FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Easter/Resurrection of the Lord
April 20, 2025
PRELUDE The Strife is Over, The Battle is Won arr. Young
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
–'ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING' SPECIAL OFFERING- last day for donations
-CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED on Monday, April 21, Easter Monday
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
- MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets Thursday, April 24, 5:30 PM
SPECIAL MUSIC Was It a Morning Like This (choir)
*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, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
CALL TO WORSHIP
This is the day the Lord has made—
A day of new beginnings, of renewed hope, of resurrection life!
We come to rejoice! For the stone is rolled away,
The tomb is empty, and Christ is risen!
From the very beginning, God has been making things new:
Light from darkness, beauty from chaos, a people from slavery.
In Jesus Christ, God began again--
Walking among us, dying for us, rising to renew us.
This is the morning of fresh starts and second chances!
We worship the God of resurrection and rejoice in His redeeming love!
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of resurrection, we come before You confessing how often we live as if the stone were never rolled away. You offer us new life, yet we cling to old ways.
Forgive us, Lord. Raise us up to walk in the newness of life.
You invite us to live with joy, but we are weighed down by worry, fear, and doubt. We forget the promise that nothing can separate us from Your love.
Forgive us, Lord. Fill us with Easter joy and help us to trust in Your grace.
You call us to share good news, but we are silent when we should speak, hesitant when we should act. We fail to be Your bold witnesses in the world.
Forgive us, Lord. Give us courage to proclaim Christ alive in all we do. Help us to live as Easter people—redeemed, renewed, and alive in Christ. We ask in the name of our living Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 65: 17- 19
17 “See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
6bDo you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Gospel Reading Luke 24:1-12 (King James Version)
24 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
SERMON Easter: God's Great Restart
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (John 3:16-17)
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Don K & Carol G, Andrew & Beth L
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
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 #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 in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Jesus Christ is Risen Today arr. Young
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Easter/Resurrection of the Lord
April 20, 2025
PRELUDE The Strife is Over, The Battle is Won arr. Young
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
–'ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING' SPECIAL OFFERING- last day for donations
-CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED on Monday, April 21, Easter Monday
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
- MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets Thursday, April 24, 5:30 PM
SPECIAL MUSIC Was It a Morning Like This (choir)
*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, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
CALL TO WORSHIP
This is the day the Lord has made—
A day of new beginnings, of renewed hope, of resurrection life!
We come to rejoice! For the stone is rolled away,
The tomb is empty, and Christ is risen!
From the very beginning, God has been making things new:
Light from darkness, beauty from chaos, a people from slavery.
In Jesus Christ, God began again--
Walking among us, dying for us, rising to renew us.
This is the morning of fresh starts and second chances!
We worship the God of resurrection and rejoice in His redeeming love!
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of resurrection, we come before You confessing how often we live as if the stone were never rolled away. You offer us new life, yet we cling to old ways.
Forgive us, Lord. Raise us up to walk in the newness of life.
You invite us to live with joy, but we are weighed down by worry, fear, and doubt. We forget the promise that nothing can separate us from Your love.
Forgive us, Lord. Fill us with Easter joy and help us to trust in Your grace.
You call us to share good news, but we are silent when we should speak, hesitant when we should act. We fail to be Your bold witnesses in the world.
Forgive us, Lord. Give us courage to proclaim Christ alive in all we do. Help us to live as Easter people—redeemed, renewed, and alive in Christ. We ask in the name of our living Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 65: 17- 19
17 “See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
6bDo you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Gospel Reading Luke 24:1-12 (King James Version)
24 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
SERMON Easter: God's Great Restart
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (John 3:16-17)
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Don K & Carol G, Andrew & Beth L
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
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 #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 in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Jesus Christ is Risen Today arr. Young
