Worship Service Mar 31
Easter Sunday
Worship is the highest activity of a person whose sole and ultimate aim is God’s glory.
He Has Risen – He Has Risen Indeed!
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Gathering Prelude
Call to Worship
Response: Christ the Lord Has Risen Today #302 vs 1-4
Welcome and Service Overview
Easter Scripture: Luke 24:1-8 Video
Lighting of the Paschal Candle
LIGHTING THE PASCHAL CANDLE
Pastor: Grace to you from Jesus Christ, who was and is, and is to come. Sisters and brothers, our Savior Jesus Christ has passed from death to life. Hear the word of God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the Word was life and the life was the light of all humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
BLESSING OF THE NEW FIRE
People: Eternal God, giver of light and life, bless this new flame that by its radiance and warmth we may respond to your love and grace, and be set free from all that separates us from you and from each other; through Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. Amen.
Prayer of Illumination
Song of Faith: Glorious Day
Responsive Reading: Psalm 16 #748
Apostles Creed: hymnal #881
Gloria Patri – hymnal #71
Offering Dedication and Offertory
Doxology – hymnal #95
Centering Music – Instrumental Special
Prayers of the People: See below
Sermon Scripture: Mark 16:1-8
Sermon: The First Reaction to Easter
Hymn of Response: Up From the Grave He Arose #322 all
Announcements – Life of the Church
Commissioning and Benediction
Prayers of the People
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us a little child one of us,
flesh and blood to share in our humanity.
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as carpenter
and yet in whose creative hands a world was fashioned
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as fisherman
and yet pointed to a harvest that was yet to come
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as teacher
and opened eyes to truths that only the poor could understand
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as healer
and opened hearts to the reality of wholeness
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as prophet, priest and king and yet humbled himself to take our place upon the cross
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as servant
and revealed to us the extent of his Father’s love for humankind
ALL: That all might have eternal life
Blest are you, Lord Jesus, who rose from the ignominy of a sinner’s death to the triumph of a Savior’s resurrection
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life God of resurrection of life and death rebirth, renew our hearts and minds.
Draw us close. Open our eyes to the glory of the risen Christ, our hearts to the wonder of the Cross and our hands to the service of your kingdom where you have placed us. That your name might be glorified through our lives.
ALL: Forgive us that we fail to show through word and action the truth that you loved us into your kingdom through the glorious mystery of the Cross. Forgive us that there is still fear in our lives that prevents us from achieving our full potential.
And now with the faith of God holy people let us pray the prayer Christ gave when he gave as an example when he prayed . . . Lord’s Prayer
ALL: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 our trespassers. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever! Amen
Announcements – Life of the Church
ABCCM FOOD DONATIONS: Donation Basket at Front Door
Medical Lending Closet Flyers are available to distribute to friends and places that will post them.
The daily prayer chain goes out after 8pm. Send requests to prayer@alexanderchapel.org. Prayer shawls are also available. Questions? Contact Pastor Marjory.
Ladies Loving the Lord: The next meeting is the quarterly social on April 20th at Christ UMC for the Mad Hatters Brunch.
The Spring Ladies Bible Study will be on Monday evenings April 22, 29, May 6. More details to come.
