April 27 — Resurrection Witness

Peace be with you. Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. You are welcome here. God loves all people. God is still speaking…Christ is risen! Alleluia!

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

*CALL TO WORSHIP — John Weiland
One: Children of God, come and worship.
All: We come to worship Jesus Christ, risen forever!
One: Come to receive forgiveness for your sins.
All: We come to discover hope in the face of fear.
One: Jesus Christ appears and declares, “My peace I give to you.”
All: Our Savior is here!
One: Our Savior is alive!
All: We come to rejoice in life born out of death. Alleluia!

*HYMN — Come Christians, Join to Sing — #70

Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, Before his throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice: Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high, Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend, To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end: Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again; Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore, His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore, “Alleluia! Amen!”

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — John Weiland
God of all our beginnings; may this day begin with praises for you! Let every breath become a witness to your Spirit, living within us and among us. Open our hearts to receive your saving gifts. Use our voices to proclaim your unsurpassed greatness. May the sound of our celebration help people to sense your powerful presence and to claim the joy of serving you, in Christ’s name. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Be Still and Know — #24

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that heal-eth thee.
I am the Lord that heal-eth thee.
I am the Lord that heal-eth thee.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 118:14-29 — John Weiland

SPECIAL MUSIC — I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

GOD’S WORD — John 20:19-31 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN — Because He Lives — #275

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
Refrain

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
Refrain

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy He gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Refrain

And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Refrain

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE — Lord, I Lift Your Name on High