First Congregational Church April 21, 2019

Transcription

1 First Congregational Church April 21, 2019 Easter & Communion Sunday 2610 East Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage, Alaska (907)

2 April 21, :30 am Enter with a spirit of preparation as we gather ourselves for worship Prelude: Prelude and Fugue Buxtehude Welcome and Announcements Choral Introit Call to Worship *Processional Hymn: Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain No. 215 *Ritual of Friendship ONE: On our journeys of life we meet here in this sacred space. ALL: We affirm that we are people of the Way, we give thanks that today our paths cross. ONE: Let us greet each other as we journey together towards fullness of life. Let us greet the one on our left and the one on our right with peace and love. *Greeting of One Another The Gathering Bell Please return and remain standing for the Responsive Reading *Those who are comfortably able may stand.

3 *Responsive Reading: (Psalm 118:1, 19, 22-24) ONE: O give thanks to the LORD, for God is good; ALL: God s steadfast love endures forever! ONE: Open to me the gates of righteousness, ALL: that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. ONE: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. ALL: This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ONE: This is the day that the LORD has made; ALL: let us rejoice and be glad in it. Handbell Anthem: Now the Green Blade Rises Northern Lights Ringers Kevin McChesne First Reading: Ezekiel 37: The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, Mortal, can these bones live? I answered, O Lord GOD, you know. 4 Then he said to me, Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe

4 upon these slain, that they may live. 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11 Then he said to me, Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely. 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD. Children s Moment Choral Anthem: Glory, Hallelujah! by Mark Burrows Vocal Soloists: Eric Johnson, Marilyn Lee, Nathan Amber, Jenna Amber Percussion: Rev. Jacob Poindexter Prayers of the People Silent Prayer Pastoral Prayer 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. Choral Prayer Response

5 Invitation to Giving Offertory: Praeludium Bach *Doxology: (tune) No. 47 Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen *Dedication of Gifts *Hymn: Now the Green Blade Rises pg. 221 Second Reading: Luke 24: Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb, bringing the fragrant spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they didn t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They didn t know what to make of this. Suddenly, two men were standing beside them in gleaming bright clothing. 5 The women were frightened and bowed their faces toward the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He isn t here, but has been raised. Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again. 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 11 Their words struck the apostles as nonsense, and they didn t believe the women. 12 But Peter ran to the tomb. When he bent over to look inside, he saw only the linen cloth. Then he returned home, wondering what had happened.

6 Sermon: Hope Lost and Found Rev. Jacob Poindexter *Hymn: The Strife Is O er No. 221 (vv. 1, 2) Service of Holy Communion This community meal celebrating Communion at FCC is an open table. All are welcome to share in this meal, no matter what your faith tradition may be. No matter what has led to this moment, young and old alike come to share. May this moment be full of rest and belonging. INVITATION COMMUNION PRAYER ONE: The Risen Lord welcomes all to this Table. ALL: We come to be fed by grace and hope. ONE: Here, empty hearts are filled with resurrection joy. ALL: We offer them to the One whose love is ever constant. ONE: Here, we are taught songs of praise and wonder. ALL: We rejoice in our God who has defeated death. ONE: While there was only chaos, God of all time We join our songs of praise to you. ALL: Holy, holy, holy are you, Steadfast love of all. All creation joins in Easter s glad songs. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God. Christ is risen! Alleluia! WORDS OF INSTITUTION ONE: On This Easter Morning ONE: We gather with those of every time, with sisters and brothers from every place, to rejoice in the meal of grace and life, which God serves in steadfast love.

