Easter Sunday Worship service - Sunday April 24

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Gathering & Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:             Christ is Risen!

People:            He is Risen indeed!

Pastor:             Jesus, Savior of the World, we worship and adore You. We honor and glorify You forever. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Wonderful King and Eternal Savior, this is Your Holy Day and we are delighted to be called Your disciples and servants. You are the Righteous Son of God and our Everlasting Lord.
People:            Lord Jesus, You are the King of all Creation and the Redeemer of the Universe. You have gloriously overcome sin and death, bringing to us promises of life and love that last forever.

Guide:                         Gracious Jesus, we confess that our sins caused Your wounds at Calvary. We crucified You to the Cross because of our stubborn, rebellious, and selfish ways. Precious Lord, forgive our foolish mistakes and grave errors. Pardon our hateful words and shameful deeds. Hear us now as we confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Victorious Savior, Your blood has cleansed our sinful souls and has restored us to God’s favor. Without You, our lives are wasted and pointless. With You, our hopes are completely fulfilled and made eternal. Hear our prayers, given in Your Holy Name. We unite our spirits to You, by saying "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Jesus is the Only One who can save our souls from everlasting destruction. His Name alone has the power to forgive our sins and to release us from death and despair. Therefore, let us rejoice and celebrate the victory of our Lord and King forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri(unison): Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             The LORD reigns, He is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. God establishes our world and sustains our lives.

People:                        Eternal God, we are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness. We lift up our voices in prayer to You, with all that is on our hearts and in our anxious minds.

Pastor:             Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. We also bring to You our families and friends, our colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:             The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close"

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, impact our lives with the power of the Gospel. Let the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection bring joy, healing and strength to our souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):  Lord Jesus, You have given everything for our salvation. You have sacrificed Your life so that we may live forever in God’s eternal presence. We can never repay the debt that we owe You, but we can support the work and ways of Your church with our tithes and gifts. Take this offering and bless it, so that others may hear the Gospel, through the preaching of the Word and the glorifying of God’s Name. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the almighty and amazing love of the Father, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit be with us now and always. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude