2021-04-04

Easter Sunday – It Is Finished … But Its Not Over

[John 3:16-18 ESV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
 
[John 20:19-23 ESV] On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
 
[Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Opening Prayer – 281 – Passion/Palm Sunday

Almighty God, you sent your Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ,
to suffer death on the cross.
Grant that we may share
in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and ever.
Amen.

Call to Worship – Matthew 28:1-6 ESV

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn
of the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary

went to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake,
for an angel of the Lord

descended from heaven and came
and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning,
and his clothing white as snow.
And for fear of him the guards trembled
and became like dead men.
But the angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know
that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where he lay.

Music

322 – Up from the Grave He Arose
302 – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
327 – Crown Him with Many Crowns
334 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit
307 – Christ Is Risen