Sunday, April 4, 2021
Happy Easter morning!
We have emerged from the dark day of Good Friday when the light of Christ was extinguished and the world went still. Many continued to struggle through Holy Saturday, bearing the interminable waiting game, knowing that our Lord and Saviour would rise on Easter morning.
Three times in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus explains that he will suffer terrible things, be killed and rise again. The disciples and women who had accompanied Jesus in his travels, and sat close while he taught the masses may have been wondering how this would transpire.
What a joyous day this is!
Hear the good news: Christ is Risen!
Even though we watched him die.
Sing the good news: Christ is alive!
Even though we saw him buried in the tomb.
Share the good news. Death has lost its sting!
Let us sing with the angels
and laugh with the saints of God.
Hymn: Voices United #166, Joy Comes with the Dawn
Lighting of the Christ Candle
As I light this candle, please light your candles at home.
We felt the light of Christ fade from us on Good Friday,
no matter how much we wanted that light to linger.
And now, the light of Christ has returned to us
and he has overcome death.
His light shines forth in us
so that we may share his light with others.
Let us welcome the light of Christ this day and always. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9, God provides a rich feast.
Hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1-8 - The resurrection of Jesus
and
Sermon: I See You, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
God of the Resurrection,
it has been a struggle at times,
travelling through Lent
knowing that Christ's earthly life would end on the cross.
And yet, today the women went to Jesus' tomb, once again,
and discovered that he wasn't there.
He had risen.
To you who has given us everything,
including your Son,
we are thankful.
Please accept all that we have
and all that we are in the name of the Risen Lord.
Our offering is both a practical and symbolic act of our commitment to serve Christ and build His church. Although we can’t actually pass the plate’ online, you are encouraged to continue your gift to the church, as the work of the St Paul’s and the staff continues:
Drop your envelope (cheque or cash) at the church;
Mail your cheque to the church;
Go on PAR (call the church for details);
Use the Donate button at the top of the page (it will take you to SPUC’s Canada Helps page where you can donate online and get an instant tax receipt).
Offertory Hymn: Voices United #701, What Does the Lord Require of You
Offering Dedication
O Lord,
we are joyful today
and want to live this resurrection story forever.
We humbly ask you to bless these our gifts,
that with them,
we are able to continue the ministry and mission
of your son Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
God of the rising sun,
God of darkness banished,
we praise and worship you!
For empty tombs: thank you!
For good news: thank you!
For your presence, alive, powerful, resurrected: thank you!
We celebrate your victory over death,
over all the powers that would defeat us.
Help us to grasp resurrection;
to understand its power,
to see its force at work in our world,
overturning evil empires,
changing the hatred within us,
moving the world slowly, forcefully,
bending us towards love and truth.
On this day of great gladness
empower us to be your ambassadors,
proclaiming good news.
Good news in our kitchens and living rooms,
good news in the offices and workshops
good news in the fields and factories
Help us to be that good news,
walking softly on this good earth
caring gently for all people,
living hopefully into your kingdom.
We name now those,
... who are grieving,
... for the sick and dying
... for places in the world that are torn by war and bloodshed
We pray as well for Bud and Barb Hotrum.
In this world of broken hopes and dreams
we catch sight of your kingdom come,
in the person of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns in us forever.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
And of all the prayers silent and spoken, we pray the one prayer that unites us in Your presence, O Lord (you can sing with the video or recite the words below):
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by 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
forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Commissioning
Go from here into the world,
proclaiming that death has been overcome,
and Jesus has risen. Hallelujah!
Share his love with all you encounter,
that they may see the Risen Christ in you.
Food for the Journey
Sister Act and Sister Act 2 are among some of my favourite movies. Below you will find two video clips for your viewing and listening pleasure.
The first is from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Whoopi Goldberg as Sister Mary Clarence is directing the choir who is performing for their peers and faculty at a school, where only a few know she is actually a nightclub singer and not a nun.
The second is a recording of the same song by the Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1967 which hit #2 on the Canadian Singles Chart.
Reflect on the lyrics as you listen.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
Edwin Hawkins Singers
Closing Notes
Don’t forget to extinguish your candle(s).
Please join us today for Zoom Coffee Time starting at 11:30 am.
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
Dial in: +1 647 558 0588
Note that portions of this service are drawn and adapted from various resources:
o The Call to Worship is from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2018.
Copyright © 2017 by Abingdon Press. Sending Forth, page 83.
Used by permission.”
o The Prayers of the People were modified slightly from the Easter
Congregational Prayer was written by Carol Penner,
https://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/2012/03/easter-congregational-prayer.html.
Thank you to:
Wesley Peck for reading the Old Testament Scripture Reading today.
Max Laumeister for his web script that makes our YouTube videos work.
PNGWNG.com and Canva.com websites for the images and backgrounds.
And, thank you to all of the artists whose music and videos were used in the service:
o Transcona Memorial United Church, Winnipeg
o Pluckemin Presbyterian Church Choir, Somerset Hills Harmony
o 1-Minute-Music
o Pacific Spirit United Church
o Haewook Kim
o Tina Vanderpol Melodium75
o Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
o The Edwin Hawkins Singers
