March 31, 2024 - Easter Sunday
Prelude: Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
Beethoven, arr. Busarow
Introit: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing
Vulpius, arr. Langlois
Jim Cathey, trumpet
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Isaiah 25]
Leader: Christ has risen!
Response: He has risen indeed!
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food.
He will destroy the shroud that is cast over all peoples; he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Let us worship the LORD!
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Hymn 123)
Lyra Davidica
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!
Confession
Gracious God, we have heard the good news: how on the third day, Christ rose again. However, we hear bad news all around us: war, natural disasters, disease, and many other struggles near and far. We often feel hopeless and helpless in the face of suffering and death. Please meet us where we are and help us trust that you will wipe away the tears from all faces. Forgive us when we run out to help but quickly turn around and go home without taking time to connect with anyone. Help us live into the Easter hope that frees us from the grip of death to love one another as Jesus loved us. Amen.
Silence
Thine is the Glory (Hymn 122)
Budry/Handel
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is nought without Thee; aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors through Thy deathless love
Bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above.
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 Has Risen While Earth Slumbers
Bell/Maule/Welsh melody
Lisa Phillips and Jim Cathey
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Steve Blewett
Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6-9
New Testament: John 20:1-18
Sermon: This is the LORD for whom we have waited
Focus: “Unless we frankly recognize that Christ's birth and resurrection come forth from places of hopelessness and helplessness, we've not understood their meaning.” ― J. Todd Billings, End of the Christian Life
Response: The Strife Is O’er (Hymn 119)
Latin/Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done, the victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! (refrain)
The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed:
Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia! (refrain)
The three sad days are quickly sped, Christ rises glorious from the dead;
All glory to our risen Head! Alleluia! (refrain)
Pastoral Prayer & 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.
Call to Stewardship
Ann Hall
For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. -2 Corinthians 4:5
Offering: O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing!
15th cent French tune, arr. Callahan
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: The Strife Is O’er
Vulpius/Palestrina, arr. Callahan
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