April 16, 2017 Welcome to OPC

Welcome and Announcements Chimes “Up from the Grave He Arose” Welcome and Announcements Greeting Each Other Ringing of the Bell

Lighting of the candles Prelude “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” Lighting of the candles Introit “Ring Ye Bells of Easter Morning”

*CALL TO WORSHIP AND INVOCATION L: This is good news– the grave is empty; Christ is Risen! P: Hallelujah, hallelujah!

L: This is good news– the light shines in the darkness L: This is good news– the light shines in the darkness! P: And the darkness can never put it out– Hallelujah!

L: We run to the tomb to see for ourselves. And it is true L: We run to the tomb to see for ourselves. And it is true. P: The grave is empty; Christ is Risen!

L: He has conquered death L: He has conquered death!! P: Let us celebrate the greatest victory of all time!

L: Sisters and brothers, Christ is Risen. P: Christ is Risen, indeed L: Sisters and brothers, Christ is Risen! P: Christ is Risen, indeed! Hallelujah, hallelujah!

Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. *HYMN #108 “Christ is Alive!” v.1 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

*HYMN #108 “Christ is Alive!” v.2 Christ is alive! No longer bound To distant years in Palestine, But saving, healing, here and now, And touching every place and time.

*HYMN #108 “Christ is Alive!” v.3 Not throned afar, remotely high, Untouched, unmoved by human pains, But daily, in the midst of life, Our Savior in the Godhead reigns.

*HYMN #108 “Christ is Alive!” v.4 In every insult, rift and war, Where color, scorn or wealth divide, Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, And lives, where even hope has died.

*HYMN #108 “Christ is Alive!” v.5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age, till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Holy God, by your love and grace you raised Jesus from the dead, destroying death and sin, and giving us the incredible gift of new life.

We confess, though, O Lord, that too often we continue to live as though we were still held captive by sin and death, by doubt and fear.

We overlook those who need us; we pass by those who are struggling We overlook those who need us; we pass by those who are struggling. Forgive us, God of mercy, for we know that nothing is able to separate us

from your love. Raise us up, by your Spirit, to live beautifully and lovingly as your resurrection people. Clean and transform our hearts, and free us to experience

resurrection, so that we might proclaim the Good News of your unconditional love to all we meet.

(silence is observed for reflection and prayer)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON L: Hear the Good News: Christ is Risen! In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we experience God’s love which truly has no bounds. In Christ we experience

forgiveness and our relationship with God is restored forgiveness and our relationship with God is restored! Friends, experience the Good News of the Gospel.

P: Christ is Risen Indeed! Thanks be to our living, loving God.

“He Is Exalted/Christ the Lord is Risen Today” ~Sorenson CHOIR ANTHEM “He Is Exalted/Christ the Lord is Risen Today” ~Sorenson

Congregation Joins: Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heav’ns and earth reply: 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!

Time With Young Christians

PROCLAIMING THE WORD SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and

rolled back the stone and sat on it rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid;

I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead,

and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said,

‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

L: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God!

“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Rev. Tedd Pullano

*HYMN #118 “The Day of Resurrection” v.1 The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad; The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.

*HYMN #118 “The Day of Resurrection” v.1 From death to life eternal, from this world to the sky, Our Christ hath brought us over with hymns of victory.

*HYMN #118 “The Day of Resurrection” v.2 Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;

*HYMN #118 “The Day of Resurrection” v.2 And, listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain, His own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.

*HYMN #118 “The Day of Resurrection” v.3 Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth the song begin, Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein;

*HYMN #118 “The Day of Resurrection” v.3 Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend, For Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD Offertory Invitation Offertory “Because He Lives” ~C. Berry

*DOXOLOGY #592 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.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) Loving God, we thank you for this Easter Day, with its promise of new life, new opportunities, and new hope.

With the new life in Christ, we give ourselves in service to others With the new life in Christ, we give ourselves in service to others. Receive the work we do, and the gifts we bring,

that they may become a blessing in your sight that they may become a blessing in your sight. Use us, and our gifts, to love and to serve you and to witness to the Christ whom you have raised. Amen.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) 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 Give us this day our daily bread. 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.

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.1 Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.1 Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.2 Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

*BENEDICTION

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.3 But the pains which He endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.3 Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as God’s love, Alleluia!

*HYMN #123 “Jesus Christ is Risen…” v.4 Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

“Just As I Am, Without One Plea” Postlude “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”