April 9, 2023
Easter Sunday
Enhance your online worship experience
Whether you’re a first-time online visitor or a life-long member, we welcome and celebrate the ways you enrich our collective worship of a scattered yet gathered Children of God. As we begin our service, we invite you to light a candle, just as we do in the prelude during our in-person worship. Our two altar candles symbolize that Christ was both a human being and God. A light being carried into the world shows that Jesus Christ is for all people - everywhere. Just as a the acolyte carries the lighted candlelight into the congregation, the light symbolizes the light of Jesus Christ preceding us into the world where we as the church are to serve.
Gathering:
The chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
Holy, Holy, Holy arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
Handbell Choir + Danielle Fann, flute
Welcome and Announcements
Hymn
Christ the Lord is Risen Today UMH# 302
Stanzas 1,2,3,4
Call to Worship
One: They thought the story was over, all hope was gone, Christ was dead
Many: They did not understand what God would do
One: They came out of honor for the one who died
Many: They found the glory of the one who lives
One: Are we here out of habit, out of expectations?
Many: Are we here expecting a miracle?
One: The miracle is here, Christ is risen.
Many: Christ is risen indeed!
Choral Call to Worship
Antiphonal Psalm Hal Hopson
Concerns and Prayers with the Lord’s Prayer
UMH# 895
A Reading from the Epistles
Anthem
O Sing to the Lord Jeffrey Blersch
Nicks Skaggs, tenor
Please join the choir in singing the refrain printed on the insert.
The Reading from the Gospels
Sermon
Fear and Joy | Rev. Lisa Hartzog
Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon
Today we are reminded of the power of God. Even death is no match for the life that God brings into the world! The curtain is torn, Christ has made a way for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and made new.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new.
Thanks be to God.
Affirmation of Faith
Affirmation from I Corinthians 15:1-6 and Colossians 1:15-20
UMH #888
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
Doxology | UMH# 94
Hymn
Lift High the Cross UMH# 159
Postlude
Were You There arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Lisa Hartzog
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Pianist: Patty Higgins
Music Intern: Nick Skaggs
Make a Gift | Your Tithes & Offerings
Thank you for your continued financial support.
Mail Your Gift
The best way to contribute right now is by sending your offering through U.S. Mail to our Post Office Box.
Mars Hill United Methodist Church
PO Box 427
Mars Hill, NC 28754
Give Online
If you prefer to give online, Mars Hill United Methodist Church is pleased to offer the convenience and security of online giving through the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.