April 8, 2020
HI All! And Happy Easter to you!
I’m writing this in the middle of Holy Week so you can have it for Easter Sunday to use as a devotional. As we all know, before Christ can rise from the dead he has to be crucified.
So I invite you to be sure to pray on Maundy Thursday (The Last Supper) and Good Friday (his day of crucifixion) as we prepare for the blessed moment of Easter Sunday.
Our opening hymn is #367 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (see the music attached)
Scripture Litany: from Mark 16: 1 – 8 (perhaps there are two people in your family who would each read a part – I will mark the parts One and Two)
1. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they might go and anoint him. 2. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 1. They had been saying to one another… “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 2. When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 1. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 2. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 1. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 2. So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.
Prayer of Confession: God, we come before you as those who have been baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, and who seek to be raised to new life in Christ. Yet we confess our fear of death. We fear death as life’s ending and its threat hidden in poverty, danger or sickness. We fear death as letting go of old ways, old relationships, old self-understandings. We confess our fear of life. Sometimes we want to build shells to protect ourselves from people who come too close, from change that comes too fast, from possibilities that seem too bewildering. God, help us trust our lives into your keeping, accept the embrace of your loving arms, and receive your forgiveness and your promise of life eternal in Jesus Christ. Raise us to walk in newness of life– whether in the faltering steps of infants or the sure steps of mature Christians; through Jesus Christ, who has promised to be with us always. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Today is a new day! This is a new day to accept the forgiveness that God offers you in the freshness and newness of Eternal Life as offered through Jesus Christ our Risen Savior! Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift. Amen.
Passing of the Peace: Here are the birthdays for the first two weeks of April so you can remember these people in your prayers. April 2, Barbara Dreas, April 4, David Muth, April 5, Barbie Kerchner, April 7, Jacki Puschock, April 10, Brenda Seitz, April 12, Jan Strobel and Kelly Kowalewski, April 13, Deb Schoenberger AND April 14, MaryAnn Heil and Martin Bertie – who turns 78 this year.
Message: Read over the scripture litany again. What pieces of the story seem to be missing from what you remember hearing over the years? Is there anything that seems odd to you in Mark’s version of the story? What would have happened if the women really DIDN’T tell anyone about what they saw? Read Matthew 28:1-10 to compare notes of what you thought.
A moment of Silence
Affirmation of Faith: In life, in death, in life beyond death, we are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
An Easter Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us more than life itself. God, life is hard and uncertain. So much pain, hurt and heartache seems to surround us. And yet, knowing this, You still willingly gave up your life and became God with us and God who rescues us. Because of Your sacrifice, we can spend eternity with You. There is no pain You cannot conquer, no hurt You cannot heal, and no life You cannot transform. Your death and resurrection proved that nothing is impossible for You, and that we are more than conquerors because of You.
Today and every day, help us to fix our hearts and our minds on You. And as we do, please give us more of Your joy, hope and peace. We love You and want to worship You. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father….
If you wish, you can share a time of communion. This could be done with any food you would like to use. Remember to thank God for it and to ask God to bless it as you sincerely invite Christ into your heart.
Our Closing Hymn is #358 Because He Lives (see attachment)
Benediction: Go Forth in Resurrection Joy! Peace to all.
Happy Mother’s Day Mother’s love is like an island In life’s ocean, vast and wide, A peaceful, quiet shelter From the wind, the rain, the tide. It is bound on the north by hope, By patience on the west, By tender counsel on the south And on the east by rest. Above it like a … [Read more…]
I Know Something Good About You Wouldn’t this old world be better if the folks we meet would say – “I know something good about you!” And then treat us just that way? Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy, if each handclasp warm and true carried with it this assurance – “I know something good … [Read more…]