208
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 Him thanks and praise.
P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, for the countless blessings You so freely bestow on us and all creation. Above all, we give thanks for Your boundless love shown to us when You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into our flesh and laid on Him our sin, giving Him into death that we might not die eternally. Because He is now risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity, all who believe in Him will overcome sin and death and will rise again to new life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus LSB 208
C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth adored;
Heav’n and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name.
Sing hosanna in the highest, sing hosanna to the Lord;
Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Text: Stephen P. Starke
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.
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 + 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 + 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
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C Amen.
Agnus Dei LSB 210
C 1 O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God,
You take the sin of the world away;
O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God,
Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
2 O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God,
You take the sin of the world away;
Have mercy on us, Jesus Christ,
And grant us peace, O Lord, we pray.
Text: Stephen P. Starke
Sit
Distribution
Distribution Hymns
#711 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
#620 Jesus Comes Today with Healing
#740 I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb
Please stand if you are able
Post-Communion Collect
A Let us pray.
O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; 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 212
A Let us bless the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Benediction
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
C Amen.
Closing Hymn #692 Praise to You and Adoration
Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting Four 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 (recovering from surgery), Hailey Marlow (recovery from surgery), Ty Johanning (recovering from surgery), Barb Schmeding (heart issues), Howard Schmidt (cancer).
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.
Comfort for the Family of Ally Melliere
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Serving Today
Organist: Connie Kostecki
Assist Elder: Carl Brewer & Dwight Boehm
Ushers: Alex Wolfe & Josh Busby
Acolyte: Kelsey Crook
Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert
Serving Next Sunday May 3, 2026
Organist: Connie Kostecki
Ushers: Colby Crook & Jarrod Ostlund
Acolyte: Colton Glessner
Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert
This Week at Holy Cross
Today 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m. Brunch and Presentation
10:15 a.m. Sunday School
Monday Pastor Day Off
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class
6:30 p.m. Choir Practice
Sunday, May 3rd 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m. Fellowship
10:15 a.m. Sunday School/Bible Class
Birthday
Samantha Hook April 26 Kenny Glaenzer April 26
Nancy Rains April 26 Rachel Koch April 27
Wyatt Wolfe April 27 Sophia Rednour April 28
Doug May April 29 Toney Kostecki April 30
Sophie Luther May 1 Ellery Mormann May 2
Anniversary
Dennis & Jill Dougherty April 30, 2005
Mike & Darcy Fausz May 2, 1992
Baptism of Sophie Faith Luther born on May 1, 2025 to Brad & Suzanne Luther. Godparents – Travis Terveer & Carrie Schaefer
Today, April 26, 2026, Rev. Heath R. Curtis, will 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!
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.
A history of our congregation can be found in “God’s Grace in a Country Place II” written by Arlene Baum for the 150th church anniversary. It is a 120-page history with photos. Read how God was with this church through many trials. Cost: $10.00. Proceeds go to the General Fund. Checks payable to Holy Cross. See Arlene (call 618-340-2471) or the church office.
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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