Words for Worship – Sunday, April 4, 2021
Easter joy – every moment is holy

Welcome

Prelude  Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Paul Swenson, Organist, arrangement by Hal Hopson

Song  Jesus Christ is Risen Today  Worship 365
1          Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2          Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3          But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

4          Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4

Call to worship from A Sanctified Art
This day is like every other day.
Alarm clocks beeped. Covers were removed.
Coffee was brewed. Weary bodies came to life.
And yet this day, is like no other day—
For the sun rose, and we knew it was a miracle.
The tomb was empty, and they knew it was love.
So again and again we say—
The longest night is over.
Death has lost its sting.
Jesus is among us. Alleluia! Amen.
Again and again and again—Alleluia! Amen.

Song of Praise

When it seems the day will end  All Creation Sings 1034
1          When it seems the day will end,
and all light gives way to fear,
we will speak your name again
to remind us you are here.

Refrain
New life rising, (New life rising,)
ashes falling, (ashes falling,)
joy and weeping, (joy and weeping,)
in your calling. (in your calling.)

2          When it seems the day will end,
sinking low under our skin,
we are dead and born again, 
and with you now enter in.  Refrain

3          When it seems the day will end,
and a coldness fills our bones,
we will walk the way you’ve been,
and our hearts will be your home.  Refrain

Text: Justin Rimbo, b. 1980

Prayer for Illumination from A Sanctified Art
There are a million ways that you speak to us, God of the garden and God of the empty tomb. You speak to us in rituals, both formal and organic—In drops of water on foreheads, In vows said at the altar, Through pieces of bread dipped in ordinary wine, And through shared candlelight on Christmas Eve. You speak to us in nature—Your artistry showing up in starry nights, In the smell of pine, In rushing water and in most every sunrise. You speak to us through our relationships—The comfort of a loved one, The laughter of our friends, The security of those who support us and cheer us on. You speak to us in so many ways, and we are grateful for them all. However today, we just need one. That would be enough. So lean down and breathe life into these sacred texts. We are craving to hear your word like never before. We are craving to understand, to see ourselves in the story. We are craving proximity to you. There are a million ways that you speak to us. Today, we just need one. With hearts full of gratitude we pray, amen.

Children’s Time with Pastor Joy                     Find Alleluias & Be Not Afraid                      
Be not afraid, sing out for joy!
Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid, sing out for joy!
Christ is risen, alleluia!

Text: Matthew 28:5; Taizé Community
Text © 1998 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

First Reading – Isaiah 25: 6-9
A reading from Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations;
 he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 

Gospel Acclamation  Celtic Alleluia  Worship 174 

Gospel – Mark 16: 1-8
The gospel is from Mark:
¹When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus’ body]. ²And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. ³They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” ⁴When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. ⁶But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” ⁸So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Message         Pastor Joy    

Song  Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!  Worship 377
1          Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
Trumpets resounding in glorious light!
Splendor, the Lamb, heaven forever!
Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!

Refrain
Jesus is risen and we shall arise.
Give God the glory! Alleluia!

2   Walking the way, Christ in the center
telling the story to open our eyes;
breaking our bread, giving us glory:
Jesus our blessing, our constant surprise.  Refrain

3   Jesus the vine, we are the branches;
life in the Spirit the fruit of the tree;
heaven to earth, Christ to the people,
gift of the future now flowing to me.  Refrain

4   Weeping, be gone; sorrow, be silent:
death put asunder, and Easter is bright.
Cherubim sing: O grave, be open!
Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light.  Refrain

5   City of God, Easter forever,
golden Jerusalem, Jesus the Lamb,
river of life, saints and archangels,
sing with creation to God the I AM!  Refrain

Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926
Text © 1995 Augsburg Fortress.

Thanksgiving for Baptism                  Pastor Joy
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Refreshed by the resurrection life we share in Christ, let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

We thank you, risen Christ, for these waters where you make us new, leading us from death to life, from tears to joy. We bless you, risen Christ, that your Spirit comes to us in the grace-filled waters of rebirth, like rains to our thirsting earth, like streams that revive our souls, like cups of cool water shared with strangers. Breathe your peace on your church when we hide in fear. Clothe us with your mercy and forgiveness. Send us companions on our journey as we share your life. Make us one, risen Christ. Cleanse our hearts. Shower us with life. To you be given all praise, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the People
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.
A brief silence.

