Happy Easter!
Due to a family emergency, I am out of town for this holiest of holy days. Our churches will meet jointly at Bethesda United Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth at 11:15 am this morning with worship leadership led by Rev. Carol Divens Roth. For those who can not attend, our Executive Presbyter, Sheldon Sorge and his wife Tammy Wiens, have graciously put together an Easter Communion Service here.
I've included the full bulletin of that service below and the YouTube link (just click the highlighted link below) to the recorded service which goes "live" at 10:00am this morning, although you'll be able to view it any time after that. Before you begin the service, prepare your worship space with bread and drink for the communion portion of the service.
Blessings and Peace to you and I will "see" you all next Sunday.
Easter Sunday – April 4, 2021 Pittsburgh Presbytery
CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 118
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST READING: Mark 16:1-8
REFLECTION: “A Story to Tell”
HYMN: Easter Song
Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing that we can be born again; Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing Christ is risen from the dead. The angel upon the tombstone said, “He is risen, just as he said. Quickly, now, go tell his disciples that Jesus Christ is no longer dead!” Joy to the word, he’s risen, alleluia, He’s risen, alleluia, he’s risen, alleluia!
Words and Music Annie Herring, ©1974 Latter Rain Music. Used by Permission, CCLI #1761634
SECOND READING: John 20:1-18
REFLECTION: “Christians: People Who Know Jesus Doesn’t Belong to Them”
HYMN: In the Garden I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses. And he walks with me and he talks with me, And he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known. He speaks and the sound of his voice is so sweet, the birds hush their singing; And the melody that he gave to me within my heart keeps ringing.
C. Austin Miles, 1913. Public Domain
THIRD READING: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8a (from The Message)
REFLECTION: “Easter Vigil”
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: “The Apostles’ Creed” (sung)
PASTORAL PRAYER
INVITATION TO OFFERING
FOURTH READING: Isaiah 25:6-8
REFLECTION: “The Story of a Hymn”
COMMUNION HYMN: Come to the Waters Come to the waters, come and be filled - Hey now! Ho now! Listen and Live! No need to purchase wine, water, bread – Eat now, drink now, listen and live. Come! Bread that I give lasts forever, the feast I prepare never spoils. Look to me now, I am here to be found, at love’s table wine overflows! Faith hope and love are eternal, my promise will not return void. What I have spoken can never be broken, my justice cannot be destroyed.
Based on Isaiah 55 Words and Music by Sheldon Sorge and Tammy Wiens. © 2018. Used by Permission.
COMMUNION OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Note: This Communion liturgy follows the pattern of the Passover Seder, in which a child asks questions about the meaning of the meal’s rituals.
One: Why do we give thanks and praise before this table?
All: We give thanks for God’s work of creation and salvation.
Leader: It is our greatest joy, creator God, to give you thanks in every time and place… …with all people and all creation, we shout your praise:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Leader: All glory and blessing are yours, saving God…
One: Why do we eat bread at this table? Leader: On the night before he died, Jesus took bread. After giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
One: Why do we drink from the cup at this table?
Leader: The same night, Jesus took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.
One: What do we remember at this table?
Leader: We remember God’s gracious love for us… …and remembering, we offer ourselves and our gifts for the world. According to our Lord’s commandment:
All: We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory.
One: What do we ask at this table?
Leader: Merciful God, pour out your Holy Spirit on us… …until the day you make all things new.
All: Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING BREAD AND CUP
CONCLUDING REFLECTION – “Little Easters”
SENDING HYMN: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy; Bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard. Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again; Pass the word around: Loves abound! Christ is able to make us one. At the Table he sets the tone, Teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express. Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt, Gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Words by Fred Kaan, 1975. Jamaican folk tune. ©1975 Hope Publishing Company. Used by Permission, CCLI #1761634
BLESSING AND CHARGE
Leading worship: Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge, General Minister, Pittsburgh Presbytery Rev. Dr. Tammy Wiens, Director of Christian Education and Faith Formation, National Council of Churches
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