Easter Worship: 9 April 2023

The Day of Resurrection

Prelude Prelude on Easter Hymn (J. Stuart Archer)

Easter Welcome, Welcome Back

Choral Introit Easter Introit (John Ferguson)

Responsive Call to Worship

Leader: Christ is Risen!

All: He is risen indeed!

*Opening Hymn No. 123 Jesus Christ is Risen Today

*Unison Prayer of Gathering and New Life

Triumphant God, humble in your love, wise in your way, and here in our midst, now draw our many spirits to the glorious height and eternal hope of your resurrection. Take all of us who have been separate so long and unite us in your bold, living, loving Spirit. Rejoice with us and guide us past fear. Reveal to us the promises beyond the powers of death. Assure us that fear and death do not get the last word in Jesus’ way, and connect us to the risen, rejoicing, radical power of your Messiah. Transform our brokenness so we receive and share the wholeness of new life this Easter. We pray all this in Jesus’ beloved name, Amen.

*Assurance of Forgiveness

*The Hymn Response No. 115 Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain (Verse 2 only)

The Gospel Reading John 20: 1-18

Vocal Anthem Laudamus Te (Antonio Vivaldi)

The History of Easter Acts 10: 34-43

The Easter Acclamation The Rev. Kenneth F. Baily

The Offertory Anthem He is not Here (Russell Nagy)

*Easter Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Christ the word in flesh born low,

Praise Holy Spirit evermore,

One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.

*Hymn (insert) Now the Green Blade Rises

Celebration of Holy Communion

All: For this table is spread for you and for me that we might know that God has come to us and shared our common lot and invited us to receive life anew. Indeed, God has triumphed even over death. So we come to this table for thanksgiving, for grace, for God’s presence, for peace.

Leader: Let us unite our voices in preparation. God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to God!

Leader: Let us praise God, speaking together:

All: Santo, Santo, Santo… Holy Holy, Holy: God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Blessed is the Christ, who comes in the name of our creator: Hosannah in the highest! Alleluia!

Sharing of Communion

(You are welcome at the station closest to you)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

*Hymn No. 371 Lift High the Cross

*Benediction

*Choral Response Christ is Risen (Lloyd Larson)

Postlude Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Lani Smith)

*Those who are able please stand

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Our worship is “masks optional.” We continue to be careful, our leaders are vaccinated, and our choir continues with masks.

We have returned to passing plates for our offering. Meanwhile, you are welcome to use our website for special offerings; and thank you.

Thanks to worship leaders Kenneth Baily, Yevgenia Semeina, Jan Zimmerman, Wendy Donnell, Amanda Ketchpaw, Carol Jensen, Isabelle Draper, Sam Higgins, Yumiko Matsuoka, Susan Allen, & Misha Hill.

NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are, you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.

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