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(Welcome to worship today. Bold responses are spoken by the congregation.
Note that an * indicates when all are invited to rise in body or in spirit.)
Prelude “Praeludium in E Flat BWV 552″ J. S. Bach
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “Over My Head” trad. African-American spiritual
*Westminster Chimes
*Procession of the Light of Christ
*Hymn #232 “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” easter hymn
Jesus Christ is risen today, alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, alleluia!
who did once, upon the cross, alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss, alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, alleluia!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save, alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, alleluia!
our salvation have procured; alleluia!
now above the sky He’s King, alleluia!
where the angels ever sing: alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, alleluia!
praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
*Invitation to Worship Rev. Gregg Neel
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
This is the day when the angel says to us:
Do not be afraid.
This is the day that Jesus says to us,
Do not be afraid.
This is the day – Easter Day!
Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
Let us worship God.
Welcome Rev. Gregg Neel
*Invitation to Reconciliation Rev. Eileen Parfrey
We are Easter people, yet we also know how often we live fearful of wading into troubled waters, afraid to follow Christ’s call. O God, we wander safely on the grounds about the river, looking for you, never noticing you in the river calling us. Let us confess how we have failed to be your Easter people, first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
O God, we confess our lack of faith. Although we have called you the God of hope, we often feel lost, cynical, without hope. We are reluctant to leave the tomb of our own ignorance and fear to claim the promises that you have made to each of us.
We confess that our weaknesses and unwillingness to risk stand in the way of new life in the world. We know that the world is full of suffering. Our siblings are living with poverty and injustice. People close enough to touch are sealed in tombs of loneliness and despair. Help us to walk out of our tombs. Forgive us the damage we have done and fill us with the joy of your Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, who gives us new life, we pray. Amen.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
Alleluia! This is the good news!
Christ is risen! We are not afraid but know that we are loved and forgiven.
Alleluia!
Christ is Risen.
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
(Please rise as you are able to share the peace of Christ with one another.)
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading Matthew 28:1-10 Rev. Gregg Neel
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 worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children
(Rev. Gregg will tell the Easter story using dyed, hard-boiled eggs. There will be a proclamation, “He is risen!” At the conclusion of this time, children should return to sit with their grown-ups.)
Anthem “He Is Not Here!” Russell Nagy
Aaron Peterson, trumpet
Twas at the break of day when women came with spices to anoint our Lord,
And walking to the tomb, said, “Who will move the mighty stone that bars the door?”
Then, behold, they found no stone; but a man was standing there instead,
Dazzling bright in raiment white, saying, “Jesus is not dead!
Chorus: He is not here! He is risen!
See the tomb is empty where He lay.
He is not here! He is risen!” Jesus rose on Easter Day.
When John and Peter heard the strange account, they doubted that it could be true.
But running there to find the empty tomb, they suddenly believed it too.
In the place where Jesus lay sat the burial clothing of the dead.
Laid aside, like death denied, for He was no longer dead!
Chorus
The tomb is empty, He is risen! Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia!
For Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!
And so we do proclaim on Easter Day that Jesus is not in the grave.
But risen from the dead, just as He said, in majesty and power to reign.
Chorus
Sermon “And Now a Word of Hope” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #248 “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!” hymn to joy
Christ is risen! Shout hosanna!
Celebrate this day of days.
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder,
all creation stand amazed.
In the desert all surrounding,
see, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding
bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen! Raise your spirits
from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning.
See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection,
not a servant, but a friend;
Jesus is our strong companion—
joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven
nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation
where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus,
“Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us.
Sing hosanna, ev’ry one!
Sharing Joys & Concerns Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
Pastoral Prayer and 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.
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
(Text 73256 the word WESTPRESPDX to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
If you’re new to Westminster, please let us know by filling out a pink visitor card and dropping it in the offering plate. Thank you.)
Offertory Anthem “Wheat That Springeth Green” medieval French carol;
arr. Teresa Wilhelmi
Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain.
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain.
Love lives again, that with the dead has been.
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
In the grave they laid Him, love whom hate had slain.
Thinking that never He would wake again.
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen.
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
Forth He came at Easter like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain.
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been.
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
Hallelu, hallelu, love is come again!
*Doxology – Hymn #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Hymn #243 “Be Not Afraid” be not afraid
(Sing three times)
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
*Benediction and Response “Hallelujah Chorus” G.F. Handel From Messiah
(Anyone in the congregation who desires to sing is invited to come forward to the chancel
steps to join the choir in the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Sheet music will be provided.)
*Postlude “Toccata from Symphony V” C. M. Widor
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)