– – – -Liturgy for Sunday, April 5th, 2015 – Easter- – – –
“If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.”
― Timothy Keller, The Reason for God
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26
Prelude: Come Ye Sinners (Indelible Grace)
Gathering Song: Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) (Paul Baloche)
Call to Worship – We believe God is who calls and enables us to worship Himself rightly, in Spirit and truth, so we go to His word in seek of that…
(from Luke 24 and 1 Cor 15:54-55)
Leader: On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
All: For he has risen!
Leader: While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,
Men: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Women: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?
All: He is Risen! He is risen indeed!
Adoration:
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (Traditional)
Christ Is Risen (Matt Maher)
Call to Confession:
Acts 4:32-33
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
(time of silent confession)
Assurance In Christ
Matt 11:27-30
Leader: Jesus has proclaimed: “All things have been handed over to me by my Father…and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
All: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Leader: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
All: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Song of Response: In Christ Alone (Getty Music)
(Prayers for our City, Offering, and Doxology/Word of Praise)
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
Hearing the Word: Matthew 28:1-10 (sermon audio posted separately)
Celebration of Communion
Sending: Who Is On The Lord’s Side? (Angstrom/Havergal)
Benediction: (Numbers 6:24-26)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Go in that peace!