April 27, 2025
Prelude: Now Be Joyful, All You Christians
Anonymous, 18th cent. German
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 30]
We will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn us up and restored us to life.
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Let us worship the LORD!
Thine Is the Glory (Hymn 122)
Budry/Handel
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes where Thy body lay.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory, Thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.
Confession
Loving God, when we find ourselves in a time of chaos, fear, and division, we sometimes look for someone to blame. Yet, in Christ, you did not turn against even those who sought and carried out your crucifixion. You hold space for renewal and repair in relationships, even in the worst circumstances. Thank you for walking with us in our humanity and not giving up on us. Forgive us for the ways we turn away from you and from one another, and give us courage to pursue reconciliation. May we find renewed hope in your resurrection. Amen.
Silence
Come Now, O Prince of Peace
Geonyong Lee
Come now, O Prince of peace, make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Come, Hope of unity, make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Solo: Walk On, O People of God (Hymn 296)
Gabaráin
Carollen Ryan
Refrain:
Walk on, O people of God; walk on, O people of God!
A new law, God’s new alliance, all creation is reborn.
Walk on, O people of God; walk on, O people of God.
Prayer for Illumination
Creed
In Jesus Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself. Jesus Christ is God with humankind. He is the eternal Son of the Father, who became human and lived among us to fulfill the work of reconciliation. … Therefore, the church calls all people to be reconciled to God and to one another. … In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all.
Scripture Readings
Nadia Grieves
Old Testament: Isaiah 9:5
New Testament: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Sermon: True humanity
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “Religion is the possibility of the removal of every ground of confidence except confidence in God alone.” ―Karl Barth
Response: Variation on Thaxted
Holst/Trenney
“So that your way most holy on earth may soon be known”
Pastoral Prayer & 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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. -Romans 12:13
Sending: Christ Is Alive! (Hymn 108)
Williams/Wren
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
In every insult, rift and war, where color, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age,
Till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Because You Live, O Christ
17th cent. Dutch melody/Callahan
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