R E F L E C T I O N S

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1 REFLECTIONS It is not easy to convey a sense of wonder, let alone resurrection wonder, to another. It's the very nature of wonder to catch us off guard, to circumvent expectations and assumptions. Wonder can't be packaged, and it can't be worked up. It requires some sense of being there and some sense of engagement. Eugene H. Peterson For me the most radical demand of Christian faith lies in summoning the courage to say yes to the present risenness of Jesus Christ. Abba s Child Brennan Manning When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life, to a life He did not live before He was incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before; and His resurrection means for us that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we shall have a body like unto His glorious body, but we can know now that efficacy of His resurrection and walk in newness of life. Oswald Chambers

2 RIVERWOOD PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH T U S C A L O O S A, A L A B A M A April 1, :00 Ser vice Rev. J ef f Pa te, Pa stor Resurrection of the Lord Leaders In Worship: Assisting Elder Clay Staggs, Mr. Joe Marchetti Joann Williams, piano; James Urban, trumpet WELCOME & PRELUDE Christ the Lord is Risen Today with Christ Arose arr. G. Lanier Program all communication devices to be in silent mode. Thank you. Please use this time for prayer and meditation as we prepare to go before the living God in worship. CALL TO WORSHIP: P R A I S E He is risen! He is risen, indeed! He who said, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, calls us to worship in spirit and truth. We gather to worship the Risen One who also said, Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. Come, let us worship. HYMN OF PRAISE: 286 Worship Christ, the Risen King! PRAYER OF PRAISE AND 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. 2

3 C O N F E S S I O N SCRIPTURE READING: Numbers 14:11,12, And the Lord said to Moses, How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not 12 believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they. 17 [But Moses said to the Lord...] And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have 18 promised, saying, The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the 19 children, to the third and the fourth generation. Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now. Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN: Almighty God, we bow before you, humbly confessing our need for your mercy. You have revealed yourself in the awesome work of your hands in creation, as you created all things from nothing yet with beauty, and order, and purpose. We confess that we treat your creation selfishly and often disregard the lives of people created in your image. Please forgive us. You have revealed yourself in your word but we confess that we often ignore Scripture, living as if you were silent. You have shown yourself to be merciful and powerful in the person of Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our salvation and rose as the Conquering Savior. We confess that we live as if Christ's sacrifice wasn't enough or as if he was still laying in the tomb. Please forgive our unbelief. Holy Spirit, open our eyes to see the power and mercy and love of God. Amen. SILENT REFLECTION AND CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE & PEACE OF GOD: Hebrews 7:24,25; Ephesians 1:7,19,20 Because our risen Savior lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Through faith in Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven and you have been brought near to God. In Jesus Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. May you know what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead. The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you. HYMN: In Christ Alone (lyrics on page 6) 3

4 C O M M I T M E N T OFFERTORY PRAYER OFFERTORY Up from the Grave He Arose Children s Choir Presentation of tithes & offerings DOXOLOGY (Hymnal, page 731) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Nicene Creed Leader: Christian, what do you believe? People: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. RESPONSE: 735 Gloria Patri PRAYER OF INTERCESSION HYMN: 331 Come, O Come, Thou Quickening Spirit 4

5 P R E A C H I N G O F T H E W O R D SCRIPTURE: Luke 24: As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to 37 them, Peace to you! But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit And he said to them, Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh 40 and bones as you see that I have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands 41 and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, Have you anything here to eat? They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. SERMON: Too Good to Be True Rev. Jeff Pate HYMN: 425 Bread of the World in Mercy Broken RESPONSIVE READING: People: People: People: PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right for us to give thanks and praise. C O M M U N I O N The bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf. The cup for which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ. The cup that we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ. THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD S SUPPER Riverwood Presbyterian uses wine in the celebration of Holy Communion. If you would prefer non-alcoholic grape juice, please take a cup from the inner circle of the tray. HYMN: 277 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today BENEDICTION ANNOUNCEMENTS DISMISSING HYMN: 263 Lift High the Cross v. 4 5

