Virtual Worship – Sunday, April 12, 2020, Easter

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

April 12, 2020

Easter

Prelude “Alleluia”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUVqUtnQCZE 

Welcome and Announcements

Good morning everyone. We are doing a new thing in this time of social distancing. We are still a community of faith, even though we are separated for the safety of ourselves, our families, our congregation, and our communities. We will be meeting like this on through the end of April. The community Easter Sunrise Service was held virtually earlier today. A link can be found on this web page. 

In this bulletin, you will find links to the hymns which also show the lyrics. If you get an ad (and you likely will) you can skip the ad by clicking the SKIP AD usually found in the lower right corner of the video. There are also links to the Gospel reading and the sermon.

For inclusion in next week’s service, please email or phone the church or Pastor Jean (who can also receive texts) with any prayer requests.

We offer praise and prayer to God

^Call to Worship

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

^Responsive Prayer for Easter

O Christ, in your resurrection, the heavens and the earth rejoice. Alleluia! By your resurrection you broke open the gates of hell, and destroyed sin and death.

Keep us victorious over sin.

By your resurrection you raised the dead, and brought us from death to life.

Guide us in the way of eternal life.

By your resurrection you confounded your guards and executioners, and filled the disciples with joy.

Give us joy in your service.

By your resurrection you proclaimed good news to the women and apostles, and brought salvation to the whole world.

Direct our lives as your new creation.

God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” # 216  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzy7jFNUc3w

Call to Confession

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Confession of Sin

Almighty God, 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 the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made.  Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. 

Time of Silent Confession

(Lord, have mercy on us) #300

Assurance of Pardon

^Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) #35

^Passing the Peace

We listen to God’s Word

Prayer for Illumination

God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us. Amid all the changing words of our generation, speak your eternal Word that does not change. Then may we respond to your gracious promises with faithful and obedient lives; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

First Reading                 Acts 10:34-43    

(The Gentiles in Cornelius’ house hear the Good News)

34Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (A song of victory) Responsive

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;

the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”

I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.

The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Second Reading           Colossians 3:1–4     

(Seek heavenly things)

1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading           Matthew 28:1-10  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKZvrkYnYI

(The Resurrection of Jesus) 

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where helay. 7Then 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.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon “He Is Risen Amid Earthquake, Hope, Fear, And Joy!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHj0_iswVwg

^Affirmation of Faith  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 again 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.

^Hymn “Christ Arose” #224     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0arouoCJ8es

Prayers of the People

Almighty God, you have promised to hear when we pray in the name of your Son. Therefore in confidence and trust we pray for the church.

O God, enliven the church for its mission that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world. Breathe fresh life into your people. Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action. We pray for the world.

Creator of all, lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace, that we may respect one another in freedom and truth. Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it. Teach us to care creatively for its resources. We pray for the community.

God of truth, inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others, that all may act with integrity and courage. Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours. May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us. We especially pray for those making decisions in this time of crisis – our president Donald, our vice president Mike, members of the covid-19 task force and those working to find a cure or vaccine or treatment, our senators and representatives, our governor J.B., our state government, our county and town governments. We also pray for health care providers in any place, for their safety and for the healing touch which you provide. We also pray for all those that have been designated as essential that they may be safe as they serve their communities. Do not let any become weary of doing good.

We pray for those in need.

God of hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. May they know the power of your healing love. Make us willing agents of your compassion. Strengthen us as we share in making people whole. 

We remember those who have died and those who mourn.

We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone. Loving God, into your hands we commend them. Give comfort to those who mourn. Fill the emptiness of their loss with your never-ending peace. We praise you for Pete and Raymond and all your saints who have entered your eternal glory. May their example inspire and encourage us. We pray for ourselves and our ministries.

We pray for the miracle of growth in this congregation; we pray for the miracle of revitalization of main street and we pray for the miracle of your blessing on this community and its schools.

Lord, you have called us to serve you. Grant that we may minister in your name, with your love in our hearts, your truth in our minds, your strength in our wills; until, at the end of our journey, we know the joy of our homecoming and the welcome of your embrace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering Invitation

It might seem a bit strange to see an invitation to offering in this time of social distancing and virtual worship. Some of you may be financially affected as well. I would like to remind you that offering of ourselves is always a three-part process – our time, our talent and our treasure. So I invite you to offer yourself in whatever way(s) are most appropriate to our heavenly Father.

Offering Invitation

Offertory

^Doxology (Praise God from Whom all blessings flow)     #46

^Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to The LORD our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eternal God, we praise you that your glory has dawned on us, and brought us into this Day of Resurrection.  We rejoice that the grave could not hold your Son, and that he has conquered death, risen to rule over all powers of this earth. We praise you that he summons us into new life, to follow him with joy and gladness. By your Spirit, lift us from doubt and despair, and set our feet in Christ’s holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life, and all we have may show forth his love. Praise, glory, and thanksgiving to you, our God, forever and ever. Amen.

^Lord’s Prayer

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn “Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna” # 222  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0ER_67Q2RY 

^Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.

Benediction (A word of blessing)

May the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God’s will, working among us that which is pleasing in God’s sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever!

Alleluia! Amen.

Postlude    “Ode To Joy with Alleluia Chorus”     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je7jeqlQtw8 

Please remember in your prayers

Crystal Hack, Marian Allen, Marge Donley, Helen Hopkins, Barb Day, Verbie Hoffman, Susan (Sinn) Funke, Glenn Holmes, Meryl (Pastor Jean’s cousin) and Dick Place, Diane Schlosser, Joyce Culbertson, Mardelle Neumann (Apostolic Christian Skylines), Donna Diekhoff, Dick Temple, Dick Watts, Myrna and Don Brose, Margaret Altine, Fran (Alzheimer’s), Val (new cancer diagnosis), Alex Rich and his family, Blake Renner (son of Diane Allen Renner),  Joy Heaton and Lyndee Lewis’ niece

The families and friends of Pete Timm and Raymond Woodrow

All affected by the Covid-19 virus, those caring for them in any way, and those working to find a cure.

Calendar:

Sun., 4/12:  Community Easter Sunrise Service, VIRTUAL WORSHIP

Sun., 4/12: Virtual Worship

Sun., 4/19: Virtual Worship

Sun., 4/26: Virtual Worship

First Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 602, 201 W. Fourth Street, Delavan, IL 61734

(309) 244-7105

E-mail: firstpresdelavan@gmail.com

www.firstpresdelavan.org

Rev. Jean Sparks, Pastor

Linda Clauser, Organist