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Dear Friends,
Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed.
Wishing you a blessed and joy-filled Easter, as we celebrate together the "thunderous yes" of God's resurrection. Life has defeated death. Hope has outlasted fear. Love has overcome hate.
Below is a video link to our Easter service, along with an order of service. We hope it's inspiring and meaningful to you! It was a joy and privilege for us to put it together. Thanks to all who contributed music, liturgy or an Easter greeting.
I know it's bizarre and disorienting to be celebrating Easter during this time of social distancing. Many of the things we are used to - attending worship in person, going out for brunch, gathering with extended family, joining community Easter egg hunts, and so on - are not happening this year. Let me tell you, it was strange to preach an Easter sermon to empty pews into my iPhone! But here we are. And God is still with us. And the staggeringly good news of Easter stills breaks in, providing hope, wonder, joy, light and life everlasting.
For families with young children, Lindley Traynor has again provided a resource (click the
link here) for you to experience the Easter story together.
As the angels declared to the courageous women so long ago that first Easter, "Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here. He has risen, just as he said!" So, friends, let us walk through the door of this good news, embracing a world tinged with resurrection life.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
With Easter joy,
Pastor Jeff
Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
Easter Sunday, April 12th, 2020
Prelude
Hornpipe
George Frederic Handel
Welcome and Call to Worship
Joyful is the sound we make this morning! For this day liberates us from doubt and fear.
Thankful is the song we sing! For this day moves us past bewilderment and despair.
Hopeful is the prayer on our lips! For this day awakens in us long-awaited new life.
Jesus promised, "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age."
The tomb is empty, light has extinguished darkness and new creation has dawned.
The living Christ is with us here and now, at this hour, in our homes, setting us free to love and serve.
Friends, Christ is risen!
Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!
Opening Hymn No. 232, verses 1, 2 & 4
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Call to Confession
When the women first encountered the empty tomb and the risen Christ, they were flabbergasted. "How could this be?" they wondered. They were afraid, yet they summoned their faith. They were doubtful, yet they persevered. In the same spirit, let us confess our brokenness, yet strive for our Easter faith, as we pray together.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious and gritty God, even as we sing of Christ's resurrection and the promise of new life, we know things are not the way they are supposed to be in your world. We think of the global health crisis we're enduring. The countless layers of grief and loss. We also think about how we have hurt ourselves and others. We have chased after things that don't really matter. We have missed the life that is truly life. Please forgive us. Please renew us. Assure us and rush our hearts with your self-giving love. We are yours, now and always, Easter people in a Good Friday world. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Friends, our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The first and last word with God is grace-grace to heal and make new, grace to propel us forward. This is the good news of the gospel-we are loved, forgiven and set free to transform the world.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
Our Common Life
Scripture Reading
Matthew 28:1-10
Reflection Rev. Jeff Lehn
Solo - Easter from Five Mystical Songs Ralph Vaughn Williams
Affirmation of Faith (The Apostles' Creed)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Offering
God has given us new life in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In gratitude, let us offer our hearts and the fruit of our labor to God's service, as we receive this morning's offering. Since we can't pass the offering plate in person this morning, we invite you to give online through our website or smartphone app or send a check in the mail to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.
Doxology -
LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Dedication
Abundant God, we know it is more blessed to give than to receive. You are the owner of all things and we are stewards of your gifts for a time. It's our joy to return a portion of what you've entrusted to us. May our gifts do awesome things in your world, for the last, the lost and the least, things only you can imagine. All we have is yours this Easter. We are yours. Amen.
Sending Hymn
No. 248 -
Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
(verses 1 &3)
Charge and Benediction
Postlude -
Anglaise George Frideric Handel
Worship Leaders
Rev. Jeff Lehn, preaching
Rev. Erin Raska, pastoral liturgist
Peggy Massello, music director
Sharon Panzica, liturgist
Tammy Walker, scripture reader
Rick Drake, trumpet
Jim Rank, hymn soloist
Nick Lin, soloist
Cecilia Chow, pianist
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First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010
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