April 12, 2020
11:00am
Easter Sunday
The Congregation of Hope United Church
Worship Leader - Brian Stevens BA. MDiv
Supervising Minister – Rev. Karen Dale
PRELUDE & WELCOME
Welcome everyone to our very first online ZOOM Sunday worship. My name is Brian Stevens. Our musician today is Sandy Thorburn. Except when you are reading a prayer or leading a song, I would ask that you please keep your mic muted. You can type hello’s and greetings at anytime. A copy of the order of service was mailed out with your invitation. It is also available on our website HopeUnited.ca
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND
With respect, we acknowledge the worldviews, spirituality, history and stewardship of the Mississauga of the New Credit on whose traditional lands our church resides. We thank and honour the other indigenous peoples who share this land. We affirm our commitment as Canadian Treaty people to work in right relation toward reconciliation.
GREETING
I greet you in the name of our risen Lord and welcome you to our service of worship. Our opening song is Christ is Risen from the dead. It is found in Voices United # 167 and the words will also appear on your screen.
VU 167 “Christ is Risen from the Dead!”
Christ is risen from the dead, glory, hallelujah ( 2X)
Jesus Christ is risen, glory, hallelujah (2X)
God the Spirit dwells within us, glory, hallelujah (2X)
God the Spirit with us glory, hallelujah ( 2X)
CALL TO WORSHIP
We come to this place,
seeking Jesus in the familiar story of our faith.
Do not meet us only here, O Living Christ,
but surprise us with Resurrection power
in all the places of our lives!
We gather together to sing and pray the story we know by heart,
a story of loving triumph and powerful grace.
This story of “Alleluia!” means great joy
for the One who lives and the ones who witness to this new life in all the places of our lives!
We rejoice and thank you for the life of your son,
resurrected by the power of your loving, vibrant Spirit.
Let this same Spirit fill all the places of our lives,
that we may know the truth of resurrection for the rest of our lives!
We join our hearts in song and sing “Alleluia! Gracious Jesus!” for Christ is living and so are we!
Alleluia indeed!
OPENING PRAYER
Good News God, your angels appeared to the faithful women of Jesus’ company,
bringing them news more wonderful and awe-inspiring than they could imagine – Christ is Risen!
Surely your angels can interrupt our lives, too, breaking into our losses and sorrows
and offering a message of tremendous joy to change our lives!
Come this Easter morning, we pray, and fill us with the joy of the women disciples,
the first witnesses to your resurrection, that our lives may also be renewed in hope and glory.
Let us roll back the stone of the grave and sing Alleluia once again!
In Christ we pray, Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle as a symbol of Christ’s light in the world. May it burn brightly within us all. Amen
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God, we confess to you
that while we know well the story of your victory over the grave,
it is not a story we always live.
We are dragged down by all manner of death –
Fear may suffocate us: the loss of dreams and hopes
for ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation.
Sorrow may wall us off like a grave,
isolating us with anger, frustration, and grief.
Silence
Yet the stories of our faith are inscribed
not with the marks of death,
but with the word, “Alleluia!”
So on this Easter morning,
we pray that you will fill us with “fear and great joy”
so that, like those women who came to the tomb expecting death,
we may instead find the radiant new life
that is ever before us in your Resurrection! Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Just as Christ did not come to condemn but to liberate,
so too is Christ raised from death not to judge but to celebrate.
Cast off the yoke of sorrow and instead raise up the scepter of joy –
Christ lives! We live! All is made new on this Resurrection morning!
Response: Alleluia and amen!
“Gloria” Voices United # 37 ( sung three times through)
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
“ Draw the Circle Wide” More Voices # 145
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide,
Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song,
No one stands alone,
Standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide.
God the still-point of the circle,
‘Round whom all creation turns;
Nothing lost, but held forever,
In God’s gracious arms
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide,
Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song,
No one stands alone,
Standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide
Let our hearts touch far horizons
So encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders,
Faithful to God’s call.
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide,
Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song,
No one stands alone,
Standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide.
Let the dreams we dream be larger,
Than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us,
Open every door.
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide,
Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song,
No one stands alone,
Standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide.
