(Image: “As it Began to Dawn” Wesley, Frank 1923-2002)
©Order of Worship for Sunday April 09, 2023
Easter Sunday
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)
The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am.
Text for hymns are found below each hymn. Click on the hymn highlighted text for music if shown.
Prelude………………………………………………Dottie J.
Coming of the Light:…………………………………………Eli A.
Call to Worship: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”..Kids ROC
Words and Music by Rick Founds (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), Motions Video by Church of Southland Treehouse
Greetings:………………………………………Pastor Steven
Opening Prayer: ………………………..…..….…Freda B.
Pray all together:
Lord of Life, submitting to death, you conquered the grave.
By being lifted on a cross you draw all peoples to you.
By being raised from the dead
you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin.
Throughout these fifty days of Easter
we proclaim the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection.
For all praise is yours, now and throughout eternity. Amen.
Opening Hymns:..“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” #302 UMH
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
As we sing, you may place your flowers on the cross.
1.Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2.Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
3.Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
4.Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
5.Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
6.King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Announcements:………………………………………….Lorri B.
Giving of our tithes and offerings …………………
You can do this with no fee through your bank’s online bill pay option. It is easy to set up for automatic monthly giving. Or, you can use this link: Online Giving
Offertory: ……………. “Easter Song”……………….Choir
Words and Music: Anne Herring arr. by Joseph M. Martin
© 1974 Latter Rain Music (ASCAP)
Offertory Response:… “The Doxology” #94 UMH
Adapted © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674, adapted by Gilbert Vieira, 1978
Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer After Receiving:………………………….Pastor Steven
Prayers of the People:……………………………Pastor Steven
Hymn of Preparation:….“Walk with Me” #2242 TFWS
Words and Music: John S. Rice © 1988 The Estate of John S. Rice
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
1. When Moses heard the call of God he said, “Lord, don’t
send me.” But God told Moses, “You’re the one to set
my people free.”
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
2. Now Peter was a most unlikely man to lead the flock;
but Jesus knew his holiness and he became the Rock.
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
3. Young Mary Magdalene was sure her life could be much
more, and by her faith she dared to let God’s love unlock
the door.
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
4. And when you share your faith with me and work for
life made new, the witness of your faithfulness calls
me to walk with you.
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
Gospel Lesson:……”Matthew 28: 1-10”…………..Freda B.
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Sermon:……“Go Tell the Good News”…….Pastor Steven
Holy Communion:……………………………….Pastor Steven
Communion Hymn: .“Alleluia” #186 UMH
Words: Jerry Sinclair, 1972 Music: Jerry Sinclair, 1972
1. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
2. He’e my Savior 3. I will praise Him
Closing Hymn:..“He Lives” #310 UMH
Words: Alfred H. Ackley, 1933
Music: Alfred H. Ashley, 1933
1. I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever foes may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
2. In all the world around me I see his loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that he is leading through all the stormy blast;
The day of his appearing will come at last.
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
3. Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;
none other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
Dismissal with blessing:……………………………Pastor Steven
Postlude:……………………………………..…………………Dottie J.
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor Steven:
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.
Pastor Steven:
Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: Glory to God. Amen.
THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.
Pastor Steven: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Steven: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Steven: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Steven: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor Steven: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor Steven: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
For Online Giving, follow this link Avent Ferry Give . You can also mail checks to Avent Ferry UMC, 2700 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.
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Each Easter season, the Worship Team purchases Easter Lilies to adorn the Sanctuary for our Easter Service.
Suggested Donation for a Lily is $15.00. Lilies will be available for pick up after the Easter Sunday Service on April 9th. You can purchase your Easter Lilies here: Purchase Easter Lilies (will open in a new window)
Looking for a way to fulfill your giving back to God of your financial blessings? Follow this link to online giving at Avent Ferry Give , click to set up online giving via AFUMC or set up a monthly tithe via your bank’s bill pay. You can also mail your check to Avent Ferry UMC, 2700 Avent Ferry Rd. Raleigh, NC 27606.
Sunday April 9th Easter Worship Service