Reflection for Easter Morning

“If I shed every belief I have and stood naked in the nothingness of my knowing, what would I have left? Only you. Only you. Only you. The entirety of my being would find its feeble feet on the solid ground of your endless love, the true nature that upholds me.”  ~ Mary Baker Eddy

Ringing of the Easter Bells

Centering Prayer 1

Triumphant God, we rejoice together in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We give thanks for the

faithful women who traveled to the tomb early in the morning and carried their fragrant spices.  We give thanks for the heavenly messenger whose good news amazed the women and transformed them into evangelists.  We give thanks for the glorious hope that death has lost its sting and joy comes forth from sorrow.  Renew your life in us, O God; grant us courage to live as people empowered by the resurrection all the days of our lives!  We pray in the name of the risen Christ.  Amen.

Welcome

Introit      “My Living Hope"   Phil Wickham

Call to Worship 2

We enter a virtual gathering space once again this season.  We worship together in spirit and in truth, though not in person.  We pray, sing, and listen to God’s Word despite the fear that pervades our community.  We trust Christ’s peace, a peace given freely, despite our doubts and fears.  We know the Holy Spirit is among us, blowing with a hopeful wind of change. We feel the presence of Christ, the one who died and rose again, and brings us eternal life.  We submit to God’s leading in this time of transformation.  We experience the joy of Easter morning when we celebrate all God has in store for us.  Let us face the fact that the walls of this church, and the life of our institution cannot entirely contain Jesus Christ!  Let us celebrate the irrepressible power of God breaking out with life where we least expect it!  Let us worship God!

Hymn 232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Easter Affirmation  3

“Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed!”

We repeat our Easter shouts of surprise and joy again and again, for news of your victory over powers of death and evil is news so startling so amazing so different from the news that bombards us day by day.  Beyond our comprehension You startle us again and again with resurrection Life, bringing grace and hope and joy.  You, in your risen power, are shaping all our days, and so we praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Response Hymn 255

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

How best are they who have not seen,

and yet whose faith has constant been,

For they eternal life shall win.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord’s day.

Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1-8

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       “Glorious Day”   Michael Bleecker/Mark Hall

Sermon:  "Jesus Always Goes Ahead"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 235 O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing

Invitation to the Offering

Mary Baker Eddy says, “If I shed every belief I have and stood naked in the nothingness of my knowing, what would I have left?  Only you.  Only you.  Only you.  The entiretyof my being would find its feeble feet on the solid ground of your endless love, the true nature that upholds me.”  This Easter day, we celebrate the Risen Christ and stand in awe of that precious gift.  We invite you to celebrate the true nature that upholds you with your offering today.  We invite you to share your gifts as you are able, with God’s gift to you in your heart.  We thank you for continuing to send your offerings to the church.  Our ministries continue because of you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”    Hebrew Folksong, Arr. Ellen Elwell

Prayer of Dedication

Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Let us pray.  Almighty and ever-living God...

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 236 The Strife is O'er

Announcements

Closing Benediction 4

As Christ burst forth from the tomb, may new life burst forth from us and show itself in acts of love and healing to a hurting world.  And may that same Christ, who lives forever and is the source of our new life, keep our hearts rejoicing and grant us peace this day and always.  Amen.

Postlude  “Roll, Roll the Stone”  Joseph M. Martin

1 Marlene Kropf

2 Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer

3  Christine Jerrett

4  Carol A. Wise

Easter Bells

Centering Prayer 1

Dear God, you are astounding! At the end of all your surprises you send among us the One who was crucified, dead and buried, and risen into glory.  He comes now as a living Lord, defying our locked doors, banishing our fears, greeting us with peace, and overwhelming us with awe and wondering love.  Please receive our thanks, our praise and our worship, and continue bless us beyond our deserving, as we lift up our voices in celebration.  In the name of this same Christ Jesus whose presence makes this occasion. Amen!

Welcome

Introit

Call to Worship

LEADER ONE: Let us worship the eternal God, the Source of love and life, who creates us.

LEADER TWO: Let us worship Jesus Christ, the risen one, who lives among us.