FIRST READING Colossians 3: 1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 118 VU 837
Refrain: Hallelujah, hallelujah!!
Let Israel say:
“God’s love endures forever”
Let the House of Aaron say:
“God’s love endures forever”
Let those who fear God say:
“God’s love endures forever”
Refrain: Hallelujah, hallelujah!
God is my strength and my song. God has become my salvation.
There are shouts of joy and deliverance in the tents of the righteous
The right hand of God does mighty things, the right hand of God raises up
The right hand of God does mighty things
I shall not die, but live, and I shall proclaim what God has done
God indeed punished me, but did not give me over to death.
Refrain: Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Open to me the gates of the temple, that I may enter and give thanks to God
This is the gate of God, through it the righteous shall enter
I thank you for you have answered me, you have become my salvation
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the cornerstone
This is God’s doing, marvelous in our eyes
This is the day that God has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Refrain: Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Save us, O GOD, we pray
God, we pray, give us success
Blessed is the one who come sin the name of God
We bless you from the house of God
God, our God has given us light
With palm branches in hand let us march to the altar
You are my God , and I will thank you
You are my God, and I will extol you
Refrain: Hallelujah, hallelujah!
GOSPEL Matthew 28: 1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
“Where Two or Three are Gathered” More Voices # 14
( sung three times)
Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there, I am there.
REFLECTION: “Love One Another” Brian Stevens BA MDiv
Once again I would like to welcome everyone and thank them for being with us this morning. By this time we would usually have completed our first service and had an Easter breakfast together. These are not usual time. This is an Easter unlike any other we all have journeyed through. The parallels with COVID 19 and the world within Christ moved on a daily basis have much to teach us.
Tragedy and high death due to disease were not uncommon…to have many without access to medicine, to have shortages of food and basics need to sustain life….the descriptors ,equipment and foodstuffs may have changed, but out basic needs have not….
I offer daily prayers of thanks that I/ we are blessed to live in Canada, knowing or imagining that if I or one of our congregants were to fall ill, they would be offered the very best care that is available, regardless of which neighborhood we call home, that the ambulance will take us even if we don’t have private insurance or a visa card with a $10,000 limit…in this matter we are truly blessed
Yet we can do more…. we can do better.
There are vulnerable sections of our population who are at risk, many who provide us with essential services have risked much these past weeks…at first not having gloves and masks or partitions in grocery stores at the cash….our front line health care workers in hospitals’, long term care facilities , shelters not having the PPE to work safe, keep safe and ensure their clients and patients are kept safe.
Now is a time of care….now is a time of extraordinary generosity…the weeks and months ahead will strain us…yet we must press on, sharing our stories, listening with both heart and ears, little gestures really count…each piece of kindness that you can add to the abundance of good will is a joyous event. Check up on each other…check up on family, neighbours and friends, minimize our travels and keep safe distance. Our patience is being tested….Jesus did not give up on us…we must not give up on each other
Jesus laid down his life for us, and in this extraordinary gesture he called upon us to love one another…we have no time to wait…the time is now….love one another….be creative…be thoughtful….rejoice…for Christ is Risen this day. It is an extraordinary day and we are so blessed with your company and care. Amen
MUSIC MINISTRY No One Heard and Angel Sing
DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Voices United # 541
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known;
Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Lord we are ever thankful for the abundance of creation,
the gifts of each other,
the gift of your presence in our lives.
Bless our ministry of care with heartfelt compassion
In Jesus name we pray. Amen
LORD’S PRAYER (sung) Voices United # 959
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.
PRAYERS OF THE DAY
Response: Lord, Hear our Prayer
When our faith stands at the grave, grieving for a stone that's rolled away,
forgive us. When our faith is short of understanding, though the truth is there to see,
forgive us.
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
When our faith, beset by doubt, sees no further than an empty tomb today,
forgive us.Bring to mind the cry of Mary, ‘I have seen the Lord!'
and grant us faith to believe!
