Online Worship
Worship for Easter Sunday
First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Easter Sunday
April 17, 2022
Photo by Ann Farrell
Getting Centered
It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s presence with you during the time of worship. You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.
Breath Prayer
“Alleluia, alleluia!”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.
Easter Photo Show
Prelude
“Galliard Battaglia” by Samuel Scheidt B
“Sonata from Die Bankelsangerlieder”
“Canzona per Sonare No. 4” by Giovanni Gabrieli
Call to Worship
One: When God is up to something,
Many: God wins.
One: When love is up to something,
Many: Love wins.
One: If you try to stop God, to stop love,
Many: God breaks in anew.
One: Nothing, nothing!
Many: Not even the power of death!
One: Can stop God’s love.
Many: Alleluia, thanks be to God!
Hymn #302: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
Connecting in Prayer
Shared Prayer
God of Life and Love,
We are an Easter people.
We are defined by your refusal to accept the world’s “no.”
We are defined by the ways you make a way out of no way,
that you spring forth with life
when it looked like death had won.
You are eternally new.
You are infinitely creative.
You are love.
And we are yours.
And we are grateful.
Amen
Silent Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
Word and Reflection
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25 and John 20:1-8
Children’s Time: “Happy Easter!”
Hymn #318: “Christ Is Alive”
Passing of the Peace
If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.
Whether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God’s peace within, and then to share it with the world. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.
Sermon: “The Richness of the Unknown” – Rev. Sara Baron
Responding
Offertory: “Tone Poem on “Were You There” arranged by Virginia Halberg
Offering
Photo by Larry McArthur
If you wish, you are welcome to use this time to make a donation to the church online, or to put a check in the mail.
The time of offering is not only about our financial gifts to the church, it is about offering our lives to God and the building of the kindom. This is a time for reflection: What is being asked of us? What is being given to us? What are we able to offer? What do we need?
An Easter Prayer
God of Life and Love,
In all that you do, you enhance life and share love.
In all that we do, we seek to enhance life and share love.
May the gifts that we give, and the ones that we receive, be blessed as sources of life and love.
Amen
Hymn #304: “Easter People, Raise Your Voices”
Benediction
One: Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
Many: Christ is Risen indeed!
One: Go, people of a living God, and live out God’s love.
Many: Amen!
Postlude
“With the Lord Begin Your Task” by Johann Sebastian Bach arranged by Benjamin Culli
