April 12, 2009, 11:00 AM
Easter Sunday

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
Alleluia!  Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!
We worship Jesus Christ, the Risen One
Who has conquered sin and death and has risen from the grave.
God has given us new life and new hope through Christ.
Let us praise God for his great gifts to us in Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior!
*Opening Praise –
“Alleluia!  Alleluia!”
“I Live”
388:1-4 “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
* The Living Jesus Welcomes Us
*We Greet Each Other
           “Christ is risen!”  “He is risen indeed!”
*Continuing Praise –
           241:1-2 “This Is the Day”
                        “Alive, Alive”
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you raised Christ from the dead and gave us eternal life through him.  You have completely transformed our lives.  We should be shouting your good news to everyone who will listen.  Forgive our silence.   In your mercy, make us intensely aware of the life you give us, and may we proclaim it in all that we do and say for your constant glory.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
           Hear these words of triumph from 1 Corinthians 15:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory. 
Where, O death, is your victory? 
Where, O death, is your sting? 
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 
But thanks be to God! 
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Christ, our Risen Lord, has conquered death for us.
Thanks be to God!
*Song of Response – 401 “Oh, How Good Is Christ the Lord”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Mark 16:1-8
Message – “The Greatest Story Never Told?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 402:1,2,5 “Alleluia, Alleluia!  Give Thanks”
The Offerings - First:  General Fund
                         Second:  Christian Reformed Home Missions
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Song – 405:1-3, then refrain “I Serve a Risen Savior”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today is Easter, the most exciting and celebrative day in the church calendar.  Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, was dead and is alive.  Death does not have the final word.  And because he lives, we too can have eternal life.  We welcome all who are rejoicing with us today.  If you are a guest with us today, please fill out a Guest Card you will find in the pew rack or between the chairs and place it in the offering plate as your contribution today.

The second offering today is for Christian Reformed Home Missions.  Your generous support helps share the Easter message of the living Jesus with people across Canada and the US through new church plants, campus ministries and assistance to mission-focused churches of all sizes.

Thea Huizinga remains a patient at Lourdes Hospital.  She had gall bladder surgery on Thursday and hopes to be able to return home soon.  Keep her and Joe in your prayers again this week.

Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s Breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
                    9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at
(study ???????)
        7:30 PM Aerobics class meets

Save Saturday, May 9 for the Celebration Tea.  (No more need for the tablecloth part of the message.)

Women’s retreat at Baldwinsville on Apr. 25. Registration forms are available from Ann De Jager and need to be returned as soon as possible.

Youth Announcements:

NEXT SUNDAY, April 19, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Sunday School classes resume for all ages.  The adult class will conclude the study of Philippians.  On April 26 we will start a series of classes offering biblical principles relating to our finances in these difficult economic times.


MORNING WORSHIP:  11:00 AM  Pastor Gelder brings the message, “Raised with Christ”, based on Romans 6:1-14.  This will be the first in a springtime series of messages on “New Life”, one of the prevailing themes in the New Testament.