April 9th Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship - Easter |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Prelude |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: Mathew 28:1-10 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection |
| Sermon: Go and Tell! |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Go and Tell!
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And 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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then 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.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of 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.”
[Reading above - Matthew 28:1-10]
On Easter we dare to join Mary Magdalene and the other disciple named Mary to look into the darkness of an empty tomb and imagine that Divine life is greater than death and Divine grace is more powerful than sin and evil. New Testament scholar Martha Moore-Keish put it this way: “the Gospel writers convey that something monumental happened that altered the world order, overturning expectations about the relationship of death and life and the coming of God’s reign” (from Feasting on the Gospels).
Questions for Reflection:
How might the earthquake be a symbol of the way the Risen Jesus shakes up our world?
Both the guards and the women feel fear. Is fear the appropriate response to resurrection? How does fear reflect our relationship to a glorious God who does the unexpected?
What does it mean to you to proclaim in worship and song on Easter: “Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed”?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
The two Mary’s in Mathew’s story are given a job to do by the Risen One. They are to go and tell the others that Jesus will be meeting them too. Identify someone in your circle of influence who could use some good news. How might the message of Easter paired with a kind action bring hope of new life? Give it a try!
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
create a to-do list of discipleship actions
list questions you want to explore
write prayers, stories, poems, or letters
be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
