Falmouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation

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2 Falmouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation Rev. Michael Richards, Pastor and Teacher 10:00 AM EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 1, 2018 THE COMMUNITY GATHERS THEME In Easter, God re-members hope back into life. Resurrection is not a doctrinal obstacle course, but a living hope grounded in relationship and remembrance. LIFE OF THE CHURCH PASSING THE PEACE OF THE RISEN CHRIST *Passing the Peace of Christ One: May the peace of Christ be with you. Many: And also with you. (As a sign of our reconciliation with God and one another, we invite you to turn and greet those around you sharing the peace of Christ. The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. ) PRELUDE Sonata Georg Telemann BRINGING FORTH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST CALL TO WORSHIP One: Dawn breaks. Light out of darkness. Life out of death. One: Hope replaces doubt. Faith overcomes fear. Love transforms hate. One: The light shines in the darkness. The darkness has not, and will not, overcome it. One: God has made this new day. We rejoice and are glad in it. God s love is always with us. LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE One: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, illumine our hearts and minds. All: Thanks be to God. One: Let us pray: (Prayer as we light the Paschal Candle) *HYMN OF PRAISE Christ the Lord Is Risen Today No. 216 OUR LORD S PRAYER (Debts) 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. A TIME FOR THE CHILDREN (Children may return to their seats to enjoy worship with their families.) PRAYER OF INVOCATION One: The stone has been removed from the tomb;

3 All: the power of death is at an end. One: The grave clothes have been abandoned; All: fear and hesitation are over. One: The Risen Christ is encountered; All: the community of faith will be restored. One: Christ is once more with His friends; All: hope is alive, new horizons beckon, oppression and injustice are shattered. Amen. CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION All: We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: bewildered, angry, despairing, among those who have suffered loss. All: We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: worried, unsure, lacking confidence, downhearted, among those close to us. All: We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: not welcomed, searching, unchallenged, in our faith community. All: We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: discouraged, powerless, defeated, among the disadvantaged of our world. ASSURANCE OF GOD S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS Pastor Michael One: All-loving God, You know us through and through. You encourage our acts of careful reflection and renewed commitment. All: As we recognize the face of Christ in our family members, in our friends, and in the stranger, so You give us the will to be with them, as we would be with Jesus. One: As You know Jesus Christ and walk with Him, pardon and peace are yours. All: Thanks be to God! Amen. WE HEAR GOD S WORD THE WORD OF GOD First Scripture Reading Acts 10:34-43 (NRSV p. 113; RSV p. 123 ) One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God ANTHEM Because He Lives William J. Gaither The Gospel Lesson Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV p. 47; RSV p. 51 ) One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God SERMON A Mix of Good News and Bad News Rev. Michael Richards

4 *HYMN Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! No. 222 SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER WE RESPOND TO THE WORD PRAYER RESPONSE My Redeemer Psalmodia Evangelica OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD The Invitation The Offertory Prelude from Suite Antique John Rutter *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer of Dedication One: What would you give for an empty tomb? What would you give for a Risen Savior? What would you give for a restored community? What would you give for a gospel that endures? All: We gave nothing; it was graced to us. Bless these offerings, O God, for through them, the spirit of the Risen Christ is at work in our day and generation. Amen. *HYMN Thine Is the Glory No. 218 *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE Carrying the Light of Christ into the World *HYMN Go in Peace No. 445 Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day. Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always. Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate new Life! Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always. POSTLUDE The Day of Resurrection arr. Michael Burkhardt (During the postlude, you may be seated to listen, or you may leave.) (*) Please rise in body or spirit. Throughout the order of worship, if print is in bold, words may be spoken together in unison. The RSV Bibles are on the lectern side of the sanctuary and the NRSV Bibles are on the pulpit side of the sanctuary. Please silence or turn off your cell phone before you enter the sanctuary. Thank you! Worship Participants Greeters: Barry Hamilton, Carol Kauffman Acolyte: Nate Geary Liturgist: Jim Parr Ushers: Judy Currier, Pam Carroll, Judy Nilsen, Lorraine Bergen Special thanks to Ashley Rich Boyce, Derek Boyce, Brendan Krueger and the Chancel Choir for sharing their musical gifts today.

5 We welcome you to worship. If you are visiting us today, please pick up a Welcome Bag in Fellowship Hall or in the Narthex. Children are invited to enjoy worship with their families today. Kids Church will resume next Sunday. Visiting children are always welcome! Thank you for your gift of Easter lilies, tulips and daffodils that grace the chancel today. You may pick up your plant(s) after the service. We appreciate your recycled bottle/can donations. Please take a green CLYNK bag home today and fill it not only does it help the church, it helps to keep our environment green. CLYNK bags may be found on the small table in Fellowship Hall. Thank you! The Ministry of Facilities cares for our buildings and grounds and is asking you to leave ideas in the wooden house box in Fellowship Hall. How can we improve our appearance? Did you notice something needing repair? Do you have I/T (computer) or homeowner skills you can volunteer? Please let us know. The next Women s Spiritual Book Group gathering will be on Wednesday, April 11 at 1 PM at Eunice Wilcox s home. The current selection is, Falling Upward by Richard Rohr. Join us! Please contact Molly Mason or Cathy Bowden for more information. Prayer Shawl Ministry will be gathering Thursday, April 12 at 1:30 PM in the Grant Room. The more the merrier so please plan on joining us, all are welcome! Please contact Judy Nilsen for more information. The next Coffee House event will be on Friday, April 13 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. Enjoy a beverage and listen to music from local artists. This month features Carolyn Currie. Invite your friends and neighbors to this familyfriendly event! If there are any graduates this spring who would like to be recognized by the church for their hard work, please contact the church office at or fccdesk@maine.rr.com. Let us know the graduate s future plans, whether it is to attend college (and where), go on to a technical school, or pursue a job opportunity. This information is needed by May 14 in order to be published in the June Congregator. The Falmouth Food Pantry will be open on the following days in April: Mondays, April 2 and 16 from 9 AM until 11 AM; Tuesdays, April 10, 17 and 24 from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM; and Thursdays, April 12, 19 and 26 from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM. PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Robbie Coleman Charlie Grubb Maureen Grubb Bee O-Brien Maytha Southard Laurie & Roger Marin Kerry Golding Barry Hamilton George Sanborn Hazel McLeod (Scott and Barbara McLeod s baby granddaughter) Please let the church office know if we have missed someone. We will keep people on the prayer list for one month. If you would like them to continue on the prayer list, please update us so that we may better pray for them. Thank you. Next Sunday s Lectionary Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31

6 Church Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM 3:00 PM, Closed on Friday Church Phone: Visit our Web site: Church Office Pastor Michael Richards Minister Kristen Coleman Christian Education Administrator Jess Dickson Office Manager Doris Krueger Minister of Music Matthew Strobel Sexton Mark Horton Moderator Marilee Pillsbury Vice Moderator Laurie Logan Office Assistant This Week s Schedule Sunday April 1 ~ Easter 6:00 AM Sunrise Service at Town Landing 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship Monday April 2 7:00 PM Ministry of Worship & Covenant (Grant Room) Tuesday April 3 10:00 AM Bible Study at OceanView Wednesday April 4 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday April 5 6:30 PM Ministry of Missions (Grant Room) Sunday April 8 ~ Communion 9:00 AM Choir Practice 10:00 AM Worship 10:10 AM Kids Church 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Council of Ministries (Grant Room)