Friends, it is Easter Sunday. Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
A reminder that our current church announcements are available here,
We will gather on Zoom for a special Easter communion service at 9:30 a.m. (Please have bread and beverage ready.) And you are invited to join us for sharing prayer concerns and conversation on Zoom each Sunday morning at 11. For both gatherings, Simply click this link.
Remember this banner that Anne helped us create together for Ash Wednesday?
It has been transformed into a beautiful Easter celebration!
You are encouraged to enter into worship in an intentional way this morning. That might mean creating a special worship space in your home, lighting a candle, or simply closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Some of you might also appreciate having a knitting, coloring, or other project available as you listen to the audio parts of this service.
Prelude: “Hallelujah, The Great Storm is Over” from Melissa and Bob Atchison
Scripture Reading from Jill Allen: Jeremiah 31:1-6
Welcome from Pastor Joanna
Good morning. What a joy it is to worship together this Easter Sunday–even if we are physically separate as we worship. I’m excited for all of the music in this service and look forward to singing Easter hymns with Mennonites from across the US and Canada. (The fact that they won’t be able to hear me singing is just an added bonus!)
I know that many things in our lives and our world are difficult right now. I pray this time of worship grounds you in the hope and joy that we know as followers of Jesus Christ, the Resurrected One.
Call to Worship
The earth is shaking. Are angels descending?
The tomb is before us. Is the stone rolling back?
It’s bright as lightening, blinding as the sun reflecting off of snow.
Of course we are afraid. But we need not tremble.
We need not become like the dead.
Because the tomb is empty and we are called
first to worship, then to go with joy and tell the good news!
Hymn: Christ the Lord is Risen Today
You are invited to sing along with these Mennonites from Vancouver, B.C. (#280 in the blue Hymnal: A Worship Book)
- Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
All creation join to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, O heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia! - Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! - Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, he all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! - Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! - King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia!
thus to sing and thus to love:Alleluia!
Congregational Prayer:
How can we hold you in prayer this week? Please consider sharing with the community by joining our 11:00 Zoom call, commenting below, or emailing Pastor Joanna.
As you pray, silently or aloud:
- Give God thanks for what is good and beautiful in your life and in the world right now.
- Pray for those who are struggling and suffering–include any prayer requests you know of from others in our church community and prayers for those impacted by COVID-19.
- Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in your life.
- Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer. (New Zealand version is below.)
Hymn: Thine is the glory
You are invited to sing along with these Mennonites from across the United States and Canada. (#269 in Hymnal: A Worship Book; note that the words being sung are somewhat different from those in the hymnal.)
Children’s Time: Instead of doing something for children this week, we get to hear one of our beloved children, Norah, sing “Jesus Loves Me”!
As an added bonus, watch Norah blow bubbles!
Scripture Reading from Jill Allen: Matthew 28:1-10
Hymn: Low in the grave he lay
You are invited to sing along with these Mennonites from across the United States and Canada. (#273 in Hymnal: A Worship Book)
(Text by Robert Lowry, 1874)
- Low in the grave he lay, Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord! - Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus, my Lord! - Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Chorus: Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes!
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever with his saints to reign!
He arose! He arose! Alleluia! Christ arose!
Message from Joanna Harader
Time of Reflection: You are invited to spend a few moments considering today’s scriptures, music, and message as you view the slide show below of flowers that people have shared.
Music: The Lord is Risen Indeed!
Offering:
You are invited to mail your financial contributions to the church (615 Lincoln St., Lawrence, KS, 66044) or to the home of our treasurer, Roberta Renz (address in the church directory).
Also note that Western District Conference has established a “Hope Fund” to provide financial assistance to WDC congregations and their people. You can donate through Peace Mennonite by writing “Hope Fund” in the memo line of your check or give directly to Western District: Make contributions to Western District Conference designated “Hope Fund” online (Click on “Donate to WDC”) or by sending a check to PO Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117.
Prayer:
God of this Easter morning,
In our grief, grant us comfort;
In our confusion, grant us clarity;
In our fear, grant us peace;
In our silence, grant us voices to proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection:
Death has been swallowed up in the life of Christ.
Let us live into Christ’s abundant life–
wholly forgiven; wholly free. Amen
Benediction: “Praise God from Whom” sung by the Peace Mennonite congregation on Easter Sunday (April 20) 2014; with benediction from Joe Casad.
Peace Mennonite Church 
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