Easter 2008

Easter Sunday

The Resurrection of Our Lord

Dawn of New Hope

Order of Worship

▲ = Stand as you are able. ▼ = Sit as you are able

Lights are out. No candles are lighted. Blinds are closed.

Flowers beneath the altar are covered.

Prelude

R: Darkness has fallen

Darker than the void before creation

Engulfing us

The Light has fled from our sight.

Yet, as we sit and mourn

Waiting for the dawn of new hope

Weighted with doubt

Straining for a glimpse

God sits with us.

▼ Pastor, Assistant and Acolyte enter sanctuary with the lighted Pascal Candle.

From the back of the congregation.

P: We walk in the world, a world gone mad, through the void and darkness of brokenness. In loneliness and pain we have watched evil take control, fear eating at our hearts. Watched as violent death claimed our teacher and leader, Jesus. Our inarticulate cries winging their way to God, we wait in darkness beside the tomb surrounded by grief.

Moving through the congregation with the lighted Pascal candle.

P: Yet the Spirit of God hovers in the vastness, moving ever closer.

Ever nearer.

Bringing hope.

Bringing comfort.

Bringing Light.

The Baptismal Font candle is lighted from the Pascal Candle.

Bring Pascal Candle to the front and face the congregation.

P: For the Light of the World is Christ Jesus.

C: The Light no darkness can overcome.

The following is sung while opening the first window blind.

.Sung Response: Behold, Behold vs. 1

Here is my servant, redeemer of all;

Here is my chosen whom I delight......

Behold! Behold! Behold my beloved,

my chosen one, my own.

P: We wander the desert of our lives, dry as old bones. Our bodies and souls looking for the water that gives life. Seeking the welcome greenness and refreshment in the joy of new life.

C: Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

A: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.

C: Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.

A: Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 12:2-6

P: For the Wellspring of all life is Christ Jesus.

C: The Wellspring which will never diminish.

The following is sung while opening the second window blind.

.Sung Response: Behold, Behold vs. 2

Here is my servant, baptizer of all;

Here born of Spirit whom I uphold....

Behold! Behold! Behold my beloved,

my chosen one, my own.

P: The tears of generations stain the ground, as suffering and war, and illness and pain, consume the lives of around us. We yearn for a gentle touch, a healing word, a feast of life. We look to the promised salvation of God for the Word that is Christ.

A: For the LORD will make for all peoples a feast. The Lord will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces.

C: We will say on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Based on Isaiah 25:6-9

P: For the Savior of all life is Christ Jesus.

C: The Savior whom death cannot defeat.

The following is sung while opening the third window blind.

Sung Response: Behold, Behold vs. 3

Here is my servant, and lover of all;

Here is my healer whom I have formed.

Born to give the blind new sight, ... Refrain

P: We have waited for the Hope of God, for the Holy One who will gather us together and give us back our life.

A: God will take us from the nations, and gather us from all the countries, and bring us into our own land. God will sprinkle clean water upon us, and we shall be clean from all our uncleanliness.

C: God will give us a new heart, and a new spirit will be put within us; and God will remove from our bodies the hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. The idols of our lives will be replaced. The spirit of God will be put within us. We shall be God’s people, and God will be our God.

Based on Ezekiel 36:24-28

P: For the Source of all life is Christ Jesus.

C: The Source of life which will be with us forever.

The following is sung while opening the fourth window blind.

Sung Response: Behold, Behold vs. 4

Here is my servant, my child, my own;

Here’s my beloved whom I have called. ... Refrain

▲ Easter Proclamation:

As the Easter Proclamation is read the altar candles are lighted and the flowers are uncovered.

P: The darkness has passed. The promise of God from before all time is fulfilled. The love of God has redeemed us. For God so loved the world that the only Son of God came into the world in order to save it. Jesus the Christ, made flesh among us, has rescued us from the destruction we wrought.

Sing and shout all of you! Rejoice with the heavens! Dance with the stars! Leap with all creation! Praise and bless the Lord our God, for Christ Jesus, who died our death has triumphed and won for us eternal life!

All lights are turned on.

P: Christ is risen!

C: He is risen indeed!

Proclamation Song: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4; tr. Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, sts. 1-3

Tune Name: EASTER HYMN

Music: Lyra Davidica, London, 1708

1 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heav'nly king, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3 But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

Now above the sky he's king, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!

Praise him, all you heav'nly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Greeting:

P: Welcome in the name of God who is Creator, Savior and Breath. God be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: We gather now in the name of the Christ, the one who calls us to bring in the kingdom of God: a kingdom not of houses, not of land, but a kingdom of love and acceptance, a kingdom where we are God's hands in this world. Let us praise the God of all who has brought us here. Let us learn of God's love and share that love whereever we go. Welcome to this place. Welcome to this worship. Be welcome here, for this is God's house. Alleluia!

Praise Song: Praise To The Lord, The Almighty (arr,Martin for Congregation & Choir)

Tune Name: LOBE DEN HERREN Text: Joachim Neander, 1650-1680; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878, alt.

1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Let all who hear

now to his temple draw near,

joining in glad adoration!

2 Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things is wondrously reigning

and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.

Have you not seen

all that is needful has been

sent by his gracious ordaining?

3 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew

what the Almighty can do

if with his love he befriend you.

4 Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the amen

sound from his people again.