LEADER ONE: Let us worship the Spirit, the Holy Fire, who renews us.

ALL: To the one true God be praise in all times and places, through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Hymn 232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Statement of Faith (unison)

We are not alone, we live in God’s world.  We believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus to reconcile and to make all things new.  We trust in God, who calls us to be the church; to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and to resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.  In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.  We are not alone.  Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 235 O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing

Refrain only, sing twice

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

Sermon:  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 256 These Things Did Thomas Count as Real

Invitation to the Offering and Prayer of Dedication

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 255 O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing

Announcements

Closing Benediction 2

Your light is the only light we need as we travel through life's mystery.  Your word the only voice we hear that still small voice that leads us to the place where we should be.  Your presence is the only company we need as we walk this narrow road.  Your fellowship the warmth we crave to help us on our way.  May the truth of Easter, the joy of Easter, and the blessings of Easter be with us this day and all days.  Amen.

1. adapted from Bruce Prewer

2. John Birch        

Morning Reflection

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.”

~William Faulkner

Easter Bells

Centering Prayer 1

We thank you, God, for drawing us to this place and time and for interrupting us with your gift of life in Christ.  Whether we have heard the news many times over, or are this day listening with brand new ears, surprise us with your justice and righteousness, that our lives might turn in the right direction; startle us with your goodness and mercy, that we might receive your empowering forgiveness; stagger us with your hope and peace, that our eyes will remain wide open, wondering what you will be doing this week in our world and in us.  This we pray in the name of your Messiah.  Amen.

Welcome

Introit  "Mazurka in F Major"     Frédéric Chopin

Call to Worship 2

As people, as a group, as a community of faith – we gather in this place, in person or online. We gather to listen, to speak, to worship, and to pray. We gather to be with God. Because we know – it is out of God’s authority, it is out of God’s love, that we live. Alleluia! Let us worship God!

Hymn 239 Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!

Prayer of Confession 3

Almighty God, Maker of all things, Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, Holy Spirit, Giver of life, have mercy on us.  In raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.  We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death.  We overlook those in need and are deaf to cries for justice and mercy.  Forgive our unwillingness to be even just a little uncomfortable.  Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new.  Help us allow you to stretch us in ways that serve your work in our world, for we know that you are the only path to joy and life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.  Amen.

Response Hymn 247

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

your touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

love is come again like wheat arising green.

Words of Assurance 4

Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come!  Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’  Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253 (sing twice)

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord’s day.

Scripture Reading: Acts 3:12-19

Anthem  "Spinning Song"     Albert Ellmenreich

Sermon:  "Proclamation and Confession, Part 1" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 263 All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!

Invitation to the Offering 5

During this Easter season, we celebrate the Risen Christ and stand in awe of that precious gift.  We invite you to celebrate the love and grace of God as you consider your offering today.  We invite you to share your gifts as you are able, with God’s gift to you in your heart.  We thank you for continuing to send your offerings to the church.  Our ministries continue because of you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory  "Golden Reflections"  Martha Mier

Prayer of Dedication 5

Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 246 Christ is Alive!

Announcements

Closing Benediction 6

As Christ burst forth from the tomb, may new life burst forth from us and show itself in acts of love and healing to a hurting world.  And may that same Christ, who lives forever and is the source of our new life, keep our hearts rejoicing and grant us peace this day and always.  Amen.

Postlude "ChouChou’s Cakewalk"     Catherine Rollin

1 Peter L. Haynes

2 Richard Bott

3 Book of Common Worship, adapted

4 Cheryl Lawrie

5 Christine Jerrett

6 Carol A. Wise  

Morning Reflection

“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”  ~Benjamin Franklin

Easter Bells

Centering Prayer 1

Holy God of Joy, we rejoice in the reality of who you are. We live within the joy of your love for us. Our contentment comes and goes. Our happiness ebbs and flows. Our feelings depend upon our circumstances, our physical health, our brain chemistry. But our joy is deeply rooted in our identity as your beloved children. And we give you thanks. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     “An Easter Song of Praise”     German Folksong, Arr. Steven Taranto

Call to Worship 2

We come to worship this morning from different places.  We come to worship this morning for different reasons.  We experience the presence of the Spirit in different ways.  We hear Jesus’ words with different ears.  O God, do not be far from us.  O God, we thank you for drawing near to us in this place, in our lives.  Amen.  Let us worship God!

