The Lord’s Service March 27, 2016 WELCOME TO REDEEMER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America Thank you for visiting Redeemer Presbyterian Church— Midtown Detroit congregation; a new church in the heart of the city, with a heart for the city. We believe there is a true renaissance underway in the city of Detroit, but that a lasting renaissance will not only involve positive advancement in industry, education and commerce, but also a collaboration of churches working together to make the Gospel accessible to all people, and to seek the welfare of the city we are called to serve. Redeemer is striving to build a community that is as racially ethnically, and socio-economically diverse as our city, in which believers and skeptics can explore the big questions of life and Christianity’s answers, work together for a thriving city, and serve those in need in the neigh- borhoods in which we live. Our Sunday worship services are vibrant, liturgical and participatory. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper each week because we believe Jesus’ promise that it is true food for the soul as a means of God’s grace to his people. Again, thank you for visiting Redeemer. It is our hope that you will find us to be a community where Detroiters can experience the hospitality, peace and transforming presence of Jesus Christ. Pastor Dan Millward To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; to whoever will come - this church opens wide her doors and offers you welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Order for the Public Worship of God Easter Sunday REFLECTION “Apart from [the resurrection] the incarnation and the ministry would lose all their significance, the crucifixion would be but a martyrdom, and the cross a symbol of the victory of death over life. By the Resurrection it was that the Crucified One was “declared to be the Son of God with power,” the great truth on which the Christian’s faith is founded, and to which his hope is anchored. That Christ died for our sins is the Gospel of the Christian religion regarded as a human cult. The Gospel of Christianity goes on to declare “That He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:4). And to show the immeasurable importance of the added words, the Holy Spirit testifies that if Christ be not raised, our faith is vain, we are yet in our sins... The empty tomb, and not the manger of Bethlehem, is the earthly symbol of the great birth upon which Christianity is founded. Were it not for Bethlehem there could be no Calvary; but, apart from the Resurrection, Calvary were but a stupendous disaster, of which the Cross would be for all time the emblem.” | Sir Robert Anderson, Christian author and Presbyterian theologian “When I looked at religion I said, I have two questions. One, has anybody ever conquered death, and two, if they have, did they make a way for me to conquer death? I checked the tomb of Buddha, and it was occupied, and I checked the tomb of Confucius and it was occupied, and I checked the tomb of Mohammed and it was occupied, and I came to the tomb of Jesus and it was empty. And I said, There is one who conquered death. And I asked the second question, Did He make a way for me to do it? And I opened the Bible and discovered that He said, ‘Because I live ye shall live also.’” | Dr. G. B. Hardy, Canadian scientist “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.” | Charles Colson WELCOME Pastor Dan Millward PRELUDE + PREPARATION 2 CALL TO WORSHIP 1 CORINTHIANS 15:55-56 MINISTER Where, O death, is your victory? ALL Where, O death, is your sting? MINISTER The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ALL But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. MINISTER Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen! ALL The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia! MINISTER Let us pray. THE GREETING 2 THESSALONIANS 1:2; 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 MINISTER Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ALL Amen. HYMNS OF PRAISE CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY ALL Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! 3 = Please Stand CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS ALL Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns, all music but its own Awake, my soul, and sing, of Him who died for thee And hail him as thy matchless King, through all eternity Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave And rose victorious in the strife, for those he came to save His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high Who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die Crown Him the Lord of Lords, who over all doth reign Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King Crown Him the Lord of love, behold his hands and side Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me Thy praise and glory shall not fail, throughout eternity O OUR LORD ALL We behold the rising sun The earth awaits; our hope is come We look to You; we long for You, O Lord We behold the breaking dawn Come, light that shines over everyone We look to You; we long for You, O Lord CHORUS O, our Lord! O, our Lord! How majestic is Your name in all the earth We behold the falling rain Send your Spirit; flood this place We reach for You; we cling to You, O Lord (chorus) BRIDGE Lord, your name is a light in the darkness Lord, your name is the word of truth Matchless name, Holy name 4 = Please Stand PRAYER OF CONFESSION ROMANS 5:8 MINISTER “God shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Let us then with one voice confess our sins to God. ALL Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. Like your people of old, we too have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have not followed your commandments nor loved our neighbor as ourselves. Lord, because of your steadfast love, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of abundant life given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen. DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS 2 CORINTHIANS 5:15 MINISTER And Christ died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 5 = Please Stand SONG OF ASSURANCE YOUR GREAT NAME ALL The lost are saved; find their way at the sound of your great name All condemned feel no shame at the sound of your great name Every fear has no place at the sound of your great name The enemy—he has to leave at the sound of your great name CHORUS Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us: son of God and man You are high and lifted up And all the world will praise Your great name, Your great name All the weak find their strength at the sound of your great name Hungry souls receive grace at the sound of your great name The fatherless—they find their rest at the sound of your great name The sick are healed, the dead are raised at the sound of your great name BRIDGE Redeemer, my healer, Lord Almighty My savior, defender, You are my king PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE CITY Jerome Gorgon ANNOUNCEMENTS Dismissal of Children to Redeemer Kids Room We welcome children for the entire worship service. However, a specifically designed time for children ages 6 months to 4 years old, who are not yet ready to be part of the entire service, is held from the offertory until after the Sermon.