March 23, 2008, 11:00 AM
Easter Sunday
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
Glory to you, O God:On this day you won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life.
Glory to you, O Christ:
For us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life.
Glory to you, O Holy Spirit:
You lead us into the truth.
Glory to you, O blessed Trinity, now and forever.
Amen.
*Opening Song – 400:1,3,4 “Praise the Savior Now and Ever”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
The Easter Story – Matthew 28:1-10
*Praise Time – 241:1,2 “This Is the Day”
“In Christ Alone”
“Alive, Alive, Alive Forevermore”
Call to Confession –
This is a day of great joy – Jesus lives! Yet we admit with deep sorrow that too often we still live as if sin and death are stronger than forgiveness and life. Let us confess our sins to God.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.
We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death.
We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak and abuse the earth you made.
Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Ephesians 2:4-7
*Song of Assurance – 401 “Oh, How Good is Christ the Lord”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Romans 5:1-10
Message – “Crown of Thorns, Crown of Glory”
Prayer
*Song – 388:1-4 “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
The Offering - General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Song of Sending – 405:1-3, then refrain “I Serve a Risen Savior”
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 633 “He Is Lord” (2 verses, incl. He is Life”)
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTSWednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s Luncheon at
Saturday, 7:00 PM Youth Karaoke and Talent Night
A Blessed Easter!! Today we celebrate the high point of the Christian message – we serve a living Savior! We extend a warm welcome to all who have come to meet the living Jesus with us today. You will notice a new Easter banner hanging in the front of the worship center. A special thank you to Lor Recker-Woodnorth for creating this as an aid to us in our worship. Here is what she wrote to help us understand what we see:
The tilted cross I did not only for composition, but I always think of Jesus carrying the load of wood, but also carrying the weight of the world
The circle that is off-center alludes to the rock that rolled away from the cave/tomb. The mesh over the circle can suggest the burial cloths
The braided brown cloths suggest the crown of thorns, with actual thorns moving the eye down toward the foot of the cross
The braided yellow/red/orange suggest the resurrection/brightness of our celebration of Easter moving the eye up and onwards
The second offering next Sunday will be for Project Concern. This ministry in Chenango Bridge serves many families with clothing, household goods and some food items at very low cost to them. Your generous offerings will enable them to buy basic items to supplement what is donated by people in our community.
Retreat announcement
Youth Announcements (note that the rafting is July, not June)
NEXT SUNDAY, March 30, 2008
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Classes for all ages resume as usual. The adult class will be starting a four-week session using the booklet “Christian: What It Means, Why It Matters.” All are welcome to participate.
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder will be with us to bring a post-Easter message.
