SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
Easter Sunday
April 17, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME
OPENING PROCLAMATION
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Today is the day mystery unfolds.
We glimpse it at the dawning of light.
We yearn to hear our Lord calling us:
sister, brother, sibling.
Today we recall again God’s trustworthy promise:
The tomb is empty!
The Lord is risen!
The enemy of death is destroyed!
We delight, saying: alleluia!
We wonder, singing: alleluia!
We are witnesses shouting: alleluia!
*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, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
CALL TO CONFESSION
Death is overcome. Evil is thwarted. Let us confess the sin we carry that we may receive new life in Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of new life, forgive us when we would rather mourn the old. God of resurrection, forgive us when all we can see is death. God of faithfulness, forgive us when we are certain that we are alone. Forgive us, God of mercy. Make us aware of the depth of your grace, that we might respond with lives of faithfulness. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the good news! The Lord is alive! The risen Lord destroys death, conquers sin, and wipes away all shame. We are drenched in radiating mystery: God is with us. Receive the wonderful news: You are made alive in Christ. In Jesus Christ you are restored.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, Living Word, as you revealed yourself to Mary that Easter morning, so reveal yourself to us. By the power of your Spirit, give each of us faith, that hearing your Word we, too, may proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Hear what Holy Wisdom is saying to the churches.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (read responsively)
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘Rise Again’ by Dallas Holm
Richard Smith, soloist & Judy Smith, accompanist
Luke 24:1-12
1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2
REFLECTION: ‘God Moves Out of the Tomb’ Rev. Norlita Kaul
HYMN: #121 (Blue) ‘That Easter Day with Joy was Bright’
That Easter day with joy was bright,
The sun shone out with fairer light,
When, to their longing eyes restored,
The apostles saw their risen Lord.
O Jesus, King of gentleness,
Do all our inmost hearts possess,
And we to You will ever raise
The tribute of our grateful praise.
From every weapon death can wield,
Your own redeemed forever shield;
O Lord of all, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Apostles’ Creed
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
“We believe in the God of Jesus Christ, the Source of abundance wherever we turn, and no matter what we do.” Let us worship God with our lives thro
SPECIAL MUSIC MK Hugghins, organist
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of all Ages, you have emptied the tomb and set us free from our burdens. Hope has overshadowed fear. Comfort has replaced neglect. Faith has gained victory over doubt. The bounds of everyday living, often overwhelming our souls and weakening our spirits, are liberated by Jesus Christ. Today, we recommit to offering comfort, hope, and faith as your generous disciples to others who are driven by fear, neglect, and doubt. We offer these gifts in honor of your Easter promise. Alleluia and Amen. (John 20:1-18 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Risen Lord, Hear Our Cry
(inspired by Psalm 116 & Luke 24:13-31a)
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Risen Lord, hear our cry for help—for those surrounded by the shroud of death, covered by the mantle of dying, hemmed-in by illness, visible or veiled
hear our cry for help…
for those weighed down with worries, carrying the burden of distress, overwhelmed by isolation
hear our cry for help…
for those who are weary, are tattered and worn, who collapse from exhaustion
hear our cry for help…
Risen Lord, hear our cry of thanksgiving--
for the graciousness with which you hear, the patience with which you listen, the grace with which you care
hear our cry of thanksgiving…
for the ways you accompany us through deep valleys, to still meadows
for the ways you provide all we need
hear our cry of thanksgiving…
for transforming death into resurrection life, for blessing and breaking ordinary bread, for opening our eyes to recognize you
hear our cry of thanksgiving…
Risen Lord, hear our cry for communities of faith--
that we retain memory of being together, to embrace unity in the reality of distance, to foresee a future side-by-side, hand-in-hand
hear our cry for communities of faith…
that we sense purpose beyond ourselves, to perceive the needs of creation,
that we stretch ourselves to respond
hear our cry for communities of faith…
that our ways be formed by Your Way, our lives be shaped by Your Life, our love be Your Love
hear our cry for communities of faith…
And hear us as we pray together…
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.
*HYMN #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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL today, it resumes next Sunday, April 24.
CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Monday, April 18.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING will be held next Monday, April 18 at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES AND PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
SESSION MEETING will be held Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00 PM at the church.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church. We are studying the book of Matthew.
SISTERHOOD meets at Mission Coffee House on Thursday, April 21, 11:30 AM.
MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets at the church on Thursday, April 21,
5:30 PM.
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen.
(Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
Thanks to everyone who helped with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week!
