First Presbyterian Church 5401 South Claiborne Avenue New Orleans, La Easter Sunday

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church 5401 South Claiborne Avenue New Orleans, La April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. Pope John Paul II

2 April 1, 2018 First Presbyterian Church Easter Sunday Writing in bold is for the congregation response. *Please stand as you are able. Gathering Around the Word 11:00 am Music for Meditation Welcome Bells *Call to Worship Leader: Christ is risen! People: Christ is risen indeed! Leader: Christ is risen! People: Christ is risen indeed! Leader: Praise the Lord! People: The Lord s name is praised! *Hymn 232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Easter Hymn *Prayer of Adoration Leader: Lord God, we adore you; you are a God of power: the whole universe is alive with your energy; of its potential, immensity and complexity we know only a little, but it points us to you as its creator and sustainer. People: Lord God, we adore you; you are also a God of love: your power has a purpose, and we see evidence of that in the beauty of creation, and in the human potential for understanding and creativity. Leader: Above all, your love and your power are focused in the life and death and rising again of Jesus of Nazareth. People: With joy we celebrate his resurrection, by which you have shown yourself to be a God of power, stronger than all the powers of darkness and sin,

3 keeping us safe in your care; but you have shown yourself also to be a God of love, love that was not quenched by the hatred and bitterness of the cross; and because of this we believe that you will go on loving us until the end of time. Leader: Lord God, we adore you the God of power and the God of love; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen *Passing of the Peace We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. In joy, let us share the peace of Christ with one another. *Response (GTG 236, v.1) Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! The strife is o'er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! Victory Hearing the Word Children s Moment Seek Ye First Lafferty Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia! Announcements Anthem Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise Robert Powell Prayer of Illumination Scripture Reading A Reading from the Gospels Mark 16:1-8 Leader: The word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Sermon When Is the End Not the End? Rev. Dr. Ann M. Philbrick *Hymn 246 (vv.1-3) Christ Is Alive! Truro

4 Tithes and Offerings Offertory Sharing the Word with the World *Doxology (GTG 607) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Old Hundredth Sacrament of Holy Communion We invite all baptized people to receive communion today. This invitation is not reserved for Presbyterians, nor is it just for adults; it is for all baptized persons who wish to come. We receive communion by coming forward, taking a piece of bread from the loaf, then dipping it into the cup. The pastor will be offering wine; the celebrant will offer unfermented grape juice. All of the bread is gluten free. Access to the table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. Book of Order, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Invitation to the Lord s Table *Hymn 246 (vv.4,5) Christ Is Alive! Truro Great Thanksgiving Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, eternal God, creator and ruler of the universe Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name: People: (singing) (GTG 1) Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! (the prayer continues) Communion of the People

5 Prayer *Hymn 233 The Day of Resurrection! Lancashire *Benediction Resources used in today s worship service includes: Book of Common Worship PASTOR LITURGIST PREACHER Kim Rodrigue Dee Boling Ann Philbrick PIANIST Aya Magavina SPECIAL MUSICAN Sydney McMath The season of Easter extends from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, May 20. Throughout the Easter season, we will be using prayers of praise in worship instead of prayers of confession. The Christian church has historically celebrated the Easter season as a time in which we emphasize adoration rather than confession. Of course, our need to confess our sin and shortcomings before God continues throughout the year. You are encouraged to continue your personal discipline of confession and to rejoice in the forgiveness and fullness of life given to us all in Jesus Christ. Pastor Kim Rodrigue recently had throat surgery to address her voice issues. We are working to creatively address the needs of the church during this time. Keep pastor Kim in your prayers for a speedy and healthy recovery. This Wednesday, April 4, is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis. To honor his legacy and recommit ourselves to working for justice for all, we will gather in the sanctuary at 6pm. We will join with churches across the nation in tolling our church bells 39 times at 6:05, then share in prayer and conversation in the spirit of Dr. King's work. A group will head out to dinner together afterwards at a local restaurant. STEWARDSHIP LUNCHEON SUNDAY, APRIL 8! All members and friends of First Church are invited to a catered lunch on Sunday, April 8, following the morning service, to enjoy fellowship and talk about stewardship of the church for the coming year. This will be a chance to learn about our ministry, the financial needs of this congregation, and to have your questions answered about how your support for the ministry of First Church is multiplied within the community and throughout the world. As Christ s body we are called upon to renew our commitment of talents and resources to building up His Church and the community around us. Throughout our 200 year history, members and friends have stepped forward

