The Season of Easter: A Love That Cannot Wait

John Fluker, organist

Opening Announcements — Rev. Johan Dodge

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship!

Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact

with this growing community of faith. And so if you are joining us for

the first time, I say to you what I say every Sunday. You are welcome

here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of

God for God’s Very Good Creation. And if you are enjoying this

worship experience, I invite you to give to God in support of this

growing faith community.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

He is Risen He is Risen Indeed! He is Risen He is Risen Indeed! He is Risen He is Risen Indeed! Almighty God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ you broke the power of death and opened the way to eternal life. As the empty tomb stands witness to his triumph over death, make your church to be a bold testimony to his enduring victory in life, that all we do may proclaim to the world, “He is risen, indeed!” Through Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Let us unite our hearts in prayer, saying,

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For the Church throughout the world, that as we celebrate the feast of

Jesus ’resurrection, we may renew our faith and strengthen our

witness in Jesus ’name.

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For pastors, teachers, and ministers, that they be wise in leadership,

humble in service, and fearless in the face of evil;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For the governments of the world and its leaders, that they may

practice compassion and reject the politics that use death and

suffering as means of control;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For our planet Earth, that people may be good stewards of its

resources and share in its abundance;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer. For the poor and the stranger, that they may receive a place of

refuge, hope, and hospitality;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For the sick and those in distress, that they may find healing for their

pain and be restored to fullness of life;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For our neighbors, that together we may dwell in harmony;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

For our enemies, that we may love them and be agents of

reconciliation in the name of Jesus;

God of Resurrection, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, receive these prayers we offer, and by the power of

your Holy Spirit use us for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In

his name we pray.

Amen.

Almighty God, by the power of your Spirit roll away the stone and reveal to us the Word of Life. Amen.

Matthew 28:1-10 ¹ After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ² And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” ⁸ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Rev. Johan Dodge

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

We have learned in the past two weeks that there are major shifts

potentially taking place at the highest level of New Testament

scholarship concerning the Gospel of John and Mary Magdalene.

We already know from recent excavations that there were women

priests in the eariy Christian churches. How do these recent

revelations serve to open your eyes to the ongoing struggle of living

into the kindom of Love that Jesus came to establish? Where do you

need to let go of your long held beliefs in light of new information?

How does that experience open your mind and heart to further

experience and live out the love of God that cannot wait?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Virginia Olejnik

God has given us life in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In

gratitude, let us offer our hearts and the fruit of our labor to God’s

service.

Almighty God, by your grace, accept the fruit of our labor and the offering of our lives in union with our risen Lord who lives and reigns with you forever. Amen.

Receive the good news: Christ is risen. Live the good news: we are free to love as he has loved us. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.