Order of Worship
everything between grief & hope
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Gathering Music: You Are Welcome Here (by Wiley Beveridge)
-Ada Goff & Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
My dear friends, we have known grief.
We have known loss. We have known the long road,
tired and winding. We have whispered prayers on bended knees.
We have stared at the sky, empty of stars. But today—
today we know hope. Today we know life.
Today we know the sound of Alleluias.
Today we know that death does not have the last word.
Today we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is Easter.
May hope find you. And may you know, deep in your bones,
that today is a new day.
Alleluia! Amen.
Opening Hymn: Christ, the Lord, is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!
All creation join to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing O heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbid him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!
Hail the lord of earth and heaven! Alleluia!
Praise to you by both be given, Alleluia!
Every knee to you shall bow, Alleluia!
Risen Christ triumphant now. Alleluia!
Prayer for illumination
God of Alleluias and empty tombs, God of garden plots
and good news, it is Easter. It is finally Easter.
In a world full of grief and heartache, in a world full of violence and oppression, in a world full of loss and separation, we long for this day because Easter sings a different song. Easter sings a song of hope. Easter sings a song of new life. Easter sings a song of love that makes you want to jump out of your chair and run barefoot to the tomb. Easter smells of fresh flowers and baked bread. It sounds like trumpets and laughter. It feels like a crowded table and a warm hug. Yes, Easter sings a different song.
So in a world full of grief, help us to cling to Easter’s hope.
In a world full of grief, help us hear this story of good news.
In a world full of grief, we’re ready to run barefoot to the tomb. With hope we pray, with hope we listen, amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: City of God
REFRAIN: Let us build the city of God May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!
Scripture: Mark 16:1-8 Rev. Dick Bennett
Sermon: The Open Gate Rev. Dick Bennett
Music: Meditative Instrumental ~ Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Offertory: How Great Thou Art (by Stuart K. Hine) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Dedication Prayer:
Closing Music: In the Bulb There Is a Flower P. 250
Blessing:
Postlude: Go In Peace
Happy Easter!