Hymn 394 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Prayer of Confession 3

O God, You who are always doing a new thing, we confess that we sometimes close windows against the fresh air of new ideas, against the noise of other people’s worries, against the winds of change.  God of every place and time, we confess that we often draw the curtains against people who are different, against world news or community concerns.  Open up our lives, and let your Spirit blow through.  Amen.

Response Hymn 247

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

your touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

love is come again like wheat arising green.

Words of Assurance 4

Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come!  Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’  Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253 (sing twice)

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord’s day.

Anthem   "Adoramus te Christe"  Theodore Dubois

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:5-12

Sermon:  "Proclamation and Confession Part I1" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 438  Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

Invitation to the Offering 5

During this Easter season, we celebrate the Risen Christ and stand in awe of that precious gift.  We invite you to celebrate the love and grace of God as you consider your offering today.  We invite you to share your gifts as you are able, with God’s gift to you in your heart.  We thank you for continuing to send your offerings to the church.  Our ministries continue because of you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory     “Sous la mer”     Catherine Rollin

Prayer of Dedication 5

Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 353 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Announcements

Closing Benediction

Go out into the world in peace.  Have courage! Hold on to what is good.  Return no person evil for evil.  Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering.  Honor all people.  Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Postlude     "Étude in A Minor"     Stephen Heller

1 Joanna Harader

2 Joanna Harader

3 Teri of RevGalBlogPals

4 Cheryl Lawrie

5 Christine Jerrett  

Welcome

(Silence)

Call to Worship

One: At the break of dawn, a bird sings.

All: The long night of darkness is over.

One: The stone is rolled away.

All: The tomb is empty.  

One: The sun begins to shine.

All: The Son has risen!

One: It’s a morning of glory,

All: Of love overcoming death,

One: Of women spreading Good News,

All: Of men turning from despair.

One: It’s a morning of joy.

All: For Easter has come again.

One: Love is stronger than death,

All: And we lift our voices in song.

Hymn 245 Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

Easter Prayer (Unison)

Holy God, in the stillness of the dawn, with the sounds of nature awakening, open our ears and awaken our hearts that doubt might be rolled away and the bright light of Easter joy dawn within us and all around us. Today we celebrate the Risen Lord!  Amen.

Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1-8

Meditation:  Reverend Debra McGuire

Easter Litany

One: Deep within ourselves we yearn to live fully each day.

All: Deep within ourselves we hope death leads us into eternal life.

One: Thank God for Jesus of Nazareth who faithfully followed his inner voice all the way through death into resurrection.

All: We appreciate God’s presence then and now.

One: In life and in death, we are God’s people; body and soul, we care about the earth and our neighbors.

All: We are carried through dark places into bright ones, and we learn to practice divine peace.

One: Christ is alive in our minds and in our senses

All: Alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia!  Give thanks to the living Christ!  Alleluia, Alleluia!  Give praise to our God.

Hymn  238 Thine is the Glory

Benediction

Morning Reflection

“Instead of imposing your will on every situation – focus on including everyone else, and just that little adjustment of attitude gives you the space to understand where and who you are.”

~ Wynton Marsalis

Easter Bells

Centering Prayer 1

This is love. Not that you spoke words of comfort, walked with the unclean and unloved, shared wisdom, bread and wine, brought healing into lives and challenged the status quo. This is love. That you spoke the word of God, walked a painful road to the Cross, shared living water, bread of life, brought Salvation to the world and died for the sake of all. This is love. It is a seed sown in the ground, which germinates, blossoms, and spreads its sweet perfume.

