April 12, 2020 - Easter: Christ is Risen; Christ is Risen, Indeed

Greeting

Pastoral Prayer

God of our hope, we are here to hear Your message of hope to us in this day and time. Speak to us, once more, Your message of life that we need so desperately in our lives. On this day of Easter, we hear the story of how the friends and family of Jesus were in mourning, without hope, and in fearful despair. Through Your Word, Jesus the Messiah, You proclaimed Your message of victory over all things, including death. Remind us again, that nothing in life, or in death; things present, nor things to come; no angels or demons within our lives, nor anything in all of creation can separate us from Your incredible love in Jesus the Christ. As we lift to You those who are on our hearts this day: our loved ones - keep them: keep them in health, in safety, in comfort, in Your care. Our health care workers who risk their own safety for our health, our emergency responders who also risk their own safety for us, those who have lost their jobs and are struggling for finances, for business owners in our midst who may lose their business, for us who feel constrained or emotionally distressed by our time and era, for any who need to know Your love for them in this hurting world.

The Lord's Prayer

Call to Worship: Psalm 118: 14

• Pastor: The Lord is my strength and my might;
• People: God has become my salvation. There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous.

Unison Prayer:

God of our lives, and of our times, Your love for us never ends. You have been with us since our birth and we rejoice every time You surprise us with Your loving strength and presence. Often we don't see Your actions within the world, and we focus on the sorrow and pain we see around us. Help us, even today, to hope in Your salvation and redeeming power that saves us in our journey of faith. Comfort us when our tears fall, and grant us sight to see Your loving care for us in all that life brings to us. Help us to rejoice in those moments when we discover Your living presence with us through Jesus the Christ. Let us see the light of eternity even in the midst of doubt. Show us that Easter is a season of surprising revelation of Your amazing power within our lives.

Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-18

• Pastor: This is the word of God for the people of God.
• People: Thanks be to God!

Message: That first Easter in year 30 C.E.: living in grief; fear; and uncertainty

Benediction: Psalm 118 [adapted]

• Pastor: There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous;
• People: The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
• Pastor: The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
• People: We shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord!
• Pastor: Open to us the gates of righteousness,
• People: that we may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
• Pastor: Give thanks that God has answered us,
• People: and God has become our salvation.
• Pastor: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
• People: This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
• Pastor: This is the day that the Lord has made;
• People: Let us Rejoice and be glad in it!