Order of Worship

Opening Voluntary – Ten Thousand Angels, R. Overholt 

Choral Introit

Welcome/Greetings

*Call to Worship

L:  Turn to Christ,

P:  who calls us here.

L:  Place your trust in God,

P:  who protects our lives.

L:  Lean into Spirit,

P:  as we worship in Spirit and truth.

*Opening Hymn #304 – “Easter People, Raise Your Voices”   

*Opening Prayer

God of miracles and truth, bless us, as we gather for worship, with the power of your Holy Spirit.  Reveal your presence in our midst and open our hearts and minds to receive your miraculous love.  Strengthen our faith this day, that we may go forth as witnesses of your miraculous love.  Amen.

Westminster Ringers – Awesome God and Almighty, Medley by R. Mullins and W. Watson

Children’s Messaage

Scriptures

Epistle – 1 John 3:1-7

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are!  Because the world didn’t recognize him, it doesn’t recognize us.  ² Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be.  We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is.  ³ And all who have this hope in him purify themselves even as he is pure.  ⁴ Every person who practices sin commits an act of rebellion, and sin is rebellion.  ⁵ You know that he appeared to take away sins, and there is no sin in him.  ⁶ Every person who remains in relationship to him does not sin.  Any person who sins has not seen him or known him.  ⁷ Little children, make sure no one deceives you.  The person who practices righteousness is righteous, in the same way that Jesus is righteous.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Gospel – Luke 24:36b-48 (Please stand if you are able)

³⁶ Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  ³⁷ They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost.  ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you startled?  Why are doubts arising in your hearts?  ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet.  It’s really me!  Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.”  ⁴⁰ As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  ⁴¹ Because they were wondering and questioning in the midst of their happiness, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?”  ⁴² They gave him a piece of baked fish.  ⁴³ Taking it, he ate it in front of them.  ⁴⁴ Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.  ⁴⁶ He said to them, “This is what is written:  the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Hymn before Message #349 – “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”                

Message

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer and Choral Response

Prayer of Confession

Turn to God.  If your heart is heavy, invite Christ to lighten the load.  If your heart is hardened, invite the Spirit to soften and change you.  Truly, we all need to receive God’s grace and to heed Christ’s call.

Words of Assurance

God fills our hearts with joy and covers our lives with grace.  Rest in this truth and be at peace.  All is well and all will be well.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

As God leads us beside the still waters of grace, Christ invites us to offer these still waters of grace and peace to one another, that all may know the peace of God.

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

As we have been loved, we are invited to love.  As God has given generously to us, we are invited to give generously to God and to God’s church.  May our hearts brim with love and generosity for all as we enter this time of offering.

Choral Selection – Consecration, J. N. Beck 

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

Generous God of love and grace, bless these gifts with your abundant love and your life-giving grace.  Bless us as we bear witness to your love and grace in all that we say, all that we give, and all that we do.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn #318 – “Christ Is Alive”                                                      

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary – Thine Is the Glory, R. J. Hughes

(Please remain seated for the Closing Voluntary)