Welcome

Introit     “My Lord! What a Morning”     African American spiritual/arr. Melva Costen

Call to Worship 2

We worship the God who inhabits our world and indwells our lives.  We need not look up to find God, we need only to look around: within ourselves, beyond ourselves, into the eyes of another. We need not listen for a distant thunder to find God, we need only listen to the music of life, the words of children, the questions of the curious, the rhythm of a heartbeat.  Let us worship God.

Hymn 339  Lift Every Voice and Sing

Prayer of Confession 3

The Divine Gardener cannot sow seeds of justice and peace where there is nothing but hearts of dry, hard rocks.  We confess that our hearts may need tilling and the digging out of the deeply rooted sins that crowd out seedlings planted with divine compassion.  God of steadfast love, you change bitter tears of remorseful hearts with raindrops of mercy; God of steadfast love, you change the cold shame of contrite hearts with sunrays of mercy; God of steadfast love, you change the stony edges of repentant hearts into landscapes of mercy.  Nurture new life in us O God, of integrity, honesty and generosity.  Amen.

Response Hymn 247

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

your touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

love is come again like wheat arising green.

Words of Assurance 4

Divine Gardener, you tend us in steadfast love, unending mercies, and eternal faithfulness; you

cultivate true friendship with you through boundless forgiveness.  In Christ, this faithful love is

planted in our hearts.  Gathered as your community of believers, our family of faith, with the help

of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can now produce forgiveness for each other as we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253 (sing twice)

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord’s day.

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40

Anthem     "Jesus Messiah"     Daniel Carson, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves

Sermon:  "Proclamation and Confession Part III" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 480  Take Me to the Water

Invitation to the Offering 5

During this Easter season, we celebrate the Risen Christ and stand in awe of that precious gift.  We invite you to celebrate the love and grace of God as you consider your offering today.  We invite you to share your gifts as you are able, with God’s gift to you in your heart.  We thank you for continuing to send your offerings to the church.  Our ministries continue because of you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory     “The Rainbow Connection”     Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher

Prayer of Dedication 5

Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Let us pray.  Almighty and ever-living God...

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 769 “For Everyone Born”, vs. 1,3,4,5

Announcements

Closing Benediction

Go out into the world in peace.  Have courage! Hold on to what is good.  Return no person evil for evil.  Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering.  Honor all people.  Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Postlude     "Étude in A Minor"     Stephen Heller

1 John Birch

2 Presbyterian Church (USA)

3 James E. Janecek

4 James E. Janecek

5 Christine Jerrett

Morning Reflection

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~ Maya Angelou

Easter Bells

Centering Prayer 1

Thanks be to you, O God, for this hour of worship and wonder, for this day to rest and renew, for this time of peace and pardon.  Accept our glory and praise, for you are the source of our salvation, you are the instructor of righteousness, you are our God, and we are your people, through Jesus Christ you Son, Amen.

Welcome

Introit     “Rejoice in the Lord Always”     Richard Gieseke

Call to Worship 2

ONE: We come together as the family of faith

ALL: We assemble to honor the living God.T

ONE: Through Christ we become God’s holy household.

ALL: In Christ we are bonded together to be God’s people.

ONE: Our worship is united into oneness by the Holy Spirit.

ALL: In communion with the Holy Spirit, let us worship God!

Hymn 396  Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

Prayer of Confession 2

Holy God, you have called us to be holy, even as you are holy.  We confess that we have not lived the disciples’ life to which you have called us.  We have ignored our pledge to take up the cross and follow in joyful obedience.  We have become more conformed to the world than transformed by new minds and natures.  We have relaxed our principles and justified personal pleasure.  Forgive our unholiness, our unfaithfulness to you.  Empower us to be worthy disciples who follow the teachings of Jesus and grow in his image.  Help us live as a called-out people, holy and acceptable in your sight, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Response Hymn 247

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

your touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

love is come again like wheat arising green.

Words of Assurance 3

In our striving to follow Christ, God is a sure and constant presence, never coercing commitment but always inviting it.  God holds before us priorities that emerge from the Word, God enlightens

us when our understandings are dim.  God beckons us to embody belief indeed.  God strengthens

us in spirit and truth.  It is so that we are loved and forgiven by God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253 (sing twice)

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord’s day.

