You can watch today’s service here.
If you are watching our live stream this morning, you are invited to find a candle, so that we can all light candles at the same time. Later in the service, we will be sharing virtual communion. Have bread and grape juice or wine on hand–or elements that are roughly equivalent. Granola bar and a juice box? Jesus’ body is broken for you. Goldfish crackers and pop? Jesus’ body is still broken for you. Muffin and coffee? Yep, Jesus’ body is broken for you! We are one in Christ even when we aren’t able to share the same loaf of bread.
CALL TO WORSHIP (WRITTEN BY SARAH ARE FOR A SANCTIFIED ART, LLC)
One: This day is like every other day.
All: Alarm clocks beeped. Covers were removed.
Coffee was brewed. Weary bodies came to life.
One: And yet this day, is like no other day—
All: For the sun rose, and we knew it was a miracle.
The tomb was empty, and they knew it was love.
One: So again and again we say—
All: The longest night is over.
Death has lost its sting.
Jesus is among us.
Alleluia! Amen.
One: Again and again and again—
All: Alleluia! Amen.
OPENING PRAYER (PRESBYTERIAN BOOK OF COMMON WORSHIP)
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!
This is the good news that we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved:
Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!
That Christ died for our sins, and was buried,
and rose again on the third day.
Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!
He appeared to the women, and to the twelve,
and to many faithful witnesses.
Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!
At last he came to us, that we might come to believe
and proclaim this good news to the world.
Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!
CALL TO CONFESSION (WRITTEN BY SARAH ARE FOR A SANCTIFIED ART, LLC)
Friends, had we been there that first Easter morning,
It is likely that many of us would have been with the disciples—
Hiding out in fear,
Locked behind doors,
Alone with our thoughts in the upper room.
I wish I could say that I would have gone with the women,
That I would have been brave and determined.
I wish I could say that I would have held onto my faith,
But the truth is, we’ll never know.
What I do know is that Jesus came back for all of us—
Not the few who had maintained faith
Or the few who stayed with him until the end.
He came back for the broken and the afraid,
For the cowardly and the greedy,
For the women in the garden,
And for the disciples hiding in the upper room.
He came back for those who betrayed him
And those who worshiped him.
He came back for you and for me.
So join me in the prayer of confession,
Knowing that no matter where we are on the spectrum of faith,
Jesus lived, loved, and returned for us.
Let us pray. . .
Moment of silent prayer–people of God, what do you confess this week?
PRAYER OF CONFESSION and Forgiveness (WRITTEN BY SARAH ARE FOR A SANCTIFIED ART, LLC)
One: Beloved Community, before God and before you, my family, I confess:
I have seen the sun rise and withheld my praise.
I have seen my neighbor suffer and withheld my aid.
I have seen love extended and chosen to walk away.
I have seen divisions deepen and managed to remain unfazed.
All: We hear you. We see you. You are forgiven.
God’s love is like the sun.
No matter how lost we are in the night,
Day after day, the light will find you.
Rest easy. You are held in God’s warmth.
One: Thanks be to God. Amen.
All: Now we must pray.
Beloved friend, before God and before each other, we confess:
We have seen the sun rise and withheld our praise.
We have seen our neighbors suffer and have withheld our aid.
We have seen love extended and chosen to walk away.
We have seen divisions deepen and managed to remain unfazed.
One: I hear you. I see you. You are forgiven.
God’s love is like the sun.
No matter how lost we are in the night,
Day after day, the light will find you.
Rest easy. You are held in God’s warmth.
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, amen.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING (WRITTEN BY SARAH ARE FOR A SANCTIFIED ART, LLC)
There are a million ways that you speak to us,
God of the garden and God of the empty tomb.
You speak to us in rituals, both formal and organic—
In drops of water on foreheads,
In vows said at the altar,
Through pieces of bread dipped in ordinary wine,
And through shared candlelight on Christmas Eve.
You speak to us in nature—
Your artistry showing up in starry nights,
In the smell of pine,
In rushing water and in most every sunrise.
You speak to us through our relationships—
The comfort of a loved one,
The laughter of our friends,
The security of those who support us and cheer us on.