Praise to you for your power revealed in the resurrection! Fill your church with the power of your love that is stronger than death. Send us to tell the good news wherever death holds sway. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for your life at work in the resurrection! Fill all of creation with your life. Bring it to blossom and flourish; use it to remind us of your persistent grace. Cultivate our care for what you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for the peace made possible in the resurrection! Fill the nations with your peace. Draw together people of all nations and languages; reveal new possibilities and inspire new beginnings. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for the hope of the resurrection! Fill all in need with hope: those who are afraid or confused, those who are sick or suffering, those who are dying, and those who grieve (especially those we remember now… ). Assure them of your promises. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for the joy of your resurrection! Fill this assembly with joy as we are called your beloved in baptism. Multiply that joy so that we share it at home, at work, and in our community. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Praise to you for your faithfulness revealed in the resurrection! Fill us with trust, that we join with (Benedict the African and) all who have gone before us in proclaiming: “your mercy endures forever!” Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    

Sharing of the Peace
Johm riab sua.
Selam.
The peace of Christ be with you all. 

Offering – Beautiful Savior, Paul Swenson, organist, arrangements by Hal Hopson and David Cherwien

Offering Prayer
God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours, and your faithfulness is sure. Word and water, wine and bread: these are signs of your abundant grace. Receive the gifts we bring, and nourish us to proclaim your abiding love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song. Amen.

Holy Communion
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise. 

O God triune, how majestic is your name in all the earth. Over the eons your merciful might evolved our home, a fragile tree of life. Here by your wisdom are both life and death, growth and decay, the nest and the hunt, sunshine and storm, darkness and light. Sustained by these wonders, we creatures of dust join in the ancient song: The earth is full of your glory.
The earth is full of your glory.

O God triune, you took on our flesh in Jesus our healer.
In Christ you bring life from death; we remember his cross, we celebrate his resurrection.
Broken like bread, he enlivens our body. Outpoured like wine, he fills the earth with goodness. Receiving this mystery, we sing our song: The earth is full of your glory. The earth is full of your glory.

We praise you for the heart of Jesus, so filled with your love for this earth.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Gathered around this table, we your children unite in this song: The earth is full of your glory. The earth is full of your glory.

O God triune, you create the worlds, you uphold the living, you embrace the dead. Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Strengthen us for our journey with this meal, the body and blood of Christ. Give us a future that trusts in you and cares for your earth. Empowered by your promises, we rise from our deaths to praise you again: The earth is full of your glory. The earth is full of your glory.
Amen, and amen.
Amen, and amen.

Invitation
The risen Christ invites us to this table. Come, eat and be satisfied.

Now, if you are gathered with others, when the music begins, please share with one another first the bread and then the cup with the words, 

The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, poured out for you.

If you are by yourself, I offer this invitation… 

Receive the body of Christ, given for you.
Receive the blood of Christ, poured out for you.

And if for any reason you will not receive Communion bread & cup today, a blessing for you…
May God fill you up with the Holy Spirit and give you all that you need.

Communion Song – Day of Arising Worship 374
1          Day of arising, Christ on the roadway,
unknown companion walks with his own.
When they invite him, as fades the first day,
and bread is broken, Christ is made known.

2   When we are walking, doubtful and dreading,
blinded by sadness, slowness of heart,
yet Christ walks with us, ever awaiting
our invitation: Stay, do not part.

3   Lo, I am with you, Jesus has spoken.
This is Christ’s promise, this is Christ’s sign:
when the church gathers, when bread is broken,
there Christ is with us in bread and wine.

4   Christ, our companion, hope for the journey,
bread of compassion, open our eyes.
Grant us your vision, set all hearts burning
that all creation with you may rise.

Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, b. 1953
Text © 1996 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Prayer after Communion
Wellspring of joy, through this meal you have put gladness in our hearts. Satisfy the hunger still around us, and send us as joyful witnesses, that your love may bring joy to the hearts of all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Sending Song  Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia  Worship 364
Mfurahini, heleluya (originally in Swahili)

1   Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.
For our redeemer burst from the tomb, even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Refrain
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!

2   For three long days the grave did its worst
until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo,
and in its conquest his might did show.  Refrain

3   The angel said to them, “Do not fear.
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare.
Only the graveclothes are lying there.”  Refrain

4   “Go spread the news: he’s not in the grave.
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done.
Even the battle with sin is won.”  Refrain

5   Christ has arisen to set us free.
Alleluia, to him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing;
he reigns triumphant, heavenly king.  Refrain

Text: Bernard Kyamanywa, b. 1938; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922
Swahili text © 1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzania, admin. Augsburg Fortress. English text © 1977 Howard S. Olson, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Blessing
May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus.
The God of life, Creator, ☩ Christ and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

Dismissal
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Postlude – Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Paul Swenson, organist, arrangement by Ron Nelson