SERMON

EASTER SUNDAY

CELEBRATE THE DAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AROSE FROM THE DEAD

BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown

PRELUDE: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” arr. Hayes

Musicians today: Barbara Jayne, piano

PLEASE NOTE: This music provides an opportunity for us to meditate, prepare our hearts, and reverently worship God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Elder Craig Ditman

Alleluia! The lord is risen!

Jesus Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us,

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this we rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, we have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of our faith—

more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though we have not seen Him, we love Him. Though we do not now see Him, we believe in Him

and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls.” (I Peter 1: 3–9)

Alleluia! The Lord is risen!

Jesus Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

SONG OF PRAISE: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”

1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

2 Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

3 Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

4 Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

5 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!

6 King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

INVOCATION: The Apostle’s 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (catholic simply means universal)

HYMN OF WORSHIP: “Christ Arose”

1 Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,

waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain:

Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2 Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,

vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]

3 Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;

he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

Almighty and most merciful Father; we confess to You that we have not loved You with our whole heart. O God, for love of You, we desire to put to death all sins by which we displease You; and resolve by the Holy Spirit, to replace these remnants of our old person, with the resurrection life of Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, trusting in Your forgiveness, we rely upon the strengthening grace that is ours through the shed blood, and crucified, risen body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us take the next few moments to silently confess our sins that we might know the joy of restored life in Him

ASSURANCE OF PARDON:

Hear the Good News! Christ Jesus personally bore our sins in His body on the Cross, so that we might be dead to sin and be alive to all that is good. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff
OT: Psalm 111 & NT: Luke 24:13-35; I Corinthians 15:12-28

PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: Craig Ditman

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION

OFFERTORY: “The Power of the Cross/Lift High the Cross,” arr. Tornquist

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.

HYMN OF ADORATION: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”