Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
April 8, 2012
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am

Easter

  Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)                     "The strife is o'er"                    263
  Announcements
  Prelude                                         "Sunrise"                                         Hegarty

  Responsive Call to Worship                                                   (back of bulletin)

*Hymn                           "Christ the Lord is risen today"                              280

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                                    Isaiah 25:6-9

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

  Pastoral Prayer

  For Children                      "The Easter Cheer"

  Scripture                         1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 21-22

  Special Music                           "Glorious Day"

  Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                                    "Meditation"                                         Jacob
                                        (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

  Hymn                                "Low in the grave he lay"                                  273
                                                  (sit during verses, stand on refrain)

  Scripture                                    Mark 16:1‑8

  Message                     "He is going ahead of you..."

*Hymn                        "Christ is alive! Let Christians sing!"                          278

*Benediction

*Postlude                     "Come, ye faithful, raise the strain"                      Sullivan

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Responsive Call to Worship
The One We Have Waited For
(Voices from the Gospels)

People:    Is this the Lord for whom we have waited?

Leader:    "If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe ... heavenly things?"

People:    Is this the Lord for whom the oppressed have waited?

Leader:    "Go and tell ... : the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them."

People:    Is this the Lord for whom the demoniac and the troubled have waited?

Leader:    "Tell [your friends] how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you."

People:    Is this the Lord for whom nations claim to have waited?

Leader:    "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.'"

People:    Is this the Lord on whom the fickle and torn have waited?

Leader:    "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me."

People:    Is this the Lord for whom grieving women and men have waited?

Leader:    "Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead.'"

People:    This is the Lord for whom we have waited.

All:          Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation!

by Sandy Bosserman
Peace Valley, Missouri
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
 

Opening Prayer

Gracious Source of Life, on this morning we gather and sing hallelujah, for the sadness and fear of Good Friday have been replaced as we rejoice in the life and power of Easter Sunday. From death rises new life; out of despair rises powerful hope.

         O God of wonder and surprises, rise in our lives this Easter morning, that divine grace and human love may spill forth from each of us and our lives may witness to your resurrecting power. In the spirit of the Risen One we pray. Amen

by Carol A. Wise
taken from pg. 44-45,
For All Who Minister, ©1993, Brethren Press
     

Pastoral Prayer

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

For Children
"The Easter Cheer"

Theme: Easter celebrates the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
              Jesus was killed by crucifixion, but three days later he was miraculously made alive once more. In this event is found our own hope for freedom from death, with all that means. That is why Easter is a joyful celebration.

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6

Goals:  To instill the basic Easter message To teach that Easter is a celebration To help the children celebrate

Technique: The message and the celebration of Easter will be combined by leading the children in an Easter cheer. Discuss the events of Easter, making sure they have a basic understanding. Tell them that we celebrate Easter because it is such a wonderful thing that Jesus came alive again. Ask them to repeat the Easter words after you: "Christ is risen!" Have them say these same words. Give them permission to shout the words; this gives the message a greater feeling of jubilation and fun. Repeat "Christ is risen" three times, ending with a loud hurray. After they have done this twice, have them stand up and lead the congregation in the Easter cheer.

Notes: When the children say hurray, you can have them wave their hands in the air.

by Bucky Dann,
pp. 63 in Better Children's Sermons.
     

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

            "We are witnesses." That’s what the disciple Peter said long ago. As you return your offering this morning, ponder how you are doing as a witness of Jesus Christ. What evidence do you present that He is alive and active in your life?

Will the ushers come forward to serve.
     

Benediction

         As Christ burst forth from the tomb, may new life burst forth from us and show itself in acts of love and healing to a hurting world. And may that same Christ, who lives forever and is the source of our new life, keep your hearts rejoicing and grant you peace this day and always. Amen.

by Carol A. Wise
taken from pg. 50,
For All Who Minister, ©1993, Brethren Press