Gladly forever adore him!

▼ A: Let us pray,

C: O God of all, you call us to a new world, a world of your Word. Not a dead word, but a living Word, a Word which calls to us not from the past but from the present. Bring us beyond our possessions, beyond our self-satisfaction, beyond our faithlessness. Bring us to new and ever-increasing understanding of your will through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (24)

Second Lesson: Colossians 3:1-4

▲ Anthem: Hallelujah Chorus (Handel/arr. Wilson, 2 pt choir)

Gospel: John 20:1-18

▼ Music for Meditation

Children’s Message

Message

. ▲ Theme Song: Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia! Vs. 1, 3,4,5

Tune Name: MFURAHINI, HALELUYA

Music: Tanzanian traditional

1 Christ has arisen, alleluia. Rejoice and praise him, alleluia....

Refrain

Let us sing praise to him with endless joy. ... Jesus is living, alleluia!

3 The angel said to them, "Do not fear....

Only the grave cloths are lying there." Refrain

4 "Go spread the news: he's not in the grave....

Even the battle with sin is won." Refrain

5 Christ has arisen to set us free....

he reigns triumphant, heavenly king. Refrain

Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,*

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

*Or, "who proceeds from the Father." The phrase "and the Son" is a later addition to the creed.

Prayers of the Church Celebrate

. Greeting of Peace:

P: Welcome each other. Welcome the stranger. Welcome all who come. As Christ welcomed everyone, no matter what their background, no matter what their social status; as Christ welcomed enemies and friends, outcasts and leaders, foreigners and neighbors, let us open our hearts and homes and lives. Let us be Christ to everyone we meet. Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

All share a greeting of peace.

▼ Offering

Anthem: Alleluia! Sing With High Delight (Mozart/arr.Hopson)

▲ Offering Prayer:

A: We come to you, O God, filled with gratitude and love.

C: We come to you blessed with life, blessed with faith, blessed with gifts of the spirit, blessed with gifts of the mind, blessed with talents of the body. We come blessed with homes, blessed with money, blessed with possessions, and blessed with time. All these things come from you and to you they belong. We return all that we are and have back to you, O God. Accept us, use us, and lead us to do your will so that others may be blessed by you through us. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer:

P The love of God flows among us: a never-ending stream, cascading down, running joyfully through our lives, washing us clean, filling our souls with the life-giving waters of salvation from Christ Jesus, the source of all life and the fount of all nourishment.

For in the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ, took the bread, and after giving thanks, blessed it, broke it, giving it to all to eat saying, “This is my body which is broken for you.”

After the supper, taking the cup, he blessed it and gave it to all to drink saying, “This is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you.”

As we have died with Christ so have we risen with him. Remembering this life saving grace and resurrection, we join with all creation in praising your name, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Communion Song: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! Vs. 1, 2

Text: Latin sequence, c. 1100; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882, alt.

Tune Name: LLANFAIR

Music: Robert Williams, c. 1781-1821

1 Christ the Lord is ris'n today; Alleluia!

Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!

offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!

at the paschal victim's feet. Alleluia!

2 For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!

sinless in the sinner's stead. Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!

now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

3 Hail, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!

God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!

when contending death and life, Alleluia!

met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!

4 Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!

all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!

now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

The Lord’s Prayer:

P: Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us,

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

▼ Distribution of Holy Communion

▲ Dismissal from Holy Communion:

P: May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be for you the food and drink of everlasting life, sustaining, upholding and keeping you always in the grace of God.

C: Amen.

Post Communion Song: Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds Vs. 1, 3

Text: Paul Z. Strodach, 1876-1947, alt. Copyright Administrator: Augsburg Fortress

Tune Name: LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, Koln, 1623

Now all the vault of heav’n resounds...“Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love;...“Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!.

Post Communion Prayer:

A: Almighty God, you have wrought for us salvation through the suffering, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ.

C: In thanksgiving and joy we rejoice in the newness of life which you have graciously provided for us. Celebrating with all the universe and all the peoples throughout all the ages the wonder of an eternity with you. May we carry that living water and food to everyone we meet. Amen.

Blessing:

P: May the Word of love fill your days.

May the Light of the universe guide your ways.

May the Source of all life course through your deeds.

May the God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Keep you always in the joy of God’s gift of life.

C: Amen.

P: The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,

And be caring towards you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

C: Amen.

▼ Community Announcements

▲ Sending Song: Thine Is The Glory

Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939

Tune Name: JUDAS MACCABAEUS

Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.

1 Thine is the glory,

risen, conqu'ring Son;

endless is the vict'ry

thou o'er death hast won!

Angels in bright raiment

rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes

where thy body lay.

Refrain

Thine is the glory,

risen, conqu'ring Son;

endless is the vict'ry

thou o'er death hast won!

2 Lo, Jesus meets thee,

risen from the tomb!

Lovingly he greets thee,

scatters fear and gloom;

let his church with gladness

hymns of triumph sing,

for the Lord now liveth;

death hath lost its sting! Refrain

3 No more we doubt thee,

glorious Prince of life;

life is nought without thee;

aid us in our strife;

make us more than conqu'rors,

through thy deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan

to thy home above. Refrain

P: Christ is Risen!

C: He is risen indeed!

A: Go in peace. Serve the risen Lord!

C: Thanks be to God.

Postlude