Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!!
Welcome to Easter worship!
Preamble / Info.
In the light of the good advice from health authorities that we practice ‘physical distancing’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are not worshiping in person at the church.
However, Jesus promises that where two or three are gathered, He will be there. So, we can gather in spirit, sharing the Word, hymns, and prayers that bind us together as followers of Jesus and people of God.
We may not be in the same room, and we may not even be doing this at the same moment in time; but, along with millions of people around the world in any number of languages, we are worshiping God and caring for one another.
In preparation, you may want to have a candle handy (either a real candle or one of those little battery-operated ones). We always light candles in church because they remind of the presence and beauty of God.
God be with you!
Easter Morning Prayer, by Carol Penner.
Early in the morning we come to you, Lord, with gratefulness and wonder, with awe at your power to save us. This morning we want to follow the women to the tomb. We want to hear the surprising words, “He is not here!” We want to kneel before Christ with joy and thankfulness. And we want to leave here bursting with good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.
Lighting of the candle.
On this Easter morning, we light a candle, celebrating our faith that God raised Jesus from death to life. We confess, in the truth of the resurrection, that no darkness can overcome God’s light in the world. Thanks be to God!
Music An Easter hymn.
Scripture Reading: John 10: 1 - 18, The resurrection of Jesus and Mary at the tomb.
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Music. Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” ‘Easter Version.
Sermon: Where the Scriptures, our faith, and the world collide.
A musical gift from Grant Campbell: an Easter Medley
Offering
On Easter God promises that life will triumph over death, good over evil, love over hate, and faith over fear. This is the Good News, given by Jesus, shared with one another. It is both a gift and a birthright of those who follow Christ.
Our offering is a 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 continue:
· Drop your envelope (cheque or cash) at the church;
· Mail your cheque to the church;
· Go on PAR (call Rosie 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).
May my gifts of time, talent, and treasure generously and lovingly offered be used faithfully to do build God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven!
Music "I know my redeemer liveth," from Handel's 'Messiah.'
A Poem.
Joyce sent this poem to me on Saturday. With apologies to Dr. Seuss and the Grinch, and gratitude for the source (anonymous at this point, but if you know, please sent it along so we can properly thank and acknowledge the writer).
Closing Prayer: "A Prayer in Virulent Times" by Carol Penner (after St. Patrick).
We bind onto ourselves the loving power of God our Creator, the enlivening power of the Spirit of Truth, and the steadfast faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
We bind onto ourselves the glories of the earth, this gift: the power of heaven, the light of the sun, the brightness of the moon, the splendour of fire, the flashing of lightning, the swiftness of wind, the depth of the sea, the stability of the earth.
Against the power of viruses, against the sweep of pandemics, against the selfishness that hoards for oneself, against the anxiety that gnaws at our hearts, good Lord, protect us.
Against sickness and pain, good Lord protect us. For all who do the work of caring for the sick, good Lord preserve them. For all who are grieving, and cannot be comforted, good Lord, hear our prayer.
We bind to ourselves today God's eye to watch over us, God's ear to hear us, God's word to give us speech, God's hand to guide us. Christ with us, Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ within us, Christ beneath us, Christ above us, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.
With the steadfastness of God, our Rock, and the love of Christ that will not let us go, and the Spirit of Hope, who gives us peace, we go into this day.
A gift of music from Emma, "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven / Liszt
Benediction.
Let us go into the world with a daring and tender heart; let us go in peace, the world is waiting.
And whatever we do, may we do it as a Resurrection People: followers of Jesus, bearers of God’s Light, and living signs of the Spirit’s fellowship.
Amen.
Closing notes:
· Don’t forget to extinguish your candle!
· As an exercise in keeping in touch with your SPUC family, we’re inviting everyone to open their Church Directory, find your own name and then count down the list by 7 names and call that person. They might be a good friend, they might be a casual acquaintance at church, or they may be someone you don’t know. Give them a call and wish them peace in the name of Christ, and just see how they’re doing.
· I’m grateful for Grant Campbell’s gift of music and assistance in filming my video sequences, and to Carol Penner for her eloquent prayers (© Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com).
· Remember to Zoom in for Coffee Hour on Easter Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
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Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
· Remember to Zoom in to Emma’s Hymn-a-long on Easter Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8294323094
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
One tap mobile
+15873281099,,8294323094# Canada
+16473744685,,8294323094# Canada
Dial by your location
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
