March 31st, 2024
EASTER SUNDAY
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. John G. Smith
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Scripture Reader: Shirley Woolner
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
We Gather
PRELUDE
“Fanfare for Easter” - C. Burton
WELCOME
OUR COMMITMENT to SAFE SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect. At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community. We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Petun, Huron-Wendat, and Mississauga peoples, located within the boundary of Treaty 18 region of 1818. We humbly acknowledge the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada as traditional stewards of the land on which we work and worship and are committed to working actively toward genuine restitution and reconciliation.
THE EASTER STORY: John 20: 1-18 (New International Ver.)
On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus' favorite disciple and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him.”
Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in.
When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus' face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself. The disciple who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed. At that time Peter and the other disciple did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise to life. So the two of them went back to the other disciples.
Now Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. The angels asked Mary,
“Why are you crying?”
She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.” As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” which means “Teacher.”
Jesus told her, “Don’t hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But go and tell my disciples that I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.”
Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Early on the first day of the week a rumour began to circulate.
An idle tale.
A strange and beautiful tale!
Who could believe it?
Yet the rumour continued to spread far and wide
And would come true again and again and again.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Our hearts are full; our spirits rise up with new hope!
The story of death is not the final chapter.
For nothing can put out the light and love of God:
It lives in us forever!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
The Christ light could not be put out!
The Christ light is stronger than grief or heartache or pain.
The Christ light is stronger than death!
The Christ light lives in us still and will always shine,
always resurrect, always bring us new life.
Hallelujah! AMEN!
*HYMN
“Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia!” (Tune VU155)
1. Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah!
Our triumphant holy day! Hallelujah!
Who did once upon the cross, Hallelujah!
Suffer to redeem our loss! Hallelujah!
2. Truth to power, Jesus spoke, Hallelujah!
Caesar’s wrath he did provoke: Hallelujah!
“Love your God alone”, he cried, Hallelujah!
For this he was crucified. Hallelujah!
3. Friends all scattered then like sheep, Hallelujah!
Mary, at his cross, did weep, Hallelujah!
But on Sunday, at the tomb, Hallelujah!
Angel brilliance chased the gloom, Hallelujah!
4. “He’s not here among the dead: Hallelujah!
Be no longer filled with dread!” Hallelujah!
So we join those women strong! Hallelujah!
As we share this gospel song! Hallelujah!
PRAYER
We raise our voices today in the name of Love Eternal,
and in the name of the Risen Christ
For today is the first day of Love’s Uprising in the world.
Today is the day of Love’s Uprising in our Hearts!
Today is the day of Love’s Uprising in our Souls!
Today is the day of Love’s Uprising in the world around us.
We thank you God for this day.
We thank you that we can breathe again, that we can live again, that we can hope again.
We thank you for the fullness of your love,
That you fill every fibre of our being with your deep eternal love for us.
We thank you God for the rebirth of hope and compassion,
For the renewed sense of meaning and purpose this day provides.
We thank you for lifting our spirits, and helping us to see a future
That is full goodness and promise, justice and joy.
May we meet the risen Christ once again, on this day.
May we find the risen Christ among us this day.
May we take the risen Christ with us in our hearts when we go.
And may the risen Christ bring peace to our souls.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Amen! Hallelujah!
A CHILDREN’S STORY
*HYMN: VU #187
“The Spring Has Come”
1. The spring has come, let all the church be part of it!
The world has changed, and God is at the heart of it!
New light, new day, new colour after winter grey.
New light, new day,
the spring has come, let all the church be part of it!
2. The sun is warm, let all God’s children play in it!
The world expands, let’s spread the Gospel way in it!
New leaf, new thrust, new greening for the love of Christ.
New leaf, new thrust,
the sun is warm, let all God’s children play in it!
3. The spring has come, new people are the flowers of it.
Through wind and rain, new life is in the showers of it.
New bud, new shoot, new hope will bear the Spirit’s fruit.
New bud, new shoot,
the spring has come, new people are the flowers of it!
WE LISTEN
SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 16: 1- 8 (New King James Version)
He Is Risen
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
RESPONSE
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!
ANTHEM
“Hallelujah, Sing with Glory!” D. Besig
SERMON: “Love’s Uprising”
We Respond
PRAYER OF DEDICATION for the OFFERING
The work of creating a world that works for all,
requires many gifts, many talents, many resources.
We bring all that we have, our courage, our strength,
our prayers and our dreams,
our gifts of time and treasure,
and all the love and acceptance we embody,
to create God’s world of justice and joy.
Thanks be to God.
AMEN
Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca select, “Give”,
or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
or phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer
Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON. N0H 2P0
or offering plate at the back of the sanctuary.
Care, Prayer, Share
*COMMUNION HYMN: VU #477
“I Come With Joy, A Child of God”
1. I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall
in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.
2. I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread,
in Christ’s communion bread.
3. As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
4. The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here,
alive among us here.
5. Together met, together bound
by all that God has done
we’ll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.
COMMUNION PRAYER
May the risen Christ be with you!
And also with you!
Lift up your hearts!
We lift our hearts to the Holy One among us!
Let us give thanks to God!
It is right to give God thanks and praise!
(prayer continues)
Sharing of Communion Bread and Juice
In the United Church, there is overflowing welcome, joy, and blessing at our table. There are no barriers to God’s love, and no barriers to joy or blessing. Every single person is welcome to share in the bread and the juice of communion. May it be a time for you to deepen your relationship with God, and to join in the fellowship of justice and joy here at Grace United.
MUSIC DURING COMMUNION
Improvisation on a Hymn - C. Burton
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION: (together)
For the bread we have eaten, for the wine we have tasted,
For the love we have shared, and the joy re-kindled in our spirits,
We thank you God.
Grant that what we have been given here at this table,
Will remain always in our hearts,
And that the love of the risen Christ will fill us with hope for our world,
Each and every day. AMEN
WHAT’S UP AT GRACE
We Go Out to Serve
*HYMN: VU #173
“Thine is the Glory”
1. Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where the body lay.
Refrain:
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
2. Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb!
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth: death hath lost its sting.
Refrain:
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
3. No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Refrain
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
*COMMISSIONING
POSTLUDE
“This Joyful Eastertide” - Dutch Carol, arr. C. Burton
*****
LITURGY SOURCES:
Prayers: written by Rev. Dr. John Greg Smith
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:
- “Jesus Christ is Risen Today Alleluia:” Text: ©2010, Juanita Austin. Used with permission. Music: Public Domain. Descant: Derek Holman.
- “The Spring has Come:” Words: Shirley Erena Murray © 1992, Music: Colin Gibson © 1993 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission Words, Music: Hope Publishing Company. One License #608577.
- “I Come With Joy, A Child of God:” Words: Brian Wren 1968 © 1971, Arrangement © 1977 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Music: American folk tune from William Walker’s Southern Harmony .Words, Arrangement: Hope Publishing Company. Music: Public Domain. One License #608577
- ”Thine is the Glory:” Words: Edmond Louis Budry. Translation: Richard Birch Hoyle © 1925 World Student Christian Federation, Ecumenical Centre, 5 route des Morillons, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland. Music: Harmonia Sacra, arrangement from George Frideric Handel. Words, Translation: World Student Christian Federation. Music: Public Domain. One License #608577
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: New International Version and the New King James Version.
Prelude: “Fanfare for Easter“ - C.Burton
Anthem: “Hallelujah, Sing with Glory!” - D. Besig. © 2000 Shawnee Press, inc. OneLicense #608577
Music for Communion: Improvisation on a Hymn - C. Burton
Postlude: “This Joyful Eastertide” - Dutch Carol, arr. C. Burton
