WORSHIP SERVICES

ORDER OF SERVICE

Note: All hymns are from the new Voices Together hymnal

Centering chimes Lighting of the solidarity lamp –
Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor

Prelude – Praise the Lord by Jay Beech

Call to Worship

One:  Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Christ, our Redeemer.

Many:  Who was anointed by the spirit of God to bring good news to the poor.

 

One:  Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Christ, our Redeemer.

Many:  Who was crucified by the keepers of order for heeding the summons of God.

 

One:  Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Christ, our Redeemer.

Many:   Who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit for bringing the reign of God to earth.

 

All:  Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Christ, our Redeemer!

Hymn #348 – Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

Welcome & prayer

Passing the peace (break-out zoom groups)

Hymn #352 – This Joyful Eastertide

Children’s story
– Song “Let the children come to me”
– The children’s offering benefits Crisis Nursery in Champaign. The organization’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to families in crisis. Donations may be sent to the FMC office at any time or can be made online (select children’s offering in “To” box)

Scripture: Acts 10:34-48

Sermon

Hymn #150 – Gentle God, When We are Driven

Congregational Sharing & prayer

Meditation music – Dona Nobis Pacem arr. by Hal Hopson
– In the absence of a weekly offering collection, reflect on how you are practicing and receiving generosity. Consider giving to First Mennonite Church by mailing a check, giving through your bank, or giving online.

Work of the church

Hymn #740 – Spirit of the Living God

Benediction

Worship Leader- Pastor Deb
Prelude & Meditation – Kathy Springer
Hymns – Matt Yoder (Deb Sutter – piano)
Children’s Story – Bruce Miller
Scripture Reader – Judy Nafziger
Sermon & Sharing – Pastor Michael
Technician – Bharat Patel

ORDER OF SERVICE

Note: All hymns are from the new Voices Together hymnal

Centering chimes Lighting of the solidarity lamp –
Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor

Prelude – El Cielo Canta Alegria by Pablo Sosa

Call to Worship

One:    And while it was still dark, Mary found the light!

 

Many: The disciples came running, but they did not understand.

 

One:    Mary stood weeping and saw angels but did not recognize Jesus.

 

Many: But when Jesus calls our name, then we recognize the way, the truth, and the life.

 

One:    And then there was feasting! And there is feasting to come. God will make for all peoples a feast of rich food and well-aged wines and will wipe away tears from all faces.

 

Many: It will be said on that day, “This is our God for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice. There is peace by Jesus Christ.”

 

One:    Hold firmly to the good news, which you received, in which you stand, through which you are being saved.

 

All:      Let’s open the gates of righteousness to enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

Hymn #565 – Christ is Alive and Goes Before Us

Welcome & prayer

Passing the peace (break-out zoom groups)

Hymn #346 – Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Affirmation of Faith

Many: Deep calls to deep. We give thanks from the depths of our hearts!

 

One:    Once weeping, now proclaiming: “I have seen the Lord!”

 

Many: Once famished, now feasting: “This is the God for whom we have waited!”

 

One:    Once divided, now convicted: “Jesus Christ is Lord of all!”

 

Many: We shall not die but we shall live and keep telling the deeds of the Lord.

 

One:    Deep calls to deep. You call to us from the depth of your love, O God. You have come to us in Jesus Christ.

 

Many: We answer your call to deep living!

Children’s story
– Song “Let the children come to me”
– The children’s offering benefits Crisis Nursery in Champaign. The organization’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to families in crisis. Donations may be sent to the FMC office at any time or can be made online (select children’s offering in “To” box)

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9 & John 20:1-18

Sermon

Communion
– Gather bread/cracker and juice at home for the virtual celebration

Hymn #347 – I know that My Redeemer Lives

Congregational Sharing & prayer

Meditation music – Hallelujah, Salvation & Glory by Stephen Hurd
– In the absence of a weekly offering collection, reflect on how you are practicing and receiving generosity. Consider giving to First Mennonite Church by mailing a check, giving through your bank, or giving online.

Work of the church

Hymn #341 – Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia!

Benediction & Virtual Hallelujah Chorus

Worship Leader- Pastor Deb
Prelude & Meditation – Pam Pena Martin & Pete Shungu
Hymns – Cindy Breeze, Pastor Deb & Andrea Welty Peachey
Children’s Story – Janet Liechty & Phil Martens
Scripture Reader – Keith Springer
Sermon & Sharing – Pastor Michael
Technician – Phil Martens

Join us for a short service this Friday from 12:15-12:45 pm.

Good Friday: Deep in the Shadows

ORDER OF SERVICE

PRELUDE VIDEO – Khudaya, rahem kar (Have Mercy on Us, Lord)
– from Voices Together #693 sung by the Story Musicians

GREETING

CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Today we gather to enter the story of Jesus’ betrayal and pain together.

Many: With heavy feet we enter the story. The sea, the earth, the sky, the woods, the current, the wilderness, all lead us here. We rest in God’s shadow.

One: We are here in the darkness remembering Jesus’ death.

Many: Slowly we open our hearts to grief and to our part in the story.

One: We are here in the darkness, following Christ, who says, “Take up your cross.”

Many: Deep in the darkness, we trust that death is not the end.

All: And there was darkness.

SCRIPTURE – John 18: 3-12 (Arrest of Jesus)

SONG – Go to Dark Gethsemane (Voices Together #317)

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE – John 18:25-27 (Peter denies Jesus a Third Time); Isaiah 53:6

SONG – Before the Cock Crew Twice (Blue Hymnal #243)

PRAYER       

SCRIPTURE – John 18: 33-38 (Pilate interviews Jesus); Isaiah 53:2-3

SONG – When We are Tempted, verses 1-3 (Purple songbook #81)

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE – John 19: 17-22 (Crucifixion of Jesus); Isaiah 53:10

SONG – Were You There (Voices Together #329)

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE  – John 19: 28-30 (The Death of Jesus); Isaiah 53: 12

SONG – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Voices Together #322)

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE – John 19: 38-42 (Burial of Jesus)

SENDING BLESSING

POSTLUDE VIDEO – Ya hamala Allah (O Lamb of God)
– from Voices Together #321 sung by the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers

Worship Leader – Sam Cox
Hymns – Pastor Deb
Scripture readers – Sam Cox & Pastor Deb
Videos – Rhonda Gibson
Technician – Phil Martens