First Congregational Church of Plainfield s2

First Congregational Church of Plainfield United Church of Christ 860-564-5932 www.fccplainfield.org email [email protected] MARCH 27, 2016 – Easter Sunday

Please silence all cell phones. PRELUDE– Jean Barrett, pianist Let us prepare our hearts for worship as we sing Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, move among us all; make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love; humble, caring, selfless, sharing. Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love.

INTROIT - The Choir Chimes CANDLE OF REMEMBRANCE & PRAYER We light this candle for those in harm’s way; for those serving our country in the military, for those in the service of the United Nations and for those involved in other humanitarian agencies. Deacons for March –

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP – Deacon George Brew This is the day the Lord has made! We will rejoice in it. This is the day God has made; and what a day! When God wipes away our tears so we can see the empty tomb. What a day! Easter day! When God opens our hearts' tombs as Jesus calls us by name.

-2- -3- Please stand. OPENING HYMN – Jesus Christ is Risen Today # 295 ASSURANCE OF PARDON– Pastor What a day! Easter Day! God's dawn of new hope, new mercy, PRAYER OF INVOCATION – in unison new life. On this first day and every day, we can walk as God's Holy God our Salvation: you roll away the power of sin, people, forgiven and made whole. bringing forth the One who makes everything alive. Out of the Thanks be to God. Amen. garden of violence and hate which evil has planted, you bring forth a spring harvest of love and forgiveness. Jesus Christ, GLORIA PATRI Creation's Gardener: you went into the grave to drive out the Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. power of the world; you shut the doors of pain and death and As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, open the gates of glory to those who trust in you and follow world without end. Amen. Amen. Please be seated as your faithful servants. Holy Spirit, Anointer of new life: you speak and open our eyes to faith; you touch our lips with glad songs of victory; you roll away our fears so we can tell Flower Procession and Placement on the Cross everyone we have seen the Risen Lord. God in Community, Holy in One, on this great day of Easter, we pray as Jesus OFFERING INVITATION – Deacon George Brew taught us, saying together,(The Lord's Prayer) God of great wonders, we join with you in the joy of giving. You give us life and breath, you fill the world with beauty, our hands with bounty, and our hearts with the desire to give. Our gifts PRAYER OF CONFESSION - in unison led by (based on Isaiah 65: 17-25) On this first day of the week, Emptier of tombs, we must will be gathered now. admit that we have not lived faithfully the last few days. It is OFFERTORY not that we have done great evil; we simply have failed to do good. It is not so much that we have caused hurt, but we Please stand. have not brought healing. It is not that we have trouble DOXOLOGY believing in the event of Easter, we have difficulty speaking Praise God the source of life and breath; about this day to our friends and neighbors. Praise Christ, now born to conquer death; Call us by name, Redeemer of all creation, so we might hear Praise Holy Spirit’s mystery: One God, pure grace, who sets us free. Amen. your words of mercy. You have not given us over to despair, but handed us hope. You have not ignored our emptiness, PRAYER OF DEDICATION- in unison lead by Deacon Brew but filled us with the Bread of Heaven. You do not hand us On this day of new finery, help us to clothe those who have over to death, but raise us to new life, through Jesus Christ, charity shop outfits. On this day of family feasts, help us to our Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray. feed those who stand at the back of restaurant kitchens hoping for the left-overs. On this day of rejoicing, show us Silence is kept those who need an embrace of compassion and hope. On this day of new life, let us dedicate not just our material gifts, but our very lives in sharing the great glad news of Easter. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

-4- Please be seated.

Special Music: Church Choir

PRAYER REQUESTS – Pastor

PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR PRAYER Change my heart, O God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O God, may I be like you. You are the Potter, I am the clay; mold me and make me, this is what I pray. Change my heart, O God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.

THE CHURCH FAMILY AT PRAYER – Pastor Lead me Lord; lead me in Thy righteousness. Make Thy way plain before my face. For it is Thou Lord, Thou Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Acts 10: 34-43 Deacon George Brew Luke 24:1-12 Pastor Stirling

THE MESSAGE: RESPIRATION OR RESUSCITATION

SPECIAL MUSIC: CHURCH CHOIR

COMMUNION LITURGY: PLEASE SEE INSERT

COMMUNION SHARING

Please stand CLOSING HYMN- He Lives # 302