ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE: Improvisation on Ode to Joy Sean Cotty
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Margaret Vera
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom
and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
God has raised Jesus from the dead.
God has given us new life and hope.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
* HYMN No. 239 I Know that My Redeemer Lives
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Carlos Rivera
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave
and crowned him Lord of all.
We confess that we have not bowed before him
or acknowledged his rule in our lives.
We have gone along with the way of the world
and failed to give God glory.
Forgive us and raise us from sin,
that we may be your faithful people
(Prayers of Silent Confession)
Kyrie (sung): Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE
God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.
By grace we have been saved!
For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: Virgil Thomson
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
My shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is his Name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake his ways.
He leads me for his mercy's sake
In paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death,
Thy presence is my stay.
One word of thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread.
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days.
O may thy house be my abode
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come.
No more a stranger or a guest,
But like a child at home.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: Hear Our Prayer O Lord
Hear our prayer, O Lord, incline thine ear to us,
and grant us thy peace. Amen.
* HYMN No. 243 Christ is Alive
Prayer of Illumination
God of life, your Spirit raised Jesus from dead. Your Spirit inspired the prophets and writers of Scripture. Your Spirit draws us to Christ. We ask that you will send your Spirit now to give us deeper insight, encouragement, faith, and hope through the proclamation of the gospel. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Psalm 133 p. 501
1 John 1:1-2:2 p. 989
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON: A Community of Forgiveness Rev. Blaine Crawford
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Belgic Confession, Article 23
We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ.
And therefore, we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him. That is enough to cover all our sins.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: Crown Him with Many Crowns! Courtney
Crown Him the Lord of love!
Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye
at mysteries so bright.
Crown Him with many crowns,
The lamb upon his thrown;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem
drowns all music but its own!
Awake my soul and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Thro' all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed over the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those He came to save;
His glories now we sing
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.
Crown Him the Lord of years:
The potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail
Throughout eternity.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 244 Easter Song
* BENEDICTION
Response: Alleluia
POSTLUDE: Chaconne Bach/Busoni
Announcements
Music Note For April:
Each week in April the choir will present a different musical setting of Psalm 23. This beloved psalm is one of the best known passages of scripture. Many are drawn to its poetic imagery and the spiritual renewal it provides.
Confirmation Class
During the next six weeks, the three members of the confirmation class, Julia Aiello, Isabel Vera, and Margaret Vera, will take turns serving as readers during the worship service. This coincides with the final section of the confirmation class which is studying worship and the spiritual disciplines. The confirmands will be confirmed on June 3.
New Bible Study Begins This Week
A new Bible study exploring 1 John begins on Tuesday this week. Join us at 7:30 p.m. in the Folensbee Lounge!
Women’s Christian Circle Luncheon
Saturday, April 21, 1:00 p.m., Gessner Hall
Delicious lunch will be catered by Marino Brothers and the Sweet Adeline Chorus will perform. All women are invited.
Adult Sunday School Opportunity
Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library
Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!" Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, the class will extend through the end of April with a new headline discussed every few weeks.
Prayer List
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Matthew Dagiau, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow