Easter Sunday Worship – April 1, 2018

CONSIDERING EASTER: 2018
- Today is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring solstice (March 21st). Every Easter is. In 325 A.D., the Council of Nicea laid down only two rules for the placement of Easter on the calendar: Though it was linked to Passover by much of its symbolism, it was to be independent of the Jewish calendar and it was to have “worldwide” uniformity. Though most often more ritual and ceremony (and certainly more commercial attention) is given to Christmas celebrations, Easter is the highest Holy Day in the Christian community. What can Resurrection life mean to you?
“And The Glory” by Ann Weems (from Kneeling in Jerusalem)
- The silence breaks into morning. That One Star lights the world. The lily springs to life and even Solomon …
- Let it begin with singing and never end!
  Oh, angels, quit your lamenting! Oh, pilgrims, upon your knees in tearful prayer,
  Rise up and take your hearts and run!
- We who were no people are named anew God’s people, for he who was no more is
  Forevermore.

PART 0:

GATHERING MUSIC: “He Is Risen!” (A Variation on UNSER HERRSCHER) – arr. by John Longhurst

PART 1:

THE RINGING OF THE BELL
EASTER PROCLAMATION
- We must never again look for the living among the dead. We are chosen servants of the Lord, the mystical body of Christ. Because of Easter, we have been granted privilege and responsibility to carry on the redemptive work of Jesus. Let us begin in love and humility to serve and strengthen the Love of God throughout the world!
CALL TO WORSHIP – Shawn Harmon (8:30) / Ashia Stoess (11:00)
- Leader: The nightmare is over! The hour of darkness has passed. God’s mercy and love have triumphed once and for all over our hatred and ignorance.
- People: Miracle of miracles, though we failed so utterly at the cross, God has come back to us!
- Leader: Bringing not judgement, but the peace of eternal life.
- People: The Risen Christ is within us, guiding us in the way of truth and empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit.
- ALL: LET US WORSHIP OUR LIVING GOD AND SING OF RESURRECTION LIFE!
PROCESSIONAL HYMN NO. 123: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” – EASTER HYMN

PART 2:

LITANY AND PRAYER FOR EASTER MORNING – Christiaan Faul
- Leader: Before time, at the beginning of creation, God’s Spirit moved across the face of the deep waters of chaos.
- People: Light, land, and every living thing were given life.
- Leader: When the world fell into rebellion, God saved Noah from the deep waters of chaos.
- People: And humanity was given another chance to live.
- Leader: Today we step out of the ark, for Resurrection has happened and the chance to begin again is ours. Let us pray …
- ALL: GIVER OF NEW LIFE, WE COME THIS MORNING WITH OUR ALLELUIAS, OUR BANNERS AND FLOWERS, OUR TRUMPETS AND OUR SONG. WE COME TO WORSHIP IN BEAUTY AND IN TRUTH BECAUSE WE HAVE FAITH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE, BECAUSE WE HAVE HOPE THAT THE RESURRECTION WILL ENTER INTO EACH OF OUR LIVES AND TRANSFORM THEM, AND BECAUSE, THROUGH CHRIST’S SPIRIT, WE HAVE COME TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. ACCEPT OUR WORSHIP, GRACIOUS GOD. BE PRESENT WITH US AS MEMORY, MIRACLE, AND MYSTERY, AND AS THE TENDER HANDS OF GRACE. AMEN.
RESPONSE, NO. 113: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!” – LLANFAIR
- 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!

PART 3:

PART 4:

MUSICAL OFFERING: The Chancel Choir – “This Joyful Eastertide” – Vernon Hoyle

PART 5:

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Genesis 8:13-19 (Page 7, OT, Pew Bible)
- The Word of the Lord.
  Thanks be to God.
SERMON: ALL ASHORE! – Reverend Joel Weible, Pastor
- Download the sermon to play on your own audio device: 040118 11 SERMONjw

PART 6:

PROCLAMATION HYMN NO. 118: “The Day of Resurrection!” – LANCASHIRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH
- In life and death we belong to God.
  Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
  of the Holy Spirit, we trust in one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
  With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or death can
  separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

PART 7:

TIME OF GIVING THANKS CELEBRATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.

PART 8:

OFFERTORY: “Largo, from Concerto in D” – Antonio Vivaldi
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison)
- The risen Christ has always been with us. In his name we dedicate our humble offering. We are servants of our Lord, O God. As we are empowered by the gift of our Risen Christ, use our gifts to carry on your redemptive work. In love and with humility, we pray. Amen