6 in faith to ensure that we continue to grow and prosper in our mission of spreading God s love in word and deed. We hope that you will participate in this journey by joining us for lunch on April 8 and then prayerfully considering what you will be able to offer in thanks for the many blessings we enjoy. Then, on Sunday April 15, we will respond during the morning service by dedicating a portion of our talents and resources to God s glory over the coming year. The luncheon on April 8 is free, and you don t need to bring anything but an appetite, and an open heart and mind to learn and thoughtfully consider our future! WELCOME VISITORS! If you are a visitor or guest we invite you to sign the visitor/guest register which is located in the Narthex and sign the guest/visitors card located in your bulletin and put in the offering plate. We care about you and want to know who you are. We welcome you to historic, progressive First Presbyterian Church this morning! Here are a few things to get you up to speed. A bathroom is available (with a changing table) at the back of the church in the left hand alcove as you face the entrance doors. We take the passing of the peace seriously, so don t be surprised if you get offered hugs! Please plan to stay after worship for a few minutes to share refreshments at the back of the church; it s an extension of our understanding of communion and a chance to share God s hospitality. We are the only More Light Congregation in New Orleans which means we welcome not only the membership, but the leadership and talents of all genders, abilities, races, and sexual orientations. We appreciate the spiritual and financial support your attendance brings. You may put cash or a check in the offering plate that will be passed towards the end of the service, or give using your smartphone to scan this code---> Even if you are just visiting the city, we want you to feel welcome in our community and to involve yourself in the life of this place. Please sign the visitor book in the vestibule before you go and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/fpcno and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/fpcno! We also have a Yahoo Group (go to and click on the Yahoo Group connection) that will keep you up to date on all the fun activities and service opportunities with the church. WHAT S UP? Don t forget to check out the updated First Presbyterian Church website to catch up on breaking church news, events and links to the wider world of mission! Also, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

7 The FPCNO adult Bible study Takes place every Sunday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am in the Session room. Each week we read and discuss the current lesson from "The Present Word" Bible study series (published quarterly by PCUSA). Our Sunday morning gatherings are informal and typically consists of approximately 6 to 8 participants. All are welcome to attend. FPCNO THIS WEEK Monday CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 1pm-3pm Program of Hope Setup Sanctuary Wednesday 9am-10:30am Program of Hope Sanctuary (worship and outreach to less fortunate, all are welcome to volunteer or seek help) 6pm Dr. Martin Luther King bell ringing Sanctuary Thursday 6pm Mediation Service Session room Sunday 9:30am Adult Bible Study Session room 10am Children Sunday School Room :am Sunday Worship Service Sanctuary 12:15pm Stewardship Luncheon Fellowship Hall Prayer List Please keep this list with you this week and pray for... Leah Eskine a friend and co-worker of Dee Boling Selina Cho aunt of Peter Cho Allison Daye Hoy friend of Sydney McMath Joe Philbrick Ann s brother Rev. Kim Rodrigue Our Homebound members and friends. Please visit them and remember them in Prayer. Mary Knight; Mina Crais Gloria Boling (Randy Boling s mom) Adrian (Tudy) Manson Joyce Kleinfeldt (Henry Kleinfeldt s sister) Prayers for the homeless

8 First Presbyterian Church * Fax facebook.com/fpcno; twitter.com/fpcno Where All Are Welcome Pastor: Rev. Kim Rodrigue kim@fpcno.org Office Manager: Cheryl A. Roberts cheryl@fpcno.org Musicians: May Ball; Aya Magavina-Alvarez; Amanda Wadsworth Wedding Coordinator: Sue Young weddings@fpcno.org Website techs: Terry Ruppel; Carrie Fisher Sextons: Rev. Todd & LaDonna Vandegrift The Session Clerk of Session, Diane Kleinfeldt Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Sherri Hutton Diane Kleinfeldt Zane Fisher Christopher Roberts Class of 2019 Tracy Rene Helms-Capasso The Board of Deacons David Capasso, Chair Class of 2017 CLASS OF 2018 David Capasso Randy Boling Justin Wood Carrie Fisher This bulletin and all paper used at FPCNO are recycled