Sunday March 31, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Haec dies — William Byrd
Hæc dies quam fecit Dominus: exultemus et laetemur in ea. Alleluia.
“This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it, Alleluia.”

As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. — C.S. Lewis

*CALL TO WORSHIP
(*Please stand, if you are able)

This is the good news: the grave is empty; Christ is risen!
       He is risen indeed!
This is the good news – the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never put it out. Christ is risen!
       He is risen indeed!
This is the good news – once we were no people; now we are God’s people.  Christ is risen!
       He is risen indeed!  Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!  Alleluia!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*EASTER HYMN #232 — Jesus Christ Is Risen Today — EASTER HYMN —  Arr. James Biery

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.  We confess that we still remain captive to doubt and fear, not fully believing the good news of life beyond life.  We overlook the poor and the hungry, we pass by those who mourn and we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed.  Forgive us, and help us trust in your power to change our lives and change the world!

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*HYMN #248 — Christ Is Risen!  Shout Hosanna! — HYMN TO JOY

WELCOME               
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

ANTHEM  — This Joyful Eastertide — arr. Jeremy Bankson

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
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.

*EASTER HYMN #233 — The Day of Resurrection — LANCASHIRE

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON — Mark 16: 1-8 — page 829 of the pew Bible

SERMON — “Grappling with an Empty Tomb” — Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from 1 Corinthians 15
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen.

*SANCTUS (#572) — “Holy, Holy, Holy”

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones — David Schack

*DOXOLOGY (#609) — “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” — LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION                                                                                                                                           
God of the empty tomb, your grace astounds us, your generosity fills us to overflowing. Accept these offerings as signs of our gratitude and bless our work on Christ’s behalf.  May we love as Christ loved and serve as Christ served.  Call us forth into your world, guided by the spirit of Christ in our hearts. Amen.

*EASTER HYMN #236 — “The Strife Is O’er” — VICTORY; arranged by Robert J. Powell

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(All) The strife is o’er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!

(All) The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed:
let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!

(Choir only) The three sad days are quickly sped:
Christ rises glorious from the dead:
all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!

(All) Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death’s dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live, and sing to thee: Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE — Trumpet Tune in G Jeremy Bankson