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April 19
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(The service has been pre-recorded.)

It doesn’t feel like Easter!
“Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.”
Matthew 28:1-10 

It’s Easter. But it doesn’t look like it this year. It doesn’t feel like Easter. The pews are empty. The church is quiet because there is sickness and hardship in the land, there is death, sadness and fear, anxiety in our nation and around the world. Like Mary who stood weeping outside the empty tomb, we are struggling in loneliness and isolation and feel like we are in the tomb. But on the third day Jesus gave to us a pretty simple and straight forward message: “Greetings! Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Easter happens in whatever the circumstances of our life and world might be. It’s Easter anyway!
Order of Worship
Second Sunday of Easter
April 19, 2020

Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

Prelude - “It Is Well With My Soul” - UMH #377

Call to Worship 

Liturgist: Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?
People: We don’t know where to find Jesus.
Liturgist: The days have been dark. The news has been sad.
People: We don’t know what to do with our grief.
Liturgist: The cross has claimed his life. The tomb has shrouded our hope.
People: We don’t know where to turn for comfort. 
Liturgist: Who has stolen him from us? Why are we alone at the tomb?
People: We don’t know where to look for answers.
Liturgist: Tears and sorrow blind us in our grief.
People: We don’t know where to find Jesus.

Opening Prayer

Risen Christ, Lord of life, breathe new life into us this day. Inspire us with confidence, and open our hearts anew, to receive your promise of resurrection. Speak to us once more that we might hear your voice and recognize your presence in our midst. From the darkness of doubt, guide us into the glorious light of faith and love. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn - “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” - UMH #158

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
 
Prayer Response - “Cares Chorus” - TFWS #2215 (2 times)

I cast all my cares upon you,
I lay all of my burdens down at your feet,
and anytime that I don’t know what to do,
I will cast all my cares upon you. 

Attention to the Word of God

Scripture Reading - Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (NRSV) 

Liturgist:   The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.

Message - " Ripples of New Beginnings" - Pastor Seok-Hwan

We Respond

Special Song - “Now the Green Blade Riseth” (by J.M.C. Crum.)
(© 1928 Oxford University Press)

Dedicated to the Cerullo family in memory of Annette's mother, Janice Frongillo

Offertory Prayer 
We thank and praise you, O God, for the power of your healing touch and the gift of your saving presence. Bless these gifts, that they may bring the power of your gifts to a world in need. In Christ’s mighty name, we pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn - "Sing with All the Saints in Glory" - UMH #702 (vss 1,2,4)

Benediction

(©2020 by The Order of Saint Luke Prepared by Beth Fender, OSL; Elizabeth Moore, OSL; and Dwight Vogel, OSL Permission granted for reproduction in print or on the web by including this permission statement.)
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