CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church Service, April 4, 2021
Easter Sunday
Questions for Reflection: When Mary Magdalene first saw the resurrected Jesus, she did not recognize him, even though she knew the tomb was empty. Have you ever experienced the presence of the risen Christ, even when you were not expecting him? Are there times you have been in the presence of the risen Christ but have not recognized him? How would you know?
Easter Praise “In the Bulb There is A Flower” Natalie Sleeth, 1986
In the bulb there is a flower,
in the seed, an apple tree,
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
There's a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning,
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing,
in our life, eternity,
in our death, a resurrection,
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
Call to Worship/Opening Words
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Jesus is not here; he has been raised!
Allelulia!
Look, here is where the body was. Don’t be afraid!
Allelulia!
Go and tell the others: he has been raised!
Jesus is going ahead of you.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Call to Confession
God has been made known to us in deeds of power, signs, and wonders, and will not abandon us if we confess the truth about our lives. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
God, you have made known to us the promise of new life. Yet we have not lived as Easter people. We are unsure of your promise, confused about your will, and afraid in the face of danger. Whenever we are tempted to fear death,give us courage to confess your Easter victory. Whenever we are distracted by petty conflicts, keep our minds on your reconciling love. Whenever we are overwhelmed by the power of evil, reveal again to us your triumph over destructive powers of oppression. Forgive us our sin and let our lives be a testimony to your salvation through the love of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God is our refuge and strength and will not abandon us. In Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God. That is a promise of peace and joy; share that peace as you live out your lives in the world.
Hymn “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!" Brian Wren, 1984
Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna!
Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder:
all creation is 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 everyone!
Prayer for Illumination Almighty God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ you broke the power of death and opened the way to eternal life. As we listen to the words of scripture describing the Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead, roll away the stones which harden our hearts against hearing the Good News. Amen
Reading from the Gospels Matthew 28:1-10 NRS
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 worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Sermon “The Promise of Easter” The Rev. Lois Robinson Lehman
Affirmation of Faith from Acts 10:34-43
Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ-- he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced:
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Hymn “Because You Live, O Christ” Shirley Erena Murray, 1987
Because you live, O Christ, The garden of the world has come to flower;
The darkness of the tomb Is flooded with Your resurrection power.
Refrain
The stone has rolled away And death cannot imprison!
O sing this Easter Day, For Jesus Christ has risen,
Has risen, has risen, has risen.
Refrain
Because You live, O Christ, The spirit bird of hope is freed for flying’
Our cages of despair No longer keep us closed and life denying.
Refrain
Because You live, O Christ, The rainbow of Your peace will span creation.
The colors of Your love Will draw all humankind to adoration.
Minute for Mission:
Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 percent of undesignated gifts, while Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receives 32 percent.
Donations can be made online through pcusa.org or may be added to your check to the church by marking your check with how much goes to the church and how much goes to OGHS.
Statement about Offering our Gifts
God has given us life in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In gratitude, let us offer our hearts and the fruit of our labor to God’s service. There is an offering plate on the table near the baptismal font, and you can leave your offerings there as you enter or exit the church
or
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Prayer of Dedication
Eternal God, we bring our gifts for the work of this church in our community and around the world in deep gratitude for your steadfast presence with us, upholding and uplifting us through all the days during which we could not gather in person. We dedicate our lives and our gifts in service to the Living Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Invitation
We come again to the Lord’s Table, to celebrate, and to participate in this great feast which has been prepared for us. Once again we confront again the power, the mystery, the wonder, the glory of Christ’s presence with us: the hope, the joy, the love and the peace that comes when God is present and guiding our lives.
God is always with us, supporting and sustaining us, but sometimes the crush of circumstances causes us to forget. So we come to this table, again and again, to rekindle the light of God’s presence so that it touches and changes our lives, and so that we carry that light out into the world with us. Come, for our Lord invites us.
The Words of Institution
On the night before he died, Jesus came to the table with those he loved. He took bread, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread among his disciples and said: ‘Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body, given for you.’ When the supper was ended, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He passed the cup among his disciples and said, ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is the cup of the new covenant sealed in my blood for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.’
Now, whenever we eat and drink at this table, we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection until he comes again.
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy God, creator of the universe, with joy we praise you and give you thanks. You brought light from darkness and drew land from the sea. You made us in your image to live with one another in love. You promised yourself in covenant with us, you told us your purpose in your law, and called for justice through the prophets. Through long generations you have been faithful to your people.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!
We praise you for your love: bringing order out of chaos, breathing life into dust, leading captives into freedom, calling wandering children home, giving bread to the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, raising the dead to life. We thank you, Lord for Jesus: Word made flesh, light of the world, living water, shepherd and gate, way and truth, bread of heaven, cup of salvation, resurrection and life.
Spirit come – come and live in us: in the bread, in the cup, in your people, one in the body, one in the blood; one with Christ, one in ministry, in this place, in every place; in this world, in the world to come. AMEN
You are invited to pick up your Communion cup/bread as you exit the sanctuary. We will re-gather, socially distanced on the front lawn to partake of the Communion elements and close the service.
Departing Music “Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks” Donald Fishel, 1973
Refrain:
Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation. Refrain.
Spread the good news
o’er all the earth.
Jesus has died and has risen. Refrain.
We have been crucified
with Christ.
Now we shall live forever. Refrain.
God has proclaimed the
just reward:
Life for all men, alleluia! Refrain.
Come, let us praise the
living God,
Joyfully sing to our Saviour. Refrain.
Partaking the Elements
When we break bread, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
When we give thanks over the cup, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?
Jesus said: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Prayer after Communion
Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life. Send us out to answer the summons of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new life, and to follow him with joy and gladness. Set our feet in his holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life and all we do may show forth his love. AMEN
Charge and Blessing
Go out from this place to a world fully known by God. Where there is fear, remember the power of Christ Jesus. Where there is need of love, give it. Where there is pain, bring peace. For you are loved by the One who redeems, and freed to live by the Word of life.
Go in peace with the knowledge that God’s power is given to the church, the body of Christ, for the sake of the world.