You speak to us in so many ways, and we are grateful for them all.
However today, we just need one. That would be enough.
So lean down and breathe life into these sacred texts.
We are craving to hear your word like never before.
We are craving to understand, to see ourselves in the story.
We are craving proximity to you.
There are a million ways that you speak to us.
Today, we just need one.
With hearts full of gratitude we pray, amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 25:6-9 (NRSV)
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
And God will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
God will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of the people God will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, you are our God; we have waited for you, so that you might save us.
You are the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in your salvation.
HYMN Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
public domain
1 Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
3 But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured. Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV)
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Consider:
-
Where do you see glimpses of renewal—places of resurrection that are both the “already and the not yet”? What feels held within the promise of resurrection?
-
Mark’s Easter story ends not with an appearance of the risen Lord, but with an empty tomb. How does this strike you, and what do you make of this?
-
The resurrected Christ goes before us in our everyday lives, bearing witness to the God who seeks to bring resurrection and new life out of own death-tending realities. In what ways does this promise inspire and/or terrify you?
You can listen to Pastor Leia’s sermon, “Again and Again, the Sun Rises,” here.
HYMN Christ Still Rises
Text: David Bjorlin, b. 1984; © 2020, GIA Publications, Inc.
Music: HICKS; Benjamin Brody, b. 1975; © 2020, GIA Publications, Inc.
Used with permission under ONE LICENSE # 738214-A
when fear grips our city,
when death takes no pity,
when much is unknown.
Christ still rises
when joy feels misguided,
when we are alone.
Christ still rises
when praises are muttered,
when prayers go unsaid.
Christ still rises
when we are most jaded,
when faith turns to dread,
when faith turns to dread.
when we share our labors,
when strangers belong.
Christ still rises
when love is our tether,
when hope is our song.
Christ still rises
when bodies are mended,
when beauty heals pain.
Christ still rises
when death is defeated
and joy will remain,
and joy will remain.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (ROGER GENCH, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
In the risen Christ, we pray for the church. Let us be Easter people who live in the power of the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. And let us be salt and light for our world — encouraging the downtrodden, standing with the marginal, resisting oppression in all of its forms. God who brings life out of death, hear our prayer.
In the risen Christ, we pray for the earth. Let us be healers of your good creation — utilizing sustaining practices that mend the earth and its creatures. God who brings life out of death, hear our prayer.
In the risen Christ, we pray for all nations. Let us be agents of your love for the peoples of the earth — especially for nations torn by war and blood and crippled by the coronavirus. God who brings life out of death, hear our prayer.
In the risen Christ, we pray for our communities. Let us extend care and compassion to those who are grieving and fearful because of mass shootings. And let us be especially attentive to those who are fearful because of the racialized violence in our communities. Help us to know that when some are crucified, all are crucified, and empower to us for justice-seeking in our schools, neighborhoods, cities and regions. God who brings life out of death, hear our prayer.
In the risen Christ, we pray for loved ones. Let us be agents of hope for those who are fragile in our families, churches and community, and help us to comfort the afflicted. God who brings life out of death, hear our prayer.
Amen.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Again and again,
We gather at the table…and God is with us.
Again and again,
We tell stories…and God is at the heart of them all.
And again and again,
We share what we have…and God rejoices.
We are welcomed.
We are loved.
We are fed.
We are swept up into God’s embrace.
Christ came into this world for everyone, and broke bread with everyone, and died for everyone, and rose again for everyone, and we would not be living Christ-like lives if we did not welcome everyone, too: baptized or not; a member of this church, another church, or no church at all; a stranger, a wanderer or a guest. If you wonder whether you are welcome here…you are.
God Welcomes All
text: John L. Bell (2008)
Music: South African song, transc. John L. Bell, 2008
© 2008 WGRG, Iona Community (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.)
Used with permission under ONE LICENSE # 738214-A
God welcomes all, strangers and friends,
God’s love is strong and it never ends.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
Response: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
Response: We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Response: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We know the story, that on the last night with his friends, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, telling them, “Take this and eat. It is my body, broken for you.” He also poured a cup, telling them, “This is the new covenant, sealed in my blood. Drink from it, all of you, and remember me.”