7 ALL: Amen! COME HOLY SPIRIT! PREPARATION OF THE ELEMENTS SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP -You are invited to take the bread, and when all have been served, we will eat together. There is gluten free bread available in the center bowl for those who cannot eat wheat. -When the cup is passed, please take and drink as you are ready. The red cups are wine and the white cups are white grape juice. The clear cups in the center contain water. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *Hymn: This Is a Day of New Beginnings No. 518 *Benediction *Choral Benediction Postlude: Fanfare Fugue Bach

8 -News from the Pews- The Community Handbell Choir meets for practice at FCC every Monday evening at 6 pm. New ringers are welcome. Lectio Divina Tuesdays at 10:00 am We read the scripture readings for the upcoming week and then the discussion takes an unexpected course. Creating Liturgia Thursdays at 10:00 am This gathering makes tangible items for worship, service, and community. Afterwards we gather downstairs for a soup and bread lunch. The Worship Ministry will meet this Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 pm. AKEELA House - Pilgrim Fellowship Service Project 2019 During the month of April, the Pilgrim Fellowship (PF) youth group is having a donation drive for the clients of AKEELA House Recovery Services. AKEELA House is one of the longest-running recovery programs in Alaska. Below is a list of most needed items, listed in the order that they are needed. Donations can be dropped off in the labeled box in the Narthex. Bus passes ($2), shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, (men s & women s) combs/hairbrushes, bar soap, shavers, (men s & women s) lotion, towels: hand & body, socks, clothing, and canned food. There are still a few bean soup bags left for sale in the Narthex. The soup bags are a FCC fundraiser for Bean s Café. All donations go to Bean s Café to help feed the homeless of Anchorage. Each bag is $10. Supply preachers will be filling in for Rev. Jacob over the next two weeks. Rev. Dave Barber will be preaching on April 28 and Rev. Barbara Taylor will be preaching on May 5 th. Rev. Jacob will be back on Sunday, May 12 th.

9 -Prayer List- April 21, For Jason, and Families of Jan & Amber Westlake & Alexandria Howarth -Julie McClure -Betty and Dan, friends of Caroline Valentine -Javier Ayunerak, and all others battling cancer -Shannon & Whitley Tanner -Laura Hamilton, friend of Verona Gentry -Fred Smith, brother of Susan Faith -Holly Charland, granddaughter of Susan Faith -Friends and Kids of Elgin Jones -Elizabeth Amber -Robert Spivey -Anne McCoy -Miguel De Marzo -Barbara Bowerman -Vivian Pike -Trevor Pike-Harmon, Vivian Pike s grandson -Dorothy Arnold -Bill Worth and his sister Donna Worth -Sunnie Bird -Family of Marjorie Mardie Prentke -Sally Dworsky -George White -Jacob, Killian McClure s friend -Lillian Soth, granddaughter of Jeanette & Fermen Dillon -Darleen Lime -Jeannie Rosebrock -Fred Young -Gordon Shortman -All teachers, aides, staff, & volunteers who educate our children -First responders, who risk their lives to save ours -Our military serving at home and abroad -All the peacekeepers, all those who serve our community, and all those in need within our community. -Public servants, lawmakers, and politicians, that they will make thoughtful decisions in care of the common good. -Our community members who struggle with addiction -People who we are in conflict with.

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11 People of First Congregational Church Senior Minister Rev. Jacob L. Poindexter (907) Music Ministry Organist & Director, Northern Lights Ringers: Caroline Valentine Chancel Choir Director: Lori Parker Wasko Sunday Volunteers Deacon Serving: Claudia Kniefel Greeting: Julie McClure Liturgist: Verona Gentry Fellowship Hour: Worship Ministry Usher Team: Louise Smith, Paul Wasko Acolyte Attendant: Laney Hanas Contacts Admin. Assistant & Editor: Marcy File , Church Sexton: Scott McClure Wedding Coordinator: Sandra Skaggs Connect - Get Involved - Share a Prayer Request. Fill out one of the connect cards located in the back of the pew in front of you and drop it in the offering. Hearing-Assist System Connect directly to a smart device with Bluetooth hearing aids or traditional headphones. 1. Download the AudioFetch app: 2. Connect to Wi-Fi signal: FCCAK HEARING ASSIST 3. Make sure hearing aid is Bluetooth connected 4. Open AudioFetch app and enjoy the sound! The Communion Table flowers are donated by Irene Stewart ~ Flowers provided by Evalyn s Flowers Member: National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Online Giving In addition to cash or checks, First Congregational Church accepts donations and pledge payments securly online with a credit card. -Scan the QR code or go to Thank you for your financial participation in the work of First Congregational Church of Anchorage!

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