Worship - April 12, 2009

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
April 12, 2009
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

Easter

“Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles ... But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:8-10)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude "Marche Solonnelle" Borowski

Calling upon the Lord "Jesus, stand among us" 25

Remembering Together 668

*Hymn "Christ the Lord is risen today" 280

*Opening Prayer

The Easter story from Mark 16:1-8

Response (vs. 2) "Amazing grace!" 143

The Gospel from Acts 10:34-43

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Forgiveness

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God’s listening presence)

Pastoral Prayer

The Gospel from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Message "He appeared also to me" (mp3)

Hymn (vs. 1) "Lord, I want to be a Christian" 444

Introductions and Professions of faith

Congregational Covenant 777

Hymn (vs. 2 & 3) "Lord, I want to be a Christian" 444

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory "Ave Verum" Gounod
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Response (vs. 4) "Lord, I want to be a Christian" 444

*Dedication

Baptism

*Hymn "Proclaim the tidings near and far" 282

*Benediction

*Postlude "Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!" anonymous

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Remembering Together

Leader: This the day that the Lord has made.
                 Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
People: This is the day that the stone is cast aside
                 And the mantle of darkness is torn away.
Leader: God has swallowed up death forever
                 And brushed our tears away.
People: This is the day of salvation.
Leader: Be glad and rejoice -
                 The Lord of light has come and reigns forever.
             Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed!
       All: Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hymnal #668. Altered from
All the Seasons of Mercy, by Diane Karay,
John Knox Press, © 1987 Diane Karay.

Opening Prayer

Dear God, this past week has been one of mixed emotions; of faith struggling to understand. We have greeted you with palm branches; we have sat at table with you to share a farewell meal. We have witnessed your death on a simple wooden cross. Yet on the third day, you come to us again in victory. By this, we know that death is not the final word. As the sun boldly rises to meet a new day, rise in our lives this Easter morning, for you are our hope, our life, and out joy. Amen.

by Karen C.H. Sorensen
from Flames of the Spirit, Ruth Duck, ed.
©1985, The Pilgrim Press, p. 41

Prayer of Confession

O God, like the first witnesses of the resurrection, we too, come to the empty tomb with a variety of responses. We hear the good news that Jesus has risen, but so often the evidence for this is difficult to detect in our lives.

Forgive us when we fail to make the risen Christ evident through our words, our actions - our lives.

For so many people, the only good news of this weekend is that it provides the opportunity for a holiday as the weather grows warmer.

Forgive us if we feel that this time of worship is an interruption to our planned holiday activities.

As we come to the empty tomb seeking forgiveness for all our faults and shortcomings, help us to re-order our priorities so that we put the risen Christ first in our lives at all times.

Forgive us when we forget that the tomb is forever empty because Jesus is here and is wherever Christians live and worship.

Help us always to remember the costly act of Jesus Christ which led to victory over sin and death, an act which gives us the gift of a new beginning - guilt free and graced by love. The tomb is empty because Christ is risen.

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia. Amen!

by Moira B Laidlaw, from Liturgies Online

Assurance of Forgiveness

Jesus "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." (Acts 10: 42b,43) Hear, believe, and live the good news. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

Thanks be to God!

by Moira B Laidlaw, from Liturgies Online

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Introductions and Professions of faith

(After candidate is introduced to the congregation by a member)

Today you are being received into this community of faith and into the Church of the Brethren. As part of the whole church of Jesus Christ, we offer you our rich heritage and invite you to share fully in our life and mission.
As you are received into the Long Green Valley Church, we intend to be a true family of faith to you. We commit ourselves to be for you a loving fellowship, to be a means of grace in your life, and to offer opportunities for worship, study, and service. One of the happiest times in our life as a church is when new people choose to become members. We welcome you with joy.

Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son and do you receive and trust him as your Savior and Lord? (I do.)

Will you turn away from all sin and will you endeavor by God's grace to live according to the example and teachings of Jesus? (I will.)

Will you be loyal to the church, upholding it by your prayers and your presence, your substance and your service? (I will.)

Congregational Covenant

As we now receive you into the fellowship of the church,
     we make this covenant with you
     as we renew our own covenant with God:
          to bear each others' burdens,
          to assist in times of need,
          to share our gifts and possessions,
          to forgive as Christ has forgiven us,
          to support each other in joy and sorrow,
              and in all things to work for the common good,
          thus making known Christ's presence among us
              to the glory of God
As we unite with each other now,
     may we all be joined with Christ, our Lord.

Hymnal #777
Adapted from The Mennonite Hymnal,
©1969 Faith & Life Press/Mennonite Publishing House,
based on Anabaptist baptismal vows, 16th c.

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

Listen to what Isaiah had to say about the day when death is defeated. I’ll be reading from the Laughing Bird version, a lively Australian paraphrase we’ve used before. Are you ready?

Every people on earth will be invited to the sacred mountain
for the huge party thrown by the LORD who rules over everything.
........It will be the feast to end all feasts,
........with the very finest of foods and wines:
................choice meats, wines aged to perfection,
................gourmet delicacies to make every mouth water!

And right here on this sacred mountain
........the LORD will tear off the pall of death
........and release the nations from the coffin that held them.
................The LORD will swallow up death once and for all.

With that, the Lord GOD will wipe the tears from every eye,
........and God’s people will no longer be humiliated and despised;
........The LORD says so and that settles it.

When that happens people will say,
........Wow! This is our God!
........We hoped, we waited, we trusted God to save us.
................And our waiting has not been in vain.
........The LORD has not let us down.
................Celebrate! Sing and dance,
................for God has come to our rescue and set us free.

Two of our young people have this morning responded to God’s good news by deciding to follow Jesus. The road ahead for them or for us is never easy, but it’s worth it. If you agree would you respond just now by putting your money where your mouth is? Indeed, “the LORD has not let us down. Celebrate! Sing and dance, for God has come to our rescue and set us free.” Amen? Amen! Ushers?

Dedication

Yes, Lord, we want to be like Jesus … only there is no way we could do as he did. All we can do is grace-fully – that is, full of your grace that picks us up when we fall short, as we will; all we can do is simply follow the way in which he leads, even when the path leads beyond bright days like today. These offerings are an expression of that desire. Bless them and us to your service, and bless those who this day step forward by faith into the waters of baptism. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

*Baptism*
___________, upon your confession of faith made before God and these people, you are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
	As each name of the Trinity is spoken, the minister shall immerse the candidate forward, pushing the head gently and fully into the water. Then, laying both hands upon the head of the kneeling person, the minister shall pray:
O God, we are thankful for the commitment made today by (name) May (she/he) experience your forgiveness, acceptance, and peace. Send your Holy Spirit upon (her/him) to guide and to empower. Enable (her/him) to walk in newness of life, using (her/his) gifts in praise to you and in service to others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
	Then the minister shall help the baptized person rise, extend the hand of Christian fellowship, speak a word of blessing, and assist the person in leaving the water.
from *For All Who Minister*, ©1993, Brethren Press, p.137-138.

Benediction

Go now as God’s chosen witnesses
to testify that Christ has been raised
and that we are raised with him.
Do not look for him among the dead,
but be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

And may God raise you from all that would entomb you;
May Christ Jesus call you by name and go ahead of you;
And may the Holy Spirit empower you for all that is good.