Blossoming Hope

April 17, 2022
Pastor Stacy Dickson
Worship

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Service of Worship

Low in the Grave
Robert S Lowry | Arr. Lani Smith
© 1969 Lorenz Publishing Company
Used by Permission. ONE LICENSE # M-401420

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Holy One, You whose love endures forever, you keep offering us new life and hope, no matter what. We praise you, for you are our strength and our salvation. We shall not die, but live, for you call us into the light–encouraging us to reach for the sun, unfurl our full colors, and know that we are held in the deep and rich soil of your garden–this is more than good enough for us! Amen.

Opening Hymn — #302 “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (v. 1-4)

1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

2. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

3. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (Easter Hymn)
Charles Wesley
Public Domain

Cherub Choir — “Everybody Ought to Know”

Everybody Ought to Know
Harry Dixon Loes
© 1940 New Spring
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Scripture Reading — John 20:1-18 (NRSV)

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Response
The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Pastoral Prayer, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

Passing the Peace

P.A.L.A. Singers — “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” / “He Lives”

I Will Sing of My Redeemer
James McGranahan | Philip Paul Bliss
Public Domain

He Lives
Alfred Henry Ackley
© 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver. Renewed 1961 Curb Word Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Easter Homily — Pastor Stacy Dickson
“Blossoming Hope”

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory — Easter Quartet: Marshall, Margie, Richard, and Leah

Because He Lives
Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither
© 1971 Hanna Street Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Doxology

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.

Offertory Prayer

Mighty God of Resurrection Power: You offer us life that overcomes death, light that overcomes darkness, hope that overcomes our deepest despair! What response could we offer? Our tithes and gifts, yes; but our minds, hearts, bodies, and witness as well. May our minds be about understanding who you are and who you long for us to be in this world. May our hearts overflow with your love and compassion for the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten. May our bodies carry us out of the tombs of isolation to engage our neighbors as sisters and brothers. May our witness be the “Alleluias!” we take with us to bring hope to everyone we meet! In the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn — #322 “Up from the Grave He Arose” (v. 1-3)

1. Low in the grave he lay,
Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day,
Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave he arose,
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch his bed,
Jesus my Savior;
vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave he arose,
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

3. Death cannot keep its prey,
Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave he arose,
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Low In The Grave He Lay (Christ Arose)
Robert Lowry
Public Domain

Benediction

And now, may the God who loves all of creation, especially the lonely bits, and Jesus, our companion along this crooked path called life, and the Holy Spirit, who loves to improvise in surprising ways, go with you, dwell among you, and give you joy. Amen.

Postlude – Hani

Prelude of Easter
Arr. Don Wyrtzen