morning worship

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MORNING WORSHIP April 1, 2018

Half past Eight O’Clock

Easter Sunday When the prelude begins, please prepare for worship through silent prayer and meditation. Following the service, greet one another with joy and affection! TIME OF MEDITATION AND REFLECTION +WELCOME AND NOTICES PRELUDE INTROIT

Jesus Christ is Risen Today

Robert Hobby

Worthy Is the Lamb Adrian Fullerwinder, tenor

Darlene Zschech

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:

This is the dance of the new creation.

Congregation:

This is the dance of the new creation.

Leader:

This is the dance of life out of death.

Congregation:

This is the dance of life out of death.

Leader:

Christ is risen!

Congregation:

Christ is risen indeed! I Danced in the Morning

+*HYMN 302 (verses 1-3)

SIMPLE GIFTS

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth; At Bethlehem I had My birth. Refrain Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said He, And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said He. I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, But they would not dance and they would not follow Me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; They came with Me and the dance went on. Refrain I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame; The holy people said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung Me high, And left Me there on a cross to die. Refrain *CALL TO CONFESSION *LITANY OF CONFESSION

Leader:

adapted from the Rev. Scott A. Ressman, United Church of Christ, Luke 24:1-12

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women came to the tomb, taking spices that they had prepared.

Congregation:

We anoint the death of our dreams, even before we allow them a chance to live.

*HYMN 302 (verse 4)

I Danced in the Morning

SIMPLE GIFTS

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black; It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried My body and they thought I’d gone: But I am the dance and I still go on. Refrain Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said He, And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said He. Leader:

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.

Congregation:

We give up on hope so easily, on the expectation that God will do something incredible.

Leader:

While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.

Congregation:

God speaks through the strangers we encounter, but we don’t hear, we don’t want to be challenged by a new word.

Leader:

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, but has risen.”

Congregation:

We seek life from the death of the past. We hold to that which breathes only in our memory; to mistakes long past; to hurts long inflicted; to strings attached to forgiveness.

Leader:

“Remember how Jesus told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man, the “Human One”, must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified and on the third day rise again.”

Congregation:

Too often torn and scattered, we feel unworthy of the healing of God’s grace or the promise of restoration.

Leader:

Then they remembered Jesus’ words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.

Congregation:

We forget the promises of God, even those whispered just moments ago. We want proof before we’ll believe, before we’ll be faithful.

Leader:

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

Congregation:

We don’t risk enough to trust the messengers in everyday appearance. We don’t dare ourselves to understand.

Leader:

But these words seemed to the apostles an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

Congregation:

We think our problems too big for God! We act like frightened disciples, unwilling to allow God into our crowded lives, unwilling to make room for the One who creates and creates again.

Leader:

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Congregation:

We are like Peter. We deny God; we fail to share the miracle; we keep the good news to ourselves. Forgive us, God, for our disbelief - for seeing an empty tomb and thinking a cruel trick; for discovering a discarded burial cloth yet still holding to death; for hearing words of life but keeping them to ourselves. Restore us in our unbelief. Amen.

*THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Leader: Congregation:

Do not be afraid! Receive the good news with great joy! God’s promises are true. Christ has risen. Believe and be alive. Christ has risen. We believe and are alive!

*HYMN 302 (verse 5)

I Danced in the Morning

SIMPLE GIFTS

They cut Me down and I leapt up high; I am the life that will never, never die; I’ll live in you if you’ll live in Me: I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. Refrain Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said He, And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said He. SCRIPTURE LESSON SERMON

Mark 16:1-8, pew Bible, p. 929 “Unfinished Easter”

Rush Otey

INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP AND CALL TO OFFERING PRESENTATION OF THE TITHES AND GIFTS OFFERTORY ANTHEM You Raise Me Up Josh Groban Stephanie Patterson, Phillip Hill, Adrian Fullerwinder, Fred Spano and members of Selwyn Chancel Choir READING

The Shadow of the Dove

from the Iona Community, Scotland

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, CONCLUDING WITH THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison) Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

*HYMN 123 BENEDICTION

EASTER HYMN

Sharlande Sledge, Prayers and Litanies for the Christian Seasons

Leader:

When others dismiss your story as an idle tale, who will you be?

Congregation:

Resurrection people with Easter in our hearts!

Leader:

When the world seems to be crumbling around you, remember who you are:

Congregation:

Resurrection people with Easter in our hearts!

Leader:

When despair would seem to squelch all hope, believe in who you have become:

Congregation:

Resurrection people with Easter in our hearts!

Leader:

When it is hard to persevere against all odds, trust in God who names you:

Congregation:

Resurrection people with Easter in our hearts!

Leader:

As we follow Christ into the world,

Congregation:

may God help us remember who we are…Resurrection people with Easter in our hearts!

*RESPONSE

“Laudamus te” from Gloria Stephanie Patterson and Phillip Hill, duet

*POSTLUDE

Crown Him with Many Crowns

*Those who are able please stand.

Antonio Vivaldi Michael Burkhardt

+Ushers may seat late worshipers