Greetings –

The journey through Lent continues. Last night in worship we remembered the new commandment Jesus gives to love one another as Jesus has loved us; tonight in worship [7:00pm in the sanctuary…JOIN US!] we remember the pain that leads to His crucifixion...all of which leads up to the joy and liberation of the empty tomb.

A Reminder that Our Easter morning schedule for Sunday, April 20th is:

• 9:00am Contemporary/Family Worship service in the Sanctuary
• 10:15am Easter Egg Hunt for ages 2-10 outside Fellowship Hall in  the courtyard/lawn area [no RSVP required…bring your friends!]
• 11:00am Traditional Service in the Sanctuary with our choirs

 *Note that childcare is available for all worship services & all services are available online: https://fpcl.online.church

Praying that the reality of God's love for you in Jesus is evident and experienced by you in tangible ways as we continue this journey to Easter.

Grace & Peace,

Steve

YOU ARE INVITED on Easter to bring flowers and place them in the cross that is currently located in the lawn of the church property at the corner of 4th & L Streets. This is a tradition of our church that adds beauty and color to our celebration of the resurrection [There will also be flowers in a bucket at the foot of the cross for those wanting to participate] Many have asked about the origin of this tradition…so here is an article that provides some background/context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowering_the_cross

Easter worship information:

Easter Message: He’s Alive!

Scripture:

John 20:1-10

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Bulletin information for Sunday:

PRELUDE/INTROIT: Lift High the Cross - arr. Joel Raney

WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP     Pastor Steve Wilde

One: From out of an empty tomb a rumor begins. Like a whisper of hope it stirs the heart and awakens the soul!

All: Like good news of great joy, it fills our spirits with the laughter of faith.

One: Again today, the rumor is repeated; and hearing the words we know it is true: Christ is risen.

All: (hushed at first) He is risen indeed!

One: Christ is risen!

All: (with a bit more force) He is risen indeed!

One: CHRIST IS RISEN!

All: (with enthusiastic force) HE IS RISEN INDEED!

*HYMN: #232 Jesus Christ is Risen Today

GATHERING PRAYER & ASSURANCE OF GRACE     Tim Zwier

NEWS OF THE COMMUNITY

CALL FOR THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY: Tanzanian Alleluia – Jeffrey Honoré

*DOXOLOGY: #647 Give Thanks

PRAYER OF DEDICATION     Pastor Christina Voissem

ANTHEM: Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed – Getty/Cash/Koerts

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 118:24-29

*HYMN: #263 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! (vs. 1 & 4)

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: John 20:1-10

EASTER MESSAGE
Title: He’s Alive!     Pastor Steve Wilde

PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER     Pastor Denia Segrest
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,
the power, and the glory, forever - Amen

*HYMN: #248 Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! (vs, 1 & 2)

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE: Festival Toccata – Percy Fletcher

TODAY’S WORSHIP SONGS:
Lift High the Cross – arr. Joel Raney; 1 License permission submitted
Christ the Lord is Risen Today – arr. Cynthia Dobrinski; 1 License 150710
With: #232 Jesus Christ is Risen Today – public domain
Tanzanian Alleluia – Jeffrey Honoré; Concordia Pub. House by permission
#647 Give Thanks; 1 License 75
Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Getty/Cash/Koerts; 1 License 97750
#263 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! public domain
#248 Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!; 1 License 00438
Festival Toccata – Percy Fletcher; 1 License permission submitted
PARTICIPANTS: Sanctuary Choir with Janet Holmes, Music Director
Celebration Chimes with Cathryn Griggs, Director
Musicians: Phil Didlake, Amy & Eric Reichel, and Tanner Roberts