The Lord is risen!
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
welcome to church online
April 12, 2020
Easter ARound the World
It's easy for us to feel disconnected this Easter: we are not able to meet together in the way we normally do.
That does not mean that we are not still the Body of Christ, everywhere, celebrating together today!
We were blessed to be asked to be a part of an initiative of Christians worldwide sending Easter greetings to one another in this short video. Be encouraged as you hear the voices of your brothers and sisters far and wide.
Christ's Family is not separated by time or distance. The power of the Resurrection makes us One.
He is Risen Indeed!
family news
prayer
Mighty God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
You stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning
when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people.
Amen.
scripture readings
John 20:1-18; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Colossians 3:1-4
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
SPecial Guest Speakers: A Kids' Easter Interview
sermon
communion thoughts
from Scott J.
This is a unique time that we are living
in. Being created in the image of the Triune God, we were meant to be in
relationship with others. We have grown accustomed to a certain way of
experiencing relationships and we are dealing with the challenge of coming up
new and creative of ways of maintaining relationships with those we love. I am
a hugger by nature, and I won’t lie, air hugs don’t really cut it.
As we approach the Easter weekend, we all know it will look unlike any Easter that we have experienced before. Although we will deeply miss the events we love, like gatherings, family dinners or other group events we typically celebrate on Easter weekend, my hope is that you will be encouraged. As I have reflected on the Easter story this week, I have been profoundly impacted by an image that has not taken hold of me before.
In the Gospel of Luke, the encounter of Jesus and the two criminals is recorded.
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Jesus, in the darkest hours of his life, enters into a relationship with this man. In Christ’s loving way, he extends himself and restores him. Jesus provides him with relationship like he had never experienced before. I’ve tried to sit quietly this week and let Jesus words to the man pour over me. “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Before you partake of the elements, take a moment to reflect on those words in silence. Try and imagine how hearing those words would have felt to that man.
I believe those words are true for us every day. I have felt great encouragement this week as I try to let those words sit on my heart. Church, we will get through this and I trust we will be better for it on the other end. I love and miss you all deeply and I am waiting and anticipating with excitement the day that we will be able to worship together in person again. But I am encouraged in this time, knowing that in Christ’s death and resurrection we have victory. Continue to strive for relationship with Him.
I have also been singing one of my favourite hymns this week. You can picture me singing it, but with the voice of Alan Jackson. You might find that more helpful.
Blessings and love to all of you this Easter weekend. He Has Risen!!
Scott Jacobson
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Saviour, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
want to share communion live?
Use email or social media to invite others to join you
at a virtual meeting via facetime / zoom / skype / google
hangouts
and work through the elders' guide together (see here).
Some of the elders will also be hosting virtual Communion
gatherings
at various times on Sunday.
To find out more, contact them here.
offering
parting blessing
It's been wonderful celebrating Easter with you today.
May the Lord bless and keep you, and constantly remind you that He is risen.
And may that knowledge fill you with joy and love so you can better love and encourage others this week.
Now, here's one more song to lead us out.