[image: The risen Christ appears as gardener to Mary Magdalene. Engraving.]
- If you’re alone this morning, call someone in your House Church, or another church member and ask if you join in by phone or video. Worship Jesus together.
- Find an intentional place whether in or outside your home.
- Light a candle – the Light of the World has defeated death!
- Put out a piece of gold or white cloth to be reminded of the Life of Jesus.
- Have a Cross in the room since we’ll be sending our problems to the Cross of Christ.
- Get out an instrument and play along. The chord charts are under the song links.
- Read everything aloud and sing along with the music, even if no one else is physically gathered with you. If others are present, take turns reading each part of the liturgy. Have fun! Let children participate! And be sensible with their attention span (and yours!).
12 April 2020 – Celebrating the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Call to Worship
Take turns saying the regular print, everyone say the bold
Alleluia! He is Risen!
He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead!
Alleluia!
He has defeated the powers of death!
Alleluia!
Jesus turns our sorrow into dancing!
Alleluia!
He has the words of eternal life.
Alleluia!
Opening Prayer
Someone pray: Almighty God, Who through Your Only-Begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s Resurrection, may, by Your life-giving Spirit, be delivered from sin and raised from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
All: Blessed are You, Lord God of all creation, to You be glory and praise for ever.
Your steadfast love extends to the heavens and Your faithfulness never ceases.
Illuminate our hearts with Your wisdom and strengthen our lives with Your word, for You are the Fountain of Life;
In Your Light we see true light.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God forever!
God the Father, by Whose love Christ was raised from the dead, open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life.
Amen.
God the Son, Who in bursting from the grave has won a Glorious Victory, give you joy as you share the Easter faith.
Amen.
God the Holy Spirit, Who filled the disciples with the life of the risen Lord, empower you and fill you with Christ’s peace.
Amen.
Today we celebrate THE DAY that gives us this assurance: There is nothing we’ve done this week – even if it’s criminal – that can separate us from the love of the Creator in Christ Jesus. There may be consequences to foolish decisions, but there is no condemnation in Christ. Say these sentences aloud and find life in their truth:
Jesus has broken the chains of death and sin. Therefore,
Jesus can change me.
Jesus can heal me.
Jesus can love me as I am.
Jesus gives me Hope.
United In Truth
As an act of public worship and public witness, let us confess the faith handed down once and for all
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
— Apostles’ Creed
Creator of Heaven and Earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there He will 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.
Public Reading of Scripture
The Scripture passages are Jeremiah 31.1-6; Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10
Read one or all of the passages. If you’ve got children with you, be sensible with how long they can sit and listen. If you have to pick one, select the Philippians passage.
Pray-Sing Psalm 16
Pick a tune and sing a selection or all of the verses – http://psalms.seedbed.com/psalm-16/
Musical Worship – Note from Byron: most of today’s songs have been sung for many decades, and they are piano friendly (I sure miss hearing our musicians sing and play!). I’ve also included an audio clip from our choir; they were planning to sing “All Creatures Of Our God And King” today. Last Sunday we were scheduled to complete the song, but that was planned in BC times (Before Covid19).
“Low In The Grave He Lay (He Arose)”
https://gracemidcity.com/low-in-the-grave-he-lay-he-arose/
chords: https://gracemidcity.com/low-in-the-grave-he-lay-christ-arose-a/
“Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”
https://gracemidcity.com/christ-the-lord-is-risen-today-2/
chords: https://gracemidcity.com/christ-the-lord-is-risen-today-he-is-not-dead-c/
“Because He Lives”
https://gracemidcity.com/because-he-lives/
chords: https://gracemidcity.com/because-he-lives-g/
“Come People Of The Risen King”
https://gracemidcity.com/come-people-of-the-risen-king/
chords: https://gracemidcity.com/come-people-of-the-risen-king-d/
“All Creatures Of Our God And King” – a 30-second clip of the Grace Choir
https://gracemidcity.com/all-creatures-of-our-god-and-king/
Expressing the Love of Christ to the Children
Pray for the children and youth of Grace:
“Father, fill the children and youth of Grace with the Spirit of Your Son, Jesus.”
Say each name then picture the person in your mind before moving to the next name.
Lois, Micah, Naomi, Emma, Nora, David, Sophia, Noelle, Jace, Sophia, Beckett, Easton, Iva James, Colton, Rose, Paul, Amaya, Miles, Lizzie Mae, Nezzie, Sofia, Simone, Samuel, Virginia, Evie, Thomas, Karli, Grant, Cailyn, Rayana, Jack, Greyson, Caroline, Travis, Ethan, Arin, Liam, Rachel, Sami, Thomas, Grant, Whernska, Levi, Judah, Natalie, Benjamin.
Recognizing Our Dependence Upon Christ
When we make an offering, we give what already belongs to Christ; Of Your own, O Lord, do we give. Money is not the only offering, we offer our talents, abilities, and gifts to the exclusive use of King Jesus and His Kingdom. We offer every bit of ourselves in service to Christ and His Creation. We don’t want to be tone-deaf about economic crisis facing some in our church, nor do we want to presume financial instability in our church. If you are facing an economic crisis today, please let Byron know your need so your church can support you in some way. If you have financial security and even abundance, share generously with those in need. We are still receiving mail at 630 Richland Avenue, 70806, or give online at https://gracemidcity.churchcenter.com/giving
Shaping the Church by the Scripture and Spirit of Christ
The Scripture passages are Jeremiah 31.1-6; Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10
These are powerful images of life. Pick one of these themes to discuss. Then ask the Living Spirit of Jesus, “As You’ve shaped us these last few weeks in ways we did not see coming, empower us to receive the life You’ve given so that we may live as People of the Resurrection.”
- Jeremiah – restoration and justice is ours in Christ
- Acts – the way of Jesus is good news of great joy for ALL people
- Colossians – we are raised with Christ yet live on Earth. How do those two realities intersect?
- Matthew – Creation responds yet again to Christ – Earthquake. Women are the first to see and proclaim the Jesus crucified and resurrected. Jesus now begins the process of His Exaltation. He is not dead, He is alive! The One who caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to live again is also alive by the same Spirit. Here’s the mind blowing grace of our Holy and Loving Creator: That same Spirit that raised Him from the dead is also alive in us!
Nourishing the Church with the Body and Blood of Christ
I plan to celebrate communion / Lord’s supper/ Eucharist (the New Testament word for “thanksgiving”) when we are gathered together again in one room. The very word “communion” speaks to our life together in community. Though we are physically scattered, we are spiritually gathered close, hidden together in the life of Christ. If you baked bread this morning, remember there are others who have shared in that activity, just like we have shared this time of worship. Break the bread and feast by faith on the joy our Lord Jesus provides.
Facing the Cross in your room or on your table, cast your cares upon Him Who cares for you. Send your worries to Jesus and leave it all with Him.
Lord Jesus, You are our Refuge and Fortress.
— Kenyan Prayer
All our problems –
we SEND to the Cross of Christ!
All our difficulties –
we SEND to the Cross of Christ!
All the devil’s works –
we SEND to the Cross of Christ!
All our hope –
we SET on the Risen Christ!
Calling All Creatures To Praise Our Triune God
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. A-men.
Sending The Church To Witness
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope by raising Jesus from the dead.
God has claimed us as his own.
He has brought us out of darkness. He has made us light to the world.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
—–
Note from Byron: I am taking time off this week for rest and renewal. If you have a need, please reach out to your House Church leader or Brett.
I would like to visit with you, please look at this calendar and see if there’s a time we can visit: https://calendly.com/gracemidcity/pastoral-meeting
Happy Easter! Love, byron
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