March 31, 2024
GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR GATHERING & CENTERING
Brass Ensemble
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“Were You There?”
~ arr. David Herberg
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“Rondo in D Major”
~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
EASTER ACCLAMATION
From the back of the sanctuary:
LEADER: Christ is risen!
PEOPLE: Christ is risen, indeed!
LEADER: Christ is risen!
PEOPLE: Christ is risen, indeed!
LEADER: Christ is risen! Alleluia!
PEOPLE: Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia!
INTROIT
David Herberg, Director
Brass Ensemble
“Easter Fanfare”
~ Michael Locke-Paddon
GREETING & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel F. Diss
*HYMN
Brass Ensemble
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
~ UMH 302 verses 1-4
TIME FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning together. Children remain in the service today.
*HYMN
“Where Children Belong”
~ James Ritchie, TFWS 2233
LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Rhodes
Acts 10:34-43 (CEB)
Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom
God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM
Chancel Choir with Congregation
Brass Ensemble
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Crown Him with Many Crowns”
~ arr. Craig Courtney
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Rhodes
Mark 16:1-8 (CEB)
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Pastor Daniel
A Surprise Ending … Beginning
*HYMN
Brass Ensemble
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“To God Be the Glory”
~ UMH 98, arr. Craig Levesque
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Respond to the Word
Leader: How amazing is it that God chooses us before we are even aware God is a part of our lives? As we receive and offer this gift of music to the praise and glory of God, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for God’s gracious welcome for each of us.
We will pass the offering basins today. Please place your “Connections” cards in them as they are passed to they may be given to pastor for inclusion in the “Prayers of the People.”
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“Alleluia” from “Exsultate, Jubilate, K. 165”
~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
~ UMH #94
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.
At the end of the time of sharing, we’ll be called to prayer with the song:
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
~ TFWS 2193
OFFERATORY PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: We offer to You, O God, what You have in the first place given to us: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Take what we give for the building up of Your reign, and purposes which fulfill Your mission of grace made know; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The pastor will share known joys and concerns, offer a Pastor Prayer, then lead the congregation in The Lord’s Prayer. The members of the Colonet mission team are invited to come forward during the Doxology.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: … as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us saying:
The Lord’s Prayer UMH 895
*HYMN
Brass Ensemble
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Up from the Grave He Arose”
~ UMH 322, arr. David Herberg
SENDING FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
Pastor Daniel
We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.
CHORAL BENEDICTION
The congregation is invited to join in the singing.
Brass Ensemble
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Hallelujah”
~ GF Handel, arr. David Herberg
MUSIC TO INSPIRE THE JOURNEY
Brass Ensemble
“Thine Is the Glory”
~ GF Handel, arr. David Herberg
- Please stand as you are able.