RESPONSIVE PRAYER FOR EASTER (Book of Common Worship, pps. 314-315)

Leader: O Christ, in your resurrection, the heavens and the earth rejoice. Alleluia! By your

resurrection you broke open the gates of hell, and destroyed sin and death.

People: Keep us victorious over sin.

Leader: By your resurrection you raised the dead, and brought us from death to life.

People: Guide us in the way of eternal life.

Leader: By your resurrection you confounded your guards and executioners, and filled the disciples

with joy.

People: Give us joy in your service.

Leader: By your resurrection you proclaimed good news to the women and apostles, and brought

Salvation to the whole world.

People: Direct our lives as your new creation.

(A moment of silence)

Leader: God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

*HYMN “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” #260

CALL TO CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p. 53) See Heb. 4:14–16

Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins

against God and our neighbor.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p.87)

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace,

and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Book of Common Worship, p. 56) 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24

Leader: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus

came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,

that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of

Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

People: Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #579

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen, amen.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord of light who shines into our lives with your holy word. Open our minds and our hearts that your Word may speak to us and your Holy Spirit may inspire us to be your people, today and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19

*HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” #263

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Luke 24: 13-35

SERMON: “While We Were Walking” Rev. David McDonald

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his

only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the

third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the

dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the

forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*”catholic” (little c) is translated as “universal” and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” #101

‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’

Numbers 6:24-26 (Living Bible)

The hymn numbers we are now using are for the blue hymnal. We encourage you to use the blue hymnal to sing along during the Sunday service on Facebook and the web site, or as you read through the service in your homes. If you need a blue hymnal, please email or leave a phone message at the church and one will be delivered to your home. Many thanks to Julie Ward and Betty Ann Page who have volunteered to deliver the hymnals.

Let us continue to remember those on our Prayer List:

Marguerite Hufham, Sarah Melvin, Louise Quick, Ronnie Rush,

Juanita McGraw, Betty Johnson, Jane Minard, Bill Jackson,

Darrel Melvin, Happy Lashlee, Gerry Carey, Becky Regan,

John and Mary Ward, Tim Tart, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson,

Johnny Gooden, Carlis Smith, Bill Marsh Madeline NcNeill Long,

Shannon Wilcox, Polly Miller Kathy Lashley Clara Wooten Hunsucker, Ernest Ray Long Esther Collier, Jo Campbell, Linda Smith,

Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram Ted Johnson Doris Pait Skipper

Bill Greene, Jamie Clark, Judy Elkins Susan and David Butler, Richard Bridgers, Tim Crowder, Jimmy Hickman Dennis Mize,

Bob Nelson, Allison Ward, Holly Eppley, Jeneen Lee, Betty Faircloth, Joan McKeithan, Elizabeth Hall

THE SESSION

Julie Cox...…….…….Clerk & Contact Person for Church Membership

2020……..Julie Cox………………Bill Jackson………………..Pat Meshaw

2021…….Greg Brown……………Musette Hoefer……………..Dan Ward

2022…….Stewart Clark…………...Terri Duncan…... Lawrence McDougald