WORSHIP TOGETHER

WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP

On this resurrection Sunday, we celebrate that Jesus lived, Jesus died, and Jesus rose again.

He lived, he died, He rose again.

Jesus laid down his life for us, and on that momentous morning he took it up again.

He is risen.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!   (Ps. 66:1-2)

Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds
toward the children of man.   (Ps. 66:5)

Jesus entered into death to conquer it. Death could not hold him down.

He has swallowed up death.

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

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CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, “Alleluia!”
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia!
Sing ye heavens, and earth reply: “Alleluia!”

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell; Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise; Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King; Alleluia!
Where, O Death is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died, our souls to save; Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven! Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given; Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now; Alleluia!
Hail, the Resurrection, thou! Alleluia!

Words: Charles Wesley, 1739; Music: adapted by John Arnold (1749) from Lyra Davidica, 1708; CCLI License #11029770

THIS IS AMAZING GRACE

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of Glory—the King above all kings!

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder,
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of Glory—the King above all kings!

This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love:
That you would take my place;
That you would bear my cross!
You laid down your life
That I would be set free!
Jesus, I sing for all that you’ve done for me!

Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?
The King of Glory—the King above all kings!

Who rules the nations with truth and justice;
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?
The King of Glory—the King above all kings!

This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love:
That you would take my place;
That you would bear my cross!
You laid down your life
That I would be set free!
Jesus, I sing for all that you’ve done for me!

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave!

Jesus, I sing for all that you’ve done for me!

This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love:
That you would take my place;
That you would bear my cross!
You laid down your life
That I would be set free!
Jesus, I sing for all that you’ve done for me!

Words/Music: Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, Phil Wickham; © Music Services, Inc, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc; CCLI License #11029770

CONFESSION OF FAITH

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand
of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge
the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic* church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

* – universal

PASTORAL PRAYER

GIVING

COME, YE SINNERS

Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus, ready, stands to save you,
Full of pity, joined with power.
He is able, He is able;
He is willing; doubt no more.

Come ye needy, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.
Without money, without money
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and broken by the fall;
If you tarry ’til you’re better,
You will never come at all.
Not the righteous, not the righteous;
Sinners Jesus came to call.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requires
Is to feel your need of Him.
This He gives you, this He gives you,
‘Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.

Lo! The Incarnate God, ascended;
Pleads the merit of His blood.
Venture on Him; venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.
None but Jesus, none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.

Words: Joseph Hart, 1759; Music: Matthew S. Smith; © 2000, detuned radio music; CCLI License #11029770

SERMON

WHY EASTER MATTERS

ACTS 17:22-34

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

        “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

        “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

OUTLINE

Recognize “Religion”

Think Theologically

Respond to the Resurrection

LORD’S SUPPER

BY HIS WOUNDS

[instructions: women, men, all]

By His wounds we are healed.
By His wounds we are healed.
By His wounds we are healed.
By His wounds
              we are healed.

Words/Music: From Isaiah 53:4-5, Randall Goodgame; © Slugs and Bugs; CCLI License #11029770

SWALLOWED UP DEATH

The whole of nature groans with longing,
We ache for that promised glory;
Still we rejoice because we know
Plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

The whole of nature groans with longing,
We wait for that promised glory;
Still we rejoice because we know
That sorrow’s end is coming.

He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces;
He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces!
We’ll sing, “This is our God we waited for,
And he saved us!”
He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces!

Here in the darkness of our mourning,
We wait for the light that’s coming;
And on that day we will return,
With joy and gladness singing:

He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces;
He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces!
We’ll sing, “This is our God we waited for,
And he saved us!”
He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces!

Behold your God, he will come and save you!
Behold your God, he will come and save you!

Behold your God, he will come and save you!
Behold your God, he will come and save you!

Behold your God, he will come and save you!
Behold your God, he will come and save you!

And he will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces;
He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces!
We’ll sing, “This is our God we waited for,
And he saved us!”
He will swallow up death,
And wipe the tears from our faces!

Words: Megan Pettipoole and David Potter; Music: Luke and Megan Pettipoole; © Coram Deo Music; CCLI License #11029770

BENEDICTION