Welcome to Worship
We gather to worship, we go out to serve.
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
* Please rise in body or spirit
Preparation for Worship
Imagine darkness still covers all of creation and that we are as we left on Good Friday – our music is still somber, our sanctuary is still stripped of color. The first glimpse of light on the horizon of a new day that makes every day new begins – the dawn of Easter morning shines through the desolation, the tears, the desperate chaos of our heart, and light pours in and the black of Good Friday is removed from the cross, the music sounds a new chord that resonates with the heartbeat of new life, the sanctuary is adorned with paraments, with color, with flowers, the music announces the rising of the Son that overcomes all darkness, the candles are lit, the Table is prepared for the Sacrament of Communion, the new day that makes all days new is here - Christ has Risen, Christ has Risen indeed!
Tolling of the Bell
Welcome and Announcements
Visitors, fill out the connection card in the pew so we can send you a note
Opening Prayer Christy Hinson
Almighty God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ you broke the power of death and opened the way to eternal life. As the empty tomb stands witness to his triumph over death, make your church to be a bold testimony to his enduring victory in life, that all we do may proclaim to the world, “He is risen, indeed!” Through Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
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Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Responsive) Christy Hinson
This is the Good News – the grave is empty, Christ is risen.
HALLELUJAH!
This is the Good News – the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never put it out.
HALLELUJAH!
This is the Good News – once we were no people, now we are God’s people.
HALLELUJAH!
*Hymn Jesus Christ is Risen Today #232
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison) Christy Hinson
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
*Passing of the Peace (Responsive)
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
*Congregational Response In My Life #468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today,
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
HEARING THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination Christy Hinson
Almighty God, by the power of your Spirit roll away the stone and reveal to us the Word of Life. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Psalm 114:1-8 Christy Hinson
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Word in Music Christopher Bunch
Gospel Reading John 20:1-18
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon Rev. Jeff Sockwell
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving (Responsive)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, eternal God, creator and ruler of the universe…
…Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Response (All singing) #562
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, whom you sent to save us…
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Response (All singing) #563
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us…
…Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever.
Response (All singing) Amen, amen, amen. Amen, Amen. #564
Communion of the People of God
Music During the Receiving of Communion
Prayer After Communion
Invitation to the Offering
*Doxology #606
*Prayer of Dedication
WE GO OUT TO SERVE
*Hymn Thine is the Glory #238
*Blessing
May God who raised Jesus from the dead bless you and by the power of the Holy Spirit raise you with him in glory.
Postlude Christopher Bunch