Watchword for the Week

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have died.

(1 Corinthians 15:20)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2018)

ORGAN PRELUDE

EASTER GREETING

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Hymn 194 * This is the day…

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

PRAYER of APPROACH

Bringing life from death,

bringing abundance from nothing,

bringing confidence from doubt:

It is the Lord. Alleluia!

Loving the poor, the weak, the failed;

loving the foreigner, the stranger, the unwanted;

loving the people, both friends and opponents:

It is the Lord. Alleluia!

Calling us to take the risk

that we will change nothing;

calling us to step out in deep waters;

calling us to faith:

It is the Lord. Alleluia!

Changing the ordinary to the extraordinary;

changing an obstacle into an opportunity;

changing our weakness into great strength:

It is the Lord. Alleluia!

Risen Lord, you love us,

you call us, you change us … We make our

prayers in your name, Jesus, Amen!

Hymn 410 * Jesus Christ is risen today

CHILDREN’S TIME “April Fools“

Hymn 767 Hallelujah, hallelujah!

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may go to the Arts & Crafts table at the back)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Isaiah 25:6-9 OT p. 689

ECC Choir Jubilate Deo

St. John 20:1-18 NT p. 144

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 427 Alleluia! Hearts to heaven

(Hymn of the Month, April 2018)

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 419 * Thine be the glory

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

AFFIRMATION of FAITH

We believe in God above us,

Maker and Sustainer of all life,

of sun and moon, of water and earth,

of male and female.

We believe in God beside us,

Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,

born of a woman, servant of the poor,

tortured and nailed to a tree.

A man of compassion, he died forsaken;

he descended into the earth

to the place of death.

On the third day he rose from the tomb;

he ascended into heaven

to be everywhere present;

and his kingdom will come on earth.

We believe in God within us,

the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,

life-giving breath of the church,

spirit of healing and forgiveness,

source of resurrection and eternal life.

Amen.

PRAYERS for OTHERS

Risen Lord Christ, hear our prayer.

The LORD’S PRAYER

(Please pray in your own preferred language / version.)

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 us our

trespasses as we forgive those who trespass

against us. And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom, the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 773 * Jesus, we are here for you

(Communion gifts are brought forward)

COMMUNION PRAYER

The Lord be with you, and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.

Let us give thanks to God our Maker.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Praise is yours, Holy God… we join our praise,

singing the song of your eternal greatness:

ECC Choir Holy! Holy!

Because you, gracious God, have been faithful

… receive food for the journey and be bound in

solidarity with all who walk in your way. Amen.

Hymn 778 Lamb of God

COMMUNION (Please come forward to share)

THANKSGIVING PRAYER

Hymn 421 * Our Lord Christ hath risen!

NOTICES and CLOSING RESPONSES

Is God good? God is good!

Is life worth living? Life is worth living!

Is the best yet to come?

Always, the best is yet to come!

Then go as friends of Jesus

and enjoy him forever. Amen.

ECC Choir Irish Blessing