Leading Us in Worship Today

Minister of Word and Sacrament Rev. Jaci Smith Patman

Liturgist Donna Jordon

Organist/Director of Music Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Prelude Up From the Grave He Arose Robert Lowry/John Ferguson

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer & Gathering #252 Day of Arising, vs. 4

Christ, our companion, hope for the journey, bread of compassion, open our eyes. Grant us your vision, set all hearts burning that all creation with you may arise.

Call to Worship

Beloved of God, the hour has come. Let us gather at the tomb, so that with the disciples and believers of every time and place, we might behold the great mystery of the resurrection and proclaim with one heart and voice:

Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

Let every knee bow and every voice ring out in awe and wonder, for death is no more.

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Opening Hymn #232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

(Please remain standing through the sung response)

Call to Confession

As a new Easter dawns, may God’s light shine in our hearts to chase away fear, and remind us of his love. Trusting in God’s grace, let us ask for God’s forgiveness together.

Prayer of Confession

Resurrected Christ, there is nothing we can do to deserve the grace you give us. There is no way we can earn your love, no way we can be worthy of your forgiveness. Yet you shower your mercies upon us. You, who have taken away the sting of death, meet us where we are, in our doubt and fear, in our regrets and shame, in our delight and awe. Meet us here in this place, and call us once again to trust in you.

Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace

God says to us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” We can rejoice! We are forgiven. We are loved. We are redeemed!

May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.

Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.

Sung Response #447 We Are Forgiven

We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. (Repeat)

Sacrament of Infant Baptism William Markus Porzeinski

Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

Through baptism we enter the covenant God has established. Within this covenant God gives us new life, guards us from evil and nurtures us in love. In embracing that covenant, we choose whom we will serve, by turning from evil and turning to Jesus Christ.

Sung Response #482 Baptized in Water (v. 1)

Sermon for Faith Builders

Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ms. Marisa. They will return during the final hymn.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Lyra Davidica/Wilbur Held

Sung Response #251 Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia, refrain

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy. Death's fearful sting He has come to destroy.

Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #241 Woman, Weeping in the Garden

Scripture Reading Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Anthem Halle, Halle, Halle Trad. Caribbean/Hal Hopson

Sermon The Lavish Embrace of Christ: His Resurrection, Our Response Matthew 28:1-10

Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Closing Hymn #245 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!

Benediction

Postlude Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Lyrica Davidica/Robert Powell