FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Easter Sunday
March 31, 2024
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CHURCH OFFICE is closed Monday, April 1, in observance of Easter Monday.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- PIECES AND PRAYERS will meet on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
–‘ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING’ SPECIAL OFFERING- last day for donations (accepted February 14 through March 31). Please use the envelopes by the offering plates or write ‘One Great Hour’ on check memo. Thank you for your generosity!
HOLY WEEK AND SHARING THE GOOD NEWS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
*OPENING HYMN #123 (Blue) Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as God’s love; Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Risen Christ, the world despised and rejected you. You responded with grace and humility. The proud questioned your power, devised your death. You responded with peace and forgiveness. Forgive us, Merciful One, our arrogance, our selfishness, our scheming, our violence. Forgive us, Merciful One, we are like them; make us like you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SPECIAL MUSIC (Christine L’Amour) Thine is the Glory
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC (Choir) That Easter Day with Joy was Bright
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118:1,2,19-24 (responsive)
1 give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Gospel: John 20:1-18
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.
6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there,
7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
1 John 4:7-12
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON Easter’s Profound Message of Love
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (John 3:16-17)
16 We believe that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #118 (Blue) The Day of Resurrection!
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from this world to the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
And, listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain,
His own "All hail!" and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth the song begin,
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein,
Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend,
For Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Delores K
Our homebound or in care members:
Richard & Dolores C, Bob & Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne as caregiver), Bob O (Nancy as caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W
(Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Bruce & Lucy B, Linda B
Those Who Mourn:
The family/friends of Bob Bartling, Nancy & Bob O on the passing of Bob's sister, and all who have lost loved ones
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (insert) Low in the Grave He Lay
Low in the grave he lay ˗˗ Jesus, my Savior,
waiting the coming day ˗˗ Jesus, my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign!
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch his bed ˗˗ Jesus, my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead ˗˗ Jesus, my Lord! [Refrain]
Death cannot keep its prey ˗˗ Jesus, my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus ˗˗ my Lord! [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
.
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Easter Sunday
March 31, 2024
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CHURCH OFFICE is closed Monday, April 1, in observance of Easter Monday.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- PIECES AND PRAYERS will meet on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
–‘ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING’ SPECIAL OFFERING- last day for donations (accepted February 14 through March 31). Please use the envelopes by the offering plates or write ‘One Great Hour’ on check memo. Thank you for your generosity!
HOLY WEEK AND SHARING THE GOOD NEWS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
*OPENING HYMN #123 (Blue) Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as God’s love; Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Risen Christ, the world despised and rejected you. You responded with grace and humility. The proud questioned your power, devised your death. You responded with peace and forgiveness. Forgive us, Merciful One, our arrogance, our selfishness, our scheming, our violence. Forgive us, Merciful One, we are like them; make us like you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SPECIAL MUSIC (Christine L’Amour) Thine is the Glory
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC (Choir) That Easter Day with Joy was Bright
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118:1,2,19-24 (responsive)
1 give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Gospel: John 20:1-18
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.
6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there,
7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
1 John 4:7-12
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON Easter’s Profound Message of Love
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (John 3:16-17)
16 We believe that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #118 (Blue) The Day of Resurrection!
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from this world to the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
And, listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain,
His own "All hail!" and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth the song begin,
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein,
Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend,
For Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Delores K
Our homebound or in care members:
Richard & Dolores C, Bob & Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne as caregiver), Bob O (Nancy as caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W
(Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Bruce & Lucy B, Linda B
Those Who Mourn:
The family/friends of Bob Bartling, Nancy & Bob O on the passing of Bob's sister, and all who have lost loved ones
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (insert) Low in the Grave He Lay
Low in the grave he lay ˗˗ Jesus, my Savior,
waiting the coming day ˗˗ Jesus, my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign!
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch his bed ˗˗ Jesus, my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead ˗˗ Jesus, my Lord! [Refrain]
Death cannot keep its prey ˗˗ Jesus, my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus ˗˗ my Lord! [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
.
POSTLUDE