Because You Live, O Christ Rejoice, Angelic Choirs, Rejoice! Come

MORNING WORSHIP-EASTER SUNDAY
April 5, 2015
9:30am
Approaching God
EASTER PRELUDE
Because You Live, O Christ
Teri McKibben
(Because you like, O Christ, the garden of the world has come to flower, the darkness of the tomb is flooded with your resurrection power. The
stone has rolled away and death cannot imprison! O sing this Easter Day, for Jesus Christ has risen, has risen, has risen, has risen!)
Rejoice, Angelic Choirs, Rejoice!
(Rejoice, angelic choirs, rejoice! Rejoice now, all creation! Let trumpets loudly raise their voice to hail the Lord's salvation; let all Christ's holy
priesthood sing the triumph of their mighty King in festive celebration!)
Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain of Triumphant Gladness!
('Tis the spring of souls today: Christ hath burst his prison, and from three day's sleep in death as a sun hath risen; all the winter of our sins, long
and dark, is flying from his light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.)
WELCOME
Rev. Dr. Robert C. Anderson
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Risen Today
C. Wesley, J. Raney
Chancel Choir and Brass
Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia! Alleluia!....Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! All creation, join to say Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Alleluia! Sing ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia! Alleluia!...Love's redeeming work is done, fought the fight, the battle won, death in vain
forbids him rise, Christ has opened paradise. Lives again our glorious King, where, O death is now thy sting? Once he died our souls to save,
where thy victory, O grave? Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia! Alleluia!...Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia…following our exalted head,
Alleluia! Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Debbie Handkins
Call to Worship
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader: Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: He has given us new life and hope. He has raised Jesus from the dead.
Leader: God has claimed us as his own.
People: He has brought us out of darkness. He has made us light to the world.
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
*HYMN OF JOY
Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven
Hymnal, No. 254
vs1
Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to heaven and voices raise:
Sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim for the world's salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, now is risen from the dead.
Vs2
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Death at last has met defeat:
See the ancient powers of evil in confusion and retreat:
Once he died, and once was buried: now he lives forevermore,
Jesus Christ the world's Redeemer, whom we worship and adore.
Vs3
Christ is risen, we are risen! Set your hearts on things above;
There in all the Father's glory lives and reigns our King of love;
Hear the word of peace he brings us, see his wounded hands and side;
Now let every wrong be ended, every sin be crucified.
Vs4
Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God on high!
Alleluia to the Savior who has gained the victory!
Alleluia to the Spirit, fount of love and sanctity!
Alleluia, alleluia to the Triune Majesty!
*PRAYER OF ADORATION
Rev. Dr. Robert C. Anderson
*SONG OF ADORATION
Because He Lives
Hymnal, No. 238 (refrain only)
Because he lives I can face tomorrow; because he lives all fear is gone:
Because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he
lives.
Confessing Sin
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Debbie Handkins
Leader: Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave and crowned him Lord of all!
Forgive us and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.
People: Lord, bring new life where we are worn and tired; new love where we have
turned hard-hearted; forgiveness where we feel hurt and where we have wounded;
and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit where we are prisoners of ourselves.
SILENT CONFESSION
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: Death has been swallowed up in 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, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:54-57
People: Thank you God for the immeasurable riches of your grace in kindness
toward us in Christ Jesus! We stand forgiven! Hallelujah! Eph 2:7
*SHARING THE LOVE AND PEACE OF CHRIST (children are dismissed to their classes)
Telling Truth
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
Rev. Dr. Robert C. Anderson
Responding to God
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
(Please pass the Fellowship Pad to record your presence with us.)
OFFERING
Jesus is Lord
OFFERTORY
K. Getty, S. Townend
Chancel Choir, Brass, Percussion
"Jesus is Lord", the cry the echoes through creation; resplendent pow'r, eternal Word, our Rock. The Son of God, the King whose glory fills the
heavens, yet bids us come to taste this Living Bread. "Jesus is Lord," whose voice sustains the stars and planets, yet in his wisdom laid aside his
crown. Jesus the Man, who washed our feet, who bore our suff'ring, because a curse to bring salvation's plan. "Jesus is Lord", the tomb is
gloriously empty! Not even death could crush this King of love! The price is paid, the chains are loosed, and we're forgiven, and we can run into
the arms of God. He is Lord, He is Lord! He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Ev'ry knee shall bow, ev'ry tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord! "Jesus is Lord", a shout of joy, a cry of anguish, as He returns and every knee bows low. Then every eye and every heart will see His glory;
the Judge of all will take his children home! His children home! Jesus is Lord!
Remembering Our Lord
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Lord’s Table and Words of Institution
The Breaking of the Bread and The Blessing of the Cup
The Communion of the People
In remembrance of Christ’s body broken for all people, please hold the bread until all have
been served.
In remembrance of His blood poured out on your behalf, please hold the cup until all have
been served.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
*SONG OF RESPONSE
Rev. Dr. Robert C. Anderson
Lift High the Cross
Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore his sacred name!
1. Come Christians, follow where our Savior trod,
our King victorious, Christ, the Son of God. (refrain)
2. All newborn servants of the Crucified
bear on their brows the seal of him who died. (refrain)
3. O Lord, once lifted on the tree of pain,
draw all the world to seek you once again. (refrain)
4. Let every race and every language tell
of him who saves our souls from death and hell. (refrain)
5. So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory! (refrain)
Going into the World
Hymnal No. 229
*CHARGE & BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
Rev. Dr. Robert C. Anderson
Fanfare
J. Lemmens
* Congregation standing
.
Teri McKibben