Service of Worship
Prelude
Pastorale
Léon Boellmann
© Public Domain
Welcome, Call to Worship, and Opening Prayer
Call to Worship
Sing a new song!
A joyful melody of springtime glory and rebirth
Sing praise to our Still-Laughing Easter God
Who has rolled away the bindings of yesterday
Immerse your anxiety and despair in the fountain of new birth.
We place our visions and hopes on the table of wine and wheat.
For God has taken ordinary things.
And made them extraordinary.
Sing a new song!
Opening Prayer
Holy God,
as you have taken what we call an absurdity
and turned it into possibility…..
as you have coaxed us to sing springtime alleluias
where once there was a gray dawn,
as you have called us out of the tombs we inhabit
into an undreamed of tomorrow,
we praise you for this day!
Come, Risen Christ,
in newness and hope on this Eastertide day. Amen.
Hymn — This Easter Celebration (to the Tune of The Church’s One Foundation)
This Easter celebration is not like ones we’ve known.
We pray in isolation, we sing the hymns alone.
We’re distant from our neighbors—from worship leaders, too.
No flowers grace the chancel to set a festive mood.
No gathered choirs are singing; no banners lead the way.
O God of love and promise, where’s joy this Easter Day?
With sanctuaries empty, may homes become the place
we ponder resurrection and celebrate your grace.
Our joy won’t come from worship that’s in a crowded room
but from the news of women who saw the empty tomb.
Our joy comes from disciples who ran with haste to see—
who heard that Christ is risen, and then, by grace, believed.
In all the grief and suffering, may we remember well:
Christ suffered crucifixion and faced the powers of hell.
Each Easter bears the promise: Christ rose that glorious day!
Now nothing in creation can keep your love away.
We thank you that on Easter, your church is blessed to be
a scattered, faithful body that’s doing ministry.
In homes and in the places of help and healing, too,
we live the Easter message by gladly serving you.
This Easter Celebration
Tune: AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D (“The Church’s One Foundation”)
Samuel Sebastian Wesley | Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Words: © 2020 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
Used with permission
Children’s Time with Ms Becky
Joys and Concerns — Pastoral Prayer
Special Music – Antone
How Can I Keep From Singing
Craig Courtney | Robert Lowry
Music: © 2001 Beckenhorst Press
CCLI License # 656051
Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
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 – Mason
Be Still My Soul (Finlandia)
Jane Laurie Borthwick | Jean Sibelius | Kathrina Amalia von Schlegel
© Public Domain
Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Public Domain
Offertory Prayer
All good gifts come from you, dear Lord, and from these riches we bring this offering.
Help us to use it for the furtherance of your purpose in this place,
and for the benefit of those in need. Amen.
Scripture Reading – Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Sermon – Pastor Stacy Dickson
Surprise!
See player at the top of the page to listen.
Closing Hymn 310 – He Lives
1.
I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever foes may say.
I see his hand of mercy,
I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him,
He’s always near.
Refrain
He lives, he lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
2.
In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair.
I know that he is leading
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of his appearing
Will come at last.
Refrain
3.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him,
The help of all who find;
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.
Refrain
He Lives
Alfred Henry Ackley
© 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver. Renewed 1961 Curb Word Music
CCLI License # 656051
Benediction
Postlude
Triumphantly Risen
Ross Anderson
CCLI License # 656051