Welcome
Proclamation:
Pastor: As the first day of the week was dawning Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Liturgist: Suddenly there was a great earthquake for an angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone.
Pastor: His appearance was like lightening and clothing dazzling bright.
Liturgist: The guards shook with fear and became like the dead.
Pastor: The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, Jesus who was crucified and died has been raised.”
Liturgist: “Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has been raised from the dead and you will see him in Galilee.”
Song – Up From the Grave He Arose – UMH 322
Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grace 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
Affirmation
Liturgist: This is the Good News- the grave is empty, Christ is risen.
All: Hallelujah!
Liturgist: This is the Good News- the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never put it out.
All: Hallelujah!
Liturgist: This is the Good News- once we were no people, now we are God’s people.
All: Hallelujah!
Liturgist: Christ is our peace, the indestructible peace we now share with each other.
Prayer: Jesus Christ, we greet you! Your hands still have holes in them, your feet are wet from the dew; and with the memory of our names undimmed by three days of death you meet us, risen from the grave. We fail to understand how; we puzzle at the reason why. But you have come; not to answer our questions, but to show us your face.
All: You are alive and the world can rejoice again. Hallelujah! Amen.
Stages on the Way. Copyright 1997. Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community.
GIA Publications, Inc., exclusive North American Distributor.
Our Offering to God
Anthem – Choir
Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Offering Prayer
Scripture Reading – Luke 24:13-16
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
L: For the Word of God in scripture; for the Word of God within us and for the Word of God among us we say:
All: Thanks be to God.
Message
Prayer of Confession – UMH 8
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving – UMH 9
P: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
P: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
The Lord’s Prayer – UMH 895
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Communion Hymn – He Lives – UMH 310
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever foes may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
and just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Refrain:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me I see his loving care,
and though my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that he is leading through all the stormy blast,
the day of his appearing will come at last.
Refrain
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;
none other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sharing our joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Announcements
Song – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (vs. 1,2,3) – UMH 302
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Benediction
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Please keep in prayer: Nema, Chris, Pearl, Ayinde, Nalo, Robert, Nina J., Edna P., Farrah, Melissa, Ruth, Bridget, Sandy, Johnnie K, Susan L., Lydia, Tina, Blanche and family, Charles C., Kyle and family, Kaye, Charlene, Marion G., Valerie H., Millie, Mary, Rosier , Drema, Mary Jane, John, Louise and Mark, Jane, Claire. Marian, Carlos, Al, Margaret Franklin, Hallman family, Debbie, Lilli, Ollie, Linda, Wenona. The ministry of Cokesbury. Streetlight, Featherstone School students, teachers, staff, parents. People struggling with mental illness.
Prayer Shawls: You may have noticed the throws on the chairs in the narthex. These were made by our own Prayer Shawl ministry. These “shawls” represent prayer and hugs for people in need. If this describes you or yours, please take one.
Discernment: 859 Prayer
The Way of Discipleship
Growing in Grace through study:
Sundays following worship. The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas
Growing in Grace through fellowship and more:
Welcome Table third Sunday in April, April 16th, 11:30 am. Come and share a meal and conversation.
Friday with Friends every Third Friday 11am in Narthex. Bring bag lunch.
Growing in Grace through intercessory prayer:
Prayer group meets Mondays at 5:30pm on Zoom. All are welcome to join in prayer. Please send or share prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle.
Growing in Grace through service:
A.C.T.S Food Pantry: Canned vegetables 15 oz size, low sodium canned vegetables, snack items, individually packed, Pop-top canned prepared meals suitable for our homeless clients, single serve prepared food suitable for our homeless clients, laundry detergent, dish detergent, cleaning supplies in general, toiletries and personal hygiene items, size 4T pull-ups, size 6 diapers, dog food.
Featherstone School: personal hygiene products: toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, brushes and combs. Small and medium size sweatpants in blue, gray or black
Hilda Barg Shelter See sign-up.
Growing in Grace through worship.
Weekly service Sundays at 10am.
Choir practice on Saturdays. Children at 2:30 pm every other week Adults and youth at 3pm every week.
Sign ups for Liturgists, Ushers, Greeters, Altar Care, Communion Steward, Worship banners.
English Language Ministry Open House April 22nd at 11am