Hopewell Reformed Church
Easter Sunday
April 4, 2021
10:45 AM
Prelude Adagio and Allegro, from Oboe Concerto in B-flat;
G.F. Handel; Ruth Garcia, oboe
Welcome and Greeting Call to Worship
Leader: This is the good news – the grave is empty; Christ is risen!
People: Hallelujah! The Lord is risen indeed! Leader: This is the good news – the light shines in
the darkness, and the darkness can never put it out.
People: Hallelujah! The Lord is risen indeed! Leader: This is the good news – once we were no
people; now we are God’s people. People: Hallelujah! The Lord is risen indeed! Leader: This is the good news – we thought there
was no hope, but hope is alive. We thought death was the end of life, but there is new life. We thought our limits defined us, but God defines us and is giving us a new start and renewed life.
Opening Hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave and crowned him Lord of all. Because Jesus lives, all fear is gone. Jesus holds the future
And life is worth living, because He lives. Forgive us when we are quick to forget this Good News. Help us be a people of resurrection not just on this day but every day. Fill our hearts with your resurrection promise of life. Help us to turn from our sins and be renewed. Eliminate all fear from us, so that we might tell this story, that Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed! Amen Assurance of Pardon
Sisters and Brothers in Christ, hear the good news of the Gospel:
the tomb is empty! Our Lord and Savior has risen from the grave! That which has been dead is alive!
No barrier, none whatsoever, can keep us from the love of God!
I announce to you this day that our sins are forgiven! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Alleluia! Amen! Passing of the Peace
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Children’s Message
Announcements
Offertory Anthem Siciliano and Vivace, from Oboe Concerto in B-flat; G.F. Handel; Ruth Garcia, oboe Doxology
Offertory Prayer
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on us. Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us. We dedicate ourselves to you. Use us as servants in your church. We give these gifts to you to use for the building up of your Kingdom. Please accept our offerings this morning. In Jesus’ name. Amen
SUNG: Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of
the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me. Fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon Seeing Resurrection All Around The Feast of Communion at the Lord’s Table Meaning of the Sacrament
Invitation to Communion God is with you! And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to our Creator. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give you our thanks and praise, O God!
You created…child by child.
SUNG: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
You made a covenant … we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God. Hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of Life, and holy is Jesus Christ, your Son, the resurrected One. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, revealing your love, radiating your life.
Communion Prayer Gracious God,
pour out your Holy Spirit …eternal God, now and forever. Amen.
As we prepare to eat the meal, let us share together the proclamation of our faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Words of Institution
Distribution of the Bread and Cup
The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.
The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.
SUNG: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Prayer of Thanksgiving After Communion Holy, gracious, God,
Here at this table your promise of life is made tangible. We have rested in the depth of your love;
We have tasted your nourishing presence; We accept you into our lives.
Together, at this table, you have offered us life. Together, by your grace, we accept the life you offer. And we give you thanks.
Closing Hymn The Strife Is O'er Benediction
Postlude Toccata, Charles-Marie Widor; Wesley
Easter Flowers
The following families purchased Easter flowers: Gerry & Ann Bell for all God's blessings.
The Gerber Family in memory of Geneva Casper and Zela Young.
June, Shawn & Hunter Nuzzo in loving memory of our beautiful sister (aunt), Dara Bozian and parents
(grandparents) Bill & Anne Reschke.
Judy Phillips in memory of George Phillips and Ben Roosa, Jr.
Dave & Edwina Pratt in celebration of our Risen Lord! Kevin & Cyndy Warren in memory of loved ones.
Hopewell Reformed Church * 143 Beekman Rd. * Hopewell Jct, NY 12533 * 845j-221-9542
On the Web: HrcRca.org On Facebook: Hopewell Reformed Church On Instagram hopewell_reformed On twitter @hrchurch
