April 9, 2023 – 930 Easter
While it is still dark
Mill Plain UMC
Easter Sunday
9:30 a.m.
Opening Song Mighty to Save
Greeting
Impact Moment
Blessing of the Food Barrel
Risen One, on the beach you showed yourself to your friends and asked for some bread and fish to eat. You told them to feed your lambs.
As those who follow you now, we recognize that one quarter of the people in our community go hungry. In this barrel we have collected food to provide for your children. We ask you to bless this food that all who eat of it and the other food we have collected may be nourished. Be present to them as they receive this food and provide for all who hunger and thirst. Come Lord Jesus, be our guest. May this food for all be blessed. Amen.
Call to Worship
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!!
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, through Jesus Christ you overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. Grant that we, who celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may, by the renewing of your Spirit arise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Reprinted from The United Methodist Hymnal, copyright 1989, by permission of The United Methodist Publishing House.)
Praise Song Everlasting God
Praise Song Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Here I Am to Worship
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology How Great Is our God
Scripture John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Sermon While It Is Still Dark Pastor Sue Ostrom
Prayer
While it was still dark, Mary went to the tomb. While it was still dark, Peter and John entered the tomb and found the grave cloths.
While it was still dark, these disciples groped their way to new life. They saw, and believed, and yet did not understand.
While it is still dark we come to you, O Christ. We come with dim faith seeking you. We come with grieving hearts and sorrowful spirits, searching for your new life.
Come to us, we pray, and show us new life. Come to us, we pray, touch us and call us to life. Amen.
Praise Song Christ the Lord Is Risen
Benediction
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ attend you.
The love of God surround you.
The Holy Spirit keep you.
Abound in hope and grow in love, both now and forever more. Amen.
Praise song Step By Step