6 I N C H R I S T A L O N E 1. In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand. 2. In Christ alone! - who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live. 3. There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - bought with the precious blood of Christ. 4. No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand. Words by Charitie Bancroft; Music by Vikki Cook 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship/ASCAP; CCLI license # T O D A Y A T R I V E R W O O D Due to the Easter holiday, there will be no youth groups, Covenant Kids Club, or other evening activities tonight. Please enjoy this time with your family and friends. April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 SUNDAY EVENING SCHEDULE No Evening Activities (Easter) Covenant Kids Club / Jr. & Sr. High Youth / Choir Rehearsal Covenant Kids Club / Jr. & Sr. High Youth / Evening Worship Covenant Kids Club / Jr. & Sr. High Youth / Choir Rehearsal LECTIONARY READINGS FOR EASTER SUNDAY Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; John 20:1-18 6

7 April 1 Warren Moon April 4 Lundy Arnold HAPPY BIRTHDAYS A N N O U N C E M E N T S April 7 April Henry April 7 Tina Jones JAMMIN NIGHT: FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 7:00-9:00PM This evening is for 7-12 year olds. Please join us for food, fun, and some surprises. Hope to see you there! COMMUNICANTS CLASS A communicants' class will be offered during Sunday school beginning next Sunday, April 8. Any interested children are welcome to come and participate as Pastor Jeff spends several weeks walking through the primary tenets of the faith with a focus on personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Parents are welcome, but not required, to attend with their child. THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who donated to the Wings of Grace Easter Basket project. The children filled 50 Easter Baskets on Saturday. They will be distributed this week. RCS TRIVIUM TROT Riverwood Classical School is having their 7th Annual Trivium Trot Friday, April 13. Please come out and support the school at this fun event! BAKERS NEEDED Do you like to bake? Would you be willing to bake items for the Spring Bazaar and Bake Sale on April 14th? You can drop off baked goods Friday, April 13th in the Administration Building or Saturday April 14th by 9:00 am at the Bazaar. All proceeds from the bake sale will be split between Children and Youth Ministries for scholarships for Ridge Haven Camp and Reformed Youth Ministry Conference. To volunteer, contact Joann Williams. SPRING BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE Make your spring shopping easier with handmade and specialty merchandise including linens, soaps, greeting cards and more. Riverwood will host a spring bazaar on Saturday, April 14, from 9:00-2:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the Children and Youth Ministries. For more information, contact Joann Williams. OTHER EVENTS COMING SOON Tuesday, April 10, 5:00-8:00pm: RCS Spirit Night at Zaxby s Wednesday, April 11, 6:30pm: Session & Diaconate Meeting Sunday, April 15, 2:00pm: Baby Shower for April Henry Sunday, April 29: Dinner on the Grounds 7

8 S U N D A Y S C H O O L At Riverwood Presbyterian Church we have Sunday School at 9:45am for all age groups. MEETING DOWNSTAIRS: Nursery: Multi-Staffed 2-3 year olds: Janalie Graham & Joanie Norris 4-5 year olds: Debbie Jones MEETING UPSTAIRS: Grades 1-3: Monica Urban Grades 4-6: Ginny Nippert MEETING IN THE BARN: Youth Class led by Jeff Pate MEETING IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL: Adult Class MEETING IN THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING: Adult Class Disability and the Gospel led by Gene Martin M I N I S T R I E S O F S E R V I C E NURSERY VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE: April 1: Aaron Powers / Kathy Gilbert / Ginny Nippert & Olivia Staggs / Bob DeWitt April 8: Sarah Vander Wal / Debbie Jones / Laura Silvashy & Katharine Bedsole / Wilson Pate APRIL DEACON SCHEDULE: Head Deacons: Steve Patridge & Dusty Sheppard Clean Up: Chris Locklear & Bruce DeHaan F I N A N C I A L R E P O R T 8 Through March 2018: Operating Income: $89, Operating Expense*: $107, Net Income: ($18,248.79) Designated gifts: $5, Building loan balance: $930, *Includes the minimum monthly building loan payment