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:44-48

Anthem     "What Wondrous Love Is This”     American Folk Tune, arr. Harlan

Sermon:  "Proclamation and Confession Part IV" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 288  Spirit of the Living God

Invitation to the Offering

During this Easter season, we celebrate the Risen Christ and stand in awe of that precious gift.  We invite you to celebrate the love and grace of God as you consider your offering today.  We invite you to share your gifts as you are able, with God’s gift to you in your heart.  We thank you for continuing to send your offerings to the church.  Our ministries continue because of you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory     “There Is a Fountain”     Trad. American, Arr. Sid Richardson

Prayer of Dedication 5

Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 611 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Announcements

Closing Benediction

Go out into the world in peace.  Have courage! Hold on to what is good.  Return no person evil for evil.  Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering.  Honor all people.  Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Postlude     “River Flows in You”     Yiruma

1 Arlene M. Mark

2 Arlene M. Mark

3 Glen E. Rainsley

Morning Reflection

“We do not throw in a useless coin and make some kind of empty wish, or sit close to the gushing waters and simply admire their loveliness.  You ask us to leap into the source, to be thoroughly saturated.  We are to be absorbed by the cascade and become one with your love.  As you flow through our being we, too, become fountains of holiness.”  ~ Fragments of Your Ancient Name

Easter Bells

Opening Prayer 1

Almighty God, we thank you that you have highly exalted your Son, Jesus Christ.  Before him, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  He has made captivity itself a captive; and has given gifts to his people.  We rejoice that Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, has triumphed most gloriously and is our Lord.  Bring us, at last, into your presence, so that we can live and praise you together with all the saints forever and ever.  Amen.

Welcome

Introit     “In The Secret”     Andy Park

Call to Worship 2

ONE: This is the day the Lord has made.

ALL: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

ONE: Again today we come together to worship – the God of creation, of salvation, of time and eternity.

ALL: The God of all peoples, of all nations, of all conditions of people everywhere.  Praise the Lord. All that is within me, praise God's holy name.  Let us worship God!

Hymn 681  This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made

Prayer of Confession 3

Holy God, you have called us to be holy, even as you are holy.  We confess that we have not lived the disciples' life to which you have called us.  We have ignored our pledge to take up the cross and follow in joyful obedience.  We have become more conformed to the world than transformed by new minds and natures.  We have relaxed our principles and justified personal pleasure.  Forgive our unholiness, our unfaithfulness to you.  Empower us to be worthy disciples who follow the teachings of Jesus and grow in his image.  Help us live as a called-out people, holy and acceptable in your sight, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Response Hymn 247

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

your touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

love is come again like wheat arising green.

Words of Assurance 4

In our striving to follow Christ, God is a sure and constant presence, never coercing commitment but always inviting it.  God holds before us priorities that emerge from the Word, God enlightens

us when our understandings are dim.  God beckons us to embody belief indeed.  God strengthens

us in spirit and truth.  It is so that we are loved and forgiven by God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253 (sing twice)

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord’s day.

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Anthem     “House Of The Lord”     Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith

Sermon:  "The Choice is Ours"     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 258  A Hymn of Glory, Let Us Sing!

Invitation to the Offering

During this Easter season, we celebrate the Risen Christ and stand in awe of that precious gift.  We invite you to celebrate the love and grace of God as you consider your offering today.  We invite you to share your gifts as you are able, with God’s gift to you in your heart.  We thank you for continuing to send your offerings to the church.  Our ministries continue because of you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory     ”You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd”     17th C. French, Arr. Phillip Keveren

Prayer of Dedication 5

Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

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; and 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.

Hymn 273 He is King of Kings

Announcements

Closing Benediction

Go out into the world in peace.  Have courage! Hold on to what is good.  Return no person evil for evil.  Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering.  Honor all people.  Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Postlude     “He the Pearly Gates Will Open”     Elsie Ahlwen, Arr. Richardson

1 Arlene M. Mark

2 Roy Umble

3  Arlene M. Mark

4 Glen E. Rainsley