Easter @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers from Angela Baker

Beautiful Korean Church children's ensemble

Appreciating the postlude

Lively fellowship time

Today's worship service may be seen at this link.

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Therefore if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side.” —Colossians 3:1 (CEB)

Welcome... Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula

Prelude... Lorie Courier and Suzanne Polacek / “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

*Call to Worship (based on 1 Peter 1 and Revelation 7)... Rev. Dawoon Jung

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been born anew into a living hope; we have been given an inheritance that will never pass away! Blessing and glory and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

*Hymn... “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (UMH #302)

Easter Confession and Assurance (written by Greg Scheer)... Rev. Dawoon Jung

Call to Confession: Christ has risen, and we have risen to new life with Him. Yet we must confess the ways we have continued to remain in our tombs of sin and death.

Prayer of Confession: Living Lord, when we stand before the empty tomb we don’t always feel the joy of resurrection. We feel fear, doubt, and distrust. We feel empty. Forgive the fear that paralyzes us at the brink of new life. Forgive our doubt of Your love. Forgive our distrust of Your surprising, joyous plan. Fill our emptiness with Your glorious light. Raise us to abundant new life for the glory of Your name.

Words of Assurance: Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Siblings in Christ, Christ has forgiven our sins. Christ calls us to new life. Christ will lead us into righteousness. Amen.

St. Paul’s Chancel Choir... “Hallelujah! Resurrection Day!” by Larry Shackley

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations... Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula

Pastoral Prayer... Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula

The Lord’s Prayer... Rev. Dawoon Jung

Scripture Lesson: Acts 10:34-43... Rev. Dawoon Jung

BBKC Children’s Ensemble... “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” and “Because He Lives,” arranged by Sela Park

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 28:1-10... Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula

Sermon... Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula / “The response”

*Hymn... “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain” (UMH #315)

*Words for the Journey... Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula

Postlude... Hyeji Park and Erick Miranda / “Easter Oratorio, I Sinfonia BWV249,” by J.S. Bach, arranged by Erick Miranda