GATHERING TO PRAISE GOD Sunday, April 23 , 2023
Prelude
Choral Introit
Welcome
Praise Song
The People Gather
L: Let us bear witness to God’s new life moving within and among us.
P: God is doing a new thing. Let us rejoice and give thanks!
Hymn
The People Pray
L: Glory be to you,
P: God our strength and our redeemer.
L: The vacant cross vindicate your claim that the love that suffers is the love that saves.
P: The empty tomb shows that out of death new life may come.
L: So fill your people with joy and your church with celebration.
P: That the world may know that your Holy Son Jesus is not a dead hero we commemorate, but the living Lord we worship, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be our praise forever.
Special Music
Children’s Moment
The People Confess Their Sin
L: Holy Source of New Life, you promise to set us free
from fear, and doubt..
P: Yet we resist your invitation, seeing only what we must give up if we are to follow the path of Jesus.
L: You call us to have faith in your presence and power, but your call takes us beyond anything we can see or touch.
P: We fear placing our trust in things beyond our control and the change that may come.
L: We doubt that you can bring new life.
P: Forgive us when we turn away from your promise of abundant life.
L: Heal us and lead us home, Holy One. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Whenever we seek to leave behind our old ways and turn to God for help, God forgives our faithlessness and strengthens us for the road ahead.
The Word of God for the People of God
Scripture
Revelation 21:5
Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived.
Message The Only Constant in Life Is Change.”- Heraclitus
Pastoral Prayer
The People Bring Their Gifts
There are baskets in the back or use your online app
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The People Offer Praise** Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
The People Go into The World
Hymn
Benediction
Postlude