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
For all who care for the people of the world, doctors and nurses, social workers, cleaners and caretakers, personal care assistants, cashiers and shelf stockers , police and fire workers, Ambulance attendants, lab technicians and so many more that should also be named. Like Jesus, they place their life upon a cross each day for us…people they may not know nor meet, yet are ready to offer their hands and skills in our care…keep them safe, bless those who have lost their lives and welcome them to your embrace O Lord.
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
For countries around the world who struggle under the weight of COVID 19, Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Iran, Ecuador, The United States, Germany ( please name others) we offer our prayers and support. Stir us to action…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
For those in need of your healing love O Lord,
those we name aloud ( please type into chat) or those we hold silently in our hearts
Moment of Silence
For all those named…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
“One Bread, One Body” Voices United # 467
Refrain:
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Gentile or Jew,
servant or free,
woman or man,
no more.
Refrain:
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Many the gifts,
many the works,
one in the Lord
of all.
Refrain:
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Grain for the fields,
scattered and grown,
gathered to one,
for all.
Refrain:
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
SERVICE OF COMMUNION
God be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift our hearts in prayer
Let us give thanks to God
It is good to give God thanks and praise
Loving God, source of all, we thank you and praise you with our lips and with our lives, that, having created us and all things through your word, you welcome our prayer and praise. For the goodness of creation and the glory of redemption we praise you. For your risen presence on this day we thank you as we are grateful for the law and prophets who came before you.
Therefore, with all that is seen and unseen, and with all the faithful of every time and place, we join in this hymn of praise and thanksgiving:
More Voices #203
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest,
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest
Loving God, Holy one, we offer our praise and thanksgiving over this bread and cup, because in Jesus Christ you have joined yourself forever with us, uniting heaven and earth. Now, therefore, we gratefully remember:
Jesus’ birth into our humanity,
Baptism for our sin,
Compassion for our suffering,
Intimacy with our fragility,
Rebuke of our pride,
Bearing the cross with its death,
And rising from the tomb by the power of God.
On the night before he died, Jesus took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it and said Take, eat, this is my body broken for you. Each time you do this, remember me. Then Jesus took a cup, and having given thanks, he passed it to his friends saying: Drink. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this in remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
More Voices # 204 ( sung twice)
Sing Christ has died, Christ has risen. Christ will come again
Loving God, come to us and bless these gifts of bread and wine that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ; the sign and seal of our forgiveness in him and our adoption as the children of God.. As we eat and drink together, on this happy day, make us one with Christ and one in Christ, a sign of his eternal reign in the world.
This sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving we offer you, loving God, though Jesus Christ our Saviour, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
Sharing the bread and cup
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Life-giving God may we who share in Christ’s body live his risen life;
We, who drink this cup, bring new life to others;
We, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
So that we, and all your children, may be free,
And all creation lived to praise your name.
Great Amen
More Voices # 205
Amen, amen O Holy One, Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen O Holy One, Hosanna and Amen!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Jesus Christ is Risen Today” Voices United # 155
Jesus Christ is risen today, Hallelujah! our triumphant holy day, Hallelujah!
who did once upon the cross, Hallelujah! suffer to redeem our loss, Hallelujah!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Hallelujah! Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Hallelujah!
who endured the cross and grave, Hallelujah! Sinners to redeem and save, Hallelujah!
But the pains which he endured, Hallelujah! Our salvation have procured, Hallelujah!
now above the sky he’s King, Hallelujah! Where the angels ever sing, Hallelujah!
Sing we to our God above, Hallelujah! Praise eternal as God’s love, Hallelujah!
praise our God, ye heavenly host, Hallelujah! Praise the Son and Holy Ghost, Hallelujah!
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING
Go forth into the world
Walking in the light and love
Of the Risen Christ
Moving with compassion and care
Sustained by the unconditional love of Christ
And may the blessing of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
Our Creator God and
Holy Spirit…
Be with you this Easter Day. Amen
CHORAL BLESSING “Walk in Love”
Walk in love as you go into the world,
Walk in peace with everyone you meet,
May God’s grace touch your heart, mind and soul…
This day and evermore,
Amen. Amen, Alleluia and Amen!
POSTLUDE
Thank you to everyone who assisted with our Easter Worship.
Easter Blessings to all and keep safe!
Hope United.ca