Easter
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
April 9, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: "Life is full of ups and downs. Glorify God during the ups and fully trust in God during the downs" - Unknown
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude: Easter Song | Hughes
Introit Easter Acclamation | Schrader/Allen
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
God has answered us!
God has come to earth to become our salvation!
This is the day the Lord has made:
let us rejoice and be glad! Alleluia!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Christ the Lord is Risen Today!
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Resurrected Christ,
there is nothing we can do
to deserve the grace you give us.
There is no way we can earn your love,
there is no way we can be worthy
of your forgiveness.
And yet you shower these mercies on us.
You, who have taken away the sting of death,
meet us where we are,
in our doubt and fear,
in our regrets and shame,
in our delight and awe.
Meet us here in this place,
and call us once again to trust in you.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
God says to us,
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Christ says to us, Do not be afraid.
We need not fear; we are forgiven,
we are loved, we are redeemed!
Alleluia!
The Law of God:
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Christ the Lord is Risen Today! | Cobb
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: John 20:1-18
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Alleluya/Alleluia
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: "We are Witnesses!" | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering Christ is Alive | Pote
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Communion Hymn: Now to Your Table Spread
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: Holy and right it is and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord our Creator, almighty and everlasting God!...
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name.
Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
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!
Remembering the Work of Christ
One: Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. ... Together we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Memorial Acclamation
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Invocation of the Spirit
One: So send your Holy Spirit upon us we pray... Even so, come Lord Jesus we pray.
All: Amen
Holy Communion
Words of Institution
One: The bread which we break is our communion with the body of Christ. The body of Christ is broken for you.
One: The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ. The blood of Christ is shed for you.
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
We offer our prayers through Christ,
who lives and reigns forever,
and prays for us in heaven.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for the church . . .
Let us be people of joy, living witnesses
to the power of the resurrection
and the good news of your grace and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for the earth . . .
From the dust of the damaged earth,
raise up your new creation,
full of beauty, wonder, and glory.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for all nations . . .
Let the message of your saving power
spread throughout the world:
that the dominion of death is no more.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for this community . . .
Let the doors of this church be open wide
as we go forth in love and service
and others come in to find a home.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for loved ones . . .
Give hope to those who wait for good news.
Turn their mourning into dancing,
and their sorrow into joy. (names read)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all power and glory, receive these prayers, and continue your mighty work among us, through Jesus Christ, our living Lord. Amen.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…
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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Christ is Risen Shout Hosanna
Benediction
Postlude: Resurrection Celebration |Phillips
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, April 2 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, April 16 - eggs
Sunday, April 23 - gallon(s) whole milk
UPCOMING EVENTS
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED