Greetings, 

Our Palm Sunday worship service this past Sunday was a faithful and meaningful way to begin this sacred period of time that the church calls Holy Week. During this last week of His life Jesus spends His time teaching the disciples; last night at our Maundy Thursday service we remembered the fellowship He enjoyed with them as the new commandment is given; 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.

My hope today is that you will not rush to the "joy" of Easter. I invite you to spend some time reflecting on all of these details for I am convinced that the power of Easter is best realized when one has reflected on all of the events and emotions that this Holy Week provides.

A Reminder that Our Easter morning schedule for Sunday, April 5th is:

• 9:00am & 11:00am Easter Worship services in the Sanctuary
• 10:15am Easter Egg Hunt for kids up to 12 years old outside Fellowship Hall in the courtyard/lawn area [no RSVP required…bring your friends/invite folks who have kids or grandkids!]

*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 a story that articulates a bit about the tradition of flowering the cross on Easter.

Easter worship information:

Easter Message: Seeing things for the 1st time

Scripture: Luke 24 (selected verses)

Now on that same day two of the women were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And Jesus said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” Jesus asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So Jesus went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus.

11:00 am Bulletin Information for Sunday:

PRELUDE: Prelude on Easter Hymn – arr. Edward Broughton

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 (congregation sings vs. 1, 2, & 4)

GATHERING PRAYER & AFFIRMATION OF GRACE     Pastor Christina Voissem

NEWS OF THE COMMUNITY

CALL FOR THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY: I Will Rise – Chris Tomlin/arr. Joel Raney

DOXOLOGY: #647 Give Thanks

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

ANTHEM: Resurrection Hymn (See What a Morning) – arr. Steven Strite

CELEBRATING BAPTISM     Eden Wolf – daughter of Alyssa & Grayson Wolf

HYMN: #233 The Day of Resurrection

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 24 (selected verses)

EASTER MESSAGE: Seeing things for the 1st time     Pastor Steve Wilde

TIME FOR REFLECTION: Song: He’s Alive     Artist: Kim Adams

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

SONG: Glorious Day

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE: Toccata on Easter Hymn – arr. Matthew H. Corl

TODAY’S WORSHIP SONGS:

Prelude on Easter Hymn – arr. Edward Broughton; 1 License 228388
#232 Jesus Christ is Risen Today – arr. John A. Behnke; ASCAP
I Will Rise – Chris Tomlin/arr. Joel Raney; permission pending
#647 Give Thanks; 1 License 75
Resurrection Hymn (See What a Morning) – arr. Steven Strite; ASCAP
#233 The Day of Resurrection; public domain
Glorious Day; CCLI 7081388
Toccata on Easter Hymn – arr. Matthew H. Corl; 1 License 10-445.2
Participants: Sanctuary Choir with Janet Holmes, Music Director
Celebration Chimes with Cathryn Griggs, Director
FPCL Worship Team: Tanner Roberts, Lead; Josh Jonas, Guitar; Amy Reichel, Flute; Eric Reichel, Bass;
Phil Didlake, Percussion; Brie MacLaren, Soloist