Whenever we have shared communion, we have remembered that we share in the feast with Christians throughout time and space. Generations before us have broken bread together, and will long after we are gone. Across the world, people celebrate communion with different liturgies and recipes and traditions and languages, but no matter what communion looks like in different times and places, at the heart of it all is a single loaf and a single cup.
It is lonely to eat alone.
It does not feel right to be unable to see those with whom we share this meal.
It doesn’t feel like what Jesus meant.
But this meal has always reminded us of the saints we cannot see.
It has sustained us until now, and it will sustain us until we can share this meal in person again.
Please pray with me:
Risen God, you have come to meet us.
You meet us in our hope and our heartache.
You meet us in our fear and our joy.
You meet us in our cupped hands and clenched fists.
You have always met us in the emptiness.
You have met us in the unknown.
You have met us in the wilderness.
And now, you meet us here, at the empty tomb.
Stay with us.
Be with us.
Help these elements become for us your body and blood
and help us to feel your presence
as we join our voices to pray the prayer Jesus taught us:
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 us 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.
VIRTUAL COMMUNION
If you are fortunate enough to be worshipping alongside someone, you might offer the elements to each other. If you are worshipping alone at home today, remember that you share this meal with Christians around the world and that God’s arms are around you, no matter how lonely it feels to eat this meal alone.
Remember that this is the body of Christ, broken for you.
Remember that this is the blood of Christ, shed for you.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray:
Living Christ, you have fed us at this table.
We thank you for feeding us with the bread of life
and quenching our thirst with the cup of blessing.
Give us the strength of faith
to proclaim the news of your resurrection
to all the world. Amen.
HYMN Your Only Son
music and lyrics by Twila Paris, 1985
© 1985 Mountain Spring Music and Straightway Music (admin. EMICMGPublishing.com)
Used by Permission. CCLI License #3456351
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
The humble King they named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of GodOh Lamb of God, Sweet Lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of GodI was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your Staff and Rod
And to be call a lamb of GodOh Lamb of God, Sweet Lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
INVITATION TO OFFERING (ROGER GENCH, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
The Lord prepares a table for us in the midst of all that threatens us, and God mercy follows us all the days of our lives. Let us give to others as God has given to us.
MORNING OFFERING
If you are able to, please consider mailing your offerings to the church (210 Smith Street) or dropping them off in the mail slot. Alternatively, there is a link at the top of this page that will take you directly to a secure page where you can make a one-time donation. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (ROGER GENCH, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
Gracious God, accept what we offer today on the promise that we will become Easter people, and a blessing to one another and to the earth. Amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (WRITTEN BY SARAH ARE FOR A SANCTIFIED ART, LLC)
We know the fear of the upper room.
We know the feeling of hard days and long nights.
We know the grief of the tomb,
And the particular ache of saying goodbye.
We know the pain of Good Friday,
And we know the darkness before dawn.
And still,
And still,
We believe.
We believe that again and again,
The sun will rise.
Again and again,
God will draw near.
Again and again,
We will march toward justice.
Again and again,
The tomb will be empty.
Again and again,
Love will win.
Again and again,
God will lead the church.
Again and again,
And again and again,
We will be loved.
The journey will not be perfect.
We will need to rise before dawn.
We will need angels along the way.
But again and again,
The sun will rise.
We believe. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION (ADAPTED FROM A BENEDICTION BY SARAH ARE FOR A SANCTIFIED ART, LLC)
May your mouth speak of God’s goodness.
May your arms hold those in need.
May your feet walk toward justice.
May your heart trust its worth.
May your soul dance in God’s grace.
And may this be your rhythm—
Again and again and again,
Until God’s promised day.
In the name of the Lover, the Beloved, and Love itself,
Go with courage, go with heart, go in peace.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
If you are using this page to follow along with today’s worship service while it is being live streamed, please join us for virtual coffee hour! Turn on your video camera and join us after the benediction with THIS LINK. You could also join over the telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting code 146 874 134, followed by the password 075003. You can find other events throughout the week on our CALENDAR.