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; written by Cheryl Lawrie and posted on http://holdthisspace.org.au/
Easter Sunday
April 17, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME
OPENING PROCLAMATION
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Today is the day mystery unfolds.
We glimpse it at the dawning of light.
We yearn to hear our Lord calling us:
sister, brother, sibling.
Today we recall again God’s trustworthy promise:
The tomb is empty!
The Lord is risen!
The enemy of death is destroyed!
We delight, saying: alleluia!
We wonder, singing: alleluia!
We are witnesses shouting: alleluia!
*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, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
CALL TO CONFESSION
Death is overcome. Evil is thwarted. Let us confess the sin we carry that we may receive new life in Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of new life, forgive us when we would rather mourn the old. God of resurrection, forgive us when all we can see is death. God of faithfulness, forgive us when we are certain that we are alone. Forgive us, God of mercy. Make us aware of the depth of your grace, that we might respond with lives of faithfulness. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the good news! The Lord is alive! The risen Lord destroys death, conquers sin, and wipes away all shame. We are drenched in radiating mystery: God is with us. Receive the wonderful news: You are made alive in Christ. In Jesus Christ you are restored.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, Living Word, as you revealed yourself to Mary that Easter morning, so reveal yourself to us. By the power of your Spirit, give each of us faith, that hearing your Word we, too, may proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Hear what Holy Wisdom is saying to the churches.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (read responsively)
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘Rise Again’ by Dallas Holm
Richard Smith, soloist & Judy Smith, accompanist
Luke 24:1-12
1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2
REFLECTION: ‘God Moves Out of the Tomb’ Rev. Norlita Kaul
HYMN: #121 (Blue) ‘That Easter Day with Joy was Bright’
That Easter day with joy was bright,
The sun shone out with fairer light,
When, to their longing eyes restored,
The apostles saw their risen Lord.
O Jesus, King of gentleness,
Do all our inmost hearts possess,
And we to You will ever raise
The tribute of our grateful praise.
From every weapon death can wield,
Your own redeemed forever shield;
O Lord of all, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Apostles’ Creed
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
“We believe in the God of Jesus Christ, the Source of abundance wherever we turn, and no matter what we do.” Let us worship God with our lives thro
SPECIAL MUSIC MK Hugghins, organist
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of all Ages, you have emptied the tomb and set us free from our burdens. Hope has overshadowed fear. Comfort has replaced neglect. Faith has gained victory over doubt. The bounds of everyday living, often overwhelming our souls and weakening our spirits, are liberated by Jesus Christ. Today, we recommit to offering comfort, hope, and faith as your generous disciples to others who are driven by fear, neglect, and doubt. We offer these gifts in honor of your Easter promise. Alleluia and Amen. (John 20:1-18 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Risen Lord, Hear Our Cry
(inspired by Psalm 116 & Luke 24:13-31a)
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Risen Lord, hear our cry for help—for those surrounded by the shroud of death, covered by the mantle of dying, hemmed-in by illness, visible or veiled
hear our cry for help…
for those weighed down with worries, carrying the burden of distress, overwhelmed by isolation
hear our cry for help…
for those who are weary, are tattered and worn, who collapse from exhaustion
hear our cry for help…
Risen Lord, hear our cry of thanksgiving--
for the graciousness with which you hear, the patience with which you listen, the grace with which you care
hear our cry of thanksgiving…
for the ways you accompany us through deep valleys, to still meadows
for the ways you provide all we need
hear our cry of thanksgiving…
for transforming death into resurrection life, for blessing and breaking ordinary bread, for opening our eyes to recognize you
hear our cry of thanksgiving…
Risen Lord, hear our cry for communities of faith--
that we retain memory of being together, to embrace unity in the reality of distance, to foresee a future side-by-side, hand-in-hand
hear our cry for communities of faith…
that we sense purpose beyond ourselves, to perceive the needs of creation,
that we stretch ourselves to respond
hear our cry for communities of faith…
that our ways be formed by Your Way, our lives be shaped by Your Life, our love be Your Love
hear our cry for communities of faith…
And hear us as we pray together…
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.
*HYMN #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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL today, it resumes next Sunday, April 24.
CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Monday, April 18.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING will be held next Monday, April 18 at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES AND PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
SESSION MEETING will be held Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00 PM at the church.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church. We are studying the book of Matthew.
SISTERHOOD meets at Mission Coffee House on Thursday, April 21, 11:30 AM.
MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets at the church on Thursday, April 21,
5:30 PM.
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen.
(Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
Thanks to everyone who helped with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week!
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; written by Cheryl Lawrie and posted on http://holdthisspace.org.au/