April 7, 2024
Prelude: I Stand at the Threshold
(From Cantata No. 156)
Bach, arr. Biggs
Introit: Be Not Afraid
Taizé Community/Berthier
Lisa Phillips, soprano; Angela Bloemeke, clarinet
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 111]
Come! Let us give thanks to the Lord with whole hearts.
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.
Let us worship the LORD!
Christ Is Risen! (Hymn 104)
Beethoven/Wren
Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder: all creation is amazed.
In the desert all surrounding, see a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen! Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection, not a servant but a friend.
Jesus is our strong companion. Joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna, everyone!
Confession
God of compassion, you see your people’s distress even when we are going astray. Forgive us when we go along with the tides of division in our culture. Forgive us when we demand certainty before we are willing to open our hearts to your teaching and change. Lead us to repentance, and give us courage to cultivate love in difficult circumstances. Amen.
Silence
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks! (Hymn 106)
Fishel
Chorus:
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord;
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth; he is the king of creation. (Chorus)
Spread the good news o’er all the earth; Jesus has died and has risen. (Chorus)
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
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,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
Christ Is Risen (Hymn 109)
Martinex/Sosa
Christ is risen, Christ is living, dry your tears, be unafraid!
Death and darkness could not hold Him, nor the tomb where He was laid.
Do not look among the dead for One who lives forevermore;
Tell the world that Christ is risen, make it known He goes before.
If the Lord had never risen, we’d have nothing to believe.
But His promise can be trusted: “You will live, because I live.”
As we share the death of Adam, so in Christ we live again.
Death has lost its sting and terror. Christ the Lord has come to reign.
Death has lost its old dominion, let the world rejoice and shout!
Christ, the firstborn of the living, gives us life and leads us out.
Let us thank our God who causes hope to spring up from the ground.
Christ is risen, Christ is giving life eternal, life profound.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Yoder
Old Testament: 2 Kings 14:23-27
New Testament: Luke 11:29-32
Homily: The Sign of Jonah
Focus: Easter Freedom Opens the Way to Personal Transformation!
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: Lamb of God
Paris, arr. Raney
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Betsy Hammond
I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
-Philippians 3:8
Offering: Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain of Triumphant Gladness
Sullivan/Burkhardt
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: God, our God, Is With Us
Neander, arr. Burkhardt
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CCLI# 283345
