Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster 328 West Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 April 16, 2017
Easter
Photo by Kandace Helmuth
Prelude CMCL Choir “Nzamuranza/Glory to God” from Xitswa, Mozambique
Arr. Patrick Matsikenyiri
“Come, ye faithful, raise the strain”
Lighting the Peace Lamp
Welcome The Lord is Risen The Lord is Risen, Indeed
Call to worship based on STS #178
Lord Jesus Christ, we greet you. The cross has not defeated you, the grave has not kept you silent. At the first dew of the morning, you met our sister, Mary, and called her by name.
We are your family and friends, and though numbed by your death We come hesitantly but gladly, to confirm the rumor that you are alive.
Meet us as you met Mary, with gentleness and resolution. Speak our names quietly in our hearts, that we may proclaim your presence boldly.
Photo by Sherry Teal
Singing Low in the grave he lay HWB #273 I know that my Redeemer lives HWB #277 Children’s time Darrell Yoder Come and see HWB #20
We value children’s participation in worship. This is a sacred time, and children’s ideas and questions come from earnest seeking. During this time we ask you not to laugh, but to listen and see with the ears and eyes of a child.
(Children 4 and under are dismissed for child care)
Greetings of Peace
Offering/Offertory Choir “That Easter day with joy was bright”
“Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli Sing, Be, Live, See… The dark stormy hour, The wind, it stirs. The scorched earth Cries out in vain. O war and power, You blind and blur. The torn heart Cries out in pain. But music and singing Have been my refuge, And music and singing Shall be my light. A light of song Shining strong; Alleluia! Through darkness, pain and strive, I’ll Sing, Be, Live, See… Peace.
Scripture Matthew 28:1–10 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of
the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.”
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Singing This is the threefold truth HWB 335
Sermon How you will know Him Susan Gascho-Cooke
Singing HWB #280 Christ the Lord is risen today
Sharing and Prayer Where do you sense God moving among us?
This is a time to respond to the scripture, music and message of the morning, and to share joys and concerns from your lives and the greater world.
Announcements
Singing Lift your glad voices HWB #275
Benediction
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Worship Leader––Randy Newswanger Sermon—Susan Gascho-Cooke
Prelude/Offertory—Easter Choir, led by Marty Kelley Song Leader—Ron Umble
Sound Technician—Ken Kulp Environment—Nancy Baum, Tim Baum
Greeter—Ruth Hartzler Martin Ushers—Linda Berger, Esther Becker
Child Care No Christian Ed Hour
10 a.m.—Christine Kaufman, Mary Lou Weaver Houser Helper—Amani Kaufman
This month at CMCL: April 19 Mennonite Women at Roth Walter home, 7–9 p.m. 22 Mennonite Women—Earth Day Gathering, 3–4 p.m. 23 8th Grade Bible presentation 23 Venture Club, 3–4 p.m.
Credits: Sherry Teal, photographer, is a graduate student in public history at Middle Tennessee State University. Caption for photo of daffodils on front page reads as follows: “Sherry Teal conducting fieldwork in early March, 2017, at Old Jefferson, Tennessee: Identifying bulb plantings that suggest front stoop and sidewalk.”