Livestream is available at Westminster Presbyterian Church – Easter Sunday Worship, March 31, 2024 (vidflex.tv)
PRELUDE
“Prelude in E Flat Major (Klavieruebung dritter Teil)” J.S. Bach
AN ACT OF PRAISE
INTROIT
“Now the Green Blade Rises”
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
(The congregation may rise in body or in spirit as the chimes are played.)
*PROCESSION OF THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
*HYMN OF PRAISE #123
“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” EASTER HYMN
*INVITATION TO WORSHIP The Rev. Gregg Neel
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
This is the day:
when tears are wiped away;
shattered hearts are mended;
fears are replaced with joy.
This is the day the Lord:
rolls away the stone of fear;
throws off death’s clothes;
goes ahead of us into God’s future.
This is the day the Lord has made:
death has no fear for us;
sin has lost its power over us;
God opens the tombs of our hearts to fill us with life.
This is the day – Easter Day!
Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
Let us worship God.
WELCOME The Rev. Gregg Neel
INVITATION TO RECONCILIATION The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Very early in the morning, God created all that is good and beautiful. Very early in the morning, a mother placed her newborn in a manger. Very early in the morning, the good news was shared with frightened friends that Jesus was risen and alive in our midst. Let us confess the fears and the amazement we bring this morning, first in silent prayer.
SILENT PRAYER
UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS
On this morning of hallelujahs, we must confess how human we are. We haven’t done any great evil, but we have failed to do good when we had the chance. We have not intentionally hurt anyone, nor have we offered healing to the broken. We easily accept the witness of the angel in the tomb, but find it difficult to share this good news with our friends and neighbors.
Bring us new life, Dazzling God. Where we are tired and stressed, give us the energy to serve your creation; transform our hardened hearts into fountains of grace; forgive us of all 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 PARDON:
This is the good news: the tomb is empty, sin is powerless, death is defeated forever.
On this very first day, and every day, we walk as God’s people, forgiven and made whole.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Amen.
*PASSING 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
SCRIPTURE READING The Rev. Beth Neel
John 20:1-18 (p. 114)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Gregg Neel
(In this time, we will continue the Westminster tradition of telling the Easter story using Easter eggs, ending with the cracking of the eggs and the proclamation “He is risen!”. At the 9 a.m. service we will use plastic eggs and dyed eggs at the 11 a.m. service. At the conclusion of this time, children may return to sit with their families.)
ANTHEM
“Alleluia, Christ is Risen” Michael Larkin
Aaron Peterson, trumpet
Alleluia, alleluia, Christ is risen from the dead.
Lift your voices, sing alleluia, He is risen as he said.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Nailed to the cross, for us to die; “It is finished,” hear him cry.
Death in vain forbids him rise; Christ has opened Paradise.
Alleluia, alleluia, Christ is risen from the dead.
Lift your voices, sing alleluia, He is risen as he said.
Praise we now our risen King. Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Death has died on Easter day. Heaven and earth rejoice and say;
Alleluia, alleluia, Christ is risen from the dead.
Lift your voices, sing alleluia, He is risen as he said.
Christ is risen from the dead. Alleluia! Alleluia!
SERMON The Rev. Beth Neel
“Where There Is Sadness, Where There Is Joy”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #122
“Thine Is the Glory” JUDAS MACCABEUS
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS The 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
(Today we will receive gifts for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering which supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and refugee aid;
envelopes are in the pew. 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
“Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates” Georg Frideric Handel
from “Messiah”
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors:
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory; it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors:
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory: even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
*DOXOLOGY – #592 OLD HUNDREDTH
*HYMN #115
“Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain” ST. KEVIN
*BENEDICTION & RESPONSE
“Hallelujah” G. F. Handel
(Anyone in the congregation who so 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” Charles Marie Widor
(If you would like to be seated for the postlude, please do so, or you may depart.)