Worship

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Fourth Sunday in Easter

04/21/2024

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CENTERING MUSIC Dawn of Triumph Edward Broughton
“Orientis Partibus” French Melody

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP

Mighty God,

in whom we know the power of redemption,

you stand among us in the shadows of our time.

As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,

uphold us with knowledge of the final morning

when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,

we will share in his resurrection,

redeemed and restored to the fullness of life

and forever freed to be your people. Amen.

*OPENING HYMN#236The Strife is O’er, vs. 1, 2

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The strife is o’er the battle done;

The victory of life is won;

The song of triumph has begun

The powers of death have done their worst,

But Christ their legions hath dispersed;

Let shouts of holy joy outburst.Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

Creator of the universe,

you made the world in beauty,

and restore all things in resurrection

through the victory of Jesus.

We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured

by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,

the new creation in Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace,

to the glory of your name. Amen.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL #243 Be Not Afraid

Be not afraid: sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!

Be not afraid; song out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

One: God is the God who brings new life out of every tragedy, every trauma, every crisis, every death. Here these words of Good News and trust in the life that is offered to you this day!

All: Amen!

ANTHEM Break Forth into Song Allen Pote

BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Today’s Story "The Seven Faces of Jesus"
Kathleen Krentz & Joyclyn Van

Leader:                             And as we continue our worship…
Congregation:                           May God be with you there.
Children:                                May God be with you here.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader: God in your grace,

People: Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

SCRIPTURES: Mark 13:9-11, Acts 17:1-9

RESPONSE

Reader: The word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor: May the words of my mouth

People: And the meditations of our hearts

All: Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord,

Our rock and our redeemer. Amen

SERMON Surviving the Hard Times

MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION

*HYMN OF RESPONSE #231 Christ has Risen While Earth Slumbers

Christ has risen while earth slumbers,

Christ has risen where hope died,

as he said and as he promised,

as we doubted and denied.

Let the moon embrace the blessing;

let the sun sustain the cheer;

let the world confirm the rumour.

Christ is risen, God is here!

Christ has risen for the people

whom he loved and died to save;

Christ has risen for the women

bringing flowers to grace his grave

Christ has risen for disciples

huddled in an upstairs room.

He whose word inspired creation

is not silenced by the tomb.

Christ has risen and forever

lives to challenge and to change

all whose lives are messed or mangled,

all who find religion strange.

Christ is risen. Christ is present

making us what he has been:

evidence of transformation

in which God is known and seen.

MOMENT OF THANKSOFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY Easter Bells James Mansfield

*DOXOLOGY

Sung to: All Creatures of our God and King

Praise God the giver and the gift,

Hearts, minds and voices now uplift:

Allelulia! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Breath of glad surprise,

Freeing uplifting opening eyes,

Three in Oneness, Love community,

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God, today we thank you for all you have given us...

We thank You for the people in our lives,

We thank you for the opportunities we have,

We thank you for healing, both physical and emotional

We thank you for wholeness.

We thank you for new life! Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN #233 The Day of Resurrection

The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.

Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*PASSING THE PEACE

Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you.

People: And with you also.

Pastor: Let us pass the peace of Christ.

People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)

POSTLUDE Christ Hath Triumphed, Alleluia! Edward Broughton
“Lass tuns Erfreuen”