top of page
Search
Writer's pictureUnion Church

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP, MARCH 31, 2024

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

 


6 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page