ORDER OF WORSHIP
MARCH 31, 2024 10:30 AM
EASTER SUNDAY
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
We begin this Easter morning in silence and darkness. The Pastor will enter with the
First Fire of Easter. As the candles are lit, the cross is undraped and the
Pastor declares: CHRIST IS RISEN!
Congregation Responds: “JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!”
**OPENING HYMN “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!” Red #234
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 118)
Leader: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
PEOPLE: The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
Leader: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
PEOPLE: This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
Leader: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
PEOPLE: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Leader: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
PEOPLE: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
INVOCATION
Dear Lord, this is your doing: Christ has passed through the gates of death, but today you have brought him through the gates of life. Now, you open those gates even for us, who nailed him to a tree. Let the gates swing wide revealing an empty tomb that all might enter with praise and thanksgiving. This we pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
In the joy of this Easter Sunday, let us draw nearer to our Gracious God’s love and understanding in our lives and in those around us: Join with me in our prayer of confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Compassionate God of All, we confess our regrettable tendencies to live as though we are still under the covering and veil of death, rather than as those who share in your victory in Christ over death and all its powers. Forgive us, we pray. Make us once again witnesses to your miraculous garden gift of Easter. Fill us with eternal life that sprang forth on that wonderful morning as we pray in His name, Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, even as he defeated death Jesus brings us a new hope for our lives. By the grace of God and the Love of Jesus, we are forgiven.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles Creed (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman,
trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed
many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead,
and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the
Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the
Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with
others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may
have life everlasting. Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM “The Day of Resurrection” Choral Ensemble
**HYMN OF PRAISE: “Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks” Red #240
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O God, your Word is more precious than fine gold, and sweeter than purest honey. As
we turn to your Scripture, send your Holy Spirit to infuse your Word with truth and grace
— so that the good news of your love would shine before our eyes and delight our
senses ... so that we cannot help but respond with wonder, faith and trust. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Isaiah 25: 6-9 Libby Szymanowicz
NEW TESTAMENT READING Acts 10: 34-43
GOSPEL READING John 20:1-18
SERMON MESSAGE Who Do You Believe? John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN “Bread of the World in Mercy Broken” Red #774
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Concluding Prayer
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
May what we offer here be of our own hearts and dedicated to the service of our faith and our mission to others as they become the blessings and hope that others need and pray for in their own lives. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
OFFERTORY “Thine is the Glory“ Choral Ensemble
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN “God Be with You” Red #840
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE: “Amazing Grace” Bill Hennessey & Gayle McKenzie, Pipers
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955