The Resurrection of the Lord April 24, 2011 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. *Let those who are able, stand at this sign. WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD THE PRELUDE Humbly We Adore Thee G. Near THE PEAL OF BELLS THE EASTER STORY Matthew 28:1-10 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! THE CHORAL INTROIT Easter Hymn eluya. Christ is now risen again from His death and all His pain; Therefore will we merry be, and rejoice with Him gladly. Kyrie eleison. (Lord, have mercy.) Had He not risen again, we had been lost, this is plain; But since He is risen indeed, let us love Him with all speed. Now is the time of gladness, to sing of the Lord s goodness; Therefore glad now will we be, and rejoice in Him only. R. Vaughan Williams THE CALL TO WORSHIP This is the day: When tears are wiped away, shattered hearts are mended, fears are replaced with joy. This is the day: When God rolls away the stone of fear, throws off death s clothes, and Jesus leads us into God s glorious future. This is the day the Lord has made: Death holds no fear for us, sin has lost its power over us, God opens the tombs of our hearts to fill us with new life. This is the day Easter Day! Christ is risen! Hallelujah! 2
*THE HYMN... no. 123 Jesus Christ is Risen Today Easter Hymn *THE OPENING PRAYER O Christ, in your resurrection, the heavens and the earth rejoice. eluia! By your resurrection you broke open the gates of hell, and destroyed sin and death. Keep us victorious over sin. By your resurrection you raised the dead, and brought us from death to life. Guide us in the way of eternal life. By your resurrection you confounded your guards and executioners, and filled the disciples with joy. Give us joy in your service. By your resurrection you proclaimed good news to the women and apostles, and brought salvation to the whole world. Direct our lives as your new creation. After a brief silence, the leader concludes the prayer: God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 3
*THE HYMN Celtic eluia F. O Carroll and C. Walker The Word of the Lord lasts forever. What is the Word that is living? It is brought to us through his Son Jesus Christ. Refrain God brings the world to himself now through his Christ reconciling; He has trusted us with the news of redeeming love. Refrain Father of all you are blessed, creator of earth and heaven, For the mysteries of the kingdom shown to children. Refrain Even if you have to die, close to my Word keep faithful; For your faithfulness I will give you the crown of life. Refrain THE WORDS OF WELCOME The Greetings Among the People of God The Concerns of the Church OCP Publications. Reprinted under License.net #A-702939 THE PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING WE HEAR GOD S WORD THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE ANTHEM eluia, I Heard A Voice eluia. I heard a voice as of strong thundering, saying: Salvation and glory and honour and power be unto the Lord our God, and to the Lamb forevermore. T. Weelkes THE LESSON 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us, Thanks be to God! 4
THE RESPONSE Halle, Halle, Halle arr. M. Haugen 1990 The Iona Community/GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted under License.net #A-702939 THE SERMON When Words Fail A TIME OF INTENTIONAL SILENCE WE GIVE THANKS FOR GOD S GOODNESS *THE HYMN... no. 115 Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain *THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison) This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen. St. Kevin See 1 Cor. 15:1-6; Mark 16:9 (16:1-9); Matt. 16:16; Rev. 22:13; John 20:28 THE MORNING OFFERING The Words of Invitation The Offertory 5
*The Presentation of Our Offerings... no. 592 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. *The Prayer of Dedication *THE HYMN... no. 104 Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Old Hundredth Hymn To Joy THE INVITATION TO THE LORD S TABLE THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. the prayer continues... THE LORD S PRAYER (in unison) 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. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD Creator of all, just as this broken bread was first scattered upon the hills, then was gathered and became one, So may your church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. The gifts of God for the people of God. You will be served the elements in your seats by church leaders. The Communion Music Glory, Laud and Honor March from Trumpet Sonata No. 2 eluia! The Strife is O er arr. F.L. Callahan arr. F. Thomas Simpson arr. L. Bobrowski THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION 6
THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be always with you. And also with you. WE LEAVE TO SHARE GOD S GOODNESS *THE HYMN... no. 118 The Day of Resurrection Lancashire *THE CHARGE AND BLESSING *THE CHORAL RESPONSE An Endless eluia Sing alleluia forth in duteous praise. Ye citizens of heaven, O sweetly raise an endless alleluia! Ye who have fought and joined the starry throng, Ye victors, now take up the eternal song, an endless alleluia! Almighty Christ, to thee our voices sing Glory forevermore; to thee we bring an endless alleluia! *THE POSTLUDE Finale from Organ Symphony No. 3 J.W. Burnam C. Saint-Saëns Please feel free to stay and enjoy the Postlude or leave the Sanctuary. Leading worship this morning: Pastor Kevin Scott Fleming Liturgist 8:30: Jingle Hagey; 10:30 Jean Beckman Director of Music Robert Nicholls The Choir of First Presbyterian Church The First Kids Handbells, Mark Fox, Director Trumpet Tim Groulx Sound Technician Niles Rosenquist Communion Servers 8:30: Larry Arp, Julie Lovins, Jeanne Nussmeier, Susanne and Tom Stein, John Strange 10:30: Anne Asbury, Beverly and Ron Attinger, Joan Fedor-Bassemier, Susie McCool, Gordon Miller, Bill Morrison, Bill and Marylu Sonntag, David Sponseller, Shirley Weber, Pat Wu 7