April 18, 2021
Third Sunday of Easter
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In the radiant joy of Easter life, we gather here to worship our living Lord.
People: With the bold faith of Easter life, we continue our journeys of discipleship.
Leader: Inspired with the renewed hope of Easter life, we serve the risen Christ.
People: Illumined with the wonder of Easter life, we reflect God’s light in the world.
Leader: Embraced with the love of Easter life, we share God’s grace with all humanity.
People: Let us celebrate the gift of Easter life, for Christ is risen. Shout Hosanna!
HYMN Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Ken Heischman
Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder: All creation is amazed.
In the desert all surrounding, See, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding Bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen! Raise your spirits From the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection, Not a servant, but a friend,
Jesus is our strong companion. Joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven Nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation Where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us, Sing Hosanna, everyone!
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (unison)
Merciful God, Conqueror of death and Giver of life,
although we celebrate the good news of the resurrection,
we often cling to our old patterns of living.
You walk beside us on the road of life, but we often fail to recognize Your presence.
You have called us to follow You to hope-filled horizons, but we continue on the dusty
paths of despair.
You have broken the chains of humiliation and death, but we remain entombed in
the darkness of the past.
Have mercy upon us, Lord, and forgive our sin.
Roll away the stone from our eyes, so that we may see where You are leading us;
roll away the stone from our lives, so that we may follow You faithfully;
and roll away the stone from our minds, so that we may discover the newness
that You reveal,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray.
(Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from Psalm 30:11-12)
Leader: By God’s grace, our mourning has been turned into dancing, and the Lord has clothed
us with joy.
People: So we will always praise God and not be silent, and we will give thanks to the
Lord forever.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
HYMN Open Our Eyes, Lord Ken Heischman
Open our eyes, Lord.
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord,
And help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord.
We want to see Jesus.
(Repeat)
SCRIPTURE Luke 24:36-49
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them,
“Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing
a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your
hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a
ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this,
he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still
wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of
broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, “These are
my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me
in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their
minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the
Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and
forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father
promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
MEDITATION “Witnesses”
ANTHEM Be Thou My Vision – Slane
Southwestern Baptist Seminary Choir
Joe Crider, Professor of Church Music and Worship
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO GIVE
There is much that we can offer to the Lord for all that God has done for us.
We can offer the intention of our wills, the commitment of our souls, and the love of our hearts,
as we share in outreach opportunities for “Project HOPE” as they address global public health
challenges by transforming lives and uplifting communities.
We can offer the work of our hands, the creativity of our minds, and the resources of our
lives, as we promote the Hunger Walk in our church and community since the need for food
across the nation has significantly increased due to the pandemic.
As disciples, we respond to God’s grace in our lives by giving our time, our talents, and
our resources for the Lord’s work.
Therefore, in response to what God has done for us,
let us now offer to God the best that we have to give,
and may God bless you as you bless others through your gifts.
BENEDICTION (adapted from Hebrews 13:20-21 and Numbers 6:24-26)
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd
of the sheep,
equip you with everything good that you may do God’s will,
and accomplish that which is pleasing in God’s sight.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
may the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
may the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
CHORAL RESPONSE The Lord Bless Your and Keep You – Peter Lutkin
Mater Dei High School Virtual Choir
Santa Ana, California
Jodi Reed, Director of Choral and Vocal Musi
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