WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Service for the Lord s Day The Resurrection of Our Lord April 16, 2017 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. GATHERING (Silence during the Prelude is requested in preparation for worship.) PRELUDE Easter Fanfare Gerald Bales The Trumpet Shall Sound G.F. Handel/arr. Hopson Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! Michael Burkhardt (GELOBT SEI GOTT) Fantasy on O Sons and Daughters Walter Pelz Toccata on GAUDEAMUS PARITER James Biery Worthy is the Lamb G.F. Handel/arr. Hopson CHORAL INTROIT Barry Ferguson Thus on Easter-morrow Spake an angel bright and clear: Christ, arisen from His prison, Is not here. Why, as He were mortal, Lifeless in the sepulcher, What befell ye here, go tell ye, Nor defer. Tis no time for sorrow; Maries, be you of good cheer. Christ, arisen from His prison, Is not here. Bring ye, to the portal Of the empty chamber, myrrh? What befell ye here, go tell ye, Nor defer. Eya! Resurrexit Jesus Christus hodie; Alleluya, Alleluya, Domine. Resurrexit vere Pro pecante homine: Te cantamus, Te laudamus, Domine. Mala nostra texit: Ideo concinite, Alleluya, Alleluya, Domine. Ideos sincere, Christiani, psallite, Te cantamus, Te laudamus, Domine.
*CALL TO WORSHIP Let us worship God! (Those who are able may stand.) This morning we shout with joy, Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! *PRAYER OF ADORATION The Lord be with you. And also with you. Glory to you, O God: on this day you won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN 232 EASTER HYMN CALL TO CONFESSION Jesus Christ Is Risen Today The proof of God s amazing love is this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. (Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:16) In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another. 2
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lord, you are our strength and our might; you have become our salvation. Alleluia! We praise you, living God. We who were dead have been raised with Christ, and we seek the things that are above, where Christ is. We do so imperfectly, Lord bearing wounds of our own, hindered by doubt and fear, unsure where to look for you, still tempted to sin. The prophets testify that everyone who believes in you receives forgiveness of sins through your name. This day we rejoice in the pardon and hope you give to us. Dry our tears, O God. Speak to us a word that reveals your presence. Open to us the gates of righteousness that we may enter through them, giving thanks and praise to you. (Silent confession) Kyrie (Sung responsively by the choir and congregation) Hal H. Hopson Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. ASSURANCE OF PARDON (The liturgist pours water, which reminds us of our baptism.) Believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! *The Peace Since God in Christ has forgiven us, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. (Please exchange the peace with the words, The peace of Christ be with you. ) 3
*ACT OF PRAISE A Song to the Lamb Dignus est/donald Pearson Refrain Splendor and honor and kingly power are yours by right, O Lord our God. And by your will they were created and have their being, for you created everything that is. Refrain. And yours by right, O lamb that was slain, for with your blood you redeemed for God from every family, language, people and nation, a kingdom of priests to serve our God. Refrain. And so to him who sits upon the throne and to Christ the Lamb be worship and praise, dominion and splendor forevermore and evermore. Refrain. CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH ANTHEM Philip Moore It is a thing most wonderful, almost too wonderful to be that God s own Son should come from heav n, and die to save a child like me. And yet I know that it is true: He chose a poor and humble lot, and wept and mourned and toiled and died, for love of those who loved him not. I sometimes think about the cross, and shut my eyes and try to see the cruel nails and crown of thorns and Jesus crucified for me. But even could I see him die, I could but see a little part of that great love which like a fire, is always burning in his heart. And yet I want to love thee Lord; O light the flame within my heart, that I may love thee more and more, until I see thee as thou art. It is a thing most wonderful. 4
THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE Hear the Word of God! Our ears are open. Colossians 3:1-4 (New Testament, page 201 in your pew Bible) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Psalm 118 Lynn Trapp Refrain Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever. Let the house of Israel say: His love endures forever. Refrain. The hand of the Lord has struck with power; his right hand is exalted. I shall not die, but live anew, declaring the works of the Lord. Refrain. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done, it is wonderful in our eyes. Refrain. Matthew 27:62 28:10 (New Testament, pages 33-34 in your pew Bible.) SERMON The Last Deception Donovan Drake (A moment for meditation) *HYMN 238 Thine Is the Glory JUDAS MACCABEUS 5
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. (From A Brief Statement of Faith) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. 6
THANKSGIVING OFFERING Anthem David Ogden Love s redeeming work is done; fought the fight, the battle won: Lo! Our sun s eclipse is o er; lo! He sets in blood no more. Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Christ has burst the gates of hell; Death in vain forbids his rise; Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia. Lives again our glorious King; where, O death, is now thy sting? Dying once, he all doth save; where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia. Soar we now where Christ has led, following our exalted Head; Made like him, like him we rise; ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Soar we now where Christ has led, following our exalted Head; Made like him we rise; ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Hail the Lord of earth and heav n! Praise to thee by both be given: Thee we greet triumphant now; hail, the Resurrection, Thou! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia. *DOXOLOGY LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 7
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. We give you thanks, great God, for the hope we have in Jesus, who died, but is risen, and rules over all. We praise you for his presence with us. Because he lives, we look for eternal life, knowing that nothing past, present, or yet to come, can separate us from your great love made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. THE LORD S PRAYER (Prayed in unison) *BENEDICTION SENDING *BENEDICTION RESPONSE Hallelujah from Messiah G.F. Handel (The congregation joins the choir in singing this work by using the printed music found in the pew hymnal racks.) POSTLUDE Chorale Fantasy on Christ the Lord Has Risen Flor Peeters *(Those who are able may stand.) 8
The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and by an appreciative member of the congregation with love and thanksgiving for the members of the Flower Guild, who throughout the year grace our Sanctuary with beautiful floral arrangements: Heidi Anderson, Drake Calton, Elizabeth Farmer, Cathey Fuqua, Susan Isaacs, Lena Levendoski, Britton Nielsen, Anne Trabue, Barbara Cannon Wall, and Dena Williamson. The flowers in the Parlor are given to the glory of God and in honor of the Wednesday Night Covenant Class for the dedication and faith of its members by Julie Wilson. SERVICE NOTES WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgist: Guy D. Griffith, Associate Pastor for Adult Education and Spiritual Nurture; Lay liturgist: Bob Cooper; Beadle/acolyte: Rob McCall. MUSICIANS: Laudate Youth Choir. Brass Ensemble: Pat Kunkee and Joel Treybig, trumpet; Leslie Norton, French horn; David Loucky, trombone; Gilbert Long, tuba; and Sam Bacco, timpani; John W. Semingson, Director of Music Ministries; Polly Brecht, Organist. USHERS: Ed Branding, Sylvia Grant, Clara Harden, Nat Harden, Paige Harden, Ty Harden. Should a congregant need assistance at any time during the worship service, please contact one of the ushers in the Narthex. ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME: Westminster Presbyterian Church welcomes you to share our common journey to become more faithful disciples of Christ. Our love and acceptance of each other affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of our differences, and bear witness to the love of God for all people and our commitment to Christ. LARGE-PRINT BULLETINS AND ASSISTIVE HEARING DEVICES are available from ushers. Due to ongoing construction, we are experiencing difficulties with connections for our hearing devices. Thank you for your patience and continued prayers! 9
NEW MEMBER CLASSES: Our spring series of classes continues next Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. The class will continue discussion on how Westminster is Living Out the Word. New members will be received and welcomed to the congregation during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. JOIN US SUNDAY, APRIL 23 FOR A NEW MEMBER RECEPTION following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The reception, hosted by the GETConnected Committee, will take place in the temporary parlor. Let us rejoice as we welcome our new members to Westminster! ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING: Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Offering envelopes are in the pew literature racks. THE CHURCH WILL CLOSE TODAY AT 2:00 P.M. and also will be closed tomorrow, Easter Monday, April 17, 2017. Regular office hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The music used in the service this morning is copyrighted under Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc., No. 11221525. Westminster Presbyterian Church Purpose Statement Ordinary people testifying to the extraordinary light found in our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7) WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 3900 West End Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37205-1899 Phone: 615.292.5526; Fax: 615.292.5597 www.nashvillewpc.org 10