April 17, 2022 – Easter Sunday
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Welcome
Call to worship
One: Rejoice and be glad:
All: This is the day that the Lord has made!
One: Rejoice and be glad:
All: Heaven and earth will never be the same!
One: Rejoice and be glad:
All: Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Lighting of the Christ Candle
This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.
Opening hymn
“Jesus Christ is risen today” (Book of Praise 1997, hymn 243). Originally written as the Latin hymn “Surrexit Christus hodie” by an anonymous author in Bohemia in the 14th century. First English translation (1708) by Irish cleric John Baptist Walsh (c. 1750–1825) for his hymn collection “Lyra Davidica”; verses revised by John Arnold in 1749; alternate verse 4 written in 1740 by English Methodist leader Charles Wesley (1707–1788) was later adopted into the hymn. Music (1708; tune: “Easter Hymn”) from the “Lyra Davidica”. Words and music in the public domain.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
Gracious, life-giving God, maker of all things visible and invisible, on the first day of the world, you spoke and out of chaos came creation. Out of shadows came light. On the first day of the week, Christ was resurrected by your grace, and out of death came life. And you always come to us through the Holy Spirit, to shine light on our way forward, offering your gift of new life in Christ Jesus. Praise and honour and blessing be to you, O God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit, this day and every day, now and always.
Loving and life-giving God, you raised Jesus from the grave and shattered the powers of sin and death. But we confess that we remain captive to fear, resisting the hope that new life is possible for us. We hide in tombs of indifference, seeking comfort rather than justice in this world. We cling to resentment and disappointment, refusing the freedom that comes with forgiveness. Forgive us, O God, and restore us to joy and wholeness through your great mercy.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
This Easter Day, God has turned our mourning into dancing! God has taken off our sackcloth and clothed us with joy! We are God’s forgiven people. Let us be at peace with God, with one another, and with ourselves, through the undying mercy of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
The Peace
The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Fun with the young at heart (Children’s story) (Practicing faith)
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
Scripture reading
John 20 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible
(from “Read, Wonder, Listen: Stories from the Bible for Young Readers”, Rev. Dr. Laura Alary)
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
“Peter and Mary”
From Ruth Burgess’s book “Fire and Bread”.
Rev. Helen Smith as Mary and Rev. Chuck Moon as Peter.
Meditation/Homily
Musical Reflection
Offertory
We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.
Dedication of our Gifts
Prayer of dedication
Generous God, we come before you with grateful hearts, recognizing how much you have given us in Christ Jesus. Bless these gifts so that they may spread the hope and joy we feel this day to those who have not yet tasted your kindness. With our gifts, we offer ourselves to you in the name of your greatest gift, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
Lighting Candles of Peace for People in Ukraine and the world
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope
O God in whom we live and move and have our being, we come to you in prayer, trusting that you are with us in the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows of these challenging days. We give you thanks for every sign of your presence with us, for every unexpected kindness, every word of comfort or encouragement, every sign of courage in the face of injustice, every hopeful step towards reconciliation amid conflict, and healing in the face of disease or danger. Thank you for your presence with us in all things.
In this unpredictable world, we pray for those whose lives are caught up in reckless terror or planned oppression, and for those living in places where they are afraid to walk freely; we remember all who find the uncertainty of our times overwhelming and discouraging:
May those living in fear courage to go on in your company.
As the stories of Jesus turn us toward the cross, O God, we pray for those who also walk the road of suffering. We remember before you those whose lives have been plunged into sorrow or despair through tragic death, through critical illness or chronic pain. and through complicated problems that seem to have no end:
May all these know your comfort and compassion.
O God, the stories of Jesus show us that he faced the clamour of many demands and the pressure of many critics. We pray for all those who are exhausted these days, juggling more demands and fewer resources in their work or at home, for those who cannot seem to get it right, whatever they do, and for all those facing unfair criticism and expectations in the responsibilities they bear on behalf of others.
May all these be strengthened by your Spirit of justice and mercy.
O God, we need the embrace of your presence, each in our own way. Anoint us with your Spirit of healing and hope, and bring peace to our lives and this world you love for the sake of Christ Jesus. Amen.
Closing Hymn
“Thine be the glory” (Book of Praise 1997, hymn 258). Original French words written in 1884 by Swiss Protestant minister and hymnwriter Edmond Louis Budry (1854–1932) as “À toi la gloire”; English translation (1923) by English pastor Richard Birch Hoyle (1875–1939). Music set by Budry to the tune of the chorus “See, the Conqu’ring hero comes” from the 1746 oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus” by George Frideric Handel (1685–1759). Words and music in the public domain.
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.
Choral Amen
- Go Now in Peace”. Words by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–) and American lyricist Nancy Price (1958–). Music by Don Besig. Words and music copyright © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, a division of Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
- Performed by Rachelle Risling (keyboard) and the GCPC Senior Choir. Audio and video production by Rachelle Risling.
- Audio and video recording copyright © 2021 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church.
Prayers in the service are adopted from:
Kimberly Bracken Long. “Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1”. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition. ISBN 978-0664238056.
Copyright © 2022 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2022-04-30 – Added prayers attribution at bottom of page.