Easter  

March 27, 2016

 

*Those that are able are invited to stand

 

Gathering and Easter Countdown

 

Celebrating the miracle  

 

Scripture                                                                                                                John 19:16-30

 

Visual Illustration                           This Is Easter

 

Scripture                                                                                                                   John 20:1-18

 

*Call to Worship

Leader: Christ is risen!

People: Christ is risen indeed!

Leader: Death has been swallowed in victory.

People: The grave has lost its sting.

Leader: Christ is risen.

People: Christ is risen indeed!

All: And we are alive in Christ! Glory to God! Alleluia!

 

*Hymn                                 “Easter People, Raise Your Voices”                                    #304

 

*Responsive Reading                                                                             Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

 

*Hymn                                 “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” (verses 1-4)                    #302

 

*Opening Prayer

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

Anthem                            “Alleluia! Christ the Lord is Risen”                                     Choir                             

 

Children’s Sermon

 

*Hymn                                    “Up From the Grave He Arose”                                       #322

 

Scripture                                                                                                                   Acts 10:34-43

 

Easter Message                                                                                          Rev. Kelly J. Smith

 

  A Time for Prayer

 

Hymn                                                 “Christ Has Risen”                                                              #2115

in The Faith We Sing

 

Silent Prayer / 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

 

Sharing our blessings

 

Offering Our Gifts and Tithes

 

Offertory

To give electronically from your mobile device visit donate.mifflinave.org or scan this code

 

*Doxology                  “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”                                 #95

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

Praise God all creatures here below. 

Praise God above the heavenly host. 

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Offering Prayer

God of our deepest joys and Alleluias! We sing our Resurrection songs this morning, not because of a miraculous historical event, but because you continue to bring life out of death and hope out of despair! When you rolled away the stone and let light enter Christ's tomb, you entrusted each of us who follow him to be bearers of light into the dark places of our world – carriers of the inexhaustible hope into lives filled with despair. May the joy of this morning, of the triumph of the Resurrection, empower us in our living out of these tasks, and in our generosity to support others who serve in our name. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

Taking the word to the world

 

Visual Illustration                         He Is Still Risen

 

*Going Out to the World

(Weather permitting, everyone is invited to move outside onto the front steps

where our service will conclude with the singing of our final hymn.)

 

*Hymn for the World                        “He Lives”                                                          #310

 

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men 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!

 

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]

 

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]

 

*Benediction

 

Many Thanks to Marcus Thaw for joining us